Your Personal Scent ~ Aromatic Tips

Aromatic blending for the sheer pleasure of the aroma is a combination of science and creativity. This is what we love to do here at Heaven Scent BAB.  Many hours are spent in our blending room, bringing together different essential oils, letting them mingle and join, to develop our signature scents.  Once we have the perfect aroma, it is tested in each of our products. This process ensures that we have developed an outstanding scent that meets our high level of product integrity. 

Scents are personal.  A smell can make us feel happy, passionate, relaxed, smitten, adorable, angry, tense, enchanted, or joyous.  According to 'How Stuff Works'; a smell can bring on a flood of memories, influence people's moods and even affect their work performance. Because the olfactory bulb is part of the brain's limbic system, an area so closely associated with memory and feeling it's sometimes called the "emotional brain," smell can call up memories and powerful responses almost instantaneously.

With scents being so powerful, we should take care in choosing our own personal blend. 

Let's discuss different types of scents.  For the purpose of our blog, we will stick with essential oils. Essential oils can be categorized into groups based on their aromas.  

Floral essential oils are produced or extracted from the flowering part of the plant or its stem.  Most flowers possess naturally sweet and floral scent that is responsible for the same type of aroma produced from its natural essential oil.  Some floral scents are, Rose, Lavender, Jasmine, and Neroli.

Essential oils with a woody fragrance are in fact mostly extracted from various trees. Like the uprightness and longevity of many trees, woody oils are an emblem of stability, endurance, maturity and timelessness. Woody oils generally have a centering, stabilizing, strengthening and relaxing effect.  Common essential oils with a woodsy scent are; Fir, Spruce, Patchouli and Vetiver.  

The most commonly used mint scent is Peppermint Essential Oil.  Peppermint has a powerful, minty-fresh, cool, and distinctive fragrance.  It has numerous medicinal properties.  Peppermint helps to spark the brain and get your blood pumping on slow days. 

Citrus scents are among my favorites.  Most are cold pressed from the 'skin' of the fruit.  They are bright and crisp, both energizing and uplifting. My favorites are Pink Grapefruit, Sweet Orange, Lemon and Lime. 

Nutmeg, Clove, Ginger and Cinnamon,  are spicy and pungent aromas. They blend perfectly with the sweet fragrances of flowers and citrus fruits. 

HARMONIZING YOUR ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND

Have you ever noticed that a fragrance smells differently after several hours than when you first applied it? Some essential oils evaporate more quickly that others.  As the oils in a blend evaporate, the aroma will change to reflect that of the remaining oils.  

Using the analogy of a musical scale, oils that evaporate the fastest, usually within 1-2 hours, are called 'top notes.'  Those that evaporate within 2-4 hours are refereed to as 'middle notes.'  Essential oils that take the longest to evaporate are called "base notes."   Some base notes can take more than 24 hours to evaporate.  

There are no hard and fast rules that must be followed to create that wonderful blend.  However, a great sense of smell and a good amount of knowledge of essential oils can turn blending into an art form. 

Ready to have your personal scent developed?  Contact us here. 

NOTE:  Essential Oils are never to be used directly onto the skin.  Always blend with a carrier oil and perform a skin patch test prior to using. 

Dry as a Board? 

Quick and easy cold weather skin care tips~

Mr. Freeze is here, bringing with him a rough time for soft skin. Before the cold weather and dry indoor heating begins to cause havoc on your skin, follow these simple steps to keep your skin nourished and soft through the long winter months. 

Local Raw Honey

Honey, one of God's many miracles.

Honey, the wholesome way to combat common health problems.  From burns, conjunctivitis and ulcers, to tooth decay and arthritis.  It can kill E. coli and super bugs, exfoliate skin and generate new skin growth.

The beauty treatment that spans ages, golden and glorious honey.  Legend has it that Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, applied honey to her face as a mask every morning.  Poppea, wife of Nero, used a honey and milk lotion on her face to keep it looking youthful. From the Roman Empire to the Queen of England and the Ming Dynasty of China, beautiful woman have used products with honey.  

At Heaven Scent Bath and Body, we use local raw honey in our products, because we KNOW how amazing it leaves our skin.  Our Natural Honey Facial Cleanser is a top seller because it helps with blemishes to dry skin, wrinkles to sun spots, leaving your skin radiant, nourished, smooth and soft.  

It is true, I have dove head first into being prepared.  I am sure you have seen or heard of some great websites and books on survivalism. With all that is happening lately, from the major hurricanes to the depressed economy and let's not forget the new show called "Evolution".  How can it not be on your mind?

Being a Certified Aromatherapist, I specialize in essential oils and how they can benefit us. I decided to research which essential oils are most necessary to have on hand in case of an emergency.  

5 Tips For A Perfect Leg Shave 

There are times when your legs need to look and feel baby soft.  The last thing anyone wants is to have razor stubble on the most memorable of occasions. Your Wedding night, graduation, speaking event, summer bash, family reunion, the list can go on and on.

Don't go with guy legs.  Use these five tips and leave the stubble worries at home.

Yikes       Yes

  Treat Acne in 5 Easy Steps

Sure, most of us have suffered from acne at some point in our lives, but did you realize that it is the most common skin problem? Acne is most commonly seen during puberty, when testosterone stimulates cells to produce keratin.  However, there are numerous other times and reasons why we may experience acne breakouts, from stress to poor eating habits or using bad skin care products. 

 There are a ton of over the counter acne treatments. Many of which are filled with chemicals.  For a natural approach to clearing acne, here are 5 easy steps for you to use.

1.  TAKE YOUR SUPPLEMENTS:  Always choose Organic, if possible.

* Vitamin A, has been shown to reduce sebum production and the buildup of keratin. (Note: Vitamin A treatment can be toxic when taken in high levels, and women looking to conceive should not take a high dosage of it. A safe recommendation would be supplementing with less than 25,000 IU per day, and under the care of a qualified health professional).

* Zinc, at 60 to 90 mg per day, has been shown to reduce the severity of acne, as it is essential to skin health and is involved in the proper metabolism of testosterone. Zinc is related to vitamin A function, immune function, wound healing, inflammation control, and tissue regeneration. (Note: Long-term zinc supplementation should be accompanied by copper to prevent copper deficiency.)

* Vitamin E is important for the function of vitamin A and is integral to skin health. 

* Probiotics will help to balance the immune system, and are especially important if you are on antibiotics—just take the probiotic two hours before or after, the antibiotic. 

* Fish oils are highly anti-inflammatory and nutritive to the skin. My favorite way to get my omega-3s is from Barleans Organic Oils, Omega Swirls.  There re  quite a few flavors to choose from and they taste GOOD!  My kids love them. 

2. NOURISH YOUR SKIN: Wash your face and any area that has an acne break out with our Natural Honey Facial Cleanser, twice each day. Raw honey has the property of removing skin impurities by unclogging pores and preventing breakouts. The use of raw honey gently exfoliates the skin and stimulates circulation without causing irritation and dryness. Raw honey is a humectant which has the quality of attracting and retaining moisture, so it balances the skin moisture to give a soft glowing complexion.

3. GO BARE: Go without makeup as often as possible. 

4. YOUR SKIN WEARS WHAT YOU EAT: Eliminate refined and/or concentrated simple sugars from the diet while limiting foods that are high in unhealthy fats. Avoid all foods with trans fatty acids (milk and milk products, synthetically hydrogenated vegetable oils), oxidized fatty acids (fried oils), additives or preservatives. Try removing all animal fats and hydrogenated oils from your diet for several weeks to see if that might be a potential source of your acne. Drink plenty of filtered water to help flush toxins from the system.

5. SKIP THE SCENT: Unless you are using an essential oil that is blended into a product, which are BOTH helpful in treating acne, skip products with an added scent. 
 
The materials contained here are not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional.

 Treat Dry Cracked Feet in 5 Easy Steps

 Dry, cracked feet can be painful and unappealing.  To keep your feet healthy, you should take steps to restore moisture to your feet in order to correct the symptoms.  These easy steps will help your feet feel and look great.

Items you will need:

*A large basin, foot spa, or other vessel that is large enough to completely immerse both of your feet.

*A good quality pumice stone. Avoid cheap ones that crumble, or ones that have little texture-they are worthless.

*Natural Dead Sea Salt Scrub or Natural Brown Sugar Body Scrub by Heaven Scent BAB.  *If cracks are severe use Natural Brown Sugar Scrub as salt can sting.  

*Natural Shea Aloe Body Butter by Heaven Scent BAB. Our body butter is deeply hydrating, and will help to eliminate dry, cracked skin on your feet.

*A soft towel and a pair of fluffy socks

6 Easy Ways to Use Aromatherapy

Products blended with essential oils can be used in baths, hair care, massages, personal fragrances, skin care, room freshener, and many other forms.  Aromatherapy can enhance the appearance of your skin and body, and freshen your home and office.  Essential oils can help to soothe away all those minor stresses of every day life, from headache to hangover, from insomnia to overworked sore muscles, from stomach ache to jet lag.  

Here are some easy ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your life.

1.  Baths:    Baths are one of the most popular ways to introduce aromatherapy into your life.  Most of you have received bath soaks, oils or salts as gifts.  You can create your own spa experience with a tub full of warm water and essential oils.  

Bathing regularly with essential oils helps to control stress, alleviate anxiety and tension, and ease muscular aches and pains.  As you soak, your pores open to absorb the hydrating fluid; as you inhale the fragrant smells. So break out your favorite scented Natural Foaming MIlk Bath.  

DIY Aromatherapy Bath:

~ Add a total of 2 to 8 drops of essential oil or oils to a bathtub filled with warm water.  Some oils like lemon, orange, peppermint and eucalyptus, can give the desired results with only 2 to 3 drops.  If you are going to use a blend of several different oils use no more than 8 drops total.  Use caution when using peppermint essential oil, it is very strong! 

Soak, take deep breaths, relax and enjoy. 

2. Freshen a Room:  Add a few drops of an essential oil to water in a spray mister and spritz away.  It is best to use a dark colored bottle as that will help preserve the essential oil. 

3. Soothe a Headache:  Use some Natural Foaming Milk Bath blended with Lavender essential oil, or rub some lavender lotion on your hands and smell away.  

4. Spark Your Brain:  Peppermint essential oil is the key.  Take a shower using peppermint scented shower gel and finish with some soothing body butter blended with peppermint. 

5.  Scent the House:  Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the new vacuums bag when changing them.  The whole house will smell good when  you clean.  My favorite is pink grapefruit.  Citrus oils are uplifting. 

6.  Relax:  Light your favorite candle or drop a candle tart in the tray and warm.

"Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into."  Henry Ward Beecher

School was never my favorite thing.  Math, pass the calculator please; spelling, well, I may be the very reason that spell check was invented. Learning about something that interests me, now that, is something that I really enjoy.  Research, bring it on. Testing, inventing, trying new things, yes!!

I have put together some basic information for you all. I will give it to you question and answer style, followed by a couple of massage oil recipes for you to try.  So put your thinking caps on and enjoy~ 

What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants to support and balance the mind, body, and spirit. It is used by patients with cancer mainly as a form of supportive care that may improve quality of life and reduce stress and anxiety. Aromatherapy may be combined with other complementary treatments like massage therapy as well as with standard treatments. Aromatherapy can be any scent used to bring peace of mind or a happy memory.

Essential oils (also known as volatile oils) are the basic materials of aromatherapy. They are made from fragrant essences found in many plants. These essences are made in special plant cells, often under the surface of leaves, bark, or peel, using energy from the sun and elements from the air, soil, and water. If the plant material is crushed, the essence and its unique fragrance are released.

When essences are extracted from plants in natural ways, they become essential oils. They may be distilled with steam and/or water, or mechanically pressed. Oils that are made with chemical processes are not considered true essential oils.

There are many essential oils used in aromatherapy.  Most commonly used essential oils for aromatherapy are; Lavender, Peppermint, Grapefruit, Orange, Tangerine, Chamomile, and Sandalwood.

However, there are many other essential oils to choose from.  And, numerous things to use them for; skin and body care, physical well being, acne, anger, anxiety, depression, fear, winter blues...... the list goes on and on.  

Each type of essential oil has a different chemical structure that affects how it smells, how it is absorbed, and how it is used by the body. Even varieties of plants within the same species may have chemical structures different from each other because they are grown or harvested in different ways or locations.

Essential oils are very concentrated. For example, it takes about 220 pounds of lavender flowers to make about 1 pound of essential oil. Essential oils are very volatile, evaporating quickly when they come in contact with air.

How is aromatherapy administered?

Aromatherapy is used in various ways. Examples include:

• Indirect inhalation (patient breathes in essential oils by using a room diffuser or placing drops nearby).

• Direct inhalation (patient breathes in essential oils by using an individual inhaler with drops floated on top of hot water) to treat a sinus headache.

• Aromatherapy massage (massaging essential oils, diluted in a carrier oil, into the skin).

• Applying essential oils to the skin by combining them with bath salts, bath soaks, body scrubs, lotions, body butters, or dressings.

Aromatherapy is rarely taken by mouth.  

NEVER put undiluted essential oils on your skin. 

Okay, so using a body scrub isn’t exactly rocket science, however, there are some things to know before using these incredible skin rejuvenating products.

 8 How To Steps:

1.  Always apply to wet skin.

2.  Use a gentle circular motion, directed toward the heart, without applying pressure.  Let the scrub do the work.

3.  If using a body scrub scented with an essential oil, take a few deep cleansing breaths.  

4.  Let the oil rest on your skin for a few minutes.

5.  BE CAREFUL!  The oils can make the tub surface slick.

6.  Completely wash body scrub off, do not use soap or shower gel after applying body scrub.  

7. Exit shower and gently pat skin dry.

8. If your skin is extremely dry, apply a body butter for extra moisturizing. 

Remember, beautiful skin takes work.  Exfoliating your entire body can help prevent body acne in many places below your neck, such as the chest, back and arms and remove dry itchy, dead skin cells.  It also may help you avoid ingrown hairs by preventing dead skin cells from plugging up follicles where you've shaved or waxed. And it can help even out skin tone and keep your skin hydrated and soft.

As far as how often you should use a body scrub, most health experts agree that two or three times a week is plenty.  If your skin is very sensitive, you might prefer to do it less. Keep in mind that the purpose of exfoliating is to remove skin cells that are dead. You shouldn't have to scrub too hard or too often to make that happen. If you do, you're likely to take off healthy cells, too, which might leave your skin looking red and feeling sore. Applying the scrub gently on your skin in circular motions should be enough to get the job done. The end result is soft, nouished, young looking skin.  Enjoy~

Information obtained from various article and books

Many of us are overloaded with huge to do lists this time of year, leaving us little time to take care of our skin.  

A quick and easy way to nourish yourself from the outside in is by using a body scrub.  

There are many ways your skin can benefit from using body scrubs.  I will concentrate on the top five ways our Body Scrubs will benefit you.

 1.  EXFOLIATE:  Our body scrubs remove dry, flaky, dead skin cells, that washing alone does not.  By getting rid of these dead skin cells you are helping your skin to regenerate new skin cells. This leaves your skin looking and feeling fabulous.  

2. CIRCULATION: Our body scrub will help to stimulate blood circulation and remove toxins from your body.  

3. STRENGTHEN TISSUE:  By removing your dead skin cells, releasing  toxins and stimulating blood circulation you are strengthening and firming skin tissues. The result is glowing, younger looking skin. 

4. SOOTHING:  Dead Sea Salt contains minerals which are essential for your skins health.  Sugar is a humecant, which helps your skin retain moisture. Raw Honey helps to exfoliate and nourish dry skin, while also supplying it with anti-aging properties. Sweet Almond Oil leaves skin soft and supple without feeling greasy.  All of these ingredients help to soothe and soften skin.

5. IT FEELS GOOD!  Well, it does.  If feels refreshing while you are applying the scrub to your skin.  After you have rinsed the sugar/salt off, your skin is coated with nourishing oils that penetrate and leave your skin baby soft. To top it all off, you smell good too, because you have had your scrub scented to your liking. 

Remember our Dead Sea Salt Scrub and Brown Sugar Body Scrub are both safe for daily use all over your body.  They are excellent to use before shaving.  Gently massage into wet skin, rinse sugar or salt off and shave with remaining oil.

P.S. I use the Brown Sugar Body Scrub on my lips...... no more winter chapped and cracked lips.  Don't get caught eating it!