Boxed Water Is Better

A few years ago, if you asked for high-end water, the options would be Evian, Fiji, or Voss. Now the market is filled with niche products ranging from limited collection Gaultier Evian bottles to scientifically advanced Penta bottles and everything in between. So how do you establish yourself as a new brand in an already crowded market with so many players selling one of the most basic goods?

Enter Boxed Water Is Better, a company based out of NYC started by Benjamin Gott, described as "part sustainable water company, part art project, part philanthropic project, and completely curious". The premise is very straightforward, in a crowd of plastic bottles and heavy glassware, Boxed Water IS Better uses old school cartons to house their water. It is kinder to the environment, more sustainable, and not to mention incredibly retro-chic. It is just incredibly refreshing, attention grabbing, and the personality of the company jumps off through the minimalist container with heavy, bold lettering.

Besides the fetch appeal, this is also a company that tries to do good - 10% of their profits go towards reforestation foundations, and a further 10% goes towards global water relief foundations.

Available at over 500 retailers, check on Boxed Water is Better for locations.

Fatboy Perfect Putty

I can't even fully express how fetch fatboy is. I didn't even want to write this in fear of turning them into the next bumble&bumble, you know- a cool company that everyone and their mom ends up using. I like my cult niche products to be just that. But fatboy is the product that does everything I could possibly want: that controlled-casual look where hair is perfectly coiffed and styled but looks like the wind just blew it that way.

The matte finish, and lightweight texture leaves hair natural and soft to touch as though you truly don't have product in your hair. The lightweight cream is misleading because it can hold your hair anyway you want and is extremely buildable- and I say this as someone who does not have 'easily manageable' hair like those models in the youtube hair tutorials.

To get this product so damn awesome - mega-talented hairstylist & musician Tyson Kennedy spent over 18 months experimenting with different batches in the kitchen of his LES apartment in New York. And you can tell a lot of thoughtfulness went into this unassuming product, from the texture down to it's fresh minty scent.

Price $18, Available at Urban Outfitters & select salons

Sisley-Paris Eau de Campagne Perfumed Deodorant

There is nothing I dislike more than a bad deodorant! Unlike perfumes, deodorants have always been seen as a gym-goer necessity. I've been using 'designer' deodorant since high school, when I realized the white chalky plain brands were staining my favorite shirts. The designer deodorants are usually a solid-gel like stick, however my new favorite is the Eau de Campagne from Sisley-Paris.

It is a spray deodorant housed in a minimal aluminum nitrogen spray bottle. The scent is a strong at first but fades so by the time you get to the gym, it won't be obnoxious. It has a cooling effect and the actual fragrance notes remind me of a winterfrost mint so it is perfect for hot LA summers. A lady at Equinox actually went up to me to ask what I was using. A little goes a long way so the 5oz can will last a long time!

Available at Bergdorf Goodman

YSL CABAS CHYC BAG

I find this bag irresistable. Unisex, perfect size for plane rides, weekend trips, etc. The matte black is so subtle and chic - it will match anything! This will probably be my regular bag for the season. Minimal, quiet, but undeniably gorgeous! 

Available at SSENSE for $2395.00

Ellis Faas

The epitome of avant-luxe beauty: Ellis Faas is the self-named line launched in 2009 from renowned makeup artist Ellis Faas who has worked with the who's who of the fashion industry: editorials with Mario Testino, shoots for Vogue, ad campaigns for Vuitton, shows for Sonia Rykiel, Theyskens, Viktor & Rolf, YSL - to name a few. 

Her line is distinct for many reasons. Unlike a lot of traditional luxury companies that sell 'glamorous' colors, she's almost grotesque in her descriptions. She bases all her colors on hues that exist naturally in the human body, brought about by her experience working in special effects in movies (blood, bruises, wounds). The signature lip color is called Ellis Red which is sad to be a true interpretation of blood. 

The packaging is another major departure from anything on the market. To achieve the distinctive pens that resemble talons - Ellis Faas teamed up with industrial designer, Arnout Visser. The intention was to create bullet-shaped pens that not only looked distinct but were also functional. Her products are all sold in pen form including the foundation, concealer, eyes, lip products - and fit into a larger metal container so you don't have to worry about displacing one item. They're also incredibly durable, and perfect for travel.

Her foundation is the only product I have used. As a guy, I'm not interested in foundations that look too heavy or cakey - it isn't good to look too obvious in my book. The Skin Veil Foundation Pen is perfect for trips as it fits anywhere, won't spill, and already comes with an applicator brush. I found the coverage to be very light which is perfect for 'illuminating', fading redness, and balancing the face. I do have some acne scars but using a bit of concealer that's easily buildable with this foundation - my skin appeared very natural, bright, and flawless. Although her foundation is very light and subtle the lip and eye products pack quite a punch and the color-rich pigments pop off the face. 

The line is sold worldwide and is available for retail at Space NK, Woodley & Bunny, and online at Sephora.

The Nasomatto Project

The epitome of a Fetch Hunter product - avant-garde brand, beautifully simple-chic packaging, high-quality. The Nasomatto Project refers to the fragrance line created by Alessandro Gualtieri. If his name sounds familiar amongst the fragrance aficionados, it is because he is the mind behind the iconoic fragrances for Helmut Lang, Versace, Valentino to name a few.

His products can be found on Beautybar and Barneys, as well as Nasomatto's own website. This keeps his products very limited and relatively hard to find which I kind of love. I like that not everyone will see this or know what this is. There are so many perfumes and colognes out there, this is for those who find even the Chanel/Armani fragrances to be too pedestrian.

Another competitor who shares retail space with Nasomatto is Byredo, also from Europe. However I like the Nasomatto bottle and scents more. Byredo's smells to... woodsy and mossy for my taste. Nasomatto is also kind of cool because they don't actively court press, instead relying on their products to do the talking.

Black Afgano, is a stand out, black fluid cologne that evokes hashish. It goes on strong but fades to a beautiful scent. However, the standout in my opinion for men, is Duro which is said to enhance male strength - it is much more subtle. The first time I sprayed it on, I didn't think I'd like it, then it grew on me. After a day, I bought a bottle and it has been my go to since. For women, I love the Nuda perfume. The beautiful pink might make you think it is for girls, but the rich, pure jasmine is the definition of refined and sophisticated.

My first blog!

I'm a college student in LA, spend my days obsessing over Vogue editorials, on the find for the next 'fetch thing, Barneys regular, Givenchy addict, and love my products! Created this blog today to chronicle my adventures finding the next cool things whether it is a designer, architect, collections, beauty product, etc. Subscribe and enjoy!