A Review: Dolce Mia Bath and Beauty Products
It's not too often that one can find a bath and/or beauty product that truly lives up to its name. One company from Sebastopol has seemed to hit a magic note with a line of bath and beauty products that not only works well, but lives up to its name "Dolce" - which means "sweet" in Italian.
I was recently introduced to the Dolce Mia line during a Costco roadshow - where the company was introducing it's line to the public through samples and one on one consultations. Before the roadshows, Dolce Mia had only been available online, in salons and through Dolce Mia "designer reps"
The company is based in Sebastapol, California, in the heart of the Napa Valley wine country. The owners, Alex and Jennie Mountjoy, have been operating Dolce Mia since 1991, when Jennie first started the business as a hobby. It is family run with even the sons chipping in to learn the family business.
Dolce Mia - a local green business in the California wine country
Dolce Mia not only prides itself on the use of local materials to produce their brand, but in the use of local workers and local production. The company is also a green business and expounds on its philosophy on its website where it notes:
"The benefits of local production include reduced carbon footprint, procuring local ingredients, hiring local people – enhancing the local economy, and employing family businesses like our own, whenever possible."
A big proponent of local business, I give Dolce Mia 5 stars for their business philosophy and their commitment to their community.
Do you have a favorite body lotion that you use?
Dolce Mia hand and body lotion
Besides the 5 star rating I give Dolce Mia for their companies green policies, no business could succeed without a good product. Dolce Mia delivers here with it's full line of bar soaps, liquid bath washes, body lotions, hand sanitizers, shampoos and conditioners.
I first tried the Terra Verbena lotion by Dolce Mia, which was promised to last on my hands through several washings. A little skeptical, I tried the lotion and did find that even towards the end of the day, I could still feel the lotions moisturizer on my skin. Because I teach art, my hands are in water a lot washing brushes, and I suffer from dry and cracked skin, especially in cold weather.
After using the lotion for a few days I found my hands to be clearing up, with no signs of visible dryness. This was after applying the lotion only once a day (sometimes twice)
Dolce Mia's body lotion comes in 8 scents:
- Terra Verbena (a woodsy scent with a hint of lemon, good for both men and women)
- Pikake (named after the Hawaiian flower that lei's are made from - a powerful but beautiful scent)
- Tuberose (I like to call this one a "vintage" rose scent. The older crowd and rose fans would especially love this scent)
- Tropical Citrus (a clean scent with a hint of lemon and coconut - awesome)
- Vanilla (just like it says - smells just like the Vanilla that you have in your baking pantry)
- Sweet Almond (smells so good you want to eat this one)
- Mango Tangerine (my favorite - tropical and fruity)
-
Amberry Lavender (perfect for lavender lovers - very true to it's namesake)
The Mango Tangerine lotion, which is my favorite scent in the line, contains lavender, white tea, marsh mallow root, chamomile, calendula, sweet almond and oat. The shea butter lotion keeps your hands soft throughout the day and you only need a little bit on your hands for it to go a ling way. The longevity of the product is evident just after one day of use.
Dolce Mia Body Lotion
- Dolce Mia Designs - Vintage Everyday
Dolce Mia Designs brings vintage everyday with fine bar and liquid soaps, waterless hand cleansers, lotions with organic botanicals, and gifts and stationery.
Dolce Mia design packaging: 5 stars
Besides the Dolce Mia lotions which I gave a 5 star rating to, I also give them 5 stars for their packaging and line design. The line is broken up into several different themes like Western Cowboy and Cowgirl, Pin-up Girls, Surfer Girl and Surfer Boy, Vintage Hawaiian and other cute and fun themes. The owner Jennie produces all the fun and whimsical designs, and every bottle is hand filled, hand packaged and produced locally.