The Benefits of Witch Hazel

I've used Witch Hazel on my skin for years. I used to have very unsightly scars on my legs from mosquito bites, the use of Witch Hazel helped to fade the scars and keep my legs smooth. Over time I tried it on my face as a skin toner and it helped with the few acne scars that I had. 

I'm always looking for natural products to add to the Water Bottle Soap Beauty Care line and as I was doing some research I remembered Witch Hazel. There are more to Witch Hazel than just for scars and skin toning. It helps with the following:

1. The big one: Spot and blemish control*
2. Soothe and heal diaper rash
3. Shrink bags under the eyes
4. Soothe and reduce external hemorrhoids
5. Varicose vein relief
6. Soothe poison ivy and poison oak
7. Treat chicken pox blisters
8. Heal your bruises faster

9. Soothe razor burn (and in some instances, prevent it)
10. Treat and soothe a nasty sunburn
11. Treat dry skin
12. Use to heal and soothe various cuts and bruises
13. Take the bite out of bug bites
14. Refresh tired eyes - NOT by squirting witch hazel in them
15. Make your own deodorant
16. Astringent to tighten the skin**
17. Ease symptoms of eczema and psoriasis***

Similar to the multiple benefits of Coconut Oil and 

Turmeric, the benefits of Witch Hazel make this natural, Eco-friendly, inexpensive product a must have to your beauty regimen.
But, what is Witch Hazel exactly...

" …an astringent produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana), which grows naturally from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada and south to Florida, and Texas in the United States. This plant was widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians. The witch hazel extract was obtained by steaming the twigs of the shrub." - Source Wikipedia

Most drugstores carry distilled Witch Hazel, it can usually be found by the Peroxide and Rubbing Alcohol. As for my beauty line I have added WBS Skin Toner Pads, the jar holds 30  pre-moistened soaked in Witch Hazel, Lavender Essential Oil and a few drop of Vitamin E Oil. All of which are super beneficial for the skin. Check out my website for more information and to check out the entire WBS Body Care Line. 


Sources:
 *http://www.wisebread.com/15-wonderful-uses-for-witch-hazel
**www.webmd.com
***http://skincare.allwomenstalk.com/reasons-to-add-witch-hazel-in-your-skin-care-routine/9/

Autumn in South Florida

For those who live in the Southern part of the Sunshine state you know that we really only have one season... Hurricane season! (No joke) The way we South Floridians tell when Autumn is approaching is when the stores and the coffee shops start to offer Pumpkin flavored goodness.

Being a transplant to Florida I truly miss the changing of the seasons. The turning of the leaves from green to majestic golds, reds and oranges, the sound of them crunching under my feet as I walk in the park and feeling that crisp cool breeze tickle my nose.The sound of the leaves rustling in the air, knowing Summer has come to a close and Winter is not too far. I just really love Autumn!

I feel sad for the native SoFlas who have yet to experience a true Autumn Season, to me, it's so magical. All they have to go on are pictures of Fall leaves and Pumpkin flavors, by all means I'm not complaining, Pumpkin and spice is a wonderful warm flavor, one that takes me instantly to that Autumn paradise. However, I've noticed it doesn't translate in to soap very well in this market. Even the colors don't really translate either... I'd love to hear what you think.. Autumn Scents in Soaps "Yeay" or "Nay"?

How does your garden grow?

I think I got my green thumb from my Father. From the time I can remember we've always had plants in our apartment in New Jersey growing up. I would help to transplant them when they out grew their pots. When we moved to Florida and we had a proper back yard my Dad would save and plant dates, coconuts, he even tried to plant pistachios ( those did not grow well). I joined in and planted Sun flowers, Amaryllis and Paper whites. Now that I am back to apartment living, I still enjoy getting my hands dirty so to speak. My current "garden" contains a Pineapple plant, Celery and Turmeric.

This is my second Pineapple plant and it is most definitely ready to transplant it to the ground, it has grown tremendously since all the Summer rains. Pineapple is the easiest to grow, just cut the top off of a fresh pineapple and you have a new plant. I saw a tip on local television if you peel away the bottom leaves close to the base about 1-1/12 inches up you will start to see the roots of the plant. All you have to do is just plant it in a pot or in your garden, before you know it you will have a Pineapple plant.

Next on my list is Celery, again it's easy to grow, just cut the base of the celery bulb and place in a small dish with water, soon enough you will start to see yellow-green shoots coming from the center. I then moved the bulb to a pot of soil about 2 weeks after it "caught". As soon as I transplanted it in to the earth,the yellow-green shoots turned a gorgeous deep green. This picture is about 2 weeks after it was in the dirt, best part is it has that bright Celery scent already. 

My newest go at growing something is Turmeric root. I've talked about all the benefits to Turmeric in a previous post. This is more than just a natural food colorant, Turmeric is one of the greatest super foods we have. Turmeric like the Pineapple grows from itself. The roots start to produce sprouts and roots which once planted in the soil become a plant, you can then harvest the roots after the leafy tops start to turn yellow and have all new Turmeric roots to use and even plant more. 

 

I'm excited to see how my Turmeric plant grows and getting the chance to use my own homegrown Turmeric in my soaps! These plants for the most part are low maintenance and for me, fun to watch grow and develop.I'll keep you posted on my "harvest" ...lol

Getting Show Ready

There is always an excitement for me when participating in shows, and some anxiety as well. I'm always afraid no one will like my soap or I didn't make enough or that my selection is not great enough.... there are always questions and what if's that float through my mind until the day of and my table is set and the folks start to browse, ask questions and shop. The interactions with my customers are so gratifying to me, that moment when they "get it", cause let's face it sometimes a bar of soap is not just a bar of soap. Because I use water bottles as the molds for most of them, people become very intrigued once they hear the story, if you have not heard it... here we go... Ready?

"I use the bottom of water bottle as the mold, then recycle the plastic once the are done. So, it's a green company as well. I'm giving the water bottles one more used before they are sent off to be recycled, it's my small effort to help the environment."

It is a wonderful feeling to know that I'm making some sort of contribution to helping preserve our environment. Also, in keeping with the Eco-Friendly theme, I'm using wrappers and labels that are Eco-Friendly or from a sustainable source. I know my customers appreciate this, as well as a good quality soap.

Getting show ready is always a challenge, but through the years I have it some what down to a science... or at least less boxes. I used to stay up all night making soap, labeling, boxing, packing and truth be told praying that my efforts pay off. As with any buying cycle, sometimes there is a pay-off, sometime not, but the most invaluable aspect is the knowledge that I gain with each show. For example, the show I just participated in... I ran out of change twice, I ran out of bags, and I sold out of 4-5 products. Those were a couple of firsts for me, but next time I know to bring change, bags, and oh dear.. make more soap... lol.
I have to laugh, it was such a great experience and it taught me about this particular show. Bottom line you can prepare as much as you like but you are never as prepared as should be. So, if you are a crafter thinking about participating in your first show or a seasoned vendor remember to have fun with it. Go out there, engage each customer, don't be put off by folks who are "just looking". Tell your story and talk about your inspiration. People will feel your passion and want to support your cause.
Good Luck!

The Next Big Thing..... Turmeric

Growing up with parents from the West Indies there are certain things that are second nature, for instance Curry, I've eaten Curry all my life. Whether it was chicken, beef, goat... Curry was a staple in our home, also a staple were seasonings like Cumin, Geera, Tandoori, Cardamon and Turmeric. These are not new or mysterious to me, but in the mainstream, they are definitely exotic. Ironically, as I was getting ready to write this post there was an ad pop up about Turmeric and its benefits to ease joint pain.

What is Turmeric? *Turmeric is a plant. You probably know turmeric as the main spice in curry. It has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses. But the root of turmeric is also used widely to make medicine.


There are a mulitude of benefits Turmeric provides to not only our joints, but to our overall health.
*Here are the benefits of Turmeric in our body:

• Eases joint pain
• Heartburn
• Stomach issues
• Jaundice and liver problems
• Loss of appetite
• Gallbladder issues

Turmeric can be ingested in food or as a tea, you can even mix a bit in your detox water for added benefits. I especially love to use Turmeric in rice an peas, it gives the rice a beautiful yellow color and add great flavor to an ordinary dish.

**The topical (on the skin) benefits of Turmeric are:

• It has anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce skin inflammation, pigmentation and blemishes.
• It has antibacterial properties, which help reduce acne, especially when used with other natural ingredients.
• It has anti-aging properties, which help prevent and improve dry skin and wrinkles, thus slowing the process of aging to help your skin look younger.

I use a combination of Turmeric powder and Eucalyptus Mint Essential Oil blend in my WBS Herbals soap. I have used a bar for 2 weeks now and I have noticed some scars on my arm have began to lighten...Yay! The great thing about Turmeric powder is it creates a very fine exfoliant in the soap and the blending of the Eucalyptus Mint make for a soothing scent.

Check out the links below for more information on this amazing, soon to be the new super food and learn more bout how it can benefit your overall health. Also grab a bar of my WBS Herbals Turmeric soap...

Source: *http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-662-TURMERIC.aspx?activeIngredientId=662&activeIngredientName=TURMERIC

**http://www.med-health.net/Turmeric-Powder-For-Skin.html 

All the world is a learning experience

You've heard the phrase " you're never too old to go back to school". This is very true, for me however, I'm not going back to the classroom. I love to learn new techniques, especially in soap and body care.I have experimented before with lotions and body sprays to help expand my business, I am still working out the best bases to use so it is an on going learning process in which I find is one of my favorite parts about my business. Which brings me to the point and also a hint of what is to come from my company. My Hubs whom is very supportive in my business venture came to me recently with complaint/idea. He likes to use shower gel over bar soap, his most recent gel soap purchase contain Menthol, which by no real stretch of the imagination, leave a "tingling" sensation on the skin. The issue was, he didn't know the gel had menthol in it, so needless to say what was supposed to be a relaxing shower after a hard day's work, turned in to a "that ish burns, what the hell did I buy" aftermath... lol.

After the tingle subsided he came to me and asked if I could make him a shower gel that he could use. This sent my head into a spin... What would I create? What additives should I try? What scent should I create? Thus the research started and I have come up with a gel I think he will like and that would be beneficial to his skin. First, I'm starting with an organic base that is all plant derived and does not contain SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate) which is known to be very harmful to our health. Second, I am adding activated charcoal for it detoxifying properties and jojoba granules as an exfoliate. Lastly, and most tricky is a blend of essential oils that will help neutralize odor, aid in skin cleansing, refresh the body and if blended well leave a wonderful scent.I feel like a bit of a mad scientist mixing and testing the combinations of Clove oil, Lavender Essential Oil and Rosemary Essential Oil. Working on a ratio of 3:2:1 ( 3 parts light top note fragrance, 2 parts mid note scents and 1 part bottom note) Most fragrances are built this way and it all depends on how the oils absorb in the skin the faster top note to the slower bottom notes. I think I came up with a great combination, though the Hubs thinks it smells like Christmas because on the Clove...lol.

I'm sure you are asking why this combination.. here are the benefits of these essential oils:
Clove Essential Oil - Though it is a numbing agent when applied to skin, the aroma therapeutic qualities of this oil also make it a stimulant, helping with fatigue, depression and potentially as an aphrodisiac. Clove Oil smells like the spice and it is a wonderful blending oil. Clove has long been used in connection with respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis (breathed in over a steam bath).

Rosemary Essential Oil - Rosemary is high in camphor and is traditionally used in decongestant blends and muscle pain relief blends (think 'Vicks Vapor Rub'). This distinctive smelling essential oil is considered stimulating in nature and is often found in energizing blends. Warnings: Do not use if pregnant, have high blood pressure or a history of seizures


Lavender Essential - Lavender is used for restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, and depression. Some people use lavender for painful conditions including migraine headaches, toothaches, sprains, nerve pain, sores, and joint pain. It is also used for acne and cancer, and to promote menstruation.



I will keep you posted on my new concoction...

*Source - Clove Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, Rosemary Essential Oil

Time in a bottle.... or fragrance really.

Summer is around the corner and I know for some of my friends and family the warmer whether cannot come soon enough. Not to rub it in but here in sunny South Florida it seems to always be some variation of summer. Nothing reminds me more of this season than the scent of suntan lotion. The fragrance of coconut, zingy mandarin orange and sweet pineapple sends my senses a drift to a white sandy beach and a cool cocktail. It's amazing how the power of a fragrance can take you to a place or time, just like a song on the radio, I can remember events in my life from the scents that I wore or used at the time.

For me, smell of suntan lotion reminds me of when I would spend all day at the beach during summer time. I used to wear Aqua de Gio from Armani during a trip to Canada for my Grandmother's 80th Birthday. The scent of Sunflowers from Victoria Secrets takes me to a trip to Disney with my best friend. Also, VS  Very Sexy reminds me of when my husband and I were first dating.

Scents can be very powerful in the way they can help invoke certain memories or be apart of new ones. I try to keep that in mind when selecting fragrances for my Water Bottle Soaps. I like to keep a variety of scents from the warm and comfy like Oatmeal, milk and honey to the fresh like Cool Citrus Basil to the floral like French Lime Blossom. I love when customers tell me "this is my favorite" or "your soaps smell so good, I can't decide which one I like best". Let's face it who wants a stinky soap anyway. One of the great features I love about my soaps is that the fragrance last, not only from the beginning to the very end of the soap but for years..... yes years! I still have some of my first test batches (circa 2008) and they smell just as good as the day they were poured. Best part is they leave your skin with a gentle kiss of fragrance.

I'd love to hear what your favorite fragrance is and what memory it reminds you of....