The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to show your loved ones that you care than with thoughtful gifts that promote well-being and self-care?
]]>The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to show your loved ones that you care than with thoughtful gifts that promote well-being and self-care? At Vellum, we believe in the power of natural remedies and self-care rituals to enhance the quality of life. Our holiday shop is now live, and we've curated a delightful selection of gifts that will bring joy and relaxation to those on your list. Let's explore some of the top picks this season!
The Marquina Diffuser is a stunning work of art that not only diffuses essential oils but also enhances the aesthetics of any space. Inspired by the natural beauty of the marble, this diffuser offers a sophisticated way to experience the benefits of aromatherapy. The Marquina Diffuser's delicate, ultrasonic vibrations disperse your favorite essential oil blends into the air, creating a calming and fragrant atmosphere. It's a perfect gift for anyone who appreciates both beauty and serenity in their life.
The Carrara Diffuser is another surefire gift that is universally loved. It's designed to bring peace and tranquillity into your surroundings. With its pure, white marble-inspired design, this diffuser adds a touch of timeless elegance to any space. Like Marquina, it uses ultrasonic technology to disperse essential oils throughout the room, creating a harmonious atmosphere that soothes the mind and spirit. The Carrara Diffuser is a thoughtful gift for those who appreciate classic design and moments of stillness.
This holiday season, go the extra mile with the Vellum Luxury Kit. This exclusive set is a comprehensive self-care package that includes precious Chamomile essential oil, Jojoba Base Oil and Lympha Facial Roller. The Luxury Kit is designed to take self-care to a new level, helping your loved ones achieve a sense of well-being and balance in their daily lives. It's the ideal gift for those who value self-care, relaxation, and natural remedies.
The Deluxe Skin and Hair Kit is a gift of natural beauty and care. This luxurious set includes a selection of our best skin and hair care products, each formulated with clean, plant-based ingredients. From natural hydrating serums to rejuvenating hair oils, this kit is designed to pamper and nourish, leaving the recipient with a radiant and healthy glow. Give the gift of self-love and rejuvenation with the Deluxe Skin and Hair Kit this holiday season.
We're delighted to announce the Vellum Holiday Shop is now live and ready to bring joy and well-being to your holiday celebrations. In addition to the featured products mentioned above, our holiday shop offers a wide range of wellness and self-care gifts, including essential oil blends, gift sets and more. Whether you're looking for a thoughtful stocking stuffer or a luxurious gift set to spoil someone special, our holiday shop has you covered.
At Vellum, we believe in the power of nature to inspire well-being and offer natural solutions to enhance your quality of life. Our products are created with care, using 100% natural, plant-derived ingredients. This holiday season, give the gift of wellness, relaxation and self-care with Vellum.
Don't wait! Visit our holiday shop today and explore our full range of products that will make this holiday season truly special. Show your loved ones how much you care by giving the gift of well-being and serenity.
Visit Vellum Holiday Shop to explore our full selection and start spreading the joy of wellness this holiday season. Make this holiday season unforgettable with Vellum!
]]>As the weather warms up and the flowers start to bloom, many of us are looking to refresh and renew our daily routines. One simple way to do this is by incorporating essential oils into our lives. Not only do essential oils have a range of benefits for our physical and mental health, but they can also help us embrace the new beginnings that come with spring.
Here are some of the best essential oils to use for spring:
Grapefruit: This oil has a bright and refreshing scent that can help energize and uplift your mood. It is also known for its ability to stimulate the lymphatic system, which can help detoxify the body and reduce bloating. Try diffusing grapefruit oil in the morning to start your day off on a positive note
2. Lemon: Another citrus oil, lemon has a fresh and zesty scent that can help improve focus and concentration. It is also a natural disinfectant, making it a great choice for cleaning and purifying your home. Add a few drops of lemon oil to your cleaning spray for a fresh and invigorating scent.
3. Bergamot: This oil has a warm and citrusy scent that can help reduce stress and anxiety. It is also known for its skin-soothing properties and can be used to treat minor skin irritations such as acne or eczema. Try adding a few drops of bergamot oil to your bath for a relaxing and rejuvenating soak.
4. Mandarin: This oil has a sweet and fruity scent that can help improve mood and promote relaxation. It is also a natural antiseptic, making it a great choice for treating minor cuts and scrapes. Add a few drops of mandarin oil to your diffuser before bedtime for a restful night's sleep.
When using essential oils, it's important to remember to dilute them properly and avoid using them directly on the skin. You should also be mindful of any allergies or sensitivities you may have, and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine can be a simple and effective way to enhance your overall wellbeing. Whether you choose grapefruit, lemon, bergamot, or mandarin oil (or a combination of all four in our Citrus Oil bundle!), these oils can help you embrace the new beginnings and fresh start that spring brings.
]]>Spring is a season of new beginnings, growth and restoration. It is the time when the harshness of winter fades away, and the beauty of nature emerges once again. Spring brings with it a sense of hope and rejuvenation, reminding us that life goes on and that new opportunities await us.
Just like how a spider or snake molts to shed its old skin, spring represents a time of transformation and renewal. The shedding of old skin is a necessary process for these creatures to grow and adapt to their environment. In the same way, spring allows us to shed the old and embrace the new, letting go of what no longer serves us and making room for growth and change.
Spring is a time when the world around us begins to awaken from its slumber. The days become longer, and the weather becomes warmer, coaxing plants and animals out of hibernation. Flowers start to bloom, and trees bud with new leaves, filling the air with sweet fragrances and vibrant colors. The transformation of the natural world is a reminder that change is constant, and that growth is essential to survival.
Spring is a time for us to cleanse ourselves of negativity and toxicity. It's a time to let go of grudges and negative emotions, to forgive and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity.
Just like the spider sheds its old skin to grow and adapt, we too can shed our old ways and embrace the new opportunities that spring brings. Let's use this season to explore new possibilities, to grow, and to become the best version of ourselves.
If you'd like to explore spring through your diffuser, try any of our citrus oils. We recommend our Citrus essential oil bundle which features Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon and Mandarin. These oils elicit good energy and give you time to explore new possibilities, take on new challenges and learn new things. Citrus oils harness the energy of the season and put on course to enjoy nature and fresh possiblities.
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Single origin essential oils are the perfect stocking stuffer. Imagine just straight up giving someone the gift of strength or calmness, it's totally possible with these "moods in a bottle". The best part is that it's a chance to really tell someone how you feel. You can get cheeky with it. Maybe someone complains a little too much - give them some Grapefruit and it'll encourage them to practice gratitude. Check out Lavender (for calmness), Peppermint (for enthusiasm) and Tea Tree (for strength) They're small but mighty and will last a long time.
It's no secret that winter wreaks havoc on our skin and minds. To combat the winter blues, try the Winter Essential oil bundle. It's four of the best winter oils (Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Tree Tree) that will help channel the tough feelings that colder weather and dark nights bring, into a healthy and more positive outlook. If you live in a cold climate then the person you're buying for will surely appreciate some extra hydration. There's no better oil for dry skin than Almond. At $18, it's a great price point for a secret santa gift or for a stocking stuffer.
Gifting a diffuser is a really kind way to say "I like you and I want you to be well and smell all of the nice things". If your loved one doesn't have a diffuser yet, we suggest starting them off with Carrara or Marquina, both of which include Dreamscape, the loveliest sleep blend. This blend of the best essential oils for sleep will lull them off to the dream world in no time. Dreamscape is also available individually here.
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Our dark patchouli is made from steam distillation of dried leaves in Indonesia. The benefits of patchouli oil have an affect on our entire body. Patchouli is a very spiritual oil that became synonymous with hippies, as it's a grounding aroma that connects you to the earth.
]]>The benefits of patchouli essential oil have been recorded since the days of the silk trade, when patchouli leaves were used to protect precious furs and silks from pests. The scent is still synonymous with luxury, and is a preferred note in many designer fragrances. Patchouli is a rich earthy base note containing all of the richness of the elements: dirt, air, water and sun come together in this sweet, musky scent.
Our dark patchouli is made from steam distillation of dried leaves in Indonesia. The benefits of patchouli oil have an affect on our entire body. Patchouli is a very spiritual oil that became synonymous with hippies, as it's a grounding aroma that connects you to the earth.
The benefits of Patchouli oil are the most evident when it comes to repairing skin and hair. Patchouli is a natural fungicide and is used to heal cracked skin. It's most commonly used to disinfect open wounds, and speed up healing. It's the oil to reach for if you have dry, brittle skin, or cracked skin from playing sports.
To apply patchouli to the skin, dilute 1-2 drops into a carrier oil like Almond to sink moisture into dry areas and repair skin. Dilute into a facial oil like Grapeseed or Jojoba to control acne production and fade blemishes with this calming facial oil.
Patchouli is also a great natural insect repellant; dilute 1-2 drops in a base oil and massage into skin to keep the critters off you.
A known aphrodisiac for hundreds of years, patchouli gives your libido a boost by stimulating estrogen and testosterone and lessening sexual anxiety so that you can perform better and receive pleasure for longer. To use, diffuse patchouli or add 1-2 drops to a thick base oil like H-seed, and give your partner a massage to set the mood for some good release.
Patchouli oil creates a calm and hopeful atmosphere in the mind by releasing nervous tension and creating an uplifting mood. Inhaling patchouli oil has a direct affect on the brain and hormones in the body. Patchouli stimulates the pleasure centres, activating dopamine and serotonin releasing feelings of anxiety and worry. Diffuse patchouli essential oil to ease lethargy, exhaustion and low motivation.
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Benefits of Ylang Ylang essential oil are well documented in Indonesian culture. This mature, floral scent is a natural aphrodisiac and a multifaceted oil that can be incorporated into skincare and hair conditioning treatments. Vellum's Ylang Ylang oil is steam distilled from freshly picked flowers in Indonesia.
Check out the different benefits of Ylang Ylang below:
Wondering where your sex drive went? The daily stressors we face have an impact on all facets of our mind and body and that includes the libido. This oil is an aphrodisiac which lessens sexual anxiety, and sends signals to your brain to produce more testosterone or estrogen which gets things flowing. There's an important reason why Indonesians spread Ylang Ylang petals on the beds of newlyweds - it's because this oil lowers inhibition and increases sexual desire.
Ylang Ylang is a sedative which is a key factor in its ability to help with restlessness, insomnia and, poor sleep quality. To drift off into a peaceful sleep, simply pour a few drops of this oil into a diffuser or mix into a base oil and then apply to your chest and neck and feel this oil soothe you into slumber.
Ylang Ylang and all other essential oils send different signals to the brain's olfactory system. This oil is upbeat but still a sedative which sends positive signals that release feelings of anger and frustration and replace them with feelings of joy, energy and general positivity. Ylang Ylang essential oil has also been shown to improve cognition and processing speed in the brain.
Ylang Ylang is a multifaceted oil that can do so many things for the body. It's a great tool for removing clogged pores and improving acne and oily skin. This is because Ylang Ylang balances sebum production in the skin. Dilute a few drops into a base oil and rub into affected areas. This oil will lessen the oil in oily skin and add oil to dry skin. Ylang Ylang is all about balancing and protecting the moisture in your skin. This oil is anti-microbial so it also helps with redness and pigmentation.
Ylang Ylang has benefits for the hair and acts as a natural conditioner while balancing oil production in the scalp. This means less dandruff and itchiness in the scalp.
Try a hair treatment: mix a few drops into a base oil and vigorously massage into hair, paying attention to the scalp so you can stimulate the hair follicles and encourage growth.
Ylang Ylang has been traditionally used as an insect repellant in Indonesia for many years. This oil is particularly effective for mosquitos but can also treat bites and kill off any eggs that may remain. Be sure to dilute a few drops into a base oil and rub all over your body before heading into the wilderness.
This oil is a gentle alternative to harsher herbaceous oils like Eucalyptus, it's a great remedy for the flu and flu symptoms like fever, cough, and inflamed joints. For some relief, diffuse this oil and inhale its aroma or blend a few drops into a base oil and rub into the chest and neck.
]]>Using essential oils for sex boosts intimacy in the bedroom and provides many health benefits. It's a little known fact that the biggest sex organ in the body is actually the brain. When we're aroused, our brain sends signals to engage blood flow, which is how our other sex organs begin to function. This is why foreplay is so important, humankind's evolution depends on it!
The multiple health benefits of sex have been touted by health practitioners and Cosmo magazine alike for decades. We know that sex is good for your mental and physical health. It strengthens emotional bonds, boosts the immune system, and lowers blood pressure and it's even decent exercise if you're doing it right.
With so many benefits and so much pleasure to be found, why would anybody not make it a daily practice? Well, life just...happens. If you're in a relationship you can take the availability of your partner for granted, and prioritize other things before it. Sometimes you're not feeling well, or tired from a long day and that can get the best of you. Getting older also changes the duration in which our brain gets those signals going. It can take longer to reach an erection or to feel ready for intimacy. These are issues that can throw anyone off their game, but there are solutions to help everyone get ready for some fun.
Essential oils for sex are a natural way to address those issues and to work past them using the terpenes found in essential oils. When you inhale an essential oil, your brain receives messages from that oil through the limbic system, which tells it to perk up or calm down, and provide a host of other unique messages to the olfactory system depending on the essential oil used.
Many of the essential oils have overlapping properties and can be used as aphrodisiacs. The two best essential oils for sex are Patchouli essential oil and Ylang Ylang essential oil. These sedative oils relax our brain and tell us it's time for some sensual fun.
Patchouli essential oil is a musky scent that grounds us and gets us ready to perform. The oil increases sex drive and has been shown to improve erectile dysfunction in men over time. When Patchouli is inhaled, it increases blood circulation and boosts your confidence, so that you can provide penetration for longer and keep your stamina going.
Ylang Ylang essential oil is a great choice for women as it increases estrogen levels, and loosens sexual inhibitions. This oil provides presence and keeps you in the moment so that you can truly enjoy yourself without feeling anxious or self-conscious. The petals of the Ylang Ylang plant are strewn on the beds of newlyweds in an Indonesian wedding ritual to promote fertility for the new couple.
These oils should not be applied to the genital area, as it can irritate sensitive skin. To use these essential oils for sex, simply blend 1-2 drops each of Ylang Ylang and Patchouli together in a diffuser, or mix 1-2 drops into a pump of base oil like Almond, and then give yourself or your partner a sensual massage.
]]>Women have traditionally been viewed as the primary caregivers in most households - the ones to administer herbal remedies and hold your hand through it, and because of this, aromatherapy has felt distinctly feminine.
But, it's 2022, and breaking down gender norms helps men experience all the benefits of essential oils for themselves.
Essential oils are extracted through plant matter and are one of the most natural ways to care for your mental and physical health.
Whether adding a few drops to an ultrasonic diffuser or incorporating oils into your grooming routine, the compounds and terpenes in essential oils address a whole slew of health concerns, from poor sleep to indigestion.
To reap their benefits, simply inhale, use in a diffuser, or apply to the skin using a carrier oil like Almond oil. We've rounded out the top five essential oils for men below:
From Tom Ford to Ermenegildo Zegna, Bergamot is a highly sought after ingredient in some of the world's finest fragrances. In its purest form, Bergamot Essential Oil is ideal for balancing oil production and controlling acne. Incorporate Bergamot Oil into your daily grooming routine by diluting 1-2 drops in a carrier oil like Grapeseed Oil for your own, all natural aftershave comprised of single, key ingredients. Bergamot Oil has naturally occurring antiseptic properties to help reduce skin irritation and prevent razor burn. As a highly fragrant, refreshing citrus scent, Bergamot Oil is the perfect choice to get your day started.
Lemon Essential Oil is ideal for when you need a natural boost of concentration or need to increase your mental alertness. Keep a bottle by your side and reach for it when the 3pm brain fog starts to creep in. Essential oils are plant derivatives and when inhaled the aroma molecules travel up our olfactory pathway to our brain's limbic system where emotion and memory are stored. Our brain's biochemistry is set up to receive these messages from nature, so in the case of Lemon Oil, one whiff in the afternoon and the bright citrus scent will send a sharp jolt of focus to your brain. Double up on the benefits of Lemon Oil by inhaling after a heavy lunch, or anytime you feel nausea, discomfort or indigestion. As a natural carminative, Lemon Oil helps prevent and relieve gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
Whether your sore muscles are from pushing yourself a little too much during your workouts, or if you're suffering from sore, achey muscles from the flu, Eucalyptus Essential Oil is a natural analgesic and helps with muscle pain, tension and swelling. Mix 1-2 drops into a carrier oil like Grapeseed Oil and feel the cooling effect of Eucalyptus Oil as you massage your tired muscles. If the flu has got you down, add the Eucalyptus/Grapeseed mix to your bath and find relief as Eucalyptus Oil is a natural decongestant and powerful lung healer. From headaches to sore muscles and stuffed up noses, Eucalyptus Oil is the right choice for natural healing.
One of the main reasons men gravitate toward essential oils is because essential oils are great for sex. The easiest way to incorporate oils into your sex life is through a diffuser. Add 10-12 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil, a natural aphrodisiac, to an aroma diffuser and set the mood. Inhaling Patchouli Oil stimulates the sex glands, and increases libido and sexual response. Another way to spice up your sex life with Patchouli Oil is to add 1-2 drops to a carrier oil (like Almond Oil), and give yourself and your partner a sensual massage. While Almond Oil and other carrier oils make excellent natural lubricants, avoid using Patchouli Oil or any other essential oil near genitalia. Immerse yourself in a full mental and physical experience and get ready for round 2 by adding your Patchouli/carrier oil mix to the bathtub and having a soak. Stimulating your sex drive with Patchouli Oil's musky scent helps you get in the mood so you can give and receive pleasure for longer.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is a natural sedative and is the essential oil for men who are looking for a little bit of help with their night routine. Whether you have a tough time unwinding from a long day, or trouble falling asleep, this oil will help relax you and lull you into a restful sleep. Inhaling Ylang Ylang Oil through a diffuser or directly from the bottle creates a sedating effect on the central nervous system and can be incorporated into your nightly routine to help create a scent association with sleep. Sprinkle a few drops of this heady floral onto your pillow for a hassle free way to fall asleep fast.
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Did your parents drill “say please and thank you” into your head when you were a kid? Mine certainly did and as a result, my siblings and I were the best kids on the street every Halloween. Little did I know that by expressing gratitude, I gained way more than an extra piece of candy as a reward. When we convey gratitude, our brains release dopamine and serotonin, the two neurotransmitters that make us feel happy and content. According to one study, gratitude hugely impacts your body and mind by improving your health and increasing positive emotions. If you’re looking to capitalize on the benefits of gratitude, here’s three ways you can practice gratitude in your daily life:
It can be a post-it note or even a scribbler, regardless, the goal is the same. Try writing down the things your grateful for every night – your family, your sweatpants or even the new plant-baby you bought last week that makes you happy. If you struggle with this exercise, consider getting yourself a Five-Minute Journal. The Five-Minute Journal consists of guided prompts and inspirational quotes to help make the process a lot more enjoyable. As a result of physically writing down all that you have to be grateful for, you’ll have tangible evidence to flip through when you’re feeling down, a constant reminder whenever you need it.
By holding space, we mean intentionally being present in the space you’re in – physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s important to set aside time to reflect on your day and creating a space to do so is of equal importance. Start by setting the tone. Choose your favourite room in your home and eliminate any distractions. Many people find it helpful to use scent to heighten their experience, which is where Grapefruit essential oil comes in. Grapefruit is known as the oil of gratitude as its citrusy scent clears away stress and negative energy and replaces it with feelings of contentment and gratitude. Simply adding a few drops of grapefruit to a diffuser can make a big difference in your mindset going into your practice. Next, dedicate 5-10 minutes to being quiet, and think about things you’re grateful for, the small and big wins that have happened to get you where you are today. Allow yourself to feel and release emotions like shame or guilt and focus and harness positive feelings of pride and joy.
Have you ever been at the drive-thru and got a free meal thanks to the kind stranger ahead of you? Remember how great that felt? The truth is, that person felt even greater doing it. In a way, being generous is selfish because you receive so much happiness in return. It’s so easy to be kind to others; you could pay for a stranger’s coffee, hold the door open for someone, donate to a GoFundMe, or even check in on a friend or family member. The act can be small or large, but either way, it will increase your feelings of gratitude for the life you lead and all that you have to offer the world.
The best thing about gratitude is that you can practice it any time, anywhere. And really, by expressing gratitude, you’re not only doing the right thing, you’re also giving yourself a positive boost as well, it’s a win-win. How do you practice gratitude? Let us know in the comments below!
]]>I’m sure I’m not alone in impulse purchasing skincare products and ointments that convincingly state I’ll get skin like the airbrushed model in the picture. The part that really irks me however, is not the fact that they all [falsely] claim to be the miracle acne cure, wrinkle eraser or skin toner, it’s that more often than not, they seem to make the situation worse. Enter Grade 8 Nutrition Class: don’t eat food with ingredients that you can’t read. Well, it’s safe to say I dropped that motto pretty quickly and opted instead for the ease that a bowl of unreadable ingredient-rich cereal afforded me and continue to do so to this day. HOWEVER, I did recall this teaching and applied it to my skin care practice. After all, skin is our largest organ and it faces countless toxins in our surrounding environment that we can’t control, so maybe it deserves a bit more attention in terms of what we choose to put on it ourselves.
So many creams and cosmetics boast a lengthy ingredient list that can pose a risk to your skin. Because there’s so many ingredients, if you ever experience a bad skin reaction, you’ll never be able to isolate which element(s) of the product your skin didn’t appreciate. Here’s some food for thought you should consider when you’re purchasing your next skin care product: aim for single key ingredients over formulated products.
Look for products that use one or at most a few ingredients, like essential oils, or vegan carrier oils like Jojoba or Grapeseed. If your skin reacts negatively to these products, you’ll immediately know to avoid this ingredient in the future. Similarly, have you ever read the term “active ingredient” on a bottle, followed by 0.5% or 2%? Yeah, it’s that ingredient that is responsible for the grand claim on the bottle, but you’re being cheated into buying a whole bottle of product that’s 95%+ useless, at a price that certainly doesn’t do your wallet any good. Here are some single key ingredients to look out for and get you started on your search.
Moisture goes hand-in-hand with youthful skin, and oils like grapeseed and h-seed oil contain high levels of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which infuse your skin with moisture and seal it for lasting hydration. Vitamin A on the other hand, is a natural retinol, and high levels of vitamin A can be found in essential oils like bergamot. Retinol is so popular because increases collagen levels, stimulates cell turnover, and increases the production of new skin cells which directly combats both acne and signs of aging. Similarly, geranium essential oil possesses antioxidant properties that slow down aging and tighten skin – ancient Egyptians used it thousands of years ago and its age perks remain true.
To use: Dilute a few drops of bergamot and geranium essential oil in grapeseed or h-seed oil and apply it to your skin.
Products high in vitamin A are proven winners at fighting acne as the resulting increase in cell turnover directly leads to less clogged pores over time. Tea tree essential oil however, takes the gold in the acne-fighting arena as its antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties kill acne-causing bacteria to prevent acne from spreading. Vitamin C is another great tool. Oils like grapefruit and other citrus essential oils like lemon, mandarin and bergamot, possess high levels of vitamin C which naturally accelerates the healing of acne scars and blemishes. Finally, lavender essential oil promotes cell turnover and also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a trusted product for soothing angry blemishes and acne nodules.
Each of these essential oils are powerful tools for treating acne, but they should always be diluted prior to applying to the skin to prevent irritation. H-seed oil is a popular moisturizer and for acne-prone skin and can be used to dilute essential oils in. It doesn’t clog pores and it also balances the skins oil production which decreases the potential for clogged pores.
To use: Simply a drop of each of the aforementioned essential oils into 1-2 pumps of h-seed oil and apply it to clean skin twice daily.
Last but not least, skin tone. Jojoba oil has a high level of vitamin E which quickly heals and fades scar tissue while fighting hyperpigmentation. It also has anti-inflammatory agents that soothe redness and prevent sun damage. Almond oil also possesses vitamins E and K, the latter of which can help to lighten dark eye circles and puffiness. Essential oils like lemon and mandarin as well as the other citrus essential oils that are rich in vitamin C protects skin from sun damage and naturally lightens sunspots and hyperpigmentation, leaving the skin brighter and toned.
To use: Add 2-3 drops of your choice of vitamin C-rich essential oil to 1 pump of jojoba oil and 1 pump of almond oil and apply it to your face and neck and let it sit overnight.
Using these natural products to curate vitamins, isolate the ailment you wish to treat and identify which vitamins, minerals or chemicals are used to do so, then buy the active ingredient(s) yourself and concoct a blend of your own for a fraction of the price. Alternatively, look for products like essential oils which naturally keep and even get better with age. For more info on single key ingredients, click here.
]]>How many times have you heard the phrase, “confidence is key”? While I must agree with whichever wise person first made this statement, it’s of little-to-no value unless you’re ready to be in a confident headspace. Confidence is a powerful tool that can help you make a good impression at a first date, earn you a job at an interview, or (best case scenario) make you feel absolutely fan-fricken-tastic about yourself and who you are. Being more confident sounds easy, but in practice it’s hard to know where to start, especially on those days when looking in the mirror is something you dread for fear of discovering a new zit, wrinkle or a reflection you don’t love. The reality is, even Beyonce [probably] has those days, it’s perfectly natural and unavoidable. But, there are a few steps you can take to boost your self esteem and feel more confident in any situation. – here’s a few to get started.
A phrase we’ve heard many a times, only this one doesn’t require an instruction manual. In order to fake confidence, recall a time when you genuinely felt good about yourself – whether you hit a high note in the shower, pulled off a YouTube-inspired hairstyle or especially liked the way your socks looked in your shoes. Our body and our mind have memories of such events and you can actually channel previous emotions and re-enact them as needed. Close your eyes and recall a time when you felt confident, note how you held yourself; simply standing up straight and holding your head high can hugely inspire feelings of confidence. Remember what you were wearing, how you were breathing. Take a deep breath, throw on your favourite shirt that makes you feel fantastic, and fake your confidence until in becomes truth.
While confidence is a journey, we don’t always have time to build it up slowly if we have an important presentation or test coming up. In such situations you can ‘cheat’ and conjure up your inner confidence with our good friend Berg. Bergamot essential oil is known as the oil of confidence, as its citrusy scent when inhaled works to naturally calm your nerves and refresh your mind, leaving you feeling more confident and ready to face whatever challenges the day may bring. The best part is, you can easily keep bergamot on you at all times in your bag or pocket for a quick whiff of the good stuff if you don’t have a diffuser at home.
Right now, take a moment to think of a sentence that makes you feel good. It could be something short like, “you’re a rockstar” or something as wild as “who cares what the world thinks, I’m amazing, my hair is nice, and I’m the best at cribbage”, or whatever you need to feel good about yourself no matter the situation. Keep this mantra with you at all times, and during the times when you feel weak and defeated, repeat your mantra in your mind (or out loud) until you feel your mental pedestal coming back together. You’re bound to face criticism throughout your life, and it’s bound to make you feel less than amazing, and that’s OKAY! Accept the criticism (unless it’s false, in which case you should ignore it and walk away) and move on in your life. Negative feelings are just a small blip in the miracle that is your life. Prioritize the positive thoughts you feel no matter how small they might be, and embrace then let go the negative feelings that come your way. Confidence will come once you have more positive thoughts than you do negative – the goal for now is just 51% positive, you can handle that!
How do you boost your own confidence? Let us know in the comments below. For more information on how you can feel more confident in any situation, here’s a great resource to get started.
]]>Hands are one (or two) of those things that you don’t really appreciate until you’ve jammed a finger or withstood a papercut that warrants your hand(s) unusable. We’re all so worried about the skin on our faces or how healthy our hair is, that we often don’t make time to take care of our [arguably] most important appendages. Hands are our helpers – they feed us, help us work and learn, and they even give us pleasure…what can’t our hands do with their miraculous opposable thumbs? Your hands don’t need to be perfectly manicured or pretty even, but it is your responsibility to ensure that they stay healthy. Here are some hand health remedies you can incorporate into your day.
Tech neck is a thing, but are you aware that your hands are literally adapting to holding your smart phone? While your thumb repeatedly flexes and unflexes as you scroll through your feed, your pinky is acting as your phone perch. Your thumbs might be getting a little sore but jacked, but your poor pinky’s are slowly adapting to become better perches for your smartphone and are developing a slight curve to accommodate the weight. This may seem an enthralling example of the wonder that the human body is, but this adaptation isn’t exactly a good thing. Fortunately, a hand massage can treat and prevent most serious issues from developing, so grab some lotion or oil and start rubbing your hands. Here’s a great tutorial to guide you through a self hand massage.
I was never one to use lotion, I’d moisturize my face on occasion but that was the extent of it – I’d rely solely on my body’s ability to produce enough sebum to keep the rest of the skin on my body healthy. Unfortunately, our body can’t always keep up with how dry our environment makes our skin, and our hands can age just fast as our faces. Lucky for us, it’s possible to prevent and even reverse signs of aging by using a good quality lotion like Elevate lotion to improve the skin’s elasticity. The first ingredient in this lightly scented lotion is h-seed oil which is high in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which work to gently repair skin elasticity and seal the skin for lasting moisture, without leaving behind any oily residue.
While taking care of your hands may not seem like a practice, consistently taking care of them and repeating the above-mentioned hand care tips will form a habit if you do them enough. Who knows, you may even learn to love the feeling of hand lotion and the added grip you gain when you touch your keyboard after lathering up your fingers. Regardless, no matter how much or how little you think your hands go through, remember to always treat your hands well so they can treat you well.
Interested in learning more about DIY massages? Click here for more information.
]]>We’ve all been there – it’s 12:13 a.m., you’re scrolling through your phone, you think to yourself “I should really stop now or it’s going to be impossible to get up tomorrow…ehhh, 2 more minutes, 12:15 is a nice round number”, only to [purposely] forget the time and find yourself still glued to your phone screen at 1:00 am feeling no more satisfied or fulfilled than you did 3 hours earlier. The name for this rut is “doomscrolling”. While social media is fantastic for keeping up with friends and family and sharing your interests with the world, it also contains endless content that’s negative, dark and just plain depressing. Keeping up with news is important but smothering yourself in darkness (not the lack of illumination kind of darkness), right before bed no less, is a recipe for a bad sleep, worsened mental health and potentially lasting impacts on the way you view the world and life itself.
“Mean world syndrome” is kind of the OG doomscrolling – it’s been around since the ‘70s, and it refers to the negative influence violent and bleak media has on people and how it can cause their perception of the world to change to viewing the world as more dangerous and scarier than it really is. Now that we’ve covered the 5 W’s, let’s go over what we can do to turn the tables; still get the perks of the news and social media, without sabotaging our sleep or wellness.
It’s so easy to lose sight of all of the wonderful things we have in our lives to be grateful for – our pet, our job, our favourite sweater. Practicing gratitude is the best way to refocus your mind on positive things when the media makes it seem like there’s nothing but tragedy and horror in the world. Thinking about the things in your life that you’re grateful for, especially before bed, can hugely impact your quality of sleep, the mindset you have the next day and your overall perception of the world. My favourite way to practice gratitude is to set up my favourite diffuser in the corner of my room with a few drops of a sleepy essential oil blend (I love Dreamscape). Once the room is filled with scent I work backwards from that moment and consider all of the people in my life that I love and love me, all of the hardships my awesome self successfully overcame in order to get to where I am, and anything else that brings a spark of joy to my life. If practicing gratitude sounds like something you’d like to try out, check out this article on how to Practice Gratitude
Just like you need to limit the amount of junk food you eat for a healthy body, you need to limit the amount of time you spend scrolling, for a healthy mind. Whether you keep an agenda or not, make a mental note or set a timer on your phone for when you can start and stop looking at a screen. It may be tough at first, but once you get it in your mind that you can only use your phone or laptop from _am to _am and Xpm to Ypm, it’ll get easier with time, and you’ll find you add more value to your life by having more time to do things that make you happy.
I couldn’t tell you the number of people I used to follow on Instagram that didn’t add any quality to my life, some that I followed just because I knew them in elementary school. If you also follow people that don’t make you smile, then it’s time to purge them from your list. It’s not personal, it’s self-care. Try to avoid following news accounts that overpopulate your notifications with dark news and stories, instead look for pages like Good News Network or even turn off your phone and grab a good book that chases away the crappies. Eliminate the unnecessary negativity in your life and replace it with something that adds value to your life.
Keeping up with the world is important, I’m not saying you should adopt an ignorant outlook on life, but rather than reading 10 different news stories about how horrible COVID-19 is, isn’t going to help anything, so don’t waste your energy on it. Instead, partake in some of the activities I mentioned above. Reclaim your sleep, your energy and what you take in from the world. For more tips on stopping doomscrolling, here’s another great source to delve into.
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This recent heatwave hit me pretty hard, so I took every chance I got to head to the beach. I packed the essentials – sunscreen, snacks, towel, an umbrella, snacks, water, etc. I personally tend to get bored of swimming after about an hour, and opt instead for some sandy nap time, so loading up on sun-safe products and activities is crucial for me to have a good beach day experience. I especially like to pack a few of my favourite essential oils and carrier oils along to play around with while I chillax. Here are some of my favourite uses for oils on the beach:
If you opt to use oils at the beach (essential oils or otherwise) make sure that they’re steam distilled in order to ensure that they won’t be harmful to your skin in the sun. Many lower-quality essential oils are obtained via cold press extraction rather than steam distillation which produces oils that are phototoxic. Phototoxicity in oils can be dangerous if applied topically, as they’ll make your skin more sensitive to the sun and increase the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. Oils like Vellum’s grapeseed oil is not only steam distilled, but actually protects the skin by preventing the absorption of harmful UV rays. Similarly, almond oil possesses a high level of vitamin E which prevents skin cell damage that can be caused from the sun, while simultaneously reversing premature signs aging. These oils are also moisture superstars – they’ll moisturize your skin and seal it for lasting hydration, no matter how hot and spicy the sun may be.
My favourite use for oils at the beach is without a doubt as a natural exfoliating body scrub. Whether you’ve got calluses on your feet or want to shed the dull skin on your legs and arms, using a carrier oil like almond oil mixed with sand from the beach and 2-3 drops of your favourite steam distilled essential oil like lavender, geranium or ylang ylang essential oil helps get rid of those dead skin cells. Simply rub the mixture over the affected area and behold the gleaming, deliciously scented skin left behind.
It’s no secret that the beach can be exhausting! Somehow, lazing around is the most energy-sapping activity you can do at the beach, yet it’s arguably the best thing to do at the beach. When the inevitable sun-groggies (aka. sun-induced grogginess) come around, keeping a citrus essential oil like lemon or grapefruit is a fail-safe way to give yourself a mental boost and chase away the brain fog. Once you’ve treated your mind, it’s time to apply a few drops of peppermint or chamomile essential oil to your skin, diluted in a healing carrier oil like h-seed oil to soothe the skin and relieve sun damage or discomfort you may have after a day in the sun.
While carrier oils and essential oils make a great addition to your beach bag, please be aware that we still encourage the use of sunscreen and other forms of natural sun protection to maximize your safety in the sun. For more information on Vellum’s carrier oils, click here to read more.
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When I’m stressed, I often find myself reaching for some comfort food (unhealthy habit, I know), and tend to be left with a little indigestion and tummy cramps. I’ve had this happen so many times, I’m now a self-proclaimed expert in overindulgence. If you also struggle with stomach issues, maybe from over-eating, a stomach bug or something else, then here’s what you should do: first off, ask a doctor about it – if and only if they conclude that it’s not a serious health issue, then you can move on to the next step: self-treat by using 100% natural essential oils. Read on to find out how.
Citrus essential oils like mandarin, bergamot and lemon are the real stomach superheroes. Prior to eating, add a few drops of mandarin essential oil and/or bergamot or lemon essential oil to your diffuser, or simply just inhale them for a minute. By inhaling their scents, your digestive system is activated – your body is stimulated to secrete enzymes and bile, and your stomach will begin to accumulate the necessary digestive juices to properly digest your food once it’s time to eat.
Using a carrier oil like grapeseed or h-seed oil, add 2-3 drops of bergamot, mandarin and/or lemon essential oil and rub over your stomach for relief. Bergamot naturally works to increase intestine efficiency while ensuring regular bowel movements. Similarly, lemon relieves feelings of nausea, while mandarin prevents constipation and mitigates diarrhea. Rub this mixture clockwise on your stomach for constipation and indigestion (to speed things up) and counter clockwise for nausea and diarrhea (to slow things down).
When you’re not feeling well, sometimes the anxiety and wanting to feel “normal” again can be overwhelming and exacerbate symptoms. Help yourself chill out by filling up the tub and adding several drops of your favourite citrus essential oil. Lower yourself into the tub and soak for at least 10-15 minutes. The heat of the water and the medicinal properties of the essential oils will work to relieve stomach pain and discomfort while also providing a relaxing atmosphere.
Still skeptical? Try it for yourself – click here to shop our natural digestion kit, or here for the citrus essential oil bundle. For more information on how to use essential oils for digestion, click here.
]]>Real talk: Acne is normal. Just about everyone gets it. It sucks, but it’s about time we normalize textured skin. I’ve struggled with acne since I was 16 years old. I’d get painful cystic acne around my mouth and chin, on my back and booty, and had an endless spread of zits and black heads on my forehead and nose. While my fellow classmates had a year or two of acne before it cleared up, I struggled as it grew worse and worse and was convinced the whole world was judging me for it. I tried all of the over-the-counter acne creams under the sun and absolutely NOTHING worked.
I went to a dermatologist and they prescribed me harsh prescription creams and my skin grew worse and more sensitive. It wasn’t until I resorted to the revered Accutane for an entire year that I noticed a decrease in my acne, but not without side effects like dry eyes, sensitive skin and some liver damage. I don’t regret my decision to use Accutane as it did what it I wanted it to, it’s just that the side effects are extra baggage that I didn’t sign up for, and I wish I’d tried natural products before and during my Accutane journey. Since completing Accutane, I vowed to myself that I’d embrace my natural skin and do my body a favour by trying natural products first, and boy am I happy with the results! While Accutane was effective in eradicating most of my acne, I still do get a breakout from time to time, and I’ve learned to effectively treat my acne with natural oils, here are my favourites.
Chances are you’ve seen a facemask or a facial cleanser with the words “tea tree oil” on it, and chances are the product left your skin dry and sensitive and didn’t do much to treat your acne. Many products out there have fillers and harmful sulfates that do more damage than good, which is why sourcing out single key ingredients like tea tree essential oil is the best way to go. Tea tree has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, so it kills acne-causing bacteria on contact and prevents it from spreading and creating new modules. Additionally, tea tree dries out acne nodules and helps to unclog pores so that blemishes can heal. Just remember that essential oils are extremely potent and should never be applied directly to your skin. To use, dilute 2-3 drops of tea tree in 1-2 pumps of an acne-safe oil like h-seed oil, and apply it to the affected area(s). The tea tree oil will combat acne while the h-seed oil keeps the skin healthy and balances your skin’s oil production.
Lavender isn’t just a pretty scent, it also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It kills bacteria and speeds up the healing process of blemishes while soothing redness and painful acne nodules. Unlike pretty well every other essential oil, lavender essential oil is safe to apply directly to your skin, although it can be diluted in a carrier oil like jojoba oil for additional healing and moisturizing benefits and to balance the skin’s oil production.
While the above oils are the best acne-fighting oils out there, patchouli essential oil is the best oil for everyday use. It’s a natural fungicide and it effectively disinfects open wounds, while speeding up healing and adding moisture to the skin. A common misconception is that acne needs to be “dried out”, but this is false – when our skin is dry, it sends messages to the brain to send out more moisture which results in additional oil production and more clogged pores (aka. Acne). Long story short, if you’re treating acne, make sure you target the individual acne nodules without over-drying your skin. Oils like patchouli will naturally cleanse the skin to prevent acne growth while simultaneously calming any blemishes or irritation. To use, dilute 2-3 drops of patchouli in grapeseed oil for extra moisture, and leave it on the affected areas overnight.
Want to up your acne care game? On our website you can shop by skin type, just click “Shop” then “acne-prone skin” to see all of the acne-friendly products Vellum has to offer. Shoot us an email or comment below if you need any help determining which products are best for you.
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In your body, you have what is called a lymphatic system which is responsible for combatting viruses and bacteria, and removing toxins. When the lymphatic system isn’t working effectively, fluid tends to collect in areas around the body which can contribute to puffiness. For example, a puffy face or swollen eyes after sleeping are telltale signs of poor lymphatic drainage. While the simple action of making facial expressions throughout your day contributes to lymphatic drainage, it’s often not enough to prevent fluid buildup. Luckily the lymphatic system can be activated manually through the use of facial tools likes Vellum’s new gold coloured Lympha facial roller, which speeds up the process of lymphatic drainage to flush out toxins, prevent fluid buildup, and ultimately, prevent puffiness and inflammation.
The Lympha facial roller is a facial tool that is made of high quality stainless steel, with round metal heads that rotate during use. The main purpose of Lympha is to stimulate the lymphatic system to manually speed up the drainage process which eliminate excess fluid buildup in the face and neck. Lympha sets itself apart from other rollers, like jade rollers because it features a mini heat-conducive panel which means the heat from your fingers is transferred into the rollers which creates a suction effect that helps grip the skin as you roll through your face and neck. The Lympha roller promotes increased blood circulation which maximizes the supply of oxygen and nutrients to your skin for overall healthier skin.
In addition to turning any skincare routine into a relaxing and luxurious experience, the Lympha roller effectively smooths away puffiness and inflammation while relieving tension in the face and neck muscles. Through consistent use, the Lympha roller will prevent fine lines and wrinkles, fluid build-up and acne, and leave the skin looking radiant and toned. Further, while we can work out our arm and leg muscles, it’s much more challenging to isolate and activate our facial muscles. That’s why Vellum designed our newest roller to create suction on your skin in order to manually engage your facial muscles, thereby eliminating excess fluid buildup.
Prior to using Lympha, it’s important to understand how the lymphatic drainage process works. Your lymph nodes are located by your ears, beneath your chin and above your collar bones. With this in mind, apply 1-2 pumps of a facial oil or moisturizer to clean skin and starting at the centre of your face, press your facial roller firmly against your skin – smoothing it outwards towards your lymph nodes. Repeat this action in each area least 3 times per area for best results.
For more information on the benefits of using a facial roller, click here to read more.
]]>Adding just 3-5 drops to a diffuser before bed lulls the mind and soothes stress and tension, setting the stage for calm time to dreamscape before a deep sleep and a night full of dreaming.
]]>Dreamscaping, similar to visualization, is a form of manifesting your future where you dream out your life while conscious. Not to be confused with daydreaming which is where your mind wanders, dreamscaping involves active engagement in scripting out how you intend the next few days, months or even years. The practice of dreamscaping comes in many forms, including making a vision board, writing out a 5-year plan or even driving in your car but pretending that it’s your dream car. Dreamscaping is entirely personal and can be as expansive or simple as you want.
KUT Radio interviewing neuropsychotherapist Junice Rockman
It’s this form of manifestation that inspired us to create Dreamscape, a 15mL tranquil diffuser blend from Vellum’s sleep collection. Dreamscape is Vellum’s first sleep blend, a light aroma that works well as part of night time routine. Sleep is at the core of wellness, without enough quality sleep, we’re unable to function properly, and our body and mind inevitably suffer as a result. Dreamscape is a 100% vegan, natural and pure essential oil blend that is made up of natural sleep aid scents including lavender essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil, neroli, myrtle, and orange. Its intoxicating scent is neither too floral, sweet nor strong. Adding just 3-5 drops to a diffuser before bed lulls the mind and soothes stress and tension, setting the stage for calm time to dreamscape before a deep sleep and a night full of dreaming.
Dreamscape comes with every new Carrara or Marquina diffuser purchased. Carrara and Marquina are Vellum’s new marble-print ultrasonic diffusers that effectively atomize water and essential oils for easier absorption and maximized wellness benefits. Dreamscape can also be used on-the-go as a natural sleeping aid and stress reliever wherever you go by inhaling from the bottle or pouring a few drops into the shower.
Read more about improving the quality of your sleep here.
]]>Carrara was created to deliver both physical and mental benefits via what is known as aromachology – the science of scent, and its impact on emotion. Using an essential oil diffuser is one of the most effective home-scenting methods which, when using plant oils that are 100% pure and non-toxic, is a safe and powerful wellness tool. For every emotion, there is a scent to match. By selecting the right essential oil, you can influence your mood – lemon gives you a boost of energy, bergamot heightens self-esteem and Dreamscape soothes the mind before bed. Carrara is a top-of-the-line ultrasonic diffuser that atomizes water and essential oils into small particles in the air for an enhanced overall experience.
Special attention was paid to making Carrara’s presence discreet. It’s near-silent and its square and modern design fits seamlessly into spaces, particularly complimenting kitchen and bathroom areas with granite, or marble surfaces, and make for a tasteful statement piece in rustic interiors. Carrara has eight coloured light options with a bright and dim option for each to match the space and mood of its user. Its square shape lends to its universality, fitting snugly into shelves, corners or against a wall, leaving no space behind it for dust to collect. Carrara is popularly used in kitchens, exercise rooms and office spaces, as its bright colouring compliments heightened energy levels of the users around it. Carrara is lightweight and easily transportable, and effectively improves the mood and vibe of any given space.
For more information on Carrara and its features, please click here.
]]>For every light there's shadow, for every day there's night, and for every Carrara there is a Marquina. If you’re torn between Carrara and Marquina, here’s a prompt for you to consider: do you want something that will brighten your day and add a splash of light to your décor, or do you want something that settles into the shadows and grounds your mind as well as your home? While both ultrasonic diffusers function the same and sport a classy marble-print square design, colour aesthetics play a role in your experience, so picture the colour scheme of your home and the space you’d want to put your diffuser in to determine which diffuser better suits your space.
Marquina’s black-marble design makes it match just about any space but if it’s placed in an all-white bathroom for example, it makes for a bolder statement piece. Alternatively, if you set Marquina on your black nightstand next to a rustic wooden bed frame, it will blend in seamlessly. Popular locations for Marquina include the bedroom, bathroom, or anywhere one might want to de-stress and unwind. While its contrasting white and black marble colouring draws the eye, it compliments any space – especially those with marble or granite surfaces nearby. Essential oil diffusers like Marquina are popular additions to bathrooms and other spaces where bacteria may flourish, because essential oils possess antifungal and antimicrobial properties which prevent the growth of bacteria; when Marquina diffuses eucalyptus essential oil for example, the air is cleansed as well as the surfaces the atomized mist falls upon. Further, like Carrara, Marquina is square shaped and fits cleanly into vanity corners, shelves and against walls leaving no room for dust and grime to collect behind it.
Ease of use was a priority when designing Marquina, hence Marquina possesses just two buttons: one for light, and one for mist. Every Vellum Wellness diffuser comes with a user manual and step-by-step instructions on how to use and maintain their diffuser. Marquina is among the easiest diffusers to use; just add water to the fill line, add 5-15 drops of your favourite essential oil(s), and press the mist button. Users can press the mist button once for on, twice for 3 hours of diffusing and thrice for up to 6 hours of diffusing. Marquina also has 8 coloured light options to choose from and users can use the light button to sift through the various colours until they reach one that matches their mood. When it comes to cleaning, the diffuser’s cover is merged with the diffuser spout unlike most other diffuser designs, making the cleaning process streamlined.
We recommend using 100% pure and natural essential oils and blends in your diffuser. By doing so, you avoid the fillers and preservatives that are commonly found in low quality plant oils, while also improving your health and extending the diffuser’s lifespan. Popular essential oils to pair with Marquina include chamomile essential oil, Dreamscape sleep blend, and other essential oils that promote calmness. For more information on aromachology and how to select essential oils for your mood, click here. Still torn between Carrara and Marquina? Click here to read up on Marquina, or check us out on social media to see some real user experiences and real pictures of Marquina in action.
]]>Facial hair trimmed and maintained, and hair neat (or tousled), nicely framing the face. Facial hair especially, is the equivalent of makeup. Forget contouring, nothing makes a jawline sharper than a clean beard line! My partner sports a beard that I adore, mostly because without it he looks like a child. The only bad thing about beards and man-buns, is when they aren’t maintained, they look more like a dust-bunny that’s stuck to your head rather than an intentional look. This is where grooming products come in. Self-care and grooming has never been more popular for men, and there’s a vast number of balms, oils and tools out there that can get a little overwhelming. Self grooming doesn’t have to be so complicated, let’s break it down.
“Pre-shave? You might ask, you’re not alone. Most people just lather on soap or conditioner to get the job done but they’re going about it all wrong, oil is where it’s at! Applying a thick oil like Almond oil to facial hair prior to shaving preps the skin and hair to make the shaving experience as pleasant as possible. Simply add 1-2 pumps of the oil to your hair and let it sit for a minute so it softens the hair follicles and smoothes skin. The result is less razor burn, fewer nicks, and a far less painless process.
Immediately following a fresh shave, it’s crucial to apply a post-shave treatment to avoid ingrowns and irritation. Tea tree and Eucalyptus essential oils both possess anti-microbial and anti-bacteria properties, making them key ingredients in post-shave blends. Simply dilute 1-2 drops of one or both of the oils in H-seed oil and gently rub it into your skin. H-seed oil combats inflammation, while it simultaneously soothes and repairs your skin, leaving it moisturized and protected for the day to come.
Every beard needs a beard oil to keep your beard smooth, soft, and healthy. The best thing about beard oils, is that it’s super easy to make your own blend that appeals to your senses. For example, using Jojoba oil as a base oil will thicken and hydrate your beard while also taming stray hairs. Adding a few essential oils like Cedarwood and Patchouli will make for an irresistible scent that boosts your mood, while Bergamot keeps the skin beneath the beard healthy and clean.
Here’s a DIY beard oil recipe to try:
While facial hair is important, don’t forget about your scalp! Whether you struggle with hair loss, an itchy scalp, or you simply want to maintain your locks,--using a natural treatment like our Scalp and Hair kit is one of the best ways to go about it. This kit includes Jojoba oil, which is packed with vitamin’s A and E. Jojoba balances the skin’s oil production, penetrating deeply into the scalp and coating the hair shafts to prevent over-drying and breakage. This kit also includes Grapefruit essential oil which cleanses the scalp and stimulates hair growth.
The best thing about self-care is it’s all about finding what works for you! Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different oils and products, playing with essential oils is an affordable and fun way to get started. Click here for more information on beard and hair care.
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My dad is the only person I know that’s equally thrilled by a bag of Dutch licorice as he is by a new DeWalt driver. You’d think it would be easy to buy him gifts right? Wrong. Like many men, my father has a very short list of things that he likes, consisting of about three things, but there’s only so many bags of candy and tools he can use (although he’d disagree). So it’s time to get creative and switch up your Father’s Day gift this year. Who knows, maybe his “like list” will grow longer. If the father figure in your life is equally difficult to shop for, then hopefully this gift guide will help you.
I swear I’ve just about broken my thumbs massaging my dad’s eternally achy back in the past, and the only reward I’d get is a satisfying crack or a grumble. Something about dad’s backs is always achy. If this is true for your father figure, consider getting them a sore muscle kit. Whether you choose to massage him, or he gives himself a massage, the combo-kill grapeseed oil and eucalyptus essential oil in this kit will penetrate deeply into the muscle tissue and naturally soothe inflammation and pain.
We know society views men as tough and macho, and polices men who express themselves, breeding shame and insecurity in the minds of men around the world. However, men, (like women), feel emotions and need to engage in a little self care sometimes. Enter bergamot essential oil. Bergamot is the oil of confidence, it eases anxiety and boosts your self-esteem one sniff at a time. It can be added to a diffuser or diluted in a base oil like almond oil and applied to the skin for additional benefits. Normalize self care for men, starting with your dad.
The other day my dad gave me his hand to pull me out of our living room sofa that had swallowed me, and I nearly let go when I felt it. It was dry, and cracked, and based on the oil stains beneath his fingernails, appeared to have not seen a good spa day in months. Needless to say, such activities happen to be among my favourite, and I set to remedying the problem he didn’t know he had. Trimming his nails and slathering lotion all over his hands with stern instructions to remain seated until the lotion all absorbed. He failed to follow my instructions, and promptly cleaned the “slime” off his hands. If your dad also refuses to use lotion, then maybe you should consider Elevate lotion. Its scent is subtle and fresh, but most importantly, its light formula quickly absorbs into the skin and doesn’t leave behind any residue. Perfect for a dry-skinned father!
My own father’s wallet is bulging at the seems with various cards he doesn’t use, but it’s trusty and true, and does its job. Or so he likes to believe. In reality, it’s falling apart, and he certainly won’t buy himself a new wallet so I think maybe I should. I did a little digging and came across Popov Leather, a business in Nelson, BC that makes high quality leather wallets and belts among other things. Anything from Popov will make for a great gift that will last for years to come.
Last but certainly not least, coffee. Yes, it’s obvious, but if your dad so much as likes the smell of coffee, then he’d love Mugging Whales Coffee. The provide premium small-batch roasted coffee beans from dark roast to light. Do your dad (and the rest of your family) a favour and get him some coffee to start the day off right.
All of the products listed above are made and sold by small businesses across Canada, and their goodies can be shipped straight to your doorstep. Stay safe indoors and concoct a little online gift-basket for the father figure in your life this year to let them know how much you appreciate all that they do.
]]>Some of us are blessed with flawless skin whereas others, like myself, invest countless hours, dollars and energy into our skin in an attempt to fight acne, wrinkles, scars and countless other tedious opponents. The reality is, the type of skin you have is a result of genetics, diet, hormones, stress and so much more, making it exceedingly frustrating at times. But there is a light at the end of this tunnel, a little something I like to call Skin Type Knowledge. If you’re sick of plastering your face with expensive products to no avail, then it’s time to pop a squat (on a chair of course) and read up. There are 4 general skin types that you should be aware of: normal, dry, oily, and combination skin, then everything in between. Once you determine what your skin type is, the better and more effectively you’ll be able to treat it! Here’s a breakdown of how you can identify and treat your particular skin type.
There are a few different ways that you can determine your skin type. The first technique is to wash your face with a mild cleanser, then leave your face bare for an hour or so after. Your skin will naturally become dryer in some areas or oily in others. If your skin feels tight, then you’ve got yourself some dry skin. On the other hand, if you notice a shine on your nose and forehead, you’re likely part of the combination skin family. Finally, if your skin is fully oiled up, cheeks and everything, then you have oily skin.
To streamline this process, you can skip the face washing technique and opt for the blotting sheet method. In this case, you can simply take a blotting sheet and press it over the different sections of your face. Look at the blotting sheet after patting and note the presence of oil or lack thereof to determine what your skin type is. By doing one of these tests, you’ll be better equipped to search for products that suit your particular skin type.
There are so many ways to treat your skin, but I personally prefer the au naturel route. I find it also tends to be a lot more affordable so if you haven’t tried it, give your cleansers and creams a rest and join me! Depending on whatever ails your skin, there are different oils that you can use to treat it.
Acne Prone Skin: Our acne kit includes both unscented h-seed oil for the ultimate acne-friendly moisturizer, and patchouli essential oil which kicks your cell-renewal process into overdrive and fights acne and blemishes naturally.
Sensitive Skin: H-seed oil is fantastic for sensitive skin as well, so if you’re prone to irritation when trying new products then consider adding h-seed oil to your skin care routine. For more information on the perks of h-seed oil, give this a read.
Mature Skin: To really nurture mature skin, jojoba oil and chamomile essential oil are the way to go. Our luxury oil kit includes this dynamic duo which balances oil production, moisturizes and soothes your skin. A lympha facial roller is also include in the kit and you can use it to gently massage and smooth the oils into your skin.
Dry Skin: The best moisturizing oil for dry skin is almond oil. It’s a thick oil that you can use as a moisturizing cleanser that rids your skin of impurities without stripping away its natural oils. You can also use jojoba as a carrier oil for geranium or grapefruit essential oil. The jojoba oil will not only work to balance your skin’s oil production, but it will also help any added oils to penetrate deep into your skin so they can nurture your dry skin and leave it feeling supple and smooth. If dry skin is something you struggle with, our deluxe skin + hair kit has all of these super-oils.
Combination/Normal Skin: Rather than resenting the combination skin type for its inability to choose a side and forcing us to use more products to treat one face, let’s try to look at it as more of a challenge. If you have this skin type, then products that are good for all skin types should be your target. Grapeseed oil for example, is a light moisturizing oil that won’t clog your pores but rather leave your skin baby-soft without any residue, making it perfect for both an oily T-zone and dry cheeks. Mandarin essential oil is another superstar that pairs well with all skin types, and its fresh scent will leave you looking and feeling great.
Your skin is your canvas, and there are so many oils that can be used to combat so many different things. Our SMOKE+MiRRORS blog breaks down the benefits of various oils, so give it a looksy to see if there’s something that works for you! For more information on your skin type, here’s a great article.
]]>Alas, cold and flu season is upon us. Every year I'm determined not to get sick again, yet every year, inevitably, I find myself stuck in bed, 20% thrilled that I don’t have to work but 80% pissed that I’m too sick to enjoy it. That is, until I turn my sick-time into a little me-time. When I get sick, assuming I’m not passed out or stuck by the toilet, I try to create a mini spa for myself at home. Setting up a diffuser with some soothing essential oils to chase away my negative thoughts, and maybe even making up a hot bath to warm my insides never fails to make me feel better. Whether you’re fighting a cold right now and you’re looking for some instant relief, or you’re a proactive individual looking to prep for the colds to come, here are some great ways that you can use essential oils to make the flu season a little more bearable.
Diffusers are wonderful when it comes to unleashing the powers of essential oils. By dispersing the essential oils into the air, you can easily inhale and absorb their superpowers into your body. When you’re sick, there are various scents that can help you with different needs. Lemon essential oil for example, can help to clear your nasal passage to improve your breathing while simultaneously waking you up and clearing away drowsiness. Tea tree essential oil can be added to a diffuser for extra mucus-fighting benefits. Finally, chamomile essential oil is a great choice if you’re having trouble sleeping as it can help to calm your mind and induce sleep.
Ideally, baths shouldn’t be limited to sick days, but if this is the case for you, then you especially need to make it more enjoyable for yourself, particularly if you’re sick. Bergamot essential oil is a great addition to your bath as its antiviral properties and citrus scent will leave you feeling lighter and ease any stress or anxiety you might be feeling. For more relief, eucalyptus and lavender essential oil are both soothing scents that will help to clear away the fog in your mind. Eucalyptus essential oil reduces fevers and fights viruses while lavender essential oil combats any fatigue or headache that plagues you.
One of the easiest ways you can treat flu symptoms is through your skin. To do so, you can use a carrier oil like jojoba oil or almond oil to dilute a few drops of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil. Essential oils are strong so always start with a few drops in a carrier oil and add more as needed. By rubbing the oils over your chest and throat, congestion will be soothed, and it’ll be easier to breathe. You can also relieve headaches by rubbing a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil over your temples.
Hopefully this flu season won’t pay you a visit, but if it does, try some of the essential oil remedies above and be pleasantly surprised! If you’re interested in learning about other essential oils that you can use to treat your cold, read this article for more information.
]]>Did your parents drill “say please and thank you” into your head when you were a kid? Mine certainly did and as a result, my siblings and I were the best kids on the street every Halloween. Little did I know that by expressing gratitude, I gained way more than an extra piece of candy as a reward. When we convey gratitude, our brains release dopamine and serotonin, the two neurotransmitters that make us feel happy and content. According to one study, gratitude hugely impacts your body and mind by improving your health and increasing positive emotions. If you’re looking to capitalize on the benefits of gratitude, here’s three ways you can practice gratitude in your daily life:
It can be a post-it note or even a scribbler, regardless, the goal is the same. Try writing down the things your grateful for every night – your family, your sweatpants or even the new plant-baby you bought last week that makes you happy. If you struggle with this exercise, consider getting yourself a Five-Minute Journal. The Five-Minute Journal consists of guided prompts and inspirational quotes to help make the process a lot more enjoyable. As a result of physically writing down all that you have to be grateful for, you’ll have tangible evidence to flip through when you’re feeling down, a constant reminder whenever you need it.
By holding space, we mean intentionally being present in the space you’re in – physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s important to set aside time to reflect on your day and creating a space to do so is of equal importance. Start by setting the tone. Choose your favourite room in your home and eliminate any distractions. Many people find it helpful to use scent to heighten their experience, which is where Grapefruit essential oil comes in. Grapefruit is known as the oil of gratitude as its citrusy scent clears away stress and negative energy and replaces it with feelings of contentment and gratitude. Simply adding a few drops of grapefruit to a diffuser can make a big difference in your mindset going into your practice. Next, dedicate 5-10 minutes to being quiet, and think about things you’re grateful for, the small and big wins that have happened to get you where you are today. Allow yourself to feel and release emotions like shame or guilt and focus and harness positive feelings of pride and joy.
Have you ever been at the drive-thru and got a free meal thanks to the kind stranger ahead of you? Remember how great that felt? The truth is, that person felt even greater doing it. In a way, being generous is selfish because you receive so much happiness in return. It’s so easy to be kind to others; you could pay for a stranger’s coffee, hold the door open for someone, donate to a GoFundMe, or even check in on a friend or family member. The act can be small or large, but either way, it will increase your feelings of gratitude for the life you lead and all that you have to offer the world.
The best thing about gratitude is that you can practice it any time, anywhere. And really, by expressing gratitude, you’re not only doing the right thing, you’re also giving yourself a positive boost as well, it’s a win-win. How do you practice gratitude? Let us know in the comments below!
]]>Visualization is the key to manifesting what you want in your life. If there’s something you wholly want to occur, then you need to picture it in your mind and break down how you can make it happen. To quote a totally legitimate source (an elf from The Santa Claus), “seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing”. In fact, visualizing yourself doing something can be nearly as effective as you physically doing the act; in one study, two groups were assessed: one group who physically exercised, and one that simply imagined themselves exercising – the result was that both groups improved their strength by 53% and 35% respectively, only an 18% difference! No matter how great or small your goals, find a sense of calmness through visualization, and know that visualizing your goals is the first step to accomplishing them.
While visualizing may sound simple and straightforward, it can be really challenging to succeed, especially when your environment isn’t conducive to your practice. For example, if you don’t allocate time for your practice and simply try to fit it into your morning drive to work, the many distractions you encounter on the way will disrupt and diminish your focus. So really, the first step in accomplishing your goals is not to visualize, but rather to set the stage so you can succeed in doing so. Here’s a few tips to help you visualize:
Just like laying your workout clothes out the night before makes it easier to exercise, prepping a space for yourself where you can focus and relax is crucial to your practice of visualization. The key words being ‘focus’ and ‘relax’. Find a quiet space where you can be alone without distractions. Set up a diffuser and add a few drops of lemon essential oil to clear away brain fog and help your mind to focus. Better yet, mix lemon with lavender essential oil for focus and calmness, these scents will relax your body and prep your mind for visualizing. If you don’t have a diffuser, take a little pre-visualization shower or bath with lemon and lavender.
Once you’re in the right frame of mind, ensure that you have at least 10 minutes to focus on visualizing. Whether you have to physically schedule it into your agenda or set a reminder on your phone, ensure that you prioritize your practice – your future self will thank you.
It’s easy enough to think of all of the things you’d like in your life – a new car, healthier hair, a faster metabolism, but if you try to manifest your every desire, you’ll most likely fail. Instead, try to determine your core objectives. Determine what’s at the root of your desires and see if you can find a common denominator. For example, maybe what you want is not necessarily a new car, better hair and a speedy metabolism, perhaps the consistency within all of those desires is simply just the need to be seen, or even the yearning to feel successful. By focusing primarily on your core objectives and not your extraneous lusts, you’ll face a much higher chance of obtaining what you truly desire.
Visualization is important in reaching your goals, and the best part is, it costs nothing. Find more ways to visualize here.
]]>I woke up this morning, did my normal routine and successfully made it through the first half of the day, but at lunch time, my sweet but very blunt boyfriend looked at me in shock and said, “what is on your face!?”. As it turned out, my speedy morning moisturizing was not thorough enough to protect me from the dryness that the day would bring, and the entire lower half of my face was flakey and peeling. In horror, I pulled out my tote of Vellum oils and went to town on my face. When dryness is the evil, jojoba oil is the saviour.
Jojoba oil (pronounced “ho-ho-ba” for those of you that pronounced the “j’s” as I did), is an all-natural, unscented base oil that’s technically a wax ester which acts very similar to the oil produced by our skin (i.e., sebum). Because jojoba oil is so similar to sebum, it’s perfect for all skin types and can even balance the moisture level of skin by adding or removing oil as needed. For more tips on how you can add jojoba oil to your daily skin, hair and nail routine, read on.
During the cold months, eczema, psoriasis, and skin dryness seems 10x worse, not to mention our poor cracked lips. If you struggle from any of these ailments or you’re simply seeking to prevent such tragedies, then jojoba oil is indeed your friend. It’s jam-packed with vitamins A, E and D and easily penetrates deep into your skin to soothe dry, sore skin from all angles. Jojoba oil copies your skin's natural state and balances its moisture level by removing sebum if it’s too oily or adding oil to your skin if it’s dry. To use, simply massage a small amount of oil into the affected areas, add more as needed. For additional skin care benefits, add 2-3 drops of bergamot essential oil to fight acne or grapefruit or geranium essential oil for more healing benefits and delicious smells!
If you’ve been experiencing frizzy, brittle hair lately then it’s best to nurture it now before it gets more damaged or breaks off. Thanks to jojoba oil’s vitamin E and fatty acid power-team, jojoba oil is an excellent hair helper. To use, you can simply spread it throughout your hair, focusing on the ends, and sleep with it in a shower cap. Alternatively, you can apply it to the ends of your hair before jumping in the shower for thicker, more hydrated hair. If you really want to give your hair a boost, try adding a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil or lavender essential oil for dandruff-fighting perks and a subtle scent.
Don’t limit jojoba oil to just your skin or hair-care routine. If you have cuticles that constantly crack and peel, or fingernails that chip or break easily, then using jojoba oil to moisturize your fingers can help prevent further damage and give your fingertips a moisture boost.
Jojoba oil is a super oil and if you haven’t already tried it, it’s a super affordable product that you can add to your daily routine. For more information on how you can use jojoba oil, read this article for more information.
]]>Do you ever miss how simple childhood could be? When your biggest worry was picking out the perfect outfit for your first day of school, your self esteem was sky-high because no one had had the chance to make you feel lesser, and your imagination ran wild without restraints. While adulthood certainly has its charms, there truly is nothing like being a kid. I found a great definition of one’s inner child from Merriam-Webster. It says that your inner child is responsible for the part of yourself that is playful, spontaneous and creative, in addition to feelings of hurt and fear that you might experience which stem from your childhood. What we experienced and learned as children have turned us into the people we are now, that’s why it’s so important to read a little deeper into your feelings because a lot of them may be a result of significant childhood experiences.
If you’re interested in connecting with your inner child, then you should take some time for yourself to reflect and think about how you’re feeling at this point in your life and to address any internal challenges you may not have overcome or acknowledged yet. When I moved away from my childhood home, I was so horribly sad, but for my parent’s sake, I put on a smile and did my best to look forward to the coming change. Fast-forward to just 2 years ago when my young-adult self thought that she had gotten over this trauma: I was driving home from work when Amanda Lambert’s song ‘The House that Built me’ came on the radio, and I started weeping out of nowhere. Hard. I cried for what I left behind in the move, living with my siblings on our acreage, grooming my horses and enjoying various family celebrations. After I wiped my not-so-appealing, tear stained face, I felt so much better. Looking back, I now realize that I had connected to my inner child and the hurt that I was still feeling. I had purged those pent-up emotions in such a cathartic way and by acknowledging them, I could finally move forward.
Mandarin essential oil is known as the oil of the inner child because its scent connects us to the feeling of purity. Try adding a few drops of this oil to your diffuser as you engage in creative play. The thing about your inner child is that you don’t lose anything by embracing it, you just gain an extra channel through which you can really see yourself. You don’t have to do any specific thing to connect with it; you can tap into your inner child by writing about what you’re feeling or talking aloud to yourself and allow yourself to relive moments of your childhood, and let whatever deep seated emotions come to the surface.
By opening up this side of yourself, you’ll learn to be able to accept all of yourself and be okay with who you are, even if you do just feel like a kid making your way through an adult world. Your inner child is pretty darn brilliant, and it needs to be taken seriously, so acknowledge it, nourish it, and love it.
For more information about what your inner child is and how you could connect to it, here is a great resource to check out.
]]>I couldn’t tell you the number of times my lovely mom said “I don’t need anything for Mother’s Day, I’m just happy to have you” - only to get glared down by my mother for doing what she requested rather than reading between the lines. In recent years, I've grown wiser and have learned to come up with a cheat sheet of mother-friendly items prior to Mother’s Day so I’ll never again be caught being the world’s worst kid.
While flowers are lovely, my mom prefers gifts that last and since I figure there may be other moms out there who feel the same, here's my Mother’s Day cheat sheet!
My mom switches up her self care routine pretty regularly, so this year I'm going with our Deluxe Skin and Hair Kit which is the key to earning the "favourite kid" title over my siblings this year. This kit includes two powerful moisturizing oils: jojoba oil and almond oil. The former is fantastic for balancing the skin’s oil production, leaving skin smooth and moisturized thanks to its friends Vitamin’s A and E. Almond oil shares these vitamins as well, in addition to fatty acids which helps to trap moisture, softening skin and smoothing wrinkles. Both oils make for the ultimate hair mask too, sealing hair cuticles and leaving locks shiny and healthy. The Deluxe Skin and Hair Kit also includes both grapefruit and geranium essential oils, both of which are uplifting scents that are packed with benefits for your mom’s skin and mind.
What's a better gift than the gift of sleep? My mom steers clear of any unnatural sleeping aids, so I’m she'll love this 100% natural sleeping kit. Featuring the aforementioned almond oil, this kit also includes ylang ylang essential oil for presence of mind, lavender essential oil for calmness, and a lympha facial roller to top it all off. In this case, almond oil can be used as a carrier oil to which a few drops of ylang ylang or lavender essential oil can be added, then massaged into the skin to relax muscles and soothe stress.
There’s an unspoken rule in my parent’s house – don’t bother my mom 'til she’s had her morning coffee. However, when I found out she’s been struggling with sleep lately thanks to her daily overdose of caffeine, I sought out an alternative that will satisfy her morning grumpiness. blume’s Unwind Bundle, features four soothing latte blends that are vegan, caffeine free and organic. I love to gift items that have variety so there’s guaranteed to be at least one thing my mom likes (although everything blume makes is incredible so I’m not too worried).
While I may not be willing to give my mom the foot massage she desires, I can
give her a pair of super comfy and practical shoes. Vessi shoes are fully waterproof which is perfect for any outdoorsy mother. Better yet, in addition to their vast variety of shoes, they have all-black sneakers, which if your mother is anything like mine, is a win and a half! They’ll look eternally clean and match just about anything.
All of these products can be ordered online and shipped directly to your doorstep, so no need to trek about gift shopping! While you’re at it, no one will judge you if you order a couple of these goodies for yourself!
]]>I recently got a workout subscription and as it turns out, having to pay a monthly fee is the motivation I need to actually exercise. Unfortunately, stretches aren’t included in the subscription, so I’ve been justifying skipping them and opting for a shower instead. While the short-term gratification is great, waking up the next morning with what feels like a million tiny needles in my muscles really inspires the regret to set in. If you struggle from muscle soreness from time to time, whether it's from exercise, a cold, flu or otherwise, here are some different ways that you can add essential oils to your routine.
We all know that soaking in warm water can do wonders for soothing sore muscles, but the real question here is, have you ever added essential oils to your bathwater? By adding a few drops of eucalyptus or lavender essential oil to your bath to help with inflammation and tension, and a couple drops of peppermint essential oil to help with pain relief, then boom, you’ve got yourself a power-squad to chase away your pain.
If you don’t have a tub at home or bathing often isn’t something that fits in your schedule, you can create an on-the-go essential oil blend that you can keep in a roll-on bottle in your car or your bag so you can soothe sore areas throughout the day as you need it. There are various essential oil blend recipes out there, but to make the ultimate pain-relief oil blend, start with grapeseed oil as a base oil as it will promote blood circulation to sore areas. Then you can add a few drops of chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint essential oils for a deliciously scented, soothing combination. For exact oil measurements, read this article for more information.
If you’re not able to get in for a massage, then try to set aside some you-time for a self-massage. You can use grapeseed oil or almond oil as a carrier oil, then add some peppermint essential oil or another of your favourite pain-relieving oils to smooth over your sore muscles and massage into your skin. The oils will be able to penetrate deep into your muscles and you’ll feel loose and relaxed once you’re done.
Essential oils have so many benefits, but their pain-relief powers in particular are underrated. If you get a chance to add some essential oils to your post-workout routine, let us know what your favourite combos are on Instagram! For more information on the muscle soothing properties of essential oils, read this article for more information.
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