This Tour of Beauty of Mother’s Day gifts is just the ticket to total transformation – but without the jet lag. Here are some of my far-flung favorites that offer a First-Class appearance and World-Class well-being. And that most certainly, will add joy to Mom’s every journey.
SWITZERLAND: PAREVA. Joy – and not age-shaming – is one of the posh pillars of Pareva, an exciting new beauty brand whose trio of main ingredients hail from right outside of Zurich. This terrific Trifecta is known as Molecur 3, which leverages the power of plant biotechnology to activate exosomes (the newest buzzword in dermatology) and NAD+ (a co-enzyme that helps skin cells regenerate), to increase cellular activity, and minimize inflammation. It is an exclusive, proprietary method that was created by Pareva and inspired by Nobel research. These three ingredients – pincushion flower, goji, and sunflower sprouts, are in the products that right now make up this brand: A C 35.5 Serum containing a 30%-oil-soluble Vitamin C (which company founder Smitha Rao calls “a secret sauce and a multivitamin for your skin). (It’s also the bestseller.) Then there’s a Coll20 Moisturizer – another Hero product — containing willowherb (a senolytic technology to wake and plump up sluggish cells) and a RH5.5 Primer without silicone and oils. The name “Pareva” stems from a Sanskrit word meaning “transformation,” and Ms. Rao told me that “In Eastern cultures, transformation is joyful, loving, kind and spiritual.” She herself is a superstar in the beauty industry, having worked as a scientist and biochemist for more than 18 years, on numerous prestige luxury brands. All the products are infused with a gorgeous scent called Elan de Vie (top notes of violet leaf, drenched ivy and cyclamen flowers). Do women love all this? “Our reorder rates are phenomenal,” she told me. (And just to note, this Swiss Bliss product is manufactured in Los Angeles.) Mother’s Day Longevity Trio Bundle (Value: $240 | Limited Time Price: $175 (27% Savings).
And may I suggest a complementary item for Mom’s carry-on bag? How about some long-life-molecule NAD+ supplements to stash away for her next trip? (Maybe a nice watch-buying journey to Geneva?) Dr. Chris Shade, Founder and CEO of Quicksilver Scientific told me that “NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a molecule naturally present in every cell of the body and is critical for DNA repair, cellular bioenergetics, genomic signaling, and cell survival… repleting cellular NAD+ levels may enhance the body’s resilience and support healthy aging.” Consider Quicksilver Scientific’s NAD+ Platinum — it just might be Mom’s visa to more vitality. $84.
GERMANY – MCM. The prestige brand MCM stands apart as a classy company born from rebellion and rooted in purpose. With more than 50 years of heritage, the brand was founded in 1976 in Munich as a bold alternative to traditional luxury—designing travel goods for a new wave of global creatives who valued self-expression over convention. Now you can “take it with you” in a new form – MCM’s first-ever fragrance collection. Inspired by the unique personalities of MCM’s beloved leather animals, these six new Eau de Parfums offer a spritz of spirited adventure. One of the most adorable is Jolly Rabbit, a beautiful blend of orange, neroli and vetiver to embrace Mom – and her inner child. Mighty Bear, Charming Pup, Darling Doxie are available at MCM stores, while the full collection of all six fragrances including the Daring Dragon and Zen Elephant is exclusive at Nordstrom in the US.
Each scent in the collection arrives in a bottle topped with a charming character. $150/100ml. And here’s an extra idea – why not pair your gift with MCM’s most popular travel handbag — the Medium Reversible Liz Shopper in Visetos, which retails for $730. Achtung, baby!
LITHUANIA – PULSETTO. Health is the new wealth – let’s face it, there is so much stress in the world right now, and wouldn’t Mom love a new, innovative way to calm down – and take years of stress off of her face – and spirit? (Not to mention that May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. Some data from 2024 shows that 43% of adults in the USA reported feeling more anxious than the year before!) Welcome to Pulsetto, which refers to the gentle pulsing or stimulation of the vagus nerve – through non-invasive massage-like signals – to help regulate stress, improve focus, and support recovery. This wearable technology is not just a wellness gadget – it’s a game-changer. The Pulsetto is built on the well-established science of vagus-nerve stimulation (VNS) and this device stimulates your vagus nerve – the body’s “stress control switch,” using non-invasive, science-backed stimulation through gentle electrical impulses to your neck. It’s like a deep breath your nervous system feels – and after using for 14 days, Pulsetto’s clinical data shows that individual happiness increased by 22% and anxiety decreased by 26%. Pulsetto was “born” when Vitalijus Majorovas, certified sleep expert and Povilas Sabaliauskas, a neuroscientist, crossed paths in the EIT Health community – a meeting that sparked a game-changing idea: Make vagus-nerve stimulation (VNS) simple, wearable, and accessible. $469 (with May discount $269.) Pulsetto is a one-time purchase with no required subscriptions. However, premium app features – like specialized programs and advanced tracking – are available through a subscription. That said, the free app provides everything Mom needs for the release of more endorphins – and more wonderful well-being. (Pulsetto is currently conducting clinical trials to further validate its real-world effectiveness.) In the quest to unlock the secrets of eternal youth, Bryan Johnson, the trailblazing entrepreneur dedicated to extending the human lifespan, showcased Pulsetto in his Netflix documentary, “Don’t Die,” documenting his endless pursuit to defy aging.
LATIN AMERICA: SANARA. Let’s hear it for Chile! The bestselling, cult-favorite Chilean Rosehip Seed Body Oil made by Sanara is a $49 skin savior in a glass bottle. Sanara, which is derived from the Spanish word meaning “you will heal,” is a Latina-owned, plant-based skincare line. It was created by founder Rebekah Jensen in 2016 while navigating life with psoriasis. She says, “Today, Sanara is not just a skincare line —it’s a healing journey in a bottle…We spotlight indigenous Latin American botanicals that are stunningly effective and shamefully underused in beauty. According to Cosmetics Design Europe, Latin American botanicals are the industry’s best-kept secret and Sanara is here to change all that.” The product that started it all is the Black Brazilian Clay Soap Bar. “It’s especially beloved by men, thanks to its detoxifying, skin-balancing power and earthy aroma.” She explained to me that “Sanara is a promise, a prayer, and a mission wrapped into one.”
Now, what I personally suggest is that you get Mom some award-winning Sanara products – plus a week-long trip to the ultra-luxurious Susurros del Corazon, Auberge Resorts Collection – an upscale enclave in Punta Mita, Mexico, overlooking the Bahia de Banderas, and a breathtaking beach. There, its prestigious ONDA, an Auberge Spa, uses Sanara products that proudly feature ingredients native to Latin America including Cupuacu Butter (a hydration hero that holds up to 200% more moisture than shea butter) and Yerba Mate that is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. ONDA is the only spa in Mexico to feature Sanara, but you can also find Sanara treatments at Four Seasons, Omni, Auberge and Woodhouse Spas. Sanara is beauty without borders!
FRANCE: MAISON PSYCHE Founded in 2021, Maison Psyché is a French luxury perfume house and this is what makes this perfumerie so special, unique and different: Building on the prestigious legacy of Rémy Cointreau, Maison Psyché is the first perfume house to blend and transform its exceptional raw materials into the rarest natural essences within its own cellar in Cognac. Its spirited new perfume is called “Eclat D’Ombre.” The fragrance – the brand’s sixth — just launched in an exclusive limited edition, priced at 6,500 EURO. This exclusive scent is crafted by aging carefully selected raw materials in small, purposely- designed oak casks within the Maison Rémy Martin cellars in Cognac, France. This unique process allows the ingredients to mature and develop complex aromas, similar to the aging of fine spirits.
Eclat d’Ombre — designed to be a unisex perfume — is a chypre accord around three emblematic ingredients of perfumery – bergamot from Calabria for a joyful and vibrant sensation, rose from Bulgaria for a captivating note and patchouli from Indonesia for a more earthy vibration.
A true objet d’art, Éclat d’Ombre is presented in a limited edition of just 30 numbered crystal bottles, each adorned with an 18-carat gold cameo. The thirty Baccarat crystal bottles are numbered.
What does it smell like? Well, it’s totally whiff-worthy. “The time spent in barrels and the metamorphosis while in contact with wood gives this composition a rounder, more elegant, apricot and creamy character. The earthy, balsamic base notes become more intense, less floral and more saline. The fresh, fruity top notes harmonize and merge with the floral heart of the fragrance,” says Baptiste Loiseau, Cellar Master of the Maison Rémy Martin.
It’s got just the “joie de vivre” that Mom is looking for.
THE SEYCHELLES: COCO DE MER COLLECTION. Just launched on May 1, the Coco de Mer Collection of five unique fragrances is the brainchild of Sharon Bonne, a local Seychellois Creole woman, and conservationist, and her inventive parents. In this independent island nation that is part of the African Union, Ms. Bonne’s parents created the patented extraction process to release the unique, heady aroma of the local Coco de Mer palm tree and its giant, aromatic, aphrodisiac-like seeds and husk (the seeds are the largest in the plant kingdom). The seeds yield a scent that until recently, remained a closely-guarded, fiercely-protected secret in this country – and The Seychelles island is the only place on the planet where the Coco de Mer palm tree is found. These palms are the stuff of legend (and when British sailors discovered them, it is said that they thought they had found the true Garden of Eden.) The resulting new Coco de Mer Collection of perfumes just debuted (only 1,000 bottles on initial release) and are some of the most prized and dizzylingly expensive natural scents in the world. Many perfumeries have tried to copy this scent – but its essence is inimitable. And besides its olfactory allure, the Coco de Mer Collection also has a profound purpose: Every bottle that is purchased supports the Seychelles National Parks and its efforts to protect these precious seeds from poachers. Prices are $200 for a full-size bottle; $129 for the Discovery Set of all five signature scents, including “Fanm,” which means “Woman,” and is a floral, and “Sovaz,” which translates to “Wild” and is fresh. And the individual bottles carry the colors of the Seychellois flag! They are pure pleasure – without the passport.
SWEDEN: AUREZZI. Now’s the time to explore a golden opportunity – and give Mom a gilt trip to Aurezzi, a European brand founded in Sweden with manufacturing in Switzerland, Portugal, and Italy. Does the name have any significance? “Aur” stems from the Latin word, meaning gold, while “ezzi” evokes an Italian flair, reminiscent of Mediterranean tradition and culture. Together, it evokes a luxurious, redefined aesthetic for oral care. Aurezzi’s 24K Gold-Plated Toothbrush ($59) is the hero product, with 5,000 bristles. These proprietary AUZ®, ethically-sourced bristles have gained attention for blending high-end aesthetics with Swiss-made precision. Bestsellers are the Aurezzi Gift Box ($179) and 24k Gold Mouth Spray ($59 for the 3-pack). This prestige brand was created with a founding vision: That oral care can be both beautiful and high-end, as well as focused on dental hygiene. Aurezzi’s founder, Noel Abdayem, is an entrepreneur and dentist recognized for pioneering the sustainable oral care industry with his business, the Humble Co. From its 24K gold-plated toothbrushes to gold-infused toothpaste to the handmade leather toothbrush cases made in Tuscany, every product is designed to transform Mom’s daily routine into a lavish ritual. Aurezzi offers a sophisticated, sensory experience, enhanced by advanced ingredients like Hydroxyapatite for enamel protection and gold particles for their antibacterial benefits. You can buy it online – or Mom can experience it at 7 Pines Resort Sardinia, part of Destination by Hyatt – a stunning 37-acre property where Mom will be adorned with posh pamperings and la dolce vita!
For more about my Wanderlust and Wellness travels, please Follow me on Instagram at @DebbiKickham.