For Women who Travel - Work - Play
Produced by: Travel Work Play.Productions Copyright 2017
The Best Beauty Products We've Found From Our Travels in 2017
Think Global Beauty and Ideas for the Future!
As a journalist and publisher within the hospitality, spa, retreat and well-being sector for over two decades, I always look for new and exotic products as I travel worldwide. I so appreciate and am absolutely passionate about the people and their stories of how they develop the beautiful ingredients, formulas, and innovations they bring to the world. So, starting this year, we have decided to produce a special beauty products and innovations issue that will become a yearly "event" to share the best products we have found and love. I'm also passionate about new ideas for living and well-being and continue to develop new projects globally. So, as we produce this special issue magazine each year, we've decided to also include one of our special projects we have in development to bring companies and communities together. Currently, our special project is to build The Idea House; a special well-being living space and studio for artists, creators, writers, and entrepreneurs. The Idea House will invite creators from around the world to join in special residency programs. The Idea House land sits within a beautiful peaceful rainforest on the Caribbean of Costa Rica it's incredibly amazing! A part of our fundraising for this project will be to run a special online auction with special gift sets from the product companies in this issue.
We're very excited about this - as well as all the companies who are helping with this endeavor. To take part, and to also be in our drawing for a FREE trip to stay at The Idea House, please join our newsletter here. In our newsletter, we will also be providing details about when our auction starts so you can bid for the products you would like to try. It's a nice way to indulge in these wonderful products while at the same time providing support to our rainforest project. It's so appreciated.
Maria Camille
CONTENTS Made for Travel Made for Hair Made for Faces My Favorite Precious Oils and Elixirs With Love - From Australia Our Community Project: The Idea House
Made for Travel May your journey be full of friendly twists and turns. May your experiences be inspirational! May these products comfort and make your journey a delight. . . we think you will not want to leave home without them!
Coolest Innovation - Travel Razor Spray: Twist to reveal reďŹ llable water dispenser. Prep skin with a few sprays.
Moisturize: Turn again to ďŹ nd the cute little moisturizing bar. Glide over skin to hydrate.
Shave: Twist until you get to the razor. Shave anywhere to get funny looks and smooth skin. shopsphynx.com
Puy Red Eyes from Traveling? Here's the Solution. Recently, before leaving on a media trip to Costa Rica, a friend gave me a package of the Ice Water Eyes. I would be visiting seven resort and retreat destinations throughout the country. After some days of traveling by small airplane and bus, one night in my cozy room, I tried Ice Water Eyes. WOW, I was so surprised. This was the neatest product! My eyes were a bit puffy and bloodshot as is normal when traveling. This product ďŹ xed that, plus the gel pads just feel so cooling. It's like a spa treatment for the eyes. I will never leave home without them. And, they are no-hassle to pack easily. Get yours at . . . togospa.com
Feather & Bone Face Gems The Perfect Face Wash and Scrub in a Tablet Size Gem
I'm loving the Feather & Bone Face Gems! They are perfect for travel as they are lightweight, packaged individually and contain all organic ingredients that are measured out perfectly. These Gems have just the right amount of "scrub" and "polish" giving a glowing natural skin that is the preferred look when traveling.
Fuller’s Earth:
Sandalwood:
Starch:
A mud/clay that binds with the oils in your skin, removing dirt and impurities. A light exfoliant that tones the skin creating a soothing effect.
Sandalwood clears your face and protects your pores leaving an instant feeling of freshness. The pleasant aroma relaxes and calms the skin giving you a natural young glow.
A natural moisturizer for both oily and dry skins that cools your face. Starch relieves itchiness by removing dead skin keeping your face fresh.
featherandbone.co.com
Best Spa Massage Invention
I took a set of T Spheres before leaving for a media trip to Central America. After arriving at my first location and opening my bag - there was the most delightful aromatherapy smell. I realized it was the aroma coming from the T Spheres. I used the aromatherapy balls that night and realized what a genius invention this was. I contacted the inventor, Stephanie Whittier when I got back home . . . what a special story;
How did you get started as a therapist, and how did that bring about the T Spheres invention? I graduated from the Swedish Institute in NYC in 1990. I furthered my knowledge in continuing studies in varying modalities at the start of my career including Craniosacral Therapy, Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapy, Thai Massage, Newborn and Infant Massage and a Reiki Mastership. Shortly after I graduated, I introduced therapeutic massage to the gym environment with a massage program I developed for World Gym in New York’s Lincoln Square in 1992. After six years of running that program I developed the concept of an on-site massage company at the request of some of the members who worked out at the gym. There were many high profile and celebrity members that traveled extensively and would often comment on how they wished they could take me along with them on tour. One day, I took the leap and started my own company, Tranquility Massage. This is where I met and worked with some of the most amazing, gracious and talented people in the film, fashion and music industry. My new jet-setting life started here, as I traveled with a select few providing massage therapy, craniosacral therapy and healthy living advice to those welcoming this new era of "wellness" in the industry.
How did you develop the idea for T Spheres? In all honesty, it just came to me one day when I was asked to do a TV promo spot for Holiday travel stress and the products they wanted me to promote were poor quality. I had been using essential oils and self-care tools to keep myself balanced and injury free after suffering a shoulder rotator cuff injury from overworking in the first few years of my career. I had also turned this idea into a travel kit gift for my clients with the same intention for them - self-care between performances. The results of my clients using the concepts of aromatherapy and self-care massage tools were quite amazing, but it wasn’t until years later on the day I was asked to promote retail products for relaxation and stress relief from a large company that sold millions of poor quality gimmick-like products. It was then that I thought I should start educating and putting my idea out into the world. What were the challenges of bringing your invention to realization? The main two were finances and finding a patent lawyer to help me protect the intellectual property. I started by writing the provisional patent and filed it on my own. Another major obstacle was trying to get a rubber manufacturer in the US to help with R&D to develop my product for approval to take it beyond "handmade." I was able to find a honest research team with the help of a colleague who traveled extensively to China for development of beauty and wellness products for his company. He found me an amazing team in Kowloon, Hong Kong who helped me take the homemade, small batch product to a level of FDA approval for skin contact (as a beauty product). And my product is still manufactured in China by the same team for almost 15 years now!
Stephanie Whittier, Founder of T Spheres
Did you share the T Spheres with other therapists before you went into production to test it out? Actually, I didn’t ask anyone in my field since it worked for me and my clients. I did my due diligence with R&D for many years. The product was tested with real people and feedback was provided by those I trusted. My mother was a major inspiration for me in believing in the efficacy and results. She had suffered from arthritis in her left thumb and wrist, as well as sciatica for many years. She took my instructions and research seriously and was able to relieve her daily chronic pain when she used them. Then she would do the alternate research and not use them and her major flare-ups would come back.
I also tested with my clients and others who were up for it - these are people who live lives that demand a lot from them as they are often on tour, performing nightly on Broadway, or traveling back and forth to Asia weekly. Also, with the help of my younger brother, I was able to get them in the hands of a few PT’s and trainers who worked with major athletes who had suffered soft tissue damage - the T Spheres were 100% effective in this professional setting. To this day, I still get the most joy out of hearing how mothers-to-be, young dancers and the general public who are looking for simple self-care find results by using my little brain-child, T Spheres.
What are some of the ways to use T Spheres for therapy that would be difficult to do without using the T Spheres? The first would be RSI prevention for massage therapists. The T Spheres rubber compound is specifically molded to meld with human soft tissue and can release deep trigger point and myofascial holdings with minimal effort. The second would be for the general public who are using tennis balls and other type balls for self-massage, for the same reason. Then there is travel comfort. The dual benefit of aromatherapy allows for use in travel without spillage or interfering with the person sitting next to you. The perfect amount of essential oils are infused into the rubber compound and is dry to the touch with just the right level of aroma for personal use. What do you see as the future of massage and wellnes for spas? I would like to see more retreat like spas that are affordable to everyone. Also, I would like to see more spas allowing time for the massage therapist to offer self care instructions to their clients in order for the client to take their health care into their own hands at home, while traveling or at work, plus allowing the therapist more down time between their sessions so they have longevity and wellness too.
tspheres.com
This is my favorite travel pillow for over 8 years! If you have not felt this handmade yarn, think cotton soft! Kashwere robes and blankets are found in most world class destinations, so you may know about them, but if not, here is a little background. The heart of this woven priceless material lies in the “wunderyarn,� called Chenilla. This soft yarn is, hand-dyed and each piece is literally ironed out individually to hold the exact shape and size. It's a remarkeable process that takes hours of loving care. I simply do not leave home without "my pillow."
kashwere.com
It's a Mirror - It's a Brush Here's a great invention: one side is a mirror and the other...a brush. Needs no explanation, this compact speaks for itself. It's all you need for travel, and it's so cute! Now available on UrbanOutďŹ tters.com and in their stores, nationwide. So cool!
milk&sass.com
Made for Hair Bring healthy new bliss to your look. Get awes and smiles from friends. Sometimes what's on the outside counts too!
The Quest to Develop the Ultimate Haircare Ingredient
Recently, I met the founders of Saron Secret at an international trade show. Out of the hundreds of products I saw, these hair care products caught my attention. Here is the story on how this new remarkable formula using saron was developed.
How did the three of you come together to formulate the Saffron Secret products? We are Daniel Moyal, Darren Rozowsky, and Mike Wolberger. We're the three co-founders behind the Saffron Secret mission to unlock the secrets of saffron for beautiful healthy hair. Daniel started as a professional hair stylist and has been a well-known innovator in the salon as well as a winning stylist. In his 2nd career, which spans decades, he is an inventor who has formulated winning keratin smoothing treatments and has numerous patents. Daniel's knowledge and out-of-the-box problem solving earned him the title of cosmetics guru. His vision and capabilities drive home next generation formulas. Daniel was inspired by his mother's cooking as a child – she is a devout lover of saffron. Daniel wondered why it was so expensive. There had to be a good reason.
Mike and Daniel have a friendship spanning many years. Mike has been in the cosmetics industry for almost 4 decades and has lived haircare, skincare, and perfumery from a sales and consumer's perspective in international markets.
The eureka moment was when Daniel shared his research; we knew we had an amazing ingredient with solid evidence. Daniel started leading the R & D, which is in our own formulating house at a "secret" location in New York.
As the tribe elder with so much operational experience, Mike can get anything done on a logistical level with pragmatic solutions. He is a walking industry encyclopedia and is a true people's person.
Darren a seasoned entrepreneur, CEO, project launcher, and business development specialist was looking to convert to cosmetics having come from the world of marketing and product launches. Darren was the missing side of the triangle for bringing Saffron Secret, from inception, through branding, manufacturing, promoting and running the operation. We decided to have no titles – we all share the title of co-founder and utilize each other's expertise to do what is best for the brand and its products.
What is in saffron that makes it good for hair? Saffron is very rich in minerals and vitamins which include Vitamin A, Vitamin B2 – Riboflavin, Vitamin B3 – Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Selenium, Zinc, Carotenoids and Crocin. We wanted to make certain that our saffron would have the highest yields of B2 vitamins. As beauty innovators, we had a deep inspiration for infusing our products with the stamens of this world-renowned flower - the most expensive spice known as red gold. We are the first to introduce an organic saffron enriched line for promoting hair health.
What have been the biggest challenges bringing Saffron Secret to market? Our intention was to make sure we formulated powerful infusions of saffron into our products which would bring out the active elements. We wanted to make sure our customers had all the benefits from the proven properties of saffron as the main ingredient. We needed to find a stellar facility to manufacture at home here in New York where we could keep a watchful eye and conduct the quality assurance ourselves. One of the first things we did was to get certified within the European Union which has the highest standards. A lot of thought and effort went into the scent of Saffron Secret. The scent is sort of woodsy and has become a signature scent. It is timeless, unique, versatile and crisp. Most of the world's saffron grows in Iran and Kashmir, however, Spain is also known for its winning saffron and so we traveled to Spain. One of the biggest concerns was how the saffron was grown and how could we own our own plants. We decided on Ebro Valley in Spain a land fabled for its legends of witches, pilgrims, and smugglers. Here we found the right the farmers, good crop yield, logistics, and we were able to obtain the organic paperwork. Not an easy task. It was most important to grow our plants organically. As we dug deeper we found that this is not a flower that grows in the wild.
Our harvest schedule starts early in October, where our expert cultivation team sets out to hand pick our exclusively grown saffron. The team needs to be on standby over a 3 week period, as it is imperative that the saffron is picked as soon as it blooms before the flowers wither and vanish. The harvesting is especially labor intensive with approximately 400 hours required to produce one kilogram of dried stigma from up to 250,000 crocus flowers. Each crocus flower weighs around 2 mg and has only 3 stigma, which is the component of the saffron spice.
Processing the Red Gold takes an arduous and delicate removal of the 3 stigmas from each crocus flower. One by one, the saffron roses are harvested by cutting the flower stalk not with knives but with a skilled thumbnail, slicing below the stigmas. The freshly harvested flowers are placed gently into baskets and carried to cool spots where they’re laid onto canvas cloths. When that step is completed, the farmers begin a drying process using a specially developed methodology which enhances the qualities of our saffron. This drying phase reduces moisture levels and boosts the release of heightened levels of unique saffron properties. The dried saffron is then stored in airtight packaging and shipped to our Saffron Secret formularies. Next, we use a specially developed process of infusing water with the saffron to create Aqua Azafrán. This powerful infusion brings out the spice’s active elements and enables our products to have the rare properties of saffron as the main ingredient.
What do you see as the future of the beauty industry as a whole? We see more awareness relating to health and true benefits over and above beauty. Not only the trends are an impactful force but also regulation. It was important for us to be one company that sets the trend and at the same time stays ahead of regulation, with products that promote beauty, amazing results and safety at the top level of the game. In the future our dream is to conduct more academic research on the crocus sativus saffron flower in order to harness other aspects which world academia, medicinal experts are less aware of.
saffronsecret.com
Made for Faces May fresh new faces shine from around the world. May your conďŹ dence create new inspiration. We are not all the same, but thankfully, there is something for everyone. We promise new smiles along the way.
Neck Amour Developed by Dimitri James
How often do you see a product specially made for the neck? Not often, so when I was introduced to Neck Armour I could not wait to try it. This is it gals! It Works! It's a rich protein and probiotic leave-on neck mask designed specifically to give extra love and attention to the skin on the neck that is thinner and more delicate. This ingredient-rich, anti-aging cream is formulated with rice protein to increase moisture retention. The probiotic blend helps improve skin radiance as it redefines and smooths. Infused with amino and mineral-rich white truffle extract, Skinn’s Neck Amour helps tone the look of uneven skin while evening out moisture levels. Thank You, Dimitri James, for all the wonderful products you develop!
skinn.com
The Best Ayurvedic Skincare PuraVeda Organics PuraVeda Organics is my favorite Ayurvedic line. I've gotten to know Deb Oxley, the founder some years ago after taking their 30 SPF sunscreen to Thailand and Bali. This sunscreen was the most wonderful I've ever used as it keeps the skin moist and does not turn you white with gooey zinc oxide. Next, I tried the Bio Science Complex II, which is developed by some of the most talented organic/ayurvedic product specialists in the world. This handcrafted formula is packed full with so many exotic organic ingredients! As I've gotten to know the company, I learned that their senior chemist has decades of experience and only develops formulas with all natural ingredients in small batches. It's absolutely as much of an art as a science to "handcraft" products such as PuraVeda Organics.
puravedaorganics.com
puravedaorganics.com
My Favorites From South Korea
What is Hydrogen? Hydrogen is the smallest atom in the universe with a strong antioxidant power.
Yuza Snow Ice Cream for the Face Fueled with 840 ppb Hydrogen Water . . . for ďŹ lling parched skin with microscopic moisture. 25,500 ppm Yuza Extract . . . for vital vitamins. Aqua Micro Capsules . . . to keep skin cool. Evermat . . . a patented active ingredient for pore tightening and sebum control.
lisseskinhealer.com
South Korea's Best Facial Mask
South Korea is always a leader in skincare and here's the current technology leading the way - Hydrogen! The Lisse mask is the most futuristic mask I've found has long lasting moisturizing and brightening effects. I give it a 10 and am using it regularly. Here's what I learned: Hydrogen neutralizes the toxic oxygen (oxygen free radicals) inside the skin by turning it to water. The antioxidant activity of hydrogen is 176 times that of vitamin C, 863 times that of Coenzyme Q10 and 431 times that of vitamin E. lisseskinhealer.com
No Eyelid Surgery Needed!
Interview with Britain Todd, Founder of LIDS BY DESIGN and winner of coolest new beauty invention.
What was the deciding factor to develop LIDS BY DESIGN?
What were your main challenges to get to market?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, thinking of ideas that would be useful to others as well as myself. When I was in my 40’s, I decided it was finally time to see if anything could be done about my sagging eyelids, which were prematurely aging me and impacting my vision. When I went in for the consultation, the surgeon took a pencil to my eyelid to roll back the skin and said, “Sure, we can cut some off, when do you want to come in?”
The biggest challenge was creating a space for us in the industry. People had never heard of anything like LIDS BY DESIGN, so it took a lot of convincing that we were not only legitimate but the best at what we created. Once we did that though, our loyal following grew exponentially.
I’m sure that doctor would have done a fine job, but the ambiguity of what I was going to look like after scared me. I thought about it and I saw two problems with my experience: first, why doesn’t the surgeon have something that will allow me to see my after result before going under the knife and second, why isn’t there a non-surgical solution to this problem?
Did you test the product on other women first to see if they would be used and liked?
Given my knack for diving into things head first, LIDS BY DESIGN was born not too long after that consultation and I haven’t looked back!
I most certainly threw a lot of prototyped lids on my girlfriends during dinner parties and such, pretty shamelessly I might add. I definitely wanted their input outside of my own with regard to how the product could be improved and made more accessible to everyone.
"Now our collection has grown to include the Neck Rescue and a Primer Pencil"
What is the science behind LIDS BY DESIGN? We work with a medical technology company which allows us to have not only the best technology but the purest medical grade quality in each strip. Each of our correcting strips are hypoallergenic and latex free which is so important to so many people that have allergies or sensitivities.
What effect do you think aging eyes have on a woman? For men and women I think it really impacts our confidence in many ways. I know for me, I was very bothered and found myself not looking directly into another person’s eyes. I was constantly asked if I was tired or angry and I was neither. Besides that however, I also believe many people struggle from impaired vision do to the overall heaviness.
What was your background before developing LIDS BY DESIGN? I worked as an estate planner for some time, always staying connected to the financial/insurance industry in some way. No matter what I was doing, I noticed right away that I was a talented woman in a male-dominated field; which meant I had to prove myself and my value more often than not. I look back on those moments and realize that they have strengthened and empowered me to do the work I am now so passionate about.
contoursrx.com
Collagen
The Fabic that Makes Skin Beautiful Aging skin means the loss of collagen in the dermal skin layer. Unlike creams and serums, which act from the outside you can also slow down the process of aging through nutrition.
From COLLAGEN LIFT PARIS I found a drinkable collagen supplement that is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by up to 50% and increase skin elasticity. Made in France, this high-powered formula contains a combination of Verisol Collagen, Ulva Mediterranea seaweed, and Vitamin C.
Active Seaweed Harvested in the South of France Currently available in 16 countries, Collagen Lift Paris has become a popular option as an all natural internal health supplement to take the place of not only facelifts but stronger hair, reduced cellulite and skin tone.
Collagen Lift Paris Collagen peptides of 2.0 kD is absorbed by the body within 30 minutes. Rich in essential Amino Acids, Sulphated Polysaccharides, Iron, Silicium, Carotenoids, Chrolophylles and Xantophylies and Vitamin C. 5000mg Verisol, dosage clinically proven to reduce wrinkles, increase skin moisture and elasticity 5000mg Ulvaline - Ulva Rigida, harvested in the south of France has rich essential amino acids proven to increase collagen absorption 100mg Hyaluronic Acid for hydration and collagen synthesis Convenient box with 28 ampoules collagenliftparis.com
Moor Spa Skin Balm from the Moor Mud of Austria This is the best moisturizing skin balm I've ever used. In fact, I've been using the Moor Spa Skin Balm for over 10 years now! I met the founder, Michael Beresford many years ago at one of our spa industry trade shows. Moor Spa was one of the ďŹ rst companies to totally embrace "natural" developing products with no harmful chemicals and preservatives long before the idea became mainstream. Michael was a leader in developing and using the moor mud directly from the moors in Austria to formulate a spa line that is used only by spas. I've embraced these products ever since and the Moor Spa Skin Balm is the best all-around product for any climate I travel to - hot, dry, humid, or cold, it does not matter, this is the product I use.
moorspa.com
My Favorite Precious Oils and Elixirs Love exotic? Love ingredients that speak of faraway lands? May these rich oils and elixirs create a new language. May they give you inspiration to travel to new destinations ... even if it is only in your dreams.
Pili Ani from the Pilippines Interview with Rosalina Tan, Founder, and Environmentalist
How did the idea develop for the Pili Ani products using the pulp from the Pili Tree? Originally, I was so moved and inspired by the book "Unforgiven" by Charles Walters and its "everything starts from the soil" theme, that it spurred a lifelong passion for organic agriculture and encouraged me to trail-blaze in organic farming, education and natural, organic skincare over the last 25 years. I then became intrigued by the Pili tree, also known as "The Tree of Hope" in the in the Bikol region. I intuited that this chosen tree had more to offer than just its well-known product, pili nuts, and embarked on a years-long research project resulting in the discovery of untapped Pili beneďŹ ts found in the oil extracted from its bark and pulp. This lead me to start working and supporting the Pili farmers. What were the challenges to bring your idea into realization? There was very little research on the Pili oil in the Philippines, so I started from scratch. I established the Phil Pili Industry League as an effort to help and organize local farmers to develop good production practices that were backed by scientiďŹ c research.
It took our team almost 7 years to formally register and make our skincare available commercially
Can you share more about how the community and farmers are a part of the Pili Ani dream. We have about 200 farmer families that are currently in our group. After years of working together, these farmers are now able to send their children to good schools and are able to uplift their way of living and expand the farmer community as well.
The Pili Tree - known as "The Tree of Hope" in the Bikol region
What beneďŹ ts come from the Pili tree pulp? Has anyone ever used this oil in skincare before? For the Pili Ani products we use the pulp of the pili fruit (not the nut itself), and we also extract elemi oil from the bark of the Pili tree. The Pili pulp gives us all the anti-oxidants and moisturizing properties, while the elemi oil has anti-bacterial and ďŹ rming properties. ombining both unique oils from one tree, we are able to produce the most delicate and effective skincare line. What do you see as the future of beauty products? How are you leading this future? As people become more aware of the harmful effects of using caustic chemicals on our skin, we see that natural beauty will gain more interest to the millennial buyers who are educating themselves on these effects. With more buyers being educated of the effects of chemical beauty products, we believe that natural products like ours will gain more following.
piliani.com
Kypris Beauty Elixir 1 I met Chase Poland, founder, and developer of the Kypris beauty products for lunch one day. Sitting in a beautiful outdoor space, she shared her dream and her knowledge of oils, elixir's and the organic properties of exotic ingredients and how to synergize them. I've never been so impressed! She shared one of her prized elixirs, the Beauty Elixir l - rightfully called 1,000 Roses as it has the essential oil of 1,000 organic Bulgarian roses along with other exotic ingredients of; Kaneka certified therapeutic grade CoQ10, the gold standard of antioxidant care; vitamin C ester which works in concert with vitamin E to support the skin’s production and protection of collagen for increased resilience and suppleness; an abundant source of phytosterols, essential fatty acids with vitamins A and E; Baobab oil to reinforce the skin’s barrier function by reducing loss of moisture and encouraging cellular renewal; the oil of Black Raspberry Seed that targets the root of inflammation to maintain skin’s overall integrity; Pomegranate Seed which contains more than 60% punicic acid, a prized conjugated fatty acid with skin-strengthening properties that tame inflammation and eliminate signs of overexposure to the elements especially the effects of too much sun. I truly treasure this elixir. Each time I open the bottle I feel as though I am in the rose gardens of Bulgaria.
kyprisbeauty.com
From Samoa Fetau Nut Oil and Coconut Oil
Loto Alofa – do everything from the heart, my mother would say. Interview with Founder, LUFILUFI RASMUSSEN
"Loto Alofa – do everything from the heart, my mother would say. I was taught this growing up in the Polynesian Island of Samoa. Sometimes my mother used words, other times it was the glint in her eye or the tilt of her head. It guided everything she did. Smooth glowing skin, a mothers’ gentle touch, a beautiful smile. The natural beauty of a Samoan woman stems from within her family, culture and her connection with Mother Nature. Misiluki skincare is my expression of Loto Alofa. It is the bond that humbles. Loto Alofa inspires me to live, be generous and love unconditionally. Samoa’s majestic coconut trees grow from fertile, organic volcanic soil. The coconuts are ripened on the tree, falling to the earth. It speaks of a mother’s love, of dancing and adolescence, of tattoos and rites of passage, of healing and comfort. Coconut oil has been used in Samoa for many hundreds of years to heal and protect the skin. Organic virgin coconut oil is our hero ingredient in tour skincare. The Samoan coconut oil is proven to have anti-aging properties, aid in skin hydration, protect you from the sun, repair tissue at a cellular level and provides overall rejuvenation. This oil is a treasure from Samoa."
"Fetau is the secret oil of the Pacific. It is one of the most healing oils on earth. The Fetau tree grows wild along our sandy shores. When the nuts are ripe, they fall gently to the beach and are hand picked by farmers. The nuts are peeled, sundried for six weeks and then pressed to produce the oil that is used in the Misiluki range."
Tradition of the Tattoo "He picks up the bone chisel and taps out a rhythm that matches the beat of my racing heart. Black ink begins to ow in straight lines as my tattooist taps centuries-old patterns on my thighs. My hand is held by her mother who sings Samoan melodies, while my sister wipes my ushed brow. The malu is the Samoan female tattoo unique to Samoa. It is a living art form traditionally given to the daughters of the high chiefs. Today, the malu is still regarded as a sacred Samoan treasure. It is the spiritual connection of a Samoan woman to her ancestors, her mother land and her traditions; the malu is gifted and received in loto alofa. The Misiluki packaging is inspired by my personal journey as a Samoan woman who wears the malu with pride. The ancient and intricate symbols are a constant reminder to me of the power of the malu to shelter and protect. It is the embodiment of strength and femininity.
misiluki.com
rareESSENCE Pure Aromatherapy Essentials
A while back I needed to ďŹ nd a pure aromatherapy travel candle and room spray for a celebrity production. As I researched, I eliminated all products until I came upon rareESSENCE. Everyone on the production fell in love with these products. Recently, I took the Refresh on a Costa Rica trip. I love the aroma! It's a mix of Lemongrass, Lemon and Litsea Cubeba - it was excellent for keeping bugs away. I'm so pleased to share the story of rareESSENCE as the founders just returned from Bulgaria.
rareESSENCE Founders: Sherri Jobelius and Brian Paulsen visiting Kazanlak, Bulgaria
What was your inspiration for developing rareESSENCE Aromatherapy? When Sherri and I met in the mid 90’s, we began to explore and develop products with pure essential oils. Over the next few years, we cultivated relationships with growers and distillers throughout the world. We also educated ourselves about the toxic chemicals that were in synthetic fragrances and found that they caused asthma, scent sensitivities, allergies, disrupted hormonal function, as well as being linked to cancer and a host of other health concerns. We decided that our company mission would be to provide safe alternatives to synthetic scents and introduce people to the amazing world of pure essential oils. This mission guides all our decisions with ingredients and all other components that go into making a pure product. What were your main products when you started? In the beginning, we developed essential oil room mists, reed diffusers, and candles. We also developed a line of pure essential oil perfumes, as a clean, natural alternative to the chemical cocktails in synthetic scents. As a logical evolution, we introduced a complete line of certified organic and wild-crafted single-note essential oil blends and easy-to-use aromatherapy roll-ons and inhalers. This past year we’ve added ultra-sonic diffusers, car diffusers, and other accessories.
What were the challenges for procuring the pure ingredients you use? Making a natural product is far more complicated and costly than creating conventional products. We source our ingredients worldwide and often visit our suppliers to nurture our relationship with them.
It takes 60 roses to make just one drop of rose essential oil. This is one of many bags of flowers collected for the days distillation.
Our ingredients start out as plants cultivated by farmers or gathered from the wild, which can be adversely impacted by environmental factors like drought, floods, and temperatures. For example, this past June, Sherri and I traveled to Bulgaria to meet with our suppliers of rose oil, lavender, melissa, yarrow, and St. John’s Wort. One evening a thunderstorm hit the valley where the roses are cultivated, resulting in several acres that were completely destroyed. For the farmers, it can be catastrophic when there is widespread damage. These factors affect the availability. The other factor is cost – it is simple and cheap to buy synthetic fragrances, however, pure Bulgarian Rose essential oil currently sells for about ten thousand dollars per pound! It requires about 60 roses to make just 1 drop of pure rose oil and ten thousand roses to make a small 5ml bottle (about the size of your thumb).
What should the consumer look for in an essential oil ? Aromotherapy oils should be scientifically tested for purity, potency and a desirable olfactory experience. We use the GC-MS test to confirm that the oil matches the known profile of a certain oil and that the oil is free from adulteration, pesticides and synthetic chemicals. If at any point something is off, we reject the oil for our use. We use organic or wild-crafted oils when possible. “Wild-crafted” plants are grown in areas that are wild and uncultivated. What types of products will we see in the future ? Today is a very exciting time for us, as the awareness of the benefits of essential oils is growing exponentially. Aromatherapy is becoming more mainstream and a part of complementary care to traditional medicine. Brian Paulsen, Founder of rareESSENCE Aromatherapy, picks roses in the rose valley of Kazanlak, Bulgaria
Looking into the future, we will continue to educate and provide ready-to-use products that make it easy to experience the beneďŹ ts of essential oils. We are now developing personal and homecare products that are clean, safe, synthetic-free alternatives to conventional scented products. People who experience our products can quickly tell that rareESSENCE is extremely high-quality and we are uncompromising in our commitment to purity, safety and sustainability.
rareESSENCE diffuser blends
rareearthnaturals.com
From Australia With Love
Australia's Treasured Emu Oil One of the world's most precious oils for the face and body. Organically developed by Y Not Naturals in Western Australia.
For Fast Relief from Injuries The Sports Ice Gel is equally effective! I use the ice gel on my back and knees when traveling. The ice gel is what you want to use for sports injuries or in situations where you want quick relief.
For Massage and Joint Pain I tried the Y Not Natural products from Australia about a year ago. I heard about the healing properties of Emu Oil but never knew how effective this precious oil was . . . that is if it comes from Western Australia where the oil is produced in the original form from the Aboriginal cultures. (the reďŹ ned oil from other countries do not have the original DNA of the Emu in Western Australia).
The wintergreen used with the Emu Oil makes this gel tissue speciďŹ c, as it's main compound methyl salicylate works best on tissue compared to blood, with levels up to 30 times higher in muscle tissue than blood levels. This means that the active compound works where it is applied, rather than being quickly removed by the blood supply.
The oil is not a real oil . . . instead, it is a synergistic uid of vitamin K and Omega 3 6 9. The Oil has been taken internally and used for joint aches and pains and healing for over a thousand years. Yes, over a 1000 years! When I tried the Omega 3 6 9 balm, it had the creamiest most velvet texture that penetrated deeply. I immediately recognized that this could be the best healing balm I've ever discovered to use for a full-body massage. This is now one of my favorite products which I take with me on all trips. Even when having a massage, I take this product into the therapist to use on me. I'm spreading the news it appears, as more therapists are discovering this healing balm and how effective it is for a massage!
ynotnatural.com.au
With Love from Australia . . . Lqd Skincare for Men The great products coming out of Australia are so forward thinking and the companies are passionate, that's why the headline reads - with Love. I feel it! Lqd is a men's line I was introduced to recently. I'm trying the eye gel, which is a hearty moisturizer for thicker skin than a women's eye area - it's packed full of anti-aging peptides, hence the name - Restore. Developed in Australia which has one of the harshest climates in the world, the products are thought through in a way that really delivers visible results. After meeting the Lqd Team, I can see the integrity in this exclusive men's line. Big respect for their formulations and also . . . such beautiful packaging!
lqd.com.au
The Idea House.Cool A New Concept for Humans Our Community Project for 2018 and Beyond
We are inviting creative thinkers to take part in pioneering a new concept house built especially for "creating ideas." The crowd funded project will bring together a new vision for well-being architecture, art, and landscape to become a place and space for guest artists, writers, photographers, media producers and entrepreneurs who will be invited through out the year to Connect, Create and Relax. We own the land - it sits in a beautiful primal rainforest overlooking Costa Rica's Caribbean Sea. It's continuously astonishing and its opportunities are boundless Join in our Adventure! We would love for you to take part! Your Ideas Matter!
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THE IDEA HOUSE A New Concept . . . for Humans
A concept to bring together a space and place that naturally provides the perfect combination of well-being - creative thought and community. theideahouse.cool
Why not think things that have never been thought before.