Editor’s picks: Malie Organics and Adara

We’re barely three official weeks into fall, and I’m already dreaming of the tropics.

Sunny skies, white sand, a turquoise blue ocean and most importantly, the scent of coconut in the air. You know that fragrances are connected to our emotions, right? Well, for me, nothing transports me to my Happy Place—and wards off the cold-weather blues—quite like coconut-scented body wash, body lotion, shampoo, eau de toilette… heck, even Bounty bars, okay?

Happily, I’ve just discovered two new essentials that I expect will get me through the winter. Both are available in Canada from BeautyMark, which if you haven’t discovered yet, you should—it’s THE emporium for cutting-edge, cult-favourite beauty products. (Plus! They offer free shipping on orders over $99!)

Malie Organics is a Hawaii-based line of all-natural luxury spa products, and I’m currently in love with their Coconut Vanilla Organic Body Wash ($26 from BeautyMark). And it’s no wonder: one of their secrets is a unique distilling process that takes native Hawaiian flowers and transforms them into potent hydrosols (floral waters), which are highly therapeutic and fragrant. (They’re also a gentler alternative to essential oils because they can be applied direct to the skin.) The body wash contains 70 percent organic ingredients and is free of petroleum, sulfates and parabens. I know $28 is pricey for a body wash, but this turns my daily shower into a decadent aromatherapy experience.

Adara is a line of high-quality coconut oils from Singapore—all organic, fair trade and preservative- and paraben-free. The one I’m using is the Organic Coconut Virgin Oil in Soothing Lavender ($39.50 from BeautyMark), and let me tell you why it deserves that $39.50 price tag. (I think I love this, if it’s possible, even more than the Malie body wash.) Quite simply, this is the most multi-purpose product I think I’ve ever come across. First of all, coconut oil locks in moisture like nothing else, whether on your body as a lotion, or (in small amounts) as a leave-in conditioner in your hair. (OR, massage it in and cover with a shower cap 30 minutes before your shower for an all-natural deep conditioning treatment.) You can also use it as a spot treatment on pimples—coconut oil contains antibacterial lauric acid, which helps lessen inflammation and redness.

More uses: as a massage oil, split end treatment, pre-swimming hair protection, hand and foot lotion, or—the coolest surprise for me—as a scent in an aromatherapy burner.

Available at beautymark.ca.