I start planning out Christmas recipes in the summer and typically have everything more-or-less nailed down by the end of September. This formula wasn’t in the original plan, but I am so in love with plum oil right now that I couldn’t not make some sort of decadent lotion with it. It is just so downright swoon-worthy with its marzipan-y scent and golden colour and just… sigh. So, here we are, with a bonus Christmas 2018 recipe because I simply had to. Many apologies 😉
This delightful lotion comes from a recipe request from Ashlie, who loves the Frankincense Intense line from Neal’s Yard Remedies. I love Neal’s Yard; their formulations are solid and their corporate ethos is both environmentally and socially responsible. I’ve visited their flagship shop in Neal’s Yard in London’s Covent Garden and loved the blue door, the wee glass jars, and the botanical-infused creations. I’ve tried a few of their products and have always been impressed with their elegance.
This lightweight, hydration-packed facial lotion is one of my formulas from my Formula Botanica coursework, and it also happens to be the first recipe I’m sharing using hyaluronic acid! I tested this lotion through some of Calgary’s driest winter months and found it to be a wonderfully hydrating, yet lightweight final step to my skin care routine. It smells divine, is full of good things, and is definitely a rather decadent DIY skin treat!
In the last week I’ve been on some utterly stunning hikes, really soaking up how beautiful Canada is and squeezing the last drops of good weather out of our waning summer. I love a lot of things about the mountains—their beauty, the solitude, the babbling brooks and the pikas—but I think my favourite thing is the air. It’s crisp and fresh, and smells utterly divine. On a warm summer day you can smell the sun-warmed earth mingling with the pine needles and distant whiffs of wildflowers and flowing water. You’re likely to find me standing still, eyes shut, face to the sun, inhaling deeply, whenever I first get out of a car in the mountains, so I suppose it’s no surprise I chase that scent in essential oil blends and my skin care products. This Forest Facial Lotion features a forest-inspired scent blend to tie in with my Forest Cleansing Balm and Forest Facial Cleanser; warm, mysterious oak moss warms top notes of bright spruce and fir and sweet, spicy cardamom. Swoon.
Rich in antioxidants and all kinds of fresh and citrussy, this face cream is rather brilliant for summer. It’s got a thick, almost balm-like consistency, but it spreads over the skin beautifully in a thin, fast-absorbing layer that you wouldn’t typically expect from a thicker cream. Thanks to some awesome added goodies like vitamin B3 and green tea extract it helps even out your complexion, reduce redness and sebum production, and reduce irritation as well as delivering a serious hydrating punch. It’s pretty rad, and it smells great to boot.
Now that I’ve fallen in love with face creams for winter skin hydration, I’m afraid I’m finding myself on a slippery slope. I caught myself drifting off to sleep the other night thinking about orange blossom water in face cream, and evening primrose oil. Some silk, perhaps… and suddenly I am dreaming about surfing on a cresting wave of neroli-scented face cream. Or something like that. Anyhow, I think you will enjoy sliding down this particular slippery slope with me, as this orange blossom face cream is divine.
Make it Up: The Essential Guide to DIY Makeup and Skin Care is now available at booksellers all over the world!