Author Archives: roseanne Smith
September 12, 2017
How to use the FLORA+ FIONA FACIAL OIL
Lots of people have been asking me how to use Facial oil. Here is what I recommend:
To start:
- Remove all make-up.
- Put 3-4 drops onto the palm of your hand and rub together gently.
(If you are using the roller ball, roll on your fingertips with circular movements to release the oil and rub together). - Hold your palms up to the front of the face and breathe in the natural aroma of the oils. For me this is the best part. Breathe in deeply and inhale the natural fragrance of the oils, creating a wonderful feeling of wellbeing.
- Then, massage onto the face, neckline and décolletage with gentle upward movements. Be very careful around the eye area and just pat this delicate area with the fingertips.
- Take as much time as you can, even if it’s just a minute or two, these are valuable moments to enjoy the touch and aroma sensations with these natural oils. Remember, it’s all part of caring for yourself and your skin and giving a little time to tune into nature and all its gifts.
When you are using pure plant oils, you will notice a visible radiance and glow to the skin. I have chosen some of my favourite essential oils, Jasmine, Vetiver and Red Orange because they are deeply comforting and soothing and have mood enhancing properties that help to calm the mind and soothe the skin.
I have also added 6 plant oils which are easily absorbed and packed with vitamin A, C and E, and the Omegas, so necessary for the skin to be nourished and hydrated.
So when are my favourite times to use the Facial Oil?
Firstly, I use the oil post shower in the morning on damp skin. It gives me a positive start to the day and works well as a primer before make-up.
My husband also uses it post shave as a skin balm.
But for me, my special time with the facial oil is the night-time ritual I have developed so that I take some precious time for myself. The bottle is on my bedside table and because the oils are calming and grounding, they are a perfect way for me to end the day.
September 12, 2017
Autumn is in the Air
As the 1st September comes, you can feel the season change. The holidays are over, it’s time for return to school, to college, to work or routine. Many welcome the chance to wear warmer clothes and make lots of plans and resolutions: healthier food, less wine, more exercise, less browsing on the internet, more reading.
I love this change of season. Nature is abundant. The garden is filled with late blossoms, making the most of the September sun, our apple tree is bursting with fruit, the sea is still warm enough for a quick dip and the morning walk is invigorating.
Change is in the air.
I am full of new ideas for oil blends and have been busy creating more formulations for new products. I look forward to sharing new creations with you shortly.
Autumn is also a good time to develop a skincare and wellbeing ritual for the months ahead. The sun has left dry and flaky skin that needs some loving care and attention. For me, natural plant oils are always my first choice.
Unlike many water-based creams that sit on the skin, oils are absorbed quickly and deeply, where their natural nutrients heal and hydrate.
In creating my Facial Oil, Velvet Skin Body Oil and the Carry-on Travel Oil, I wanted them to effect both the body and the mind. Seeing the difference on your body is fundamental, but in all my oil blends, there has to be an emotional dimension, one that you can feel to complete the experience.
A balance between mind and body
FLORA + FIONA botanicals have to tick a few boxes to be included in my blends:
- Easy to absorb – without no greasy residue
- See the difference – soft, hydrated skin with a radiant natural glow
- Feel the difference – breathing in my unique blend of essential oils to give a powerful emotional response
- Be 100% natural – wild harvested and organic oils
- Rich in nutrients, omegas and antioxidants
One of the reasons why I became an aromatherapist was because of the powerful effect the oils can have on the emotions. The connection our sense of smell has with our subconscious is profound and never ceases to amaze me. This effect on the mind is the first thing I think of when I am creating a formulation. It completes the picture!
September 12, 2017
Essential Oil Safety
Essential oils are now available extensively in pharmacies and have become very popular. They are a wonderful addition to everyday life but they are highly concentrated and can be toxic if over-used. I thought it might be useful to give some basic safety guidelines to consider before using essential oils. If in any doubt at all, consult with a qualified aromatherapist or your medical practitioner.
Use of Essential Oils
- Not to be taken internally
- Keep out of reach of children – do not use with children under 7 years old.
- Keep away from the eyes
- If pregnant, do not use in first 12 weeks and seek medical advice before using essential oils at any stage.
- Do not use undiluted
- Do not put directly on the skin. Always put into a base or carrier – oil, cream or gel, even milk will do to dissolve the oil.
- Discontinue if there is an allergic reaction. Seek medical advice
Use a much smaller dose (normally 50%) for elderly and those with serious illness - Check that the bottle says 100% natural essential oil. The botanical name written in Latin must be on the bottle
- Store in a cool dry place – once opened, use within 12 months .
Dosage
- Adopt the approach – Less is more – The oils will be just as effective with a smaller dose. Do not be tempted to add a few extra drops.
The general rule is to use 2 drops to 5ml – (One teaspoon) of base or carrier oil* - Bath 6-8 drops in a carrier oil, milk, aqueous cream or epsom salts
2 drops in a tissue
3-4 drops in a bowl of hot water for steam inhalation.
* carrier or base oil is a vegetable oil, nut oil or wax for e.g sweet almond, coconut, jojoba, apricot kernel, argan, rosehip etc.
Further information:
There are many resources online to read up on essential oils. One site I like as a good resource is https://www.aromatics.com/. Oshadhi Essential Oils does a great newsletter with information on oils. I have previously mentioned Andrea Butje at Aromahead Institute, School of Essential Oil Studies Any question on oils and how to use them please contact me or leave a comment below I would love to hear from you.
September 12, 2017
Prickly Pear Oil: A Precious Oil
PRICKLY PEAR
Botanical Name: Opuntia Ficus Indica – distllled from the Prickly Pear Cactus seed
Prickly Pear oil is one of my favourite plant oils for the skin and one of the most precious. It is expensive but worth it because of its many benefits on skin health. I use it in both FLORA+FIONA Facial Oil and FLORA+FIONA Velvet Skin Body Oil.
Why is it so special?
- Exceptional skin hydrating properties
- Rich in antioxidant, Vitamin E – It has a higher concentration than any other plant oil
- Highest percentage of essential fatty acids. Omega 6 and 9.
- Excellent for mature or damaged skin
- Increases elasticity and brightens the skin adding radiance
- Deeply moisturising and easily absorbed
- Ideal for sensitive skin and dry skin
- Reduces redness and hyper-pigmentation
- Vitamin K to reduce brown spots
While these properties add to the physical well-being of your body and skin no oil is included in my blends that doesn’t also contribute to the emotional well being of the user. I talk about this in more detail in another recent post to this blog.
July 19, 2017
Spotlight on Vetiver
A key ingredient in our newly launched Flora + Fiona Velvet Skin Body Oil Vetiver is a great stress reliever long renowned to aid sleep. In this blog post we turn the spotlight on this oil distilled from the roots of a wild grass that grows in India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Madagascar.
VETIVER
Botanical Name (vetiveria zizanoides)
Vetiver is a wild grass that grows in India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Madagascar. The oil is distilled from the root of the grass.
Vetiver is my number one oil to relieve stress, to feel calm, relaxed, to aid sleep and to be at one with the world. In addition, because it comes from the root of a grass, it is a wonderful oil to make you feel grounded and balanced.
As with Ravintsara, a friend brought me a bottle back from a trip to Madagascar and the Vetiver was truly enchanting. I had never smelt anything quite like it. It has a deep, smoky and earthy aroma, and has a depth to it that is hard to define. Oils like this are always special and a little unpredictable.
It has cooling properties and is used in India to alleviate fevers. This makes it helpful in cooling sprays during hot flushes in the menopause.
It is very safe to use on the skin and is often used as a perfume either directly on the skin or mixed with a little jojoba oil.
It is very soothing and healing on the skin with anti-inflammatory properties. I have put it for this reason into both my facial oil and body oil but also for its profoundly calming effect on the emotions.
It has the added bonus in my body oil of acting as an insect repellent.
HISTORICAL USE
Known as the “Oil of Tranquility” Vetiver has been used for centuries for its aromatic properties. The dried grass and roots are woven into shades and blinds for houses which are cooling and fragrant while being anti-septic and acting as an insect repellent. It has been traditionally used in India and Sri Lanka as cooling oil to alleviate fevers and relieve headaches. It is anti-inflammatory properties also help as a balm or ointment for arthritis and aching joints.
IN AROMATHERAPY
In Aromatherapy the oil is valued for its many therapeutic properties:
PHYSICAL
- Anti-septic
- Promotes scar healing and tissue repair
- Sedative
- Anti- depressant
- Cooling
- Anti-inflammatory
EMOTIONAL & ENERGETIC QUALITIES
- Deeply comforting.
- Eases the over thinking and frazzled mind when you feel overburdened and exhausted. It brings you to a quiet gentle place – to sleep and return to your natural rhythm.
WHEN I USE IT
I love using this oil. It clears all thoughts and brings such a sense of wellbeing.
For the bath before bedtime, it is a perfect choice. You are sleepy and relaxed, a perfect way to get a good night’s sleep.
It blends really well with many floral oils so it is good to try and experiment with the various options. I often put 3 drops of vetiver, 1 drop of rose or neroli (orange blossom) or jasmine. (1 drop of each if you are feeling extravagant. They are costly oils!) Add them to a dessertspoon of carrier oil and pour into a pre-run bath.
Soak for 10 minutes. No noise no distraction.
Vetiver is also good with lavender or bergamot – or if you want to go for the heady and the exotic, ylang ylang oil works wonderfully with it too.
This bath blend also makes lovely body oil for massage at bedtime. As well as its sedative action, it is also anti-inflammatory and soothing for any skin irritation.
I use jojoba oil as the carrier oil. It is not too greasy and is also very nourishing for the skin. This is why it has been blended with Egyptian Jasmine Blossom Prickly Pear, Black Cumin Seed, Calendula and Rosehip seed oils to create Flora + Fiona Velvet Skin Body Oil. They are all rich in vitamins, omegas 3,6,9, and antioxidants with wonderful benefits to heal and soothe skin conditions.
SAFETY
Is skin safe oil and not know to cause any irritation.
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