Beija-Flor is Portuguese for hummingbird. While many celebrate this charming bird for its beauty and resourcefulness, this busy creature is also an apothecary of sorts. Hummingbirds are drawn to the agave plant, one of nature’s healing wonders that nourishes humming birds and humans alike.
Based in Oakland, CA, Beija-Flor Naturals takes inspiration from the hummingbird and features an array of healing natural ingredients in its products—including agave! The brand is also careful avoiding what our skin and hair don’t need like petrochemicals and synthetic preservatives.
I recently tried two Beija-Flor Naturals skin care products, and it was hard not to fall in love with the line.
The Agave Aloe Polisher is a face mask and scrub that moisturises skin as it helps slough off dead skin cells for a smoother, more even complexion. Organic aloe, jojoba oil, rice bran oil, apricot oil, and rosehip oil soothe and hydrate skin while organic sugar and agave nectar provide exfoliation and vitamin-rich nourishment. The delicate hint of sweet orange and rosemary essential oils lend a crisp and refreshing natural fragrance to lift the spirits.
I couldn’t resist using this ultra-thick scrub on my hands, too. A good DIY mani isn’t complete with out a softening hand scrub, after all.
I’ve also been enjoying Beija-Flor Naturals Cocoa Mango Buttercream. The whipped texture gives the butter an airy quality—despite the fact that cocoa, mango, and shea butters make the cream deeply moisturizing. In other words, for something so rich, it’s very spreadable. Both of the star ingredients, cocoa and mango, butter help lock in moisture, treat dry and compromised skin, and reduce signs of skin damage and aging.
I primarily use the cream as an indulgent pregnant-belly treatment (natural oils support skin’s elasticity and help reduce the itchiness that accompanies all that stretching!). Plus, a little pampering with natural products goes a long way when it comes to feeling good in your own skin while your body is extra busy doing pregnancy stuff. The Cocoa Mango Buttercream can also be used as a leave-in treatment for dry or naturally curly hair.
In addition to these nourishing skin goodies, Beija-Flor Naturals crafts hair products that cater especially to “kinks, curls and coils,” i.e., hair textures that tend to benefit from a little extra moisture and may have different requirements than straight hair when it comes to shaping and styling.
If you’re sporting natural, textured hair, be sure to check out Beija-Flor Naturals’ positively luscious Creme Brûlée for Kinks Curls and Coils Curling and Twisting Cream. The combination of marshmallow root, murumuru butter, aloe butter, shea butter, coconut oil, and grapeseed oil is designed to leave hair healthy, protected, and silkier than ever.
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All photos by author. Thank you to Beija-Flor Naturals for kindly providing products for review
