Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle
Staff Picks: Women-Run Brands on Rakuten
From beauty buys to fun fashion to products that help you travel with ease, we’ve tapped our panel of shopping experts at Rakuten to share some of their favorite recent purchases from women-run brands. For a full list of stores, head to our Shop with Optimism page!
BEVIN: Baggu Cloud Carry-On
“The Baggu Cloud Carry-On is the best travel bag I’ve ever owned. It has a strap to go over your luggage handle, which makes it easy to carry on trips. It’s also sturdy enough to hold all my work things plus the extra clothes I’ll inevitably return home with.”
Sustainability has been an important component of Baggu’s mission since it was founded by Emily Sugihara in 2007. We love Baggu for its reusable shopping bags that come in several prints and colors. The Cloud Carry-On, just like the Standard Baggu, is made with recycled nylon, which saves scrap material from the landfill and reduces greenhouse-gas emissions. The smart design includes a trolley sleeve to attach the carry-on to your suitcase when you’re on the go and two spacious exterior pockets for quick access to essentials.
MALIA: Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum
“This product has kept my skin hydrated all winter long! It’s now a staple in my skin-care routine, and it helps me moisturize without irritating my sensitive skin.”
Priscilla Tsai, founder and CEO of Cocokind, believes the two necessities for healthy, glowing skin are hydration and skin barrier support. Enter Cocokind’s Ceramide Barrier Serum, which focuses on just that. Made with a blend of five ceramides that prevent dehydration and irritation and lipids that protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier, the serum is ideal for use both morning and night. It will quickly become a can’t-miss step in your skin-care routine.
MARISSA: Charlotte Stone Sneakers
“The sneakers are so comfortable and add the best pop of color to any outfit. They brighten up my day, and I always get compliments.”
Charlotte Stone’s commitment to making self-expression a daily party is evident in her vibrant and playful shoes and accessories. Whether you’re looking for funky clogs, block heels, boots or sneakers, you’ll find countless shoe styles featuring pops of color and fun, fresh designs. Our personal favorite style is the Arianne slip-on. Made with soft nappa leather and featuring a padded ankle and memory-foam insole, the sneaker is a perfect example of a shoe that’s as fashionable as it is functional.
KELSEY: Catbird Forever Bracelet
“I love my Catbird permanent bracelet because it’s dainty and durable, and the same goes for all the pieces I own from this brand! I trust I can find pieces that will last in both style and wearability.”
Catbird was founded by Rony Vardi in 2004 as a small store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, filled with art supplies, candles and the jewelry that soon became the business’s focal point. You can now shop rings, earrings, necklaces and select home and beauty products, or visit one of the store’s six locations to “get zapped” with one of its customizable Forever Bracelets.
COURTNEY: Credo Beauty
“Credo Beauty is my go-to for buying vegan and clean beauty products, such as the Indie Lee Cleanser. I’ve been using it for years, and I swear by it! The strawberry seed oil makes it smell so good, it removes makeup and SPF, and it’s foaming, which I always love in face washes.”
Indie Lee’s Brightening Cleanser, available at Credo Beauty, is rich with antioxidants such as strawberry seed oil and tomato extracts, which hydrate the skin, and wheat protein and lycopene, which gently exfoliate. Its three-in-one versatility — it’s a cleanser, makeup remover and mask — also makes it a great travel product when you’re short on space but don’t want to skip your skin-care routine. Pro tip: If you’re looking for even more beauty products from female-founded companies, Credo has a curated page of best-sellers.
Whether you’re stocking up on skin care or treating yourself to a new pair of shoes, your purchase is made all the sweeter knowing you’re supporting women-run brands and scoring Cash Back in the process. To shop even more women-led brands, don’t forget to check out our Shop with Optimism page.
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