Selkie Sensuals

There are a number of oils used in cosmetics and bath/body products. For this post, I will be writing only about the kind used to scent products, rather than the “fixed” oils such as sweet almond, jojoba, etc. which are used as base ingredients.

• Essential oils: Essential oils, often seen just as EO’s are derived from plants by way of distillation, expression, or extraction. They are used in a number of bath and body type products and some can also be used to flavour foods. These oils come straight from the plant, with no additives. Clove EO, or “Oil of Clove”, is exactly that. Clove oil, nothing more. Most people consider EO’s to be the most basic, natural oils one can use in cosmetic/toiletry applications. The techniques and methods for producing essential oils was first introduced by Ibn al-Baitar, who was a chemist, physician, and pharmacist from Andalucia, Spain. Some essential oils should not be put directly on the skin (nor be directly ingested) due to a number of negative possible effects (allergic reactions, irritation, etc). This is why essential oils are placed into a carrier oil (such as olive or almond oil).

• Natural oils: Natural oils/Natural fragrance oils, are listed under the blanket term fragrance oils. I make the distinction between natural oils and fragrance oils because what I refer to as natural oils are essential oils already placed into carrier oils (almond, palm, etc). They are still natural, just not in their (EO) unadulterated form. This type of oil can be safer than EO for direct contact, as the carrier oil dilutes the possible negative effects of the EO.

• Fragrance oils: Fragrance oils (sometimes referred to as aromatic oils) are synthetically produced scent oils made to smell like actual flowers, fruits, etc. Also included in this list would be the artificial flavour oils for making lip balms or cooking.

So, what types of oils does Selkie Sensuals use? Selkie Sensuals uses ONLY essential oils and natural oils. We use NO artificial fragrance oils (*with the exception of the Magickal Mermaid Intention Line). We believe in making our products with natural ingredients, organic and vegan whenever possible. Using no synthetically created fragrances (*) is just one part of our mission to create all-natural bath and body products, but it is a part we are very serious about.

(*Magickal Mermaid Intention Tins/Lotions DO use some “aroma oils”. These are the types you would find in botanicas or metaphysical shops for specific purposes such as “Come to Me” oil. These oils are not used in any other applications.)

Until next time…Stay Sensual!

Serenity

It all started when I was born on a Monday morning in July. I was born under the zodiac sign of Cancer, a water sign. Though I admit I am not much of a swimmer, I do so love the water. With that love of water came a love of water creatures, including mermaids, sirens, and selkies as well as those we often see like dolphins, sea stars, etc.

So, I am discussing business names with my husband (who just happens to have a great nose for scent blends!) and we thought something revolving around water would be perfect, since most people use water when they bathe. (grin) The second thing we wanted to convey is that when one is clean and feels good and rejuvenated, one also can feel sexier. We think that women often get caught up in the rat race that is everyday life and forget to take time for themselves, forget that they can be sexy and sensual. The name Selkie Sensuals nearly popped into both of our heads at the same time and we didn’t even throw any other ideas around, it was perfect.

The whole idea behind our product line was to create products that help a woman tap into her inner Goddess, to feel the sensual side of herself and not feel ashamed or shy about it, but to just go with it. At the same time, our products can be used daily, not just the night of that hot date. They are gentle on the skin and full of nourishing butters, oils, and waxes.

Coming soon to http://www.selkiesensuals.com

…Until next time, stay Sensual…

~Serenity

One of the faces behind Selkie Sensuals, Serenity.

People sometimes ask me how I got into making my own bath and body products. So this will be the topic of today’s blog post. It all started when I moved to California back in 1998. I ended up in Santa Cruz, a hippie and surfer paradise, which boasted small, independently run coffee shops and stores, health food stores and shops where one could buy organic clothing, hemp clothing and other natural items. Living there, being surrounded by that kind of lifestyle, made me question just what it was I had been putting on (and in) my body up until that point. I started reading labels and searching the internet. I decided that very night that I wanted to start being more health-conscious, more “green” if you will. What better way to do that than to make my own soaps and body products. I started crafting all-natural products in late 1998 and have been doing so since. Over the years my recipes and products have been honed and culled to the most natural, basic, earthy items I could come up with and I think I’ve got a pretty good bead on it. 

I haven’t bought “store” soap for years and I love it!

Next time: How did you come up with the name for your store?

Until then, stay Sensual!

~Serenity