November in Germany (Berlin in particular) is normally thought of as bitterly cold, gray, and depressing. However, this year has proved to be an exception to the rule, with mild weather, no rain, sunny skies, and picture perfect autumn leaves. Without anything else to complain about, you’ll be free to simply enjoy this marvelous fall.

This month also brings with it several exceptional new products that I know will become close to your heart. Only just arrived and already thoroughly tested by yours truly, SUKI Skincare is a fabulous natural cosmetics brand from the USA. In fact, two of their products have already been incorporated into my daily routine.

The Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser was the first to win my affections.  I have a tendency to find face washes a little bit boring. This put an end to that trend. Period. It sounds a bit silly, but since I’ve started using this cleanser, I look forward to the small daily ritual. This cleanser works simultaneously as a gentle exfoliant—leaving the skin soft, small-pored, and clean.

I also fell for the Tinted Active Moisturizer right away. I have always been a tinted day cream kind of girl, simply because I find it to be one of the most practical products in the world. Personally, I find that foundation is often too much, as I prefer just a touch of color. Therefore, a tinted moisturizer works perfectly for me: It nourishes the skin while providing an even tone. In this respect, SUKI has developed a truly fantastic product. It not only feels wonderful on the skin, but also lacks the ‘rubbery’ effect, the end result being dewy and healthy looking skin.

No November-Tristesse

Speaking of healthy, some may feel like they tend to look slightly sick in the fall. This unfortunate condition can result from your actually falling ill, or from your summer tan finally deciding to fade away. In either case, I always use the Sweetie Darling blush from HIRO to restore my glow. With this color you always appear as though you just returned from a refreshing autumn stroll. Absolutely natural, this product is a real kick-starter for any morning.

The last product I’d like to recommend ist the new Body Amazon Oil from the brand Rahua. It smells like an Amazonian summer rain (sorry for sounding kitschy). Not that I would know how the rain in the Amazon would smell and feel, but I imagine it to have the same scent as this body oil. Pleasantly warm. The skin is soft and looks healthy and the oil sinks in quickly – Rahua is definitely a keeper!

As a small November treat, this month I present to you the recipe for my famous amongst friends and family “OMG Chocolates”. These will not go straight to your hips and are, instead, believe it or not, healthy. Vegan. Gluten-free. Raw. You will never want to eat any other.

Ingredients:

200g Cashews
80g Cacao Powder
A pinch of sea salt
250g Dates

Directions:

Grind the nuts in a blender until a grainy texture is created. Add cacao powder and sea salt. Mix again, vigorously. Add dates and a bit of water to the blender and mix until a solid “dough” forms. Then form little balls and roll the dough in the cacao powder until non-sticky. Store the chocolates in the fridge oder freezer for a couple of hours.

Notes:

If you want the recipe to be a little sweeter, you can add 1-2 TL of maple syrup, honey, or coconut nectar.

So, please enjoy November! Take long walks through the foliage, eat brownies, go to the cinema, and read some good books. In no time it will be December. And how do you like to spend your days in November?

* english translation Csilla Liptai