Flowers Archives - The Beauty Gypsy

June Beauty Must Haves: Things You Need to Own this Month

June 3, 2013 By anubha Leave a Comment

With the hundreds of beauty products launching every month, it’s not easy knowing exactly which skin serum, nail polish or perfume you should spend your hard-earned cash on. Let me take the guesswork out of beauty shopping for you with a short list of The-Beauty-Gypsy-approved absolute must-haves.

Aesop-Marimekko Sauna Duet

What happens when a fabulous Australian beauty brand joins hands with a Finnish textile giant? You get a refreshing, limited edition body scrub and body balm duo all wrapped up in a beautiful Marimekko-designed Vellamo print cotton bag. Perfect for getting your skin in tip-top shape this summer! $75

Crabtree & Evelyn Somerset Meadow

Described as ‘an aromatic impression of a beautiful English landscape in bloom’, Somerset Meadow has a fruity-floral fragrance laced with greenness. It’s replete with sparkling bergamot, dew-kissed blackberry buds, the bitter greens of ivy and fern, white blossoms, water lily, earthy geranium, creamy clouds of musk, willow and moss… a very pretty scent whose sweetness is evident without being overwhelming. In fact, this is actually an almost-clean fragrance on me once it settles – just the way I want a summer bath-time ritual to feel like. $18 upwards

Tatcha Gold Collection

Victoria Tsai built Tatcha by studying the closely guarded beauty secrets passed down through generations of Japanese geishas. Her latest addition is the Tatcha Gold Collection, an homage to the first geisha she ever met, who would scratch gold flecks from her papers and rub them onto her lips for added glow. In her honor, Tsai has created a camellia-based beauty oil and lip balm that’s laced with gold leaf from Kyoto. Tsai recommends applying the Camellia Beauty Oil to the face just after washing, and to the hair from the middle to the tips, avoiding the roots. Camellia Beauty Oil, $125, and Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm, $36

Kama Ayurveda Pure Sandalwood Water

This Ayurveda-inspired brand is gradually taking over the world, cutting a swathe through luxe resorts and spas (including Aman Bagh, Aman Kora, The Four Seasons Hotel Maldives and The Mandarin Oriental New York). It’s latest offering: Pure steam-distilled sandalwood water that has a whole lot of uses. Sandalwood water is prescribed in Ayurveda as a natural astringent, which is both refreshing and hydrating. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, to me, the greatest benefit is its harmonizing and calming effect on the tensions and stresses of daily living. Surround yourself in its cooling vapors during hot and chaotic summer afternoons; spray the water at night to calm the nervous and circulatory system, relax your mind and ensure a sound sleep. $16 / INR 825 for 200ml

Clarins HydraQuench Cream Mask

One to ponder: did you know that the vital statistics for perfectly moisturised skin are 80-70-13? Which means that you need 80% water in the dermis, 70% in the epidermis and 13% in the horny layer? Drop below these percentages and skin will look more drab than fab. Which is why Clarins has reformulated the new HydraQuench Cream-Mask with two types of Hyaluronic Acid for a serious moisture hit. Bid goodbye to dry and tight skin for good! $40

Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment

I unashamedly confess to being in love with everything Fresh – especially their sugar-tinged balms that are spiked with plumping blackcurrant oil, antioxidant-rich grapeseed polyphenols, and vitamins A, C, and E. And just when I thought the brand had exhausted the possibility of lip-based innovations, it’s come up with the Sugar Shine Lip Treatment. Billed as a shine-enhancer, rather than a gloss, the nourishing formula bolstered by cupuaçu and mango butters goes on velvety smooth, without any trace of stickiness – a God-send for lip lacquering. The familiar faintly citrus scent of the original balms is also present, as is the signature blend of reparative oils. I am already stocking up! $18.50

Aerin Seashell Collection

Just in time for summer, Aerin has launched this beautiful new collection, guaranteed to keep you looking bronzed and beautiful. The makeup is divine, incorporating a sophisticated neutrals palette, illuminating bronzer, natural lipsticks and shiny glosses. But it’s the Beach Cream for Hair & Body that’s the true pièce de résistance, adding a super-subtle shimmer to both tresses and skin. Plus, there is the delicious floral scent. It’s already tucked away in my suitcase, ready to go. $45

Alber Elbaz for Lancôme

Sometimes a girl needs something to brighten up a morning makeup routine. Enter Alber Elbaz’s whimsical new Lancôme makeup line: the packaging is super-cute and who doesn’t love the way Mr Elbaz has the ability to make everything seem fun and approachable? In an interview with WWD, Elbaz explained why he chose eyes as the focus of his makeup debut: “Once I was in a fancy place where there was this group of people that were all shining. The shoes were shining, the hair was shining, the skin, watches and diamonds — but the eyes were not shining. I thought if I were to do a project I would love to do a ‘happy eye’ project to make the eyes shine.” Happy eyes! How cute is he? $29 upwards

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Powder Makeup SPF 10

This compact powder foundation is perfect for creating a flawless, semi-matte finish that lasts all day. It’s chockfull of oil-free, oil-controlling ingredients that have serious all-day staying power, even through heat and humidity. Added bonus: it now comes in even more shades than before. $44 / INR 2,535

Body Shop Colour Crush Collection

Striking neutrals, chic nudes, rich browns, fierce pinks, powerful purples, brilliant blues and gorgeous greens… The Body Shop has travelled the world to source rare pigments, triple-filtered and expertly milled them, then blended them with community fair trade oils to create a brilliant and deeply pigmented base for their new Colour Crush eyeshadows. The result? Raw colour, maximum impact and a truly fashion-forward palette of mono eyeshadows in a full array of the season’s must-have stand-out shades. $10 / INR 695

Butter London Pitter Patter

After Waity Katie and No More Waity, Katie, there is now a limited edition shade for the royal baby-to-be: Pitter Patter. The polish was named after an expression used by doting grannies hoping for grandchildren: “Will we hear the pitter patter of little feet soon?”. I was secretly hoping the shade would give us a slight hint to the baby’s sex (bright pink!), but the gorgeous aubergine shimmer could go either way. $15

Givenchy Dahlia Noir L’eau fragrance

There’s really nothing that beats the aromatic appeal of waltzing through a lush garden, except perhaps bottling up all those fresh elements into a gorgeous perfume – like Givenchy’s latest fragrance by Dahlia Noir. Bursting with sunshine and freshness, it’s a delicate yet sophisticated floral scent of citrus and musky top notes. It’s what I am spritzing on every day – this is true love. $90 / £42.75

Moschino Cheap & Chic

Despite all the grand and complex perfume that I own, sometimes nothing hits the spot like one of Moschino’s zesty Cheap & Chic fragrances. The latest bottle, Chic Petals, showcases a red and white colour scheme in the classical quirky shape of Popeye cartoon character Olive Oyl. With top notes of strawberry, pomegranate and ginger and middle notes of orchid and iris, this is one sparkly and fun fragrance that will see you through the summer months in true Cheap & Chic style. $48 upwards

Diptyque Candle in Jonquille

This spring-scented candle’s fresh, floral aroma literally smells like a bouquet of daffodils, freshly picked from what I imagine was some glorious garden in the French countryside. $60

Nest White Narcisse Classic Candle

The perfect way of bringing home the French countryside – complete with mimosa, jasmine, narcissus, and sandalwood – all wrapped up in stunning sculptural glass. This candle is terrific for illuminating alfresco dinner parties or creating a soft glow for private reflections. $48

Filed Under: Ayurveda, Beauty, Blush, Bodycare, Brands, Detox, Eyes, Fashion, Flowers, Foundation, Hair, Health, Legs, Lips, Makeup, Mascara, Oils, Organic, Perfumes, Powder, Skincare, Spa Tagged With: Aerin, Aerin Seashell Collection, aesop, Aesop-Marimekko Sauna Duet, alber elbaz, Beach Cream for Hair & Body, Beauty, Body Shop, Body Shop Colour Crush, Butter London Pitter Patter, camellia oil, Clarins, Clarins HydraQuench Cream Mask, Crabtree & Evelyn, Crabtree & Evelyn Somerset Meadow, diptyque, Diptyque Candle Jonquille, Estee Lauder, Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Powder Makeup, Eyeshadow, Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment, Givenchy Dahlia Noir L'eau, hydrating mask, june, kama, kama ayurveda, Kama Ayurveda Pure Sandalwood Water, Kate Middleton, Lancome, marimekko, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Moschino Cheap & Chic Chic Petals, Moschino Chic Petals, Nest White Narcisse Classic Candle, powder foundation, Sandalwood, sandalwood spray, sauna, Summer Beauty, Tatcha, Tatcha Gold Collection, Vicky Tsai, victoria tsai

Sisi: Modern-day beauty tips from a 19th century Empress

May 23, 2013 By anubha 14 Comments

I have been pretty much obsessed with Sisi – Empress Elisabeth of Austria (1837-1898) – ever since I first saw her portrait in Vienna four years ago. Stunningly beautiful, with a tiny waist that even four pregnancies could not alter, a perfectly oval face, delicate features and sparkling eyes, it is not surprising that she was often compared to Titania, the fairy queen.

How beautiful she is!” exclaimed the Shah of Persia when he first met her, abandoning all protocol. But then protocol was not something that ever bothered this non-conformist who was the most legendary beauty of her times and left a heritage of skincare and haircare that is indispensable even today. Actually, especially today.

Sumptuous skincare secrets

Have I mentioned that Sisi was really, really beautiful? And that her skincare went from the romantic to the bizarre? Some of these recipes are simply decadent, like the strawberry face mask, while others are a bit gross, such as the raw veal she applied on her skin at night or the slug cream, which took more than 12 hours to make! For our purposes, we shall stick to the more can-do-in-the-21st-century-home stuff here.

Olive Oil Bath: Sisi took a warm olive oil bath every evening to keep her skin soft and smooth – a practise that’s lauded by spas till date. Olive oil contains vitamins A and E, which are intensely nourishing, along with a host of antioxidants that guard against environmental toxins. To make your own olive oil bath, simply pour a cup-full of warm, extra-virgin olive oil in the bathtub and fill with warm water. Or slather your body with warm (not hot) olive oil, leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

19th century beauty, hair, skin, , Empress Elisabeth, Austria, Bavaria, Germany, Sisi, Sissi, Sissy, veal face mask, hay spa, sisi face cream Face Mists: Sisi relied heavily on rose or lavender face mists to protect her skin against inflammation and infections. Her favorite was violet vinegar, made from freshly picked violet blossoms, cider vinegar and distilled water: Layer the violet blossoms (or rose petals) into a bellied bottle and douse them with cider vinegar. Shut tightly and allow to infuse for two days. Then filter through a sieve and press out the blossoms with a wooden spoon. Take some distilled water and stir violet powder (or powdered rose petals) into the mixture until smooth. Add it to the distilled water and shake thoroughly together.

Hay Wraps: The Austrian Empress also enjoyed full body wraps made out of hay. Ironically, a number of luxury spas are now offering this as a “brand new” and “innovative” ritual to that fortifies the immune system and boosts metabolism!

Egg White Face Mask: A really simple and effective way of toning the complexion, Sisi’s favorite face mask needs 2 oz rose water, 1 oz milk, ½ oz press-pressed grape juice, 2 quintchens crushed frankincense and 2 whipped egg whites. Combine all ingredients, except the egg whites. When everything is well mixed, fold in the egg whites and immediately apply the paste to your face and hands. Go to bed and rinse off in the morning. Sisi believed (and modern-day dermatologists agree) that if you use this mask thrice weekly for a fortnight, you will be closer to a peaches-and-cream complexion.

Honey & Strawberry Face Pack: To keep her complexion soft, Sisi would slather her cheeks with pure honey and crushed strawberries – thereby calling upon the effects of modern fruit acids that cleanse, exfoliate and brighten the skin. And that’s not all: this face pack also reinforces the skin’s resistance to environmental stress and strengthens its immunity.

Rose Cream (my personal favourite!): History says that Sisi never left home without this rosy moisturizer. To prepare, crush 20-25 rosebuds and simmer them in a covered pan filled with 1/8th litre distilled water for 45 minutes. Add 50g lanolin and 20g fresh, unsalted butter to the concoction; then put everything in a high speed blender till it forms a creamy consistency. Keep in the fridge and apply to your face every morning for glowing skin.

And the ones you might want to skip…

Veal Face Mask: Sisi applied slices of raw veal to her face during the night, binding it with a leather mask that kept the meat in constant contact with her skin while sleeping. Gross as this sounds, dermatologists say that it’s ”not half bad”. The high vitamin C content has an anti-inflammatory effect, while the protein element (keratin) acts against skin ageing. Moreover, the meat gives skin a fresh look and neutralises harmful metabolites (free radicals). Lady Gaga, are you listening?

Slug Cream: Again gross but it’s already making a comeback, with celeb proponents swearing by its skin-smoothing benefits. I have even found the original recipe for you: Put ½ kilo lard into water-bath, add 2 quintchen (fifths) marshmallow roots and 70g ground slugs. Let it stand for four hours to cool off. And then hop in! Weird much?

Intrigued? Here is a place where you can buy raw veal; the slugs you will have to collect from your own garden.

Crowning glory… in royal style

Sisi’s ankle-length hair was her pride and joy, even though it was so long and heavy that the weight often gave her headaches. She would sit on a low chair and a silk cloth would be placed beneath her hair while it was brushed. Then her hair dresser would comb and style the tresses into elaborate ‘dos. After dressing, braiding and pinning for hours, each one of the fallen strands had to be presented in a silver bowl to the Empress for inspection. This operation would last almost three hours, during which time Sisi kept herself busy by learning languages such as Hungarian and Greek.

Washing her hair was another very time consuming operation, performed every fortnight with a mixture of cognac and egg yolk. Considering the length and volume of her tresses, it’s no wonder that it took the empress an entire day to complete this ritual! Sigh… for such luxury!

Next, the royal coiffure was sprinkled with jewels – the most famous of which are the diamond stars made by the court jeweller Koechert. Finally, Sisi’ tresses were sprayed with Creed’s Fantasia de Fleurs EDP – a heady and ebullient floral fragrance created specially for the empress. An exceptional blend, it contained a regal bouquet of the best Bulgarian roses and Florentine irises to evoke an intoxicating stroll through the secret garden of the queen’s inner court.

Of 19-inch waists…

Sisi had a tiny 19-inch waist (gulp!), maintained with extremely rigorous exercise. The Empress was obsessed with gymnastics, which attracted a lot of criticism as women of this era simply did not sweat. She even had a gymnastics room installed at her palace and could often be seen dangling from the rings!

The Austrian empress also took up fencing in her 50s. A fervent horsewoman, she rode every day for hours on end, becoming the world’s best female equestrian at the time. When she could no longer endure hours in the saddle due to gout, Sisi went for very long walks that could last up to 10 hours!

At night, she was heavily massaged and slept with cloths soaked in either violet or cider vinegar to preserve her slim waist, while her neck was wrapped with cloths soaked in Kummerfeld-toned washing water. In the last years of her life, Sisi became even more obsessive, weighing herself up to thrice a day. She began to live on a diet of meat juice, fresh milk and egg whites. Well! Think of it this way – if Sisi had been a Page 3 celeb today, she might have lived off coffee and cocaine. But since this was the 19th century, she survived on the squeezed juices of steak. In her later years, she ate mostly sorbets, which I like to imagine were made with fruit.

However, Sisi did have one indulgence! Despite her strict steak-juice drinking, sorbet-snacking habits, the Empress would wander through to Demel for boxes of candied violets. Today, she’s still immortalized on many boxes in Vienna. And in our hearts. Beautiful, extravagant, sweet and gracious, she was a woman way ahead of her times who spent her life yearning for a measure of happiness but never found it. She would have been happier married to a minor princeling but it was her fate to be Empress of Austria. Today, the world remembers her as one of history’s most fascinating and beautiful women. Her life story has been the subject of several books, movies (including a hugely popular trilogy starring Romy Schneider) and a long-running musical. But I wonder if that’s consolation enough for a life only half-lived?

Filed Under: Beauty, Beauty Accessories, Bodycare, Celebs, Flowers, Hair, Jewels, Perfumes, Royalty, Skincare Tagged With: 19th century beauty, alexandre pires, alexandre pires sissi, ancient beauty secrets, ancient hair secrets, ancient skincare secrets, Austria, austria beauty, austria hair, austria skincare, Bavaria, castello principessa sissi, diamond stars, dua sisi, elisabeth sissi, Empress Elisabeth, film sisi, Germany, giochi principessa sissi, Hair, hay spa, historical beauty secrets, historical hair secrets, historical skincare secrets, kaiserin sisi, la principessa, perfume, principessa sissi, principessa sissi cartone, principessa sissi storia, principessa sissi streaming, romy schneider, romy schneider sissi, royal beauty, royal fragrance, royal hair, royal perfume, royal skincare, Sisi, sisi emperatriz, sisi face cream, sisi i roki, sisi k, sisi lain, sisi museum, sisi roki, Sissi, sissi emperatriz, sissi kaiserin, sissi la principessa, sissi romy schneider, sissi streaming, Sissy, Skin, veal face mask

Heat Got You Down? Make a Keep-Your-Cool Face Mist

May 20, 2013 By anubha 4 Comments

Remember when you were a kid and all you wanted to do on hot summer days was run through every sprinkler in the neighborhood? The face mist is a grown-up version of those cooling, refreshing sprinklers – spritzing your overheated skin without getting chased off a stranger’s lawn. On top of that, a face mist also helps tone your skin, wards off excess oil, hydrates a dry complexion, soothes irritation, protects against environmental toxins and restores skin’s pH balance. And it helps to refresh and enliven your mood with fragrant aromatherapy oils.

Plus, a face mist is ridiculously simple to whip up and there are many different variations for various skin types. So, if you have issues with greasy or dehydrated skin, or if you just get extra-toasty in the summer heat, this may be your ticket to relief!

Aloe Face Mist for Dry & Sensitive Skin

How-to: Fill a small spray bottle halfway with natural aloe vera juice. Then add enough orange blossom water to nearly fill the bottle to the top. Add 3 drops of lavender essential oil. Shake well; spray this mist on your face and neck whenever skin starts to feel dry.

Why it works: Orange blossom water calms and tones with its gentle astringency, while lavender essential oil helps reduce inflammation and gives skin a nourishing boost. Aloe vera moisturizes and encourages skin repair and healing, making it perfect for dry, sensitive, and damaged skin. Taken together, these ingredients keep skin looking dewy and moist instead of dull and dry.

Citrus Face Mist for Acne-Prone Skin

How-to: In a big pot, boil 2 cups of distilled water, 1 grapefruit (cut into chunks with the skin still on) and 2 tablespoons of rosemary (fresh or dry). Once the mixture comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Then remove the pot from the heat and let everything steep for another few minutes. Finally, strain the liquid to remove the grapefruit and rosemary, let it cool, pour it into a spray bottle and refrigerate.

Why it works: Grapefruit’s natural cleansing action helps battle acne, while refreshing the face and giving the complexion a nice pick-me-up. The rosemary, in the meantime, helps fade acne scars and blemishes. Voila!

Rose Hip & Calendula Face Mist for Oily Skin

How to: Mix 4 drops of organic Calendula oil, 4 drops of Argan oil, 6 drops of Rose Hip oil and enough orange blossom water to fill 3/4 of your spray bottle. Mix well and store in the refrigerator; shake before use to ensure that ingredients are properly blended.

Why it works: Sounds counter-productive but Argan oil is terrific at busting excess oil that may get caught in your pores. Similarly, Calendula oil is great for sensitive or inflamed skin, making it a good choice to bust breakouts. And Rose Hip oil helps to heal both inflammation and scarring. Finally, the orange blossom water acts as a potent toner, helping to combat oil levels.

Green Tea Face Mist for Sun-Scorched Skin

How to: Place 1 tablespoon each of dried sencha (Japanese green tea), dried ginseng root, whole dried chamomile flowers (or one tea bag of chamomile tea) and 1 teaspoon lime peel in a glass jar. Pour 1 cup of hot water over the ingredients and steep for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and add 1 tablespoon of witch hazel (optional), 10 drops of tangerine essential oil, 5 drops of basil essential oil and 5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Store in a dark glass bottle and refrigerate.

Why it works: The antioxidant powers of green tea are great for reversing the effects of environmental toxins and guarding against sun damage. At the same time, the reviving qualities of ginseng, refreshing lime, chamomile flowers and aloe vera leave skin softened, hydrated and regenerated.

Rose Hip & Chamomile Face Mist for Dull Skin

How to: Blend together 3.5 oz of strongly brewed rose hips tea, 3.5 oz of strongly brewed chamomile tea and 2 oz of aloe vera juice; pour everything into a spray bottle. Mist generously and leave to absorb. Can also be misted on top of makeup for a dewy look.

Why it works: Rose hips contain nature’s highest concentration of vitamin C, which strengthens collagen and perks up the complexion. Chamomile soothes and calms, while aloe vera is lightly hydrating and eliminates redness. Result? This energizing face mist is perfect for use as a skin brighter or a quick pick-me-up.

Filed Under: Ayurveda, Beauty, Bodycare, Flowers, Fruits, Oils, Skincare, Spa, Sun Protection, Wellness Tagged With: Acne, Beauty, best face mist, best facial mist, body mist, DIY, face mist, face mist diy, face mist spray, face spray, face spray diy, face spray makeup, face spritz diy, face spritzer diy, face water spray, facial mist, facial spray, facial spray mist, facial water spray, hydrating face mist, hydrating facial mist, makeup spray, mist for face, mist spray, recipes, Skin, Skincare, spray for face, spray my face, summer, Summer Beauty, summer skincare, water spray

DIY Skincare: Roses Pack a Potent Beauty Punch

May 15, 2013 By anubha 1 Comment

Today, my thoughts keep wandering back to roses… I have no idea why! Maybe it’s the Absolis by Patyka rose face toner that landed on my table first thing in the morning. Or the fresh batch of rose water I made last evening… the lush fragrance is still wafting through my rooms. Or the Lancôme Absolue L’Extrait that I have been road testing since last month.

Anyway, whatever the reason, I can’t help but notice that roses are everywhere in the beauty world right now. And these fragrant flowers are doing far more than just adding their charmingly feminine scent to our products: their delicate petals are also chockfull with antioxidants, which help heal skin and reduce inflammation. Plus, they have superb antiseptic and antibacterial properties, making them ideal for a number of skin problems.

Rose petals are chockfull with antioxidants, which help heal skin and reduce inflammation. Plus, they have superb antiseptic and antibacterial properties, while also being intensely hydrating

In fact, roses were a prominent element of traditional Indian, Chinese, Persian, Arabian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman medicine before making their way to European apothecaries. Which set me thinking: wouldn’t it be amazing if we could harness the therapeutic properties of this precious plant right at the source? Make its beauty benefits even more potent by adding fresh roses to the mix? So, to help you enjoy a little petal power, here is a bouquet of rose-based lotions, potions and scents. And since roses are said to banish melancholy, I hope these beauty recipes also help to chase away the mid-week blues for you!

First, some tips

Use the freshest flowers you can find – ideally, they should be picked on the same day.
Where the recipe calls for rose water, you can buy it from the market (look for organic versions) or make it yourself with these easy recipes.
Look for organic or pesticide-free blooms since these will be applied to your skin.

Rose Petal Body Polish

How-to: Gently rinse 1 cup rose petals to remove dust. Grind the petals as finely as possible, using mortar and pestle. Mix the ground rose petals with 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 cup rolled oats, 1/4 cup buttermilk powder, 1 teaspoon cornmeal and 3-5 drops of essential rose oil. Pour everything into a food processor and process until you have a fine mixture. Add just enough olive oil to create a paste when you want to use the scrub. Store remaining mixture in a lidded container.

The science: Rose petals boost the body’s circulation, while simultaneously purifying the blood by flushing out wastes and toxins.

Did you know that one cup of rose hips has more vitamin C than 60 oranges?

Floral Bath Soak

How-to: Mix together 3 cups Himalayan pink salt, 3 cups Epsom salts, 1 cup baking soda, 2 cups rose petals and/or miniature rose buds, a few drops of glycerin and 1/2 teaspoon rose absolute oil. Add the blend to a warm bath, then slip into the tub and relax for 10-15 minutes in fragrant bliss.

The science: When used aromatically, rose calms and soothes the mind. In fact, rose petals are a staple in Ayurvedic medicine to detoxify and calm.

Rose & Almond Body Oil

How-to: You’ll need 1 cup of rose petals (2-3 roses) and 1 cup of almond oil (rich in vitamins E and D, yay!). Put the petals in a jar, crush them up a bit with a wooden spoon and pour in the oil. Let the mixture sit for 1 week, then strain and use. This feels so good right out of the shower and smells simply delish!

The science: Rose oils help reduce swollen spots or redness on your skin. Its calming properties can also help sooth rosecea and eczema.

Refreshing Rose Toner

How-to: Mix together 1 cup rose water, 6 drops of glycerin and 3/4 cup witch hazel. Pour into a sterilized bottle. To use, moisten a cotton pad with the rose toner and swipe all over your face after cleansing.

The science: As a natural astringent, rose helps tighten pores and restore suppleness for a glowy complexion. Unlike conventional alcohol-based toners, it leaves skin feeling smooth, not dried out. Plus, the addition of glycerin and witch hazel in this recipe helps make it astringent and hydrating.

Fresh Rose Face Mask

How-to: Heat one teaspoon of honey till it reaches a liquid consistency. Add 6-8 rose petals, two teaspoons rose water and one teaspoon plain yogurt; mix everything until you have a smooth paste. Apply this on your face and neck and wait for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Skin will feel super-hydrated and shall recover its lost nutrients.

The science: The natural oils found in roses help lock moisture into the skin, keeping it silky smooth. Rose is especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin because the sugars in its petals create a soothing feeling.

Deep Cleansing Face Mask

How-to: Mix 3 tablespoons of rose water with 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons of oat flour. You may prepare oat flour by grinding rolled oats in a blender, food processor, or coffee grinder. Apply this facial mask for about 20 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Your skin will be deep cleansed and feel super-supple.

The science: The naturally antibacterial rose essential oil is great for treating acne and acne-prone skin. Plus, the sugars found in rose petals add to their soothing effect, helping calm down troubled complexions.

Rose Renewing Moisturizer

How-to: Pour 2 cups of rose water in a small mixing bowl. Then break 2 vitamin E capsules and squeeze their contents into the bowl. Add 4 teaspoons each of olive oil, honey, coconut oil and rosewater. Mix well and transfer to a container that has a lid. Refrigerate when not in use.

The science: Rose contains high amounts of vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant that can help strengthen skin cells and regenerate skin tissue. It also helps protect skin cells from the damage wreaked by the sun and other environmental hazards, thereby preventing premature ageing.

Rose Petals Hand Cream

How-to: Mix 1/3 cup glycerin and 2/3 cup rose water. Store in cool dry place.

The science: Rose oils are not only incredibly moisturizing, they also help stimulate circulation in the skin while simultaneously tackling thread veins and broken capillaries.

Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm

How-to: Well rinsed and lightly blotted rose petals ground with milk butter into a paste can be used to prevent your lips from drying. Keep in a small covered tin to apply easily throughout the day. The darker the color of the rose, the darker your lips will become.

The science: Roses contain high levels of vitamin C, oils and proteins, which help keep skin soft and moisturized. Plus, it has retinol (vitamin A), which treats lines, wrinkles and other visible signs of aging.

No-Sweat Rose Tea

How-to: Combine the following: 4 cups boiling water, 1 teaspoon dried hops, 1 teaspoon stinging nettle, 1 teaspoon fresh cut rose petals, 1 teaspoon fresh or dried strawberry leaves, 1 teaspoon fresh walnut leaves, 3 tablespoons of dried sage leaves. Cover and steep for an hour. Strain and sweeten with honey if desired. When brewed and drunk as a tea are reported to reduce perspiration within 2 hours of use with its effects lasting several days.

The science: The rose oils inhibit water loss from the skin and lower the concentration of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the body.

What are your secret recipes – or product picks – for these pretty petals?

Filed Under: Ayurveda, Beauty, Detox, Flowers, Hands, Health, Lips, Oils, Organic, Perfumes, Skincare, Spa, Wellness Tagged With: Beauty, DIY, Essential oil, essential rose oil, hip rose oil, how to stop sweating, make rose water, rose, rose balm, rose bath, rose beauty benefits, rose beauty recipes, rose face mask, rose hand cream, rose hip, rose lip balm, rose mask, rose moisturizer, rose oil, rose oil benefits, rose scrub, rose seed oil, rose skincare benefits, rose skincare recipes, rose tea, rose tea beauty benefits, rose toner, rose water, rose water beauty benefits, rose water benefits, rose water face, rose water recipe, rose water skin, rosehip, rosehip oil, rosewater, Skincare, stop sweat

Muguets for May Day… Courtesy Guerlain

April 29, 2013 By anubha 1 Comment

Amongst the many, many enchanting things about France (anyone who knows me, knows that I am an obsessive Francophile!) is the tradition of giving beautiful muguet (lily of the valley) bouquets to loved ones on the first day of May. The tradition began on May 1st, 1561, when King Charles IX of France was presented with muguet flowers as a good luck charm. History does not remember who gave this perfumed gift but the king loved the idea so much that he started presenting muguet bouquets to the ladies of his court on May 1st every year.

And that’s not all: another ancient European tradition of ”bals de muguet” dances allowed a rare chance for young boys and girls to mingle without having to get parents’ permission (which could be an arduous task in those days). At these dances, the girls would dress in pure virginal white, while the boys would wear a sprig of muguet in their buttonhole.

By the 1900s, it became traditional for French men to present muguet flowers to their sweethearts. Hence, the day came to be affectionately nicknamed La Fête du Muguet (Lily of the Valley Day) even though the official moniker is La Fête du Travail (Labor Day).

Nowadays muguet flowers are not just about romance – they are also given as good luck charms or tokens of appreciation between close friends and family members. And if you want to make this day truly special for someone, Guerlain has the perfect answer: a very limited Muguet 2013 perfume, bottled in a quadrilobé bottle whose design dates from 1908.

The gorgeous flacon is embellished with a delicately embossed paper image created by Créanog, a creative studio specialising in paper sculptures. A spring green thread encircles the bottle, which is further embellished with a golden Guerlain seal. The fragrance itself contains the ‘bright green notes’ of lily of the valley, with added heart notes of rose, jasmine and lilac.

The cost? $575 / £355 for 60ml.

The exclusivity factor? Guerlain Muguet 2013 is a limited edition of only 1,349 numbered pieces worldwide.

Now, I might not actually be French but my birthday falls just two days after May Day. So, just in case anyone is wondering what to get me for a gift…

Filed Under: Beauty, Classic, Flowers, Perfumes, Trivia Tagged With: bals de muguet, Beauty, Flower, fragrance, France, Gift, Guerlain, guerlain muguet, guerlain muguet 2013 edition perfume, La Fête du Muguet, La Fête du Travail, Labor Day, le muguet, Lily of the Valley, Lily of the Valley Day, May 1st, May Day, Muguet, news, perfume, thierry washer, upcoming releases