Indianapolis based Frangipani Body Products specializes in all-natural skin care and body products and recently won a 3rd Annual Beauty with a Conscience Award.
When I first saw the products in a local magazine, I didn't know it was an Indy based company. When I checked out all the positive feedback on facebook from others with similar ages and skin types, I HAD to order some. The owner and creator of the products, Tracy Land, originally had been making them to heal her own skin, as she battled the skin condition rosacea (which I have as well) then sold it to a few friends while she worked in the Quality Assurance end of IT.
Tracy continued to develop the concept and when her position was eliminated, instead of just picking up an unemployment check, she started refining the products, producing the products and selling to the public, using word of mouth, farmer's markets, trade shows, etc. I can only imagine how much telephoning, strategy, business planning and leg work that was. The product was a hit, and is now carried in a number of stores, including Whole Foods, in addition to being on line.
Frangipani products contain only plant based ingredients, and almost NO water. Only a small amount is needed so the product is quite long lasting which makes it a value. Compared to what I spent at the Lancome and Clinique and Estee Lauder counters over the years for things that only made my skin redder and more irritated. . . a bargain!
Sure, I could go out and get buffed and abraded and bo-toxed, quick, fake fixes. I prefer a product that heals the skin in the long term, helping it glow from the inside out.
I have no desire to be 20 again, (which is like 2 in dog years). Aging gracefully is wonderful, whether you're a famous black lab or his redheaded "Mom".
The Frangipani products: So many - cleanser, creams, serums, Shea butter creams that would be perfect for gals OR guys to make work worn hands feel like velvet, lip balm, all kinds of things. The skin care selections range from oily teenage skin to OMG, I remember 8 track tapes! My favorites are the cleanser and the facial serum. I love gel cleansers but they dry my skin. Cream cleansers remind me of Grandma's Ponds Cold Cream and make me break out if I use every day. The Frangipani cleanser is smooth and very creamy but it lathers just enough to clean and rinses completely, without rubbing, leaving my face soft without having to irritate it with a wash cloth. To exfoliate, there is an exfoliating product that's plant oil based with little jojoba beads that gently get rid of dry skin, as they gently dissolve.
I'm thinking the facial cleanser might work well for guys for shaving. The faint coconut and olive oil based scent is very pleasant but NOT girly. Tracy does not use fragrance oils in her Frangipani line, but only essential oils, much gentler on the skin while still smelling wonderful.
I also love the body oil, (you have to try that one) it's rice bran oil based so it soaks right in after bathing avoiding that whole, "Honey I just got out of the shower and moisturized and would love a hug", wherein he complies and you go shooting out of his arms like a watermelon seed and bounce off the walls, ruining the mood). And both the grapefruit and the lavender blends smell incredible but not overpowering
But don't let the all natural, plant based products fool you. I've talked to Tracy several times as I got her permission to post this and not only is she a wonderful lady and product genius, she likes bacon!
Check the website out (just click on the Frangipani name in purple at the start of the post). Everything can be shipped promptly and the beautiful amber recyclable glass bottles are carefully packaged so there is no breakage (and trust me on the body oil thing.)
- Brigid
