Description

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OVERNIGHT FACE FOOD WITH MANDARIN, CARROT SEED & NEROLI

This sweet-smelling nectar comes straight from my boudoir as an evolution of some personal, concentrated hocus-pocus. The result of a heady mix of hope and determination, I was searching for ways in which to nourish my skin, improve my complexion and make it truly glow, all while I slept overnight (call me a diva, I don’t mind).

There was one important caveat: it needed to defend against acne and soothe away those hateful blemishes that had dared to grace my face (the truth is, I’d had a bad reaction to something which had led to months of not-quite-up-to-par skin [understatement] and I was not amused). Basically, I wanted something to nourish and moisturise, but not cause any greasiness or spot-related catastrophes.

There is something slightly jazz-hands-inducing about going to bed knowing you will wake up looking more dewy and divine. Everyone’s skin is different, of course, but, for me, this stuff works (and complements the Good Face Day Serum with Rasperry Seed, Green Tea & Juniper pefectly).

The lightweight, high-quality oils in this are exactly the sort of thing you want to be putting on sensitive or combination skin; chosen with paranoia-level care, they all rate extremely low on the comedogenic scale (meaning they are unlikely to cause breakouts because they will not clog your pores), imparting wondrous nutrients without the side portion of facial-freakout.

Uses & Directions:
Dispense 2 drops (a little goes a long way!) into your hand and smooth over your face in gentle upward/outward movements. Tip: I like to quickly rub any oil left on my hands afterwards around my cuticles, because I’m rock and roll like that. (And why not follow with the Frankincense & Tea Seed Magic Eye Night Serum?)

Key ingredients/benefits:
JOJOBA: Technically a wax, its structure is so similar to our natural sebum that it’ll sink in very nicely. Softening, regenerative and plentiful in vitamin and minerals.

COLD PRESSED CAMELLIA (TEA) SEED OIL: Traditionally favoured by Japanese geisha (who know a thing or two about beauty), this light oil is healing, softening, nourishing, packed full of micro-nutrients… See here for more on this!

ORGANIC COLD PRESSED ROSEHIP OIL: Wonderful for reversing hyperpigmentation, the signs of aging, sun damage, stretch marks and scars. Its high anti-oxidant content improves texture and revitalizes the skin.

CARROT SEED OIL: Improves tone and helps to balance both oily and dry complexions. Healing, hydrating and detoxifying.

ORGANIC ARGAN OIL: One of my favourite things about this oil, is that, like the others carefully chosen for this blend, it doesn’t cause blockages, spots or oil build up. Full of antioxidants, vitamin E and essential fatty acids, many claim it boosts elasticity of the skin (keeping things looking fresh and vibrant) and it’s another balancing oil that helps keep your complexion on an even keel.

HEMP SEED OIL: Reduces redness and inflammation associated with acne breakouts and is effective for use with a range of skin conditions. Full of vitamin E, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Anti-inflammatory.

JUNIPER BERRY: Antiseptic, stimulating and antibacterial. A naturally purifying acne-fighter, juniper has a long history of general and medicinal know-how. In medieval times, it was seen as an excellent defence against evil spirits, and The Old Testament includes several references to the ‘Broom Tree’ being used to cleanse, purify and eliminate that which is false and negative. (If nothing else, it balances sebum levels.)

NEROLI, BERGAMOT, MANDARIN & PEPPERMINT: All contributing skin-improving benefits of their own, these essential oils together add some sweet zing to the mix, making it feel both luxurious and lightly cooling.

Ingredients:
Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil, Camellia Olifera (Camellia Tea) seed oil, Vitis vinifera (Grapeseed) seed oil, Cannabis sativa (Hemp) seed oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) kernel oil, Rosa canina (Organic Rosehip) fruit oil, Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) oil, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin Orange) peel oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia (Bergamot) fruit oil, Citrus aurantium (Neroli) flower oil, Juniperus communis (Juniperberry) fruit oil, Daucus carota sativa (Carrot) seed oil, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) leaf oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citral*, Linalool*, Limonene*, Geraniol*, Farnesol*. *Naturally occurring constituents of essential oils.

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FRANKINCENSE & TEA SEED MAGIC EYE NIGHT SERUM (+ SWEET ALMOND & CHAMOMILE)

Bring back lustre! Rich in plant nutrients, vitamin E & antioxidant tea seed oil, this natural blend rejuvenates delicate, dehydrated & tired eyes, for gentle, empowered radiance.

The truth is, and here I may divert from beauty industry ‘marketing norms’: eyes are so expressive that even if the skin around them is less than par (maybe you stayed up too late – maybe you’re tired and stressed and have been eating more junk than usual – tut tut!), they are still indecently beautiful. Adventures, late nights & excesses are often to be celebrated, but, still, it’s nice to do what we can to improve matters of their effects, and the ingredients here have been specially chosen for warding off the evil spirits of dark circles, puffiness, lines and dull-looking skin.

Uses & Directions:
At bedtime, and with only light pressure, smooth the roller-ball bottle in a semi-circle below each eye, following the shape of the socket and massaging in in small circles. A perfect addition to the Overnight Face Food with Mandarin, Carrot Seed & Neroli.

Key ingredients/benefits:
FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL: The healing qualities of frankincense have long been known (and it is widely rumoured that topical application around the eye socket can stimulate and improve vision!). Steam distilled from the resin of the Boswelia genus of trees, it has a rather regal scent which is also calming and uplifting (the perfect scent to settle you into a good night’s sleep), and it’s even thought to lift and tighten skin naturally (and so help keep the delicate skin of the eye area as smooth as possible).

CAMELLIA (TEA) SEED OIL: We all know that green tea is full of antioxidants and the same is true of the magical oil cold pressed from its seeds. Traditionally favoured by Japanese geisha (who know a thing or two about beauty), this light oil is healing, softening, nourishing and packed full of micro-nutrients to rejuvenate delicate skin cells. …See here!

SWEET ALMOND OIL: Said to help decrease ‘panda eyes’ by lightening the skin and reducing dullness, sweet almond oil is richly moisturising (while being light enough to be easily absorbed along with the tea seed oil) and full of nutrients, replenishing fatty acids and vitamin E. It’s also anti-inflammatory, which means it can help reduce puffiness and irritation.

LAVENDER & CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OILS:  Anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and gentle, these two top off a beautiful concentration of care-taking. Both are renowned for their soothing, calming natural aromas; application of this blend is a perfect finish to a day and a sign to yourself that it’s time to r e l a x . . .

VITAMIN E: an added (natural) extra dose for even more antioxidant power; why not?

Ingredients:
Camellia sinensis (Camellia) seed oil (from the tea plant), Prunus dulcis (Sweet Almond) kernel oil, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) leaf oil, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil, Anthemis nobilis (Chamomile) flower oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Limonene*, Geraniol*, Linalool*, Citronellol*. *Naturally occurring constituents in essential oils.

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TEA SEED & OLIVE LIP & MULTI-PURPOSE WONDER BALM

This must-have delight of a balm has an interesting history (see ‘story’ below!)… Originally made for a different purpose entirely, it is now my all-time favourite lip balm (a serious claim coming from a self-diagnosed lip-treat addict). I use it morning and evening and love the gentle scent of spike lavender essential oil balanced by the medicinal, herbal counterpoints of rosemary and peppermint. Petroleum-free, it softens and soothes dry or attention-seeking lips like no other. It’s said that peppermint can help to pump up the lips.

Uses & Directions:
This little wonder-in-a-jar loves multiple parts of you deeply; as well as making your lips feel incredible, it performs its skin-loving miracle on small areas of your body, such as knees, elbows, cuticles, bruises, unruly eyebrows, Achilles heels and even does a stellar job of brightening up tattoos. You’ll want to take this funky screw-top pocket-rocket everywhere with you. I have one at home (small lie; I have about seven) and one in my handbag.
For a face product, see the anti pore-blocking Overnight Face Food with Mandarin, Carrot Seed & Neroli.

‘I suffer from really sore, chapped lips – particularly during the harsher winter months with the changeable temperatures between the cold outdoors and warm central-heated indoors. I’m always looking for a miracle cure – a lip balm that smooths and softens my lips, doesn’t look too shiny or glossy, and lasts long enough not to have to constantly reapply. The smooth, creamy texture of this balm soothes and calms sore and uncomfortable lips, and smells absolutely delicious.’

‘The pot is a handy size for carrying around in your bag but also your pocket on long dog walks – for when you need just a little extra help. It’s amazing to know the ingredients are all 100% natural – especially when my five nieces want some ‘lipstick’ and I know it’s safe to share.’

Key ingredients/benefits:
ORGANIC, RAW, EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL: Anti-viral, anti-bacterial (FYI: I haven’t had a single coldsore in the years since I started using this, though I used to get them occasionally in the past when very run down; horrible things), moisturising, soothing, melts in beautifully.

COLD PRESSED CAMELLIA (TEA SEED) OIL: Healing, softening, nourishing, packed full of micro-nutrients… See this page!

COLD PRESSED OLIVE OIL: contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, proteins, minerals and anti-oxidants. A traditional, infamous ingredient for beauty and healthcare.

CANDELILLA WAX: a vegan alternative to beeswax, this succulent plant from the Chihuahan desert is full of nutrients and gives good shine.

ROSEMARY: a favorite of Paracelsus, a renowned German-Swiss physician and botanist, who made significant contributions to the understanding of herbal medicine during the 16th century. Anti-bad-breath and concentration-boosting, it has antiseptic and anti-microbial qualities.

SPIKE LAVENDER: A European hybrid of Lavender which produces many of the same properties of Lavender without the drowsy effects. Lavender is gentle, soothing and, amazingly, a study released in 2007 said that inhaling rosemary oil and lavender oil for five minutes significantly reduced the levels of cortisol in the test subject’s saliva, which could seriously decrease the dangers inherent from chronic stress.

PEPPERMINT: Cooling, refreshing and menthol can help clear the respiratory tract; it adds some ‘zing’ to the mix.

Due to the nature of these natural ingredients, a small amount of crystallisation may occur if the balm is exposed to changes in temperature – this doesn’t affect the quality of the product even remotely, and any possible crystals will melt away upon rubbing into your lips.

History:
The original hand-written title for this was ‘BMITW’s Stop-banging-into-things Crash Bang Wallop Bruise Balm’. I made it for my Mum (AKA Best Mum In The World), who seems to enjoy rather too much walking into inanimate objects and coming up purply-blue. I researched ways in which mother nature can assist in the healing of said multi-coloured thigh-art, and the ingredients I’ve used here all came up trumps. Now, this formulation is one of my all-time favourites – it really is brilliant. The fact that it smells so wonderful (lavender, peppermint and rosemary are a dream team!) doesn’t hurt either.

Having little excuse to use it myself (I don’t tend to walk into things quite as often as my Mum, though am definitely jinxing myself by writing this…), I tried it once as a lip balm. It is now the only lip balm I use alongside the tinted Balmy Gloss for Lippy Roses (and I’ve sampled several thousand lip balms in my time!).

Funnily enough (as a side note), I discovered afterwards that lavender, peppermint and rosemary are the exact components of the trio my Grandma added to the ‘headache cream’, she made me once and which I still treasure (its scent is as incredible as its shelf life!) so obviously there is something extra magical about this blend of essential oils.

Either way, whether you use it as a lip balm or soothing body salve, this stuff is deeply nourishing, the perfect texture for sinking decadently into your skin, non-greasy, and smells absolutely wonderful. Multi-purpose is the future. (As is not banging into things.)

Ingredients:
Cocos nucifera (Organic Raw Coconut) oil, Olea europaea (Olive) fruit oil, Camellia olifera (Camellia Tea) seed oil, Candelilla cera, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf oil, Lavandula latifolia (Lavender) flower oil, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) leaf oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Coumarin*, Geraniol*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Limonene* (*Naturally occurring in essential oils)

Final note: When I was at school, lip balm was currency. Friendships could be formed over the convenient possession of the good stuff. I remember one girl, who shall remain nameless, getting enormously upset when someone else (maybe I) pressed my finger into her pot of lip balm hard enough to make a dent. She preferred to slide her finger around the top, not messing up the smooth plane of the waxy gloss. I put this to you: is there no greater joy than breaking the surface of a new lip balm, digging in deep and getting the full reward? Whichever camp you fall into, it’s your balm, your rules.