return to archives home

Handmade Toiletries Weekly Newsletter
June 9, 2000

A Publication of The Handmade Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630
June 9, 2000
Issue 21

----->THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: The Aromatherapy Connection<----
Announcing The Aromatherapy Connection!! We scoured the aromatherapy community with one goal in mind ~ to provide a suite of products and services for independent aromatherapy-related businesses and therapists. The Aromatherapy Connection can save you money on top quality essential oils, groundbreaking insurance packages, discounted business printing, pharmaceutical glass, and trade show representation. Call or fax us for a membership prospectus, Member "Wish List" Survey, or a non-binding insurance quote.

The Aromatherapy Connection ~ We're your Connection!
Launching soon at www.aromatherapyconnection.com
Fax toll free 1-877-923-3704. Call toll free 877-369-3013.
E-MAIL: almasol@sopris.net

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. HBN UPDATE
2. HANDMADE BEAUTY TRIVIA QUESTION ~ win copy of Rosemary Gladstar's "Herbal Remedies for Men's Health"
3. HANDMADE BEAUTY PRODUCT REVIEWS
4. HBN MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
5. HANDMADE BEAUTY RECIPE ~ Extreme Sports Salts

1. HBN UPDATE

--->Welcome New HBN Members!!

Barbara Lucks & Colleagues <<The Aromatherapy Connection&lgt;> Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Christina McCauley <<C&B Specialties&lgt;> Leonardtown, Maryland
Mary Vuong <<Country Moon Handcrafted Soap&lgt;> San Jacinto, California
Susan Fritz, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

--->Visit Our Handmade Beauty Product Review Page at http://www.handmadebeauty.com/handmade_beauty_product_reviews.htm.
Meet our Handmade Beauty Product Review Panelists at http://www.handmadebeauty.com/product_review_panelists.htm. If you do not make and sell products and are interested in joining the Panel, send an email to donnamaria@handmadebeauty.com and let us know!!

--->HBN is moving to a new office, so we're publishing the Newsletter a few days early to allow us the time needed to set up over the weekend.

--->New Name ... Same Great Newsletter!! If you don't usually read subject lines, you probably breezed right past it. We have changed our Newsletter name to more accurately reflect the nature of our features. The name is the only change as we will continue to provide you with the exciting and informative Newsletter you have come to expect from us.

2. HANDMADE BEAUTY TRIVIA QUESTION ~ The winner from June 4 was Maysoon Simmons of Waldorf, Maryland. Maysoon won a copy of "Working From Home: Making It Work For You" by Meredith Gould!!

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: In the 1930's, Proctor & Gamble introduced the first synthetic detergent product specifically designed to wash human hair. To win this week's prize, state the name of the product.

LAST WEEK'S ANSWER: Drene.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: The Hyatt Regency Las Vegas Resort uses it in its luxurious full body wrap spa treatment. HBN member Moon and Stars Enchanted Soap mixes it in one of their most popular handmade soaps with Geranium and Lemon essential oils. What is this versatile natural material that has made such an impact on the beauty and spa scene? Here are a few hints ... it's mined from beneath the shafts of the Atlas Mountains. It has detoxifying, cleansing, degreasing and astringent properties. You can add other natural ingredients to it such as milk, aloe vera gel, floral waters (also known as hydrosols) and essential oils to create personalized face and body masks at home. Next week, we'll feature a recipe for making a facial mask using this ingredient.

Be the first to provide the name (correctly spelled) of this natural material AND the country from which it hails and win copy of Rosemary Gladstar's "Herbal Remedies for Men's Health"

Read contest rules at http://www.handmadebeauty.com/htns_Newsletter.htm

3. HANDMADE BEAUTY PRODUCT REVIEWS

Alexandra Avery's Purely Natural Underactive Skin Elixir ~ 1 oz. ~ $18

Underactive (Alexandra's word for "dry") Skin Elixir is a nicely packaged oil-based moisturizer with essential oils of sandalwood, neroli, jasmine and carrot. The base contains kukui nut and foraha oils, 2 of my favorites. I like to use it after washing and toning my face in the evening by patting on a very light layer and allowing it to sink in a bit before my head hits the pillow. My Underactive Skin Elixir came packaged in a cobalt blue bottle with a screw top, with a screw top medicine dropper also in the box. This is a nice touch which protects the product during shipping since essential oils are quickly compromised upon contact with rubber. I store it on my vanity and am careful not to turn the bottle to keep the oils from coming in contact with the rubber. The product was encased in a box which contained a pull out sheet with instructions for use, and suggestions for using the Elixir to create other beauty products like masks and bath oils. This product is not as rich as similar products I have reviewed before (like Aromaleigh's Free Radical Am/PM Skin Quenching Serum (4/30/00 product review)) but I find it nicer now that the weather is warming and my skin is not as dry as it is in the winter time. Select Alexandra Avery products are available at Inner Sanctum Day Spa & Salon in Maryland at 301.585.3756.

--->Indian River Soap Company's Handmade Soaps ~ 4.5 oz. ~

Today, I'm reviewing 4 of Indian River Soap Company's handmade soaps. Actually, I'm reviewing 3 since my husband absconded with the Lemon Verbena as soon as the box was opened. (Since my efforts to convince him to prepare a product review this week were been unsuccessful, you can rest assured that the bar smells fantastically lemon-y, the one scent he cannot resist.) I was left (poor me!!) with 3 soaps to myself. Two were from Indian River's Caribbean Aloe collection: Apricot Lemon Basil and Ginger & Yucca Root, and the third was the Shoal Draft bar from their Sea Foam Soap collection. Shoal Draft, with essential oils of Tangerine, Pettigrain, Coriander, Lavender and Cinnamon was my favorite. This bar is supremely moisturizing, with cocoa butter added. It also has hops and beer ~ I'm not sure what they add, but it sure sounded cool! (Maybe I should try it on my hair next time?)

The soaps from the Caribbean Aloe collection were spicy and exotic. Each contained a healthy dose of lemon oil (I hid them from you-know-who), which was complimented by interesting combinations like basil and citronella (Apricot Lemon Basil) and ginger, coriander and vetiver (Ginger & Yucca Root). If I had my druthers, the soaps would last a tad bit longer in the shower; they seemed to disappear a bit faster than other soaps I use for about the same amount of time. All of the soaps smelled wonderful, though the 3 I used were undoubtedly unusual scent combinations ~ in fact, that's why I chose them! Indian River's soaps are smooth and creamy and feel great on the skin.

Come July 1, Indian River will move into its new storefront/factory in Melbourne, Florida, and their soaps can be purchased there after that date. In the meantime, visit the Web site at www.indianriversoap.com or call (321) 259-8068.

4. HBN MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

--->Aromaleigh Donates Calm Down Canine Blend<---
HBN member Aromaleigh of Rochester, New York, recently donated 200 bottles of her popular Calm Down Canine aromatherapy blend to animal rescue leagues across the country. Kristen, Aromaleigh's founder and owner, believes that the combination of aromatherapy and touch are just what abandoned and abused animals need to encourage them on the road to recovery. Kristen has put her money where her mouth is by donating her blend, which contains essential oils to soothe and calm. She's also put her own home (so to speak) where her mouth is by rescuing and adopting abandoned dogs herself.

Read more about Aromaleigh and how animal rescue leagues are benefiting from their generosity in HBN's Press Room.

---->The Aromatherapy Connection Forms In Colorado<---
To learn more, check out The Aromatherapy Connection's press release in HBN's Press Room. Congratulations Barbara and colleagues ... we wish you great success!!

5. HANDMADE BEAUTY RECIPE ~ Extreme Sports Salts

My friend Jennifer loves her fantastic landscaping job, which allows her to be creative and remain physically fit at the same time. The only drawback is that, after a long day pruning rose bushes and laying sod, her muscles need some serious pain relief. I made Extreme Sports Salts for her. It's a powerful blend of oils that combine to help ease minor muscle aches after strenuous physical activity. Smells great too!!

13 oz. Epsom salts
1 sheet pulverized Nori seaweed
4 grams peppermint essential oil
2 grams ginger essential oil
20 drops marjoram essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil

Pulverize Nori is a food processor or spice mill. Add pulverized Nori to salts and stir well to combine. Add essential oils last, a little at a time, stirring after each addition. Allow mixture to sit in a glass (not plastic) container for a day or so before using. Use about 2 large handfuls for each average sized bath. It is best not to use Extreme Sports Salts if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

Visit HBN's Supplier page for a listing of suppliers of natural materials needed to make your beauty products. Visit www.donnamaria.com for more recipes.

Thank you for reading HBN's Newsletter.
Have A Great Week!!
Donna Maria
Founder & President, The Handmade Beauty Network
"Securing The Future Of The Handmade Toiletries Industry"
http://www.handmadebeauty.com