LAUREL SHAFFER’S PROVERBIAL roots have long been planted in the holistic beauty industry. “Green living has always been extremely important to me,” she says, “and avoiding toxic ingredients in beauty products was an absolute must.” An inherent interest in the healing power of plants and a longtime love of spas inspired her to start making spa-worthy products in her home kitchen. At first she sold them at local farmers’ markets, but now the Laurel Whole Plant Organics product line (formerly Sequoia Beauty) has a home of its own in Sausalito. Opened in March, Laurel’s new space serves as production headquarters, a setting for facial treatments and a retail home for the company’s namesake products along with other Bay Area green beauty brands. It’s a sure recipe for a streamlined, shoppable and sustainable day at the spa. PHILOSOPHY “We want anyone who uses our products to understand the importance of self-care and to feel loved and nurtured by the products and — most important — by themselves,” Shaffer says, summing up her company’s mission. The formulas in the Laurel line are 100 percent whole-plant organic, largely locally sourced and based on the latest in plant science. The curated raw ingredients are also ideal for restorative treatments, Shaffer says, as they foster the sort of sensory experience only nature can provide. THE SCOOP Laurel’s product line includes serums, balms, cleansers, masks, exfoliants and oils, each crafted from a short list of active, organic ingredients. Prices range from $20 for a lavender lip treatment to $88 for a restorative balm boasting a waterless, potent blend of calendula, sea buckthorn, comfrey, sandalwood and more. BEYOND MARIN To try Laurel products in an atmosphere of rejuvenation, visit one of the company’s partnering spas in the Bay Area — Credo Beauty in San Francisco, Imogen Skin Care in Corte Madera and the Spa at Hotel Healdsburg all offer facials featuring the brand. WHAT THEY SAY “We as a society are awakening and learning more about where our food comes from, but it’s also important to be aware of where our beauty products come from and who makes them, from what and how,” says Shaffer. “The most effective and luxurious skin care can and should be raw, organic, farmsourced, handcrafted and made with love.” laurelskin.com
