"It’s that funky crystal bookstore you never want to leave meets a European apothecary,” says Leilani Bishop of Botanica Bazaar—the chic holistic beauty boutique she opened with friend Bethany Mayer in the Hamptons a few years back. Known for its beckoning fluorescent-pink pharmacy sign, the jewel box Amagansett shop is stocked with everything from made-in-Vermont essential oil patches to Japanese face towels and French green clay masks—all of which abide by the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep ingredient database. In other words, as she puts it, “when people come in, or shop online, they don’t need to overthink whether or not something is good for them.”
Born and raised in Hawaii before embarking on a major modeling career in the late 90s, Bishop has always believed passionately in holistic and plant-based products that are safe for the body and the planet. A lifelong surfer who lives in Amagansett year-round, she’s also got a knack for seeking out the most effective CBD-infused face serums, nourishing after-sun balms, and clean supplements to meet the needs of her own bathroom shelf.
Here, Bishop shares her favorite inside-out finds from Botanica Bazaar for your best skin and clearest mind yet.
Sasawashi Face Scrub Towel
“This great antimicrobial face scrub towel is made from a blend of Japanese paper and the fibers of the Kumazasa plant. It exfoliates really gently. I also like their dry brushing mitts for the body.”
Beekeeper’s Natural B. Smart Brain Fuel
“Beekeeper’s Natural makes some of the purest, most medicinal immune boosters out there. The founder had autoimmune issues and, while in Europe, discovered that propolis worked really well for her. In America, a lot of bee products contain pesticides, so, in order to get the quality that she needs, she works with apiaries around the world. I love her B. Smart Brain Fuel, which is made with royal jelly. I take it as a little shot in the morning."
S’eau Prima Foundational Face Mist
“This plant-based face mist purifies and protects the skin from stressors and improves the moisture barrier. It’s also an overall pH level booster and helps my skin absorb other products really well. Because of my sun damage as a surfer, I literally spray myself with it all day. I also gave it to my son!”
Natural Patches of Vermont - Headache & Migraine
“I love Natural Patches of Vermont. They make essential oil-based wearable patches for everything from sleep to allergies, and come in little tins. They’re great for traveling; I love to put on the headache formula patch in the plane—you just smell like lemongrass—and, for pain, the arnica one is really good. The essential oils absorb into your bloodstream, so the effects can last up to three days, even after removing the patch.”
Gnome Wellness Face Defense Serum
“Gnome Wellness’s Face Defense contains 200 mg of CBD that helps heal my damaged skin, as well as any redness and irritation from the sun.”
Hollow and Ridge’s Tick and Bug Repellant
"This natural tick spray is a must! It contains rose geranium, lemongrass, and peppermint, which help to naturally deflect the bugs.”
Immunocologie Vital Clay Mask
“One of my favorite masks is this green clay formula by Immunocologie. When the brand founder had cancer, her physician in France had her drink little doses of raw earth clay to help with inflammation. After she was cured, she created Immunocologie; each of her products contains French green clay, which is full of important minerals for our bodies. The great thing about the face mask is that, by noticing the areas that dry last, you can narrow down which parts of your body need the most nutrients. For me, it’s my cheeks, which are related to the liver. It’s a great inner-outer product.”
Suntegrity SPF Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen
“Suntegrity is an amazing holistic sunscreen brand. I love the SPF 30 Natural Mineral Body Sunscreen. It’s super, super clean and smells really good.”
Goop Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub
“I’m obsessed with this scalp treatment from Goop. [Gwyneth Paltrow] knows what’s on the market, so the products that she comes out with are very needed and diverse; there’s nothing like them out there. This scrub foams a little, which is great, but it also cleans and invigorates the pores for hair growth.”
Oshan Essentials Kai After Sun Balm
“Oshan Essentials is a Hawaiian brand that I discovered a couple of years ago. The founder was a professional surfer before moving to Maui. Her sense of formulation and use of indigenous ingredients is amazing. I especially love her after-sun body butter, Kai. It’s also great for fall and winter because it offers that deep hydration. We can’t keep it on our shelves.”
Feature photo by Anna Menke
