ROSES ~ SIMPLE PERFECTION

(Image from www.mycityflower.co)

“…a rose by any other name would smell as sweet…”

(Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”; Act II, Scene II)

Throughout the ages, the rose has come to symbolize perfection and love.  It has been portrayed and praised in religion, poetry, prose, music and art.  Roses have been coveted when used as culinary floral water for edibles, or in tinctures, tisanes, added to teas, or in fragrances or personal care products.  Its evocative aroma embraces the senses and imprints the psyche with a subtle and scrumptious fragrance that refreshes memories of a past life.  The perfectly formed petals and head are visually adored, whether living or when pressed dried as a memento.  Throughout history, queens and kings and commoners have known the rose. The rose has represented many things to many people, with most being awestruck over nature’s divine and perfect beauty.

The rose has been around for millions of years, has approximately 150 species, and is prevalent throughout the world, with each continent having its own variety.  The rose and its derivatives have been prized for personal care and skincare because of natural properties that include cell regenerating, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, high in Vitamin C (antioxidant), non-irritating, natural astringent, natural fragrance, toning and moisturizing. 

And, looking ahead to February, the month of St. Valentine’s Day, a day of love and for remembering those we love, it is also National Heart Health Month, which is also fitting for St. Valentine’s day, since the heart and cupid’s arrow in the heart also exemplify this day of love and remembrance.   Red roses have come to symbolize beauty, love, affection and romance, especially for St. Valentine’s Day, the iconic day of love and remembrance, but many also regard it as the epitome of love and remembrance all year long.

I chose the following products for this edition because of the purity of the rose-based ingredients, in addition to each product’s favorable efficacy.  I’m also partial to these products because I love the scrumptious rose aroma.  These products had a pure, subtle and non-irritating aroma that was calming and uplifting, making them very aromatherapeutic.  The rose derivatives (petals, essential oil, fruit) were also healing, while providing effective skin and body care.  Enjoy!

Jurlique Rose Shower Gel, Rose Hand Cream, Rose Body Cream, Rose Moisturising Cleanser, and Rosewater Balancing Mist ~ I love the aroma of rose and these products didn’t disappoint.  The Rose Shower Gel is highly concentrated and very little was required to create a rich cleansing foam that left my skin feeling hydrated with the delicate aroma of pure rose on my skin.  Both the Hand Cream and Body Cream drenched my skin with nourishing hydration that was quickly absorbed without leaving any greasy or tacky residue; both also left a subtle aroma of pure rose on my skin. The Moisturising Cleanser created a gentle and hydrating foam that deep cleans the skin without stripping it dry; it’s also rich in anti-aging antioxidants.  The Balancing Mist also hydrated the skin, while toning and refreshing the skin; it set the skin perfectly for my moisturizer; the Balancing Mist was also ideal used throughout the day to freshen the face; key ingredients include a proprietary blend of rose varieties that are equal to ten thousand rose petals per bottle, as well as marshmallow, aloe vera, glycerin, and grapefruit seed.  The rich dense aroma of pure rose makes all of these products highly aromatherapeutic.  Jurlique has been providing natural skincare for over twenty-five years, using organic and natural ingredients grown and harvested from their own farms and used in their product formulations.  http://www.jurlique.com

Ilā-Spa Face Oil for Glowing Radiance ~ This product has a predominant rose aroma with a silky luxurious feel to it.  Ingredients include Argan oil, rosehip seed oil, sandalwood, rose flower oil, and Vitamin E oil.  The product was absorbed quickly without leaving a greasy residue and was soothing and calming.  I preferred using it at night, although it worked well during the day. After using this product, my skin was brighter and healthier looking and felt deeply hydrated.  The majority of ingredients are certified organic.  Because it’s very rich, a little goes a long way.  http://www.ila-spa.com/

PINO Natural Spa Therapy Wild Rose Natural Spa Therapy Body Oil and Body Lotion ~ PINO Natural Spa Therapy first introduced its natural products to European spas in the early 1900s.  Products use only the purest forms of plant extracts and essential oils without any preservatives, synthetic or other toxic additives; products use organic ingredients that are environmentally friendly.  I’ve enjoyed the Wild Rose products because of their efficacy and aromatherapeutic properties.  The Body Oil reminded me of a fresh cut rose thanks to ingredients like rose fruit oil and rose flower extract; other ingredients included coconut and jojoba oils, sunflower seed oil and Vitamins A and E.  The Body Oil has a silky consistency that’s absorbed quickly without leaving any tacky or greasy residue; the product was effective on my body and my dry cuticles; gentle and rehydrating with a heady lingering aroma of healing and calming rose.  The Body Lotion also had a scrumptious rose aroma; ingredients included rose fruit oil and rose flower extract, plus coconut and jojoba oils, sunflower seed oil and Vitamins A and E, plus shea butter.   The Body Lotion also had a silky rich consistency and was absorbed quickly and didn’t leave any type of residue; it too was gentle, very rehydrating, soothing and restorative.  https://www.pinospa.com/

Shankara Sacred Essence Lotus-Rose Aromatherapy Oil ~ With the tradition of Ayurveda, Sacred Essence Lotus-Rose is formulated for all skin types (Tridosha) and is an exotic blend of rare sacred and pure essential oils that include the white rose (Egypt) and blue lotus (India); other ingredients include pure essential oils of jasmine, frangipani and sandalwood.  This exotic blend is to be placed on the pulse points and recommended for yoga or meditation.  I found the aroma to be very complex and strong; a small amount on the inside of my wrists was sufficient to transport me from the land of stress to the land of relaxation.  http://www.shankara.com/

Manifesto of Light Gorgeous Rose Collection, Pure Oil Serum and Body Cream ~ A phenomenally intense, rich and decadent pure rose essential oil products, Gorgeous Perfume Oil Serum and Gorgeous Body Cream is nearly impossible to describe without committing an injustice to them.  Both products contain the precious and highly coveted Rose Damascene Absolute and Rose Damascene Otto, and are artisan crafted by hand; the formulas contain no water, which assures the purity of the oils.  The Serum also contains Italian cold extracted hazelnut oil, Myrrh and Geranium.  The Body Cream also contains African wild harvested shea butter, Italian cold pressed hazelnut oil, Myrrh and Geranium.  Over the years, I’ve experienced many products that used pure essential rose oil in their formulas, but I can honestly state that with these exquisite and precious products, I’ve never experienced so pure, so nearly perfect rose formulas that touched my olfactory, transporting me to a dimension of calm and restoration.  Both of these products are dense with 100% essential oils from this cherished flower and as such, only a miniscule amount is needed to achieve sensory enjoyment; the purity of product also nurtures the skin and is an incredible super hydrator.  Products are signed and numbered, expiry dated certificates of authentication for both products; the Gorgeous Pure Oil Serum contains over one hundred bunches of real roses per bottle and is a double blended serum for intense authenticity; the Gorgeous Body Cream contains over thirty bunches of real roses in a double blended cream.  Both come are packaged in black glass containers, which are impervious to light degradation; each comes in full-sized containers and includes a handy refillable travel container, complete with a black suede embroidered travel pouch.  Exquisite packaging, presentation, and product!  http://www.manifestooflight.com/

Kat Burki Tubéreuse Essential Eau de Parfum is an elegant and heady scent, which elevates the aroma of rose to new levels; the scent is fresh, sophisticated, and never cloying.  Top notes of Bergamot, Peach Nectar, and Orange; middle notes of Jasmine, Lily, Rose, Neroli, Violet, Creamy Coconut, and Clove; and, base notes of Rosewood, Powdery Musks, Green Leaves, Woody and Spicy Nuances.  http://katburki.com/product-category/fragrance/

Crabtree & Evelyn Classic Rosewater Body Lotion ~ This rich hydrating Body Lotion is quickly absorbed without leaving any greasy or tacky residue, and leaves skin feeling silky and smooth.  The subtle scent of rose is fresh and clean.  Ingredients include sesame seed oil, shea butter, glycerin, Vitamin E, and rosa centifolia hybrid essential extract.  http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com

In Closing

(Image from www.brands-list.com) 

Don’t wait for someone to gift you with a bouquet of these exquisite blooms…get anyone of these featured products, and celebrate the rose every time you use them for their aromatherapeutic and restorative properties.

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In the 1990s, she authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two copyright registrations on her authored work.  Consumer and trade publications have also interviewed her as an expert.  She also conducted an extensive nationally broadcasted interview tour on aspects of creating an at-home spa, interior design, music, stress and time management.  Her work has been published extensively in print and digital in both consumer and trade publications.  In addition to writing, reviewing and being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also served on the International Advisory Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness; the Advisory Board was comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also served as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach also includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, “Terry’s Second Helpings”.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, you can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

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(Photo credits as indicated, or represented by the specific brand.)