Shop Local: Holiday Shopping at Cuddlefish Manchester MA for Clothing, Accessories and Dr. Hauschka Cosmetics

This summer, I discovered the most wonderful boutique in nearby Manchester-by-the-Sea MA, Cuddlefish.

I Bought This Promotional Product

I wrote about my first shopping experience here, and I’ve been back a number of times since then.

Why I Love This Shop!

Erika, the owner, is one of the key reasons why I enjoy shopping there. She is a very friendly and sincere person. She won’t let you buy anything unless you really love it, and it suits you. LOL, she made me put back a top I was trying on because it didn’t fit me correctly. It’s like shopping with a sister! Plus Erika has curated a wonderful assortment of clothing for women and babies, jewelry, accessories, natural skincare, body care and makeup from brands like Dr. Hauschka, Pacifica, Jane Iredale, and others. It’s a perfect place to go for gifts for women, teens and babies.

I discovered a fantastic, affordable line of sweaters, tops and dresses from a new-to-me brand, Survival.

So far, I’ve bought 4 Survivor sweaters: 3 little waist-length cottony cardigans and a super soft black long sweater that is soooooo cozy and warm.

The cardigans are regularly priced at less than $30 each, but I bought them during a sale and got them for a song. Yes!

Cuddlefish carries a number of terrific vegan leather bags, some of which come with several different smaller-sized bags within the larger one. One of the bags that would make either a perfect laptop bag or tote bag is actually reversible, and the color combos are so cool. The shop also has a good representation of Vera Bradley bags.

There’s a wonderful assortment of mostly hand-crafted and affordable jewelry from a number of artisans. Actually it’s earring heaven! I bought a pair of lapis lazuli and gold-tone studs for Jeff’s older daughter to thank her for coming home to help take care of her dad after his hip surgery. And I picked up a different pair of gold and teal studs for myself.

Dr. Hauschka Natural Skincare and Makeup

I recently got to try out a variety of skincare products from the natural brand, Dr. Hauschka that I’ve been curious about for ages. Cuddlefish carries the entire skincare and makeup line. I haven’t had a chance to meet her yet, but Kristin, the rep from Dr. Hasuchka, is often at the store demonstrating the products. I wish I had been able to stop by her last event.

The black carrying case of skincare goodies I received included a book with lots of detailed information about the products,

and I received a slew of travel size products to sample.

Dr. Hauschka along with Elisabeth Sigmund (featured on the cover of the book) developed and launched their revolutionary brand of natural skincare in the U.K. in 1967 before natural skincare was even a thing! It was based on natural remedies, natural ingredients and skincare science. The original line of 11 products from almost 50 years ago is still sold along with new products.

To be honest, I had mixed reactions to the products I tried. Some were hits, and some were misses for me, but I’m glad that I had a chance to try them out. Here are some of my thoughts.

• My absolute favorite is the Soothing Cleansing Milk. It’s positioned as both a cleanser and makeup remover, though I use it primarily as a cleanser in a double cleanse routine after I’ve removed my makeup with micellar water. I love it because it is a creamy milk that comes in a pump bottle. It is so gentle and hydrating. Like most of the other products, it has an herbal scent that does not remain after washing it off. A perfect colder weather cleanser!

• Speaking of herbal scents, the Moor Lavender Calming Bath Essence is wonderful for lavender lovers like me. It is a smooth, creamy liquid that cleanses without stripping skin. And because of the calming scent, it is perfect for relieving stress or for relaxing in the bath or shower before bed. Love it.

• Unfortunately, the Rose Day Cream that I was so eager to try was my big disappointment. I have been dying to try this product for several years. I mean, it’s rose and I love everything rose. I eagerly squeezed some out of the handy tube, and I was disappointed that it wasn’t a beautiful rose scent – it was an herbal rose. And the product itself seemed old-fashioned, it was thick and greasy IMHO. Unfortunately, it is not a product that I would wear during the day because it is too heavy and it lacked sunscreen – so I’m not sure why it’s called Day Cream. 😥 However, I discovered on the website that there’s a Rose Day Cream Light. I may need to give that one a try.

• Although I loved the old school metal tube that it comes in, the Cleansing Cream was another miss for me. But I looked up the reviews on the Dr. Hauschka website, and it seems that I’m in the minority – it appears to be a cult classic! I think expectations played a role in my reaction. For me, cleansing cream is white and creamy. The Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream that gets squeezed out of the tube in a skinny “string” is brownish with tiny natural exfoliating beads. Just no!    Plus it has a very strong herbal scent – too strong for me. Those who like it say it returns their skin to the perfect balance, and leaves it feeling soft and supple. Oh well, everyone has different opinions!

• I received a couple of travel size versions of the new Volume Mascara. It has a good sized, fluffy, traditionally-shaped mascara wand with fiber bristles (you know I prefer the skinny wands with plastic teeth), but I was game to try it anyway. The formula was certainly volumizing, and I found it easy to apply. It definitely gave me big lashes that I liked a lot. The problem occurred when I cut up onions for a dish I was making for dinner. My eyes started to water, and the mascara literally rolled down my cheeks. I haven’t had a mascara do this in decades! I guess that’s because it’s a natural mascara, and it lacks whatever is in regular, non-waterproof mascaras that prevents melting. If it weren’t for that problem, my lashes looked good.

I’m looking forward to trying two more products that came in my bag, the Facial Toner and the Revitalising Mask.

Just curious, have you tried skincare or makeup from Dr. Hauschka? Do you have any favorites that I should try next?

Finally, it you’re near the North Shore of Massachusetts definitely stop in to Cuddlefish and take a look.

Erika had and still has a number of events coming up for the holidays. I feel bad that I’m late posting this because there was a 20% off sale on Saturday, but I have a feeling there might be another chance before the holidays. On November 30, there’s a Guy’s Shopping Night from 6-8pm followed by the Manchester-by-the-Sea Shopping Stroll in the evening of December 1. Visit the Cuddlefish blog for more information on upcoming events and the brands that they carry.

Today's Author

Allison Cohen

Website | + posts

• Real Life in the Makeup Aisle
• Appearex: Biotin 2.5mg Supplement -- Nail Care
• Salma Hayek Nuance Renewed Radiance SPF 30 Moisturizing Day Cream
• Cleo Shower Cream Review