I realized that I’ve been writing here for over a year now and I am only on to my 4th newsletter on the subject of soulful finds. I know! What happened to soulful shopping? It’s all been ruminations on the subject of personal style and dressing up most of the time, there’s hardly anything about shopping here.
It’s not that it’s hard to find stuff. There are plenty of things to see and buy, but soulful? I found nothing really soul-stirring enough to be written about. But I need to live up to my promise, and share something that still feels aligned with my values.
I thought I’d write about these 2 pairs of pants that caught my eye when we were in Japan last month. But they were more of a utility purchase, when I realized I needed tailored khakis since everything I owned in this color was either too relaxed or too casual - dropcrotch linen pants by Rachel Comey and linen trousers from an Australian designer who lived for a time in Bali, the brand escapes me now.
Anyway, I needed something more structured and serious. These two look more like it can go to work, and still think of work as fun.
Both are by Japanese brands. The one on the left is from Gallarda Galante, and had an interesting cut, kind of like a barrel leg reminiscent of Bsides Jeans Lassos. The one on the right is a wide leg tailored khaki from United Arrows, made from a hefty twill fabric that looks and feels like it’s built to last. Other than that, there’s nothing esoteric or poetic about these pants. Both need to be hemmed too, as they are quite long. (As for the tops, these were definitely. soulful buys. The white top on the left t is by Tibi, and recently, I asked Tibi founder, Amy Smilovic via Instagram DM if I could give this top a wash after years of just spot cleaning. She took the time to reply to me to tell me to stick to spot clean and explained why. I mean, how can one not be loyal to her brand? You just know she puts her soul into everything that makes it to the shop floor. As for my denim top, this is by Bea Valdes, and it was something I ordered from her sister Marga in person, after seeing her wearing it. These pleasant personal encounters really add magic and stardust to each piece, these are definitely are closet keepers.)
So it got me thinking, what is a soulful buy for me when clothes aren’t exactly it these days? And I realized, we’re talking supplements, scents and skin care.
Supplements. Health is wealth, obviously, so stuff from Cymbiotika I feel, nourishes mind, body and soul. I was sold on their shilajit after reading all the reviews on their website. Why is it so good for us? It is a naturally occuring nutrient that is said to have 84+ minerals that promote healthy DNA and bodily functions and improves brain function. I don’t know if it’s psychological, but I feel like I have more energy, my digestion is so much better and hopefully, my heart is healthier. We’ll find out when I see our doctor for our regular check-ups. Apart from all that I’ve mentioned, shilajit is also known to be an anti-viral and helps with immunity, so anything against viruses, I’ll take it! It has an earthy taste that grows on you, although I didn’t have a problem with it from the very start. I actually enjoy starting my day with my shilajit brew.
Scents. There’s something still soulful about Byredo scents. They’re not yet too mainstream and it’s still rare to find someone smelling the same as I do. In Manila at least. I have the more popular Gypsy Water, but I also have the less common De Los Santos which has top notes of Clary Sage & Mirabelle, heart of Orris & Ciste Oil, and a base of Palo Santo, Musks and Ambroxan. To be honest, it was the Sage and Palo Santo that got to me. Do I smell like incense? Yes, definitely. I’d like to think when I wear it, it scares the bad juju away. Like smudging with scent on the side.
I recently got Eyes Closed, one of their newer scents, which I bought because it has cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. “Like chai tea!”, my fellow Byredo fan, Lanee, DM’d me on Instagram. I didn’t realize it until she pointed it out, and that’s how I fully understood why I loved the idea of this scent even before I actually smelled it. I love chai tea! I had serious withdrawal symptoms from the lack of masala chai when I got back from my first trip to India. I had to find a way to replicate it at home, would order it at Indian restaurants whenever I had the chance, and made sure I bought all the ingredients on my next visit to India. To be precise, Eyes Closed has this scent profile:
Top: Cardamom, Cinnamon
Heart: Carrot, Ginger, Orris Butter
Base: Papyrus, Patchouli
When I got home to Manila from Sydney, I waited for a week to unbox it, so I could really savor the experience. That’s when I knew, special scents that mean something to me are truly a balm for my soul. There’s also something so healing about having ginger, cardamom and cinnamon all together.
Skincare. I am a sucker for hype. I bought a bottle of Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream when I read Jessica DeFino’s newsletter even if she basically said, AB is just selling our skin’s inherent functions back to us. But then, I am sure she understands the convoluted consumer psyche. ‘You’re Not Bad, You’re Just Influenced That Way’, she titles her newsletter where she interviews Jessica Elefante. She might as well be talking to me.
To be honest, it was the idea of not having to use anything else for 27 days that convinced me this was worth trying. I figured, it’ll come out cheaper than having to buy retinols and all sorts of serums for the duration of time I am using this. Anyway, I’ve been using this for close to 5 months (gung ho the first 2 months, sparingly the last 3) and all I can say is my skin feels softer and more supple when I wake up after marinating on my face the entire night. It also doesn’t feel heavy when I put it on in the morning before I put on my CC cream.
Is it worth the hype? I am not entirely sure, but did I buy a back-up bottle of The Rich Cream as this bottle was gasping for breath? Yes. I guess this makes me a happy sucker.
I have also however, entered the Biologique Recherche territory, thanks to my dermatologist, Dr Yanee and Dr Van, Aesthetic Science’s BR dermatologist. I am loving BR’s effect on my skin. I’ve been using the Lait S.R. and Lotion P50T and I swear, coupled with regular facials even if I am only moisturizing when I remember, my skin texture feels really smooth. I’ll be switching to the Lotion P50 PIGM 400 when my bottle of P50T runs out because I have pigmentation on my cheeks, and I am hoping this does the trick of finally eliminating those darn brown spots on my face.
Because my soul wants me to be as blemish free like a bright and vibrant light, even if I am in this physical realm. LOL.
So yeah, these are the material things that speak to my soul these days, just nourishing the body basically through taste and smell and feel. I can tell my soul is enjoying it as much as I do!