13 Ideas For The Overworked Woman In Your Life

It’s that time of year again: when post-work barbecues and sunset strolls have been replaced by takeout meals and online shopping (come on, is there really a need to leave home after dark?!).

Well, with the holidays around the corner, you have every reason to lean into the latter! And in doing so, why not support women founders while you simultaneously pamper the ladies in your life?

Here are thirteen female-founded gift ideas that will be sure to nudge the overworked women you love to practice a little self-care (And psst, if one of those women is you, we’re in full support!):

Okay, we know self-care for the overworked woman is about boundaries and delegation, but we think it can include baths, too! Chillhouse’s Chill Soak Bundle is the perfect stocking stuffer.

Founder: Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton is reshaping the landscape of self-care. Driven by a desire to fill the void in accessibly priced massages, Cyndi and her husband Adam founded Chillhouse, a unique café and spa on the Lower East Side of NYC. Today they offer an array of both experiences and D2C products to up ellevate your chillaxation game.

What says “relax” more than pajamas? LAKE believes that the most comfortable part of your day should be celebrated. Their pajamas started with a simple silhouette, a classic stripe, and the softest fabric imaginable: 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton. Today, LAKE offers pajama perfection for women, men, and children with collections in premium fabrics that extend to casual wear beyond the bed.

Founders: Long-time friends Cassandra Cannon and Anne Read Lattimore embarked on a quest for something elusive: seasonless, quietly stylish, and super soft sleepwear. Frustrated by the lack of options, they pivoted from their medical careers to create LAKE, bringing comfort and style to bedtime.

Perhaps not the gift for your boss (or uhh…perhaps the perfect gift for your boss?!), Dame’s Aer is guaranteed to reliably decrease cortisol and increase dopamine. The innovative arousal tool creates a soft seal around your clitoris and delivers rhythmic pulses of air in a range of patterns and intensities.

Founder: Alexandra Fine is dedicated to reshaping perceptions of sexual wellness. With a background in sexology, she’s been at the forefront of innovation in the industry with her mission extending beyond products: in 2019, she challenged discrimination in subway advertising. She aims to bridge the Pleasure Gap and create a world where sexual well-being is celebrated without shame.

Encourage a delicious-smelling breather during an activity the overworked woman tends to rush through: showering. The Mermade Hair Repair Mask is a deep conditioning miracle enriched with a potent blend of 17 reparative amino acids, promising to deliver a surge of moisture, strand repair, scalp protection, and unparalleled shine. Leave on for 1-15 minutes, preferably 15 minutes!

Founder: Tara Simich was already an established entrepreneur as the founder of The Jungle Body, an international dance fitness company. At 29, she entered the beauty industry with a bang by introducing the Mermade Waver, a revolutionary hair tool. The brand has since grown to include over half a million units sold, delighting hair artists worldwide.

This lightweight, rapidly-absorbing dry body oil moisturizes thirsty skin without greasy residue. It’s a perfect after-shower step for any busy woman wanting to lovingly hydrate her bod…but then get dressed and go!

Founder: Colleen Wachob began the journey of building the leading well-being brand with her husband, Jason, in 2009—a feat driven by their personal health transformations. From its roots as a media company, mindbodygreen has evolved into a comprehensive platform offering courses, products, and a functional nutrition academy.

Neon Hippie’s latest launch is a whipped eye cream that will nourish even the tiredest of peeper areas. Gift your favorite gal a luxurious reminder to take that extra self-loving step with her skincare routine.

Founder: Nicole Ostoya, the creative force behind Neon Hippie, is dedicated to infusing joy and wellness into daily beauty rituals. With a vision that combines functional mushroom benefits with vibrant, psychedelic colors, she aims to make mornings brighter and more delightful.

Women’s undergarments tend to be one of two things: functional or fashionable. Simone Pérèle’s inclusive size range redefines lingerie standards, combining comfort and style with convertible straps to offer versatile wear options. Crafted from their signature spacer fabric with art-deco inspired lace overlaying the cup, their Karma Series offers lightweight coverage and breathability. Pair the t-shirt bra with a matching bikini for an elegant-yet-practical style that supports her everyday change-making.

Founder: Created by visionary corset maker Simone Pérèle in 1948, the French lingerie brand is now co-led by her granddaughter Stephanie Bujard Pérèle. With 85% women at the helm, each collection takes 18 months to evolve, tested meticulously on a diverse range of French women for a flawless fit. Crafted in France with an average of 35 pieces per bra, Simone Pérèle embraces premium laces from Saint Gallan, providing affordable French luxury in over 90 countries.

Give your gal a break from cooking without compromising on quality and taste. Known as “gourmet meal prep for busy professionals,” Methodology delivers mouthwatering ready-to-eat meals that will put her go-to Seamless or Sweetgreen order to shame. Entirely free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar, the Reset plans includes organic ceremonial matcha, lunches, dinners, ACV shrubs, and high-protein snacks daily.

Founder: a passionate foodie and traveler, Julie Nguyen wanted to share the secrets of the world’s Blue Zones—where people live longer and happier lives. She teamed up with expert chefs and nutritionists to create a menu that’s diverse, delicious, and nutritious, with options for every diet and preference.

The Droplette 2 Micro Infuser is truly a game-changer for the overworked woman. It’s a patented device that converts formulations into a high-velocity micro-mist, allowing active ingredients to penetrate the skin up to 20 times more deeply than topical products and keeping you looking fresh as you get yourself in the grind.

Founder: Madhavi Gavini, a mathematician with degrees from MIT and Johns Hopkins, is the brains behind Droplette’s patented technology. She previously pioneered drug design algorithms and developed a class of FDA-designated peptide drugs, earning notable recognitions such as the Amgen Golden Ticket and CASIS-Boeing Prize for Technology in Space.

This duo from Veracity is a on a mission to revolutionize the skincare game, only using ingredients that won’t interfere with your hormones. The BioEvolve serum uses tiny molecules that work like magic to smooth out wrinkles, while the BioEvolve moisturizer locks in moisture and protects your skin from the bad stuff. And fear not, new moms and moms-to-be: both of these adaptogenic and antioxidant packed skin goodies are certified hypoallergenic, and pregnancy and breastfeeding-safe.

Founder: With her wealth of experience in both the fashion and beauty industries, Allie Egan has transformed Veracity into a beauty and wellness powerhouse. The Harvard Business School grad and investor previously spent time at Estee Lauder’s best brands, including Origins, Clinique, and La Mer—ultimately preparing her to set Veracity up for success.

This yummy 3-piece set that promises plump, hydrated, and juicy lips. These subtle tints are perfect stocking stuffer to enhance your lips’ natural beauty and savor a delicious moment of mindfulness.

Founder: Ally Frankel, Co-Founder of Nudestix, is not only a final-year international medical student but also an aspiring dermatologist deeply passionate about skin-related research and development. At the age of 14, alongside her sister Taylor and their mom Jenny, she founded Nudestix to fill a void in the beauty industry for easy-to-apply, natural-looking makeup.

MZ Wallace provides essential accessories for modern life. Born in NYC and rooted in modern, chic style, MZ Wallace is the ultimate purchase to “treat yourself” to a piece that’ll grow and evolve alongside one’s style.

Founders: Monica Zwirner and Lucy Wallace Eustice co-founded MZ Wallace in New York City with a clear and practical vision in mind. Their mission was simple: to design bags that are not just stylish but highly functional, enabling people to lead more versatile and dynamic lives.

Give the gift of ancient healing and modern wellness with WTHN’s self-care kits:

• Acupressure Mat Set ($78): Rooted in the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, this mat and pillow are designed to gently stimulate acupressure points throughout your body.
• Gold Ear Seed Kit ($45): Ear seeds have a rich history in Traditional Chinese Medicine, serving as wellness tools to reduce stress, relieve pain, and restore hormonal balance, among other benefits.
• Rose Quartz Eye Mask ($75) : Combat fatigue and reduce puffiness with with this luxurious addition to your yoga, meditation, or nap practice.

Founders: Michelle Larivee and Dr. Shari Auth created the brand to share the profound healing benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that transformed their lives. Michelle, inspired by her personal recovery from chronic pain through TCM after a ski accident, joined forces with Dr. Auth. Together they launched WTHN, becoming the first omni-channel brand for holistic healing deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

This holiday season, give the gift of women’s empowerment twofold: support women-led brands and remind the ones you love to love themselves. Happy shopping!