I get asked a lot if I try every product on Malachite + Elephant, as our product lineup is expanding it's become impossible so over the past three years, I've relied on trusted bloggers. I recently launched the M+E Ambassador Program; where green & ethical beauty lovers like myself will be able to try products and let us know honestly how they worked for them.
Back to my own product testing...I received a beautiful gift package from Antonin B. around the holidays and I can honestly say that I loved both products from their line - from the packaging, the convenient size, product formulation and scent.
Antonin B. was launched in Paris in 2015. In three short years, the brand has expanded its distribution throughout Europe, in the USA and we are so happy to be the first retailer in Canada. The brand has also received numerous Green Beauty awards such as Flora Botanica's Free From Skincare awards and the most recent BAZAAR Hair Awards 2018.
The FreeFrom Skin Care Awards are designed to celebrate and encourage skincare and cosmetics manufacturers who create products that exclude some of the allergens, fragrances and other ingredients sometimes associated with skin and health issues, ethical and environmental concerns, and which may appeal to those looking for purer or more natural cosmetics and products for their skin, including those with problem skin conditions.
As always, I'm inspired by the story behind the brand especially when it involves female entrepreneur and extra bonus points if this brand follows Malachite + Elephant's principles such of giving back. Antonin B. is also cruelty free and Eco Certified.
Kendy (pictured above) was born and raised in Guadeloupe but now resides in Paris.
The idea behind the brand started in late 2011. Kendy was involved in the "world of hair" for 6 years and even wrote about natural hair products for used by Black women. It was around that time, that she embarked on her own natural hair journey and embraced a healthier lifestyle including food and skincare.
Although she loved the hair industry, she was bothered by all the questionable chemicals in hair products. She missed her native island's proximity to nature and natural ingredients. Antonin B. allowed her to evolve in a world she loved while offering an alternative that was 100% nature-sourced, organic with salon quality formulations.
Kendy's passions:
I am really passionate about art and creativity. That includes, of course, hair styling. I love styling and I love watching even more because it's the best way to learn new things.
Creativity is also in the formulation process and this is very fun. It's the moment you learn about your ingredients - to see how they are alone and how they react to others, how it all performs in the end. It's fascinating and is quite exciting when you get to the testing phase. Creating things is life! :-)
Giving Back
Kendy personally donates to organizations that provide access to food and healthcare worldwide. Through Antonin B., Kendy also support workers by engaging in fair trade. She believes in showing respect for the time and effort of those who work the land to provide quality ingredients. She takes this even further with the Desert Serum. The main ingredient in the serum is organic desert date oil which comes from villages around the Sahel. The villagers have planted the desert date trees as a barrier to prevent the desert from advancing and destroying their homes for years. Trading this oil allows them to earn a living and helps them develop sustainable new projects on their beloved land such as local schools for children who previously had to travel long distances to get an education.
The products
Antonin B. currently offers the Serum du Desert (Desert Serum)
and Baume Intense au miel (Intense Honey Butter)
both products are free of parabens, silicones, GMOs or synthetic ingredients. You will definitely want to have a look at the ingredient list.
If you would like to write a review about this or other products on Malachite + Elephant, please join our Ambassador Program, we'd be happy to send you a sample.
À bientôt!
D.
