From time to time my students ask about fragrances and are they natural. They tell me that the site where they purchased their fragrance oils from say it is natural. So I thought I would share with you and with the help of industry experts to define what the three types of fragrances are; natural occurring, nature identical and man made.

• Natural Occurring Scents aka Essential Oils come straight from the source.  They are extracted or expelled from the flower, bark or leaves of a plant, tree or flower.  These scents include herbs such as chamomile and lavender (flower) , peppermint (leaves) and cinnamon (bark).  They may also come from the resin (secretion) of a tree or plant such as frankincense and myrrh.  These scents have both aromatherapy and therapeutic properties.  Such as tea tree oil can be applied directly to a minor cut and process antibacterial properties to heal the cut.

• Nature Identical scents are the chemical equivalent of a natural scent.  This means it has been created in a lab that duplicates the natural scents exact chemical structure.  Though the chemical structure is the same nature identical scents should not be used for aromatherapy or therapeutic purposes.

• Man Made Scents aka Fragrance Oils are synthetic aroma chemicals.  They may include essential oils in their formulation but by no means are they to be considered natural occurring scents.  These scents will be things like cinnamon buns, banana cream pie, wedding cake, baby powder and even things like fresh apple.

To better understand the difference between essential and fragrance oils, I asked industry expert Certified, ARC Registered Aromatherapist Kayla Fioravanti to provide an example.  She shares from her new book “The Art, Science and Business of Aromatherapy” that “The differences between essential and fragrance oils can best be described by comparing a real orange to a piece of orange candy. The real orange has health benefits for the body and comes directly from nature. The orange’s color, shape, flavor, scent, taste and vitamins, as well as the psychological and physiological benefits, all come directly from nature. It was designed to nourish our body as well as provide vitamin C for health benefits. On the other hand, a piece of orange candy gets its sweetness from refined sugar and its shape from gums. It is artificially flavored and colored, has no health benefits whatsoever, and can actually be bad for our bodies.

In that example an essential oil is the orange, and fragrance oil is the piece of orange candy. The body gains nothing of value from fragrance oil because this man-made substance was only created to duplicate a natural aroma and not the properties. Whereas the essential oil is a function and byproduct of a plant created to protect, heal and pollinate life and is far more beneficial. The hormonal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral properties of a plant are captured in the essential oil and enable the human body to use the plants vital energy to benefit itself.”

So why use Nature Identical or Man Made Scents? The answer is simple…cost and consistent scent.  Kayla Fioravanti further shares that  “synthetic fragrances are cheaper and always smell consistent because they are lab created. Nature does not always produce the exact same scent with each and every harvest of plant material. Essential oils can vary due to environmental differences from year to year and with the varying countries of origin for plant material.

The unfortunate side of a synthetic fragrance is that the manufactured scent does not contain the therapeutic properties of their counterparts, whole-plant based essential oils. Thus, the true power and purpose of aromatherapy is lost. For example, one drop of peppermint fragrance oil does not contain the same natural pharmacy that one drop of the essential oil has. The synthetic version only attempts to duplicate the aroma and not the properties transferred from the plant material itself.”

So there you have it.  A better understanding of what the different scent terminology means and the reason why you may consider using nature identical or man made scents versus essential oils.  If you want to have a more in depth reference Kayla’s book “The Art, Science and Business of Aromatherapy” is available on Amazon.

On Saturday, January 14th at 1:30 pm EST Indies from all across the nation met at local restaurants, cafes and boutiques.  At the Northern NJ Indie Meetup up we met at the fabulous Pooka Boutique in Orange, NJ owned and operated by NJ Indie Dawn Fitch.

We had a great time in the company of 8 fabulous Indies from NJ, PA and NY.  Those in attendance were Dawn Fitch owner of Pooka Pure and Simple, Chelse Elam owner of Yum Yum Yum Candle, Brenda Foster owner of Bubs and Scrubs, Sandrine Valentin owner of Sandrine, Renee Marshall-McKinley owner of The Ads on Us, Celeste Munsford (plus her granddaughter, whom she is naming her business after) and Fai Walker who are both in the infancy stages of developing their Indie businesses.

During the event we shared our stories as we were getting acquainted with each other. Brenda Foster owner of Bubs and Scrubs shared how she was looking for an additional stream of income and how it all came to together when she began making soaps.  Which I might add smell and look fab-u-lous! Dawn Fitch, our venue host shared the excitement of trying new recipes and googling for about ingredient benefits.  How many of us can relate to that? I know my hand is raised!

In our mist we had one attendee, Renee Marshall McKinley who was not a beauty business but she has a service where she wears your t-shirt to help advertise your business called The Ads on Us.  What an awesome way to get the word out about your business.  A walking billboard!

We also had a time for show and tell.  Brenda Foster brought a variety of soaps for each one of us to take one home. Boy did we ooohh and aaahhh over them.  They smelled and looked awesome.  While showing us her soaps we helped her mastermind ideas about packaging options.  One of my students for the NY Open Center, Fai Walker brought a couple samples of her whipped body moisturizers and wanted our opinion on which one we preferred over the other and why.  We were very willing to be her guinea pigs.

Northern NJ Indie Meetup 01-14-12

The event eventually ended but not without taking many notes, sharing vendors, exchanging business cards, taking home some samples and taking a group photo.  The general consensus was that they were glad they came and it was definitely time well spent.  Photos of the event are uploaded on my Handmade Soap Coach fanpage for you to view.

We will do this again! Most likely on a quarterly basis.  I hope to see you at the next one!

Over the course of last 6 years since I have been teaching classes on soapmaking and other natural beauty products I have heard different reasons for taking my classes. Some people come to my classes just out of plan curiosity. Others want to make gifts for the holidays. Then there are those who are looking for something fun to do with a spouse or a good friend. I have also had the pleasure of instructing those who want to start a handcrafted beauty business or they are looking to expand their product offerings.

What ever their reason is they all have one thing in common they enjoy creating! It brings joy to me when after class my students come to me and say they had a wonderful time whether it was for a two hour session or a full day intensive. They are proud of their creations and the time they had to themselves to have a creative outlet and even have some fun while doing it.

So, if you are looking for ideas for your next date night (see my post about soapmaking date night classes) or you know that the creative person in your life would truly enjoy one of the upcoming classes give them the gift of fun, creativity, inspiration and who knows maybe even a new career.

Happy Holidays!

This month is breast cancer awareness month.  All around the focus has been on the pink ribbon and supporting those who have breast cancer and educating those who don’t about awareness.   I am sure we all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer whether they are a survivor, their family member is a survivor or they loss someone to breast cancer.  This disease not only affect women it also affects men; so men, don’t think you are in the clear.  If you are a woman 40 years old and up you should have an annual mammogram unless your family has a history of breast cancer your physician may advise you to be screened earlier.  I encourage all women to have a breast cancer screening.

Some of the things that hindered me for a couple of years and may be hindering you are:

No Health Insurance – this is a biggie (especially if you are self employed) but don’t let this stop you from being screened.  There are many free screenings that are available.  Just keep you eye out and you will find where free screenings are being made available.  Not only will they screen you with a mammography they may also offer you a pelvic exam, colorectal and pap smear.  Don’t forget cervical cancer can be helped if detected early.  Also know that many hospitals have care programs that you may be eligible for if further care is needed.

Fear – Oh boy! Who wants to find out if they have any type of disease! No one! But living in fear is not going to help you live.  Do like I did, take a friend.  There is nothing more comforting to have someone you can talk to while you wait so that the seconds don’t feel like hours.

I have to say it feels liberating.  Take control of your life and live it to the max.  Know who you are….all of you! Here’s to good health! Cheers!

My Kefir Strawberry Smoothie

This has become my daily morning breakfast smoothie. One cup of Kefir with one cup of frozen strawberries or blueberries and one tablespoon of strawberry all fruit spread.  Toss it into a blender and whoola! and it is actually delicious too.

As a child I remember drinking buttermilk and Kefir reminds me of buttermilk; just not as thick. It is more like a drinkable yogurt. Kefir is a cultured dairy product that has loads of health benefits.

Here are a few:

1.  Contains an abundance of vitamins, amino acids, minerals and nutrients; notably Vitamins B12, B1, Vitamin K and B.

2.  Effective immune stimulant – anything that can keep a cold at bay is good with me.

3.  An abounding supply of good intestinal bacteria and yeast (I know…yuck…but we do need them).

4.  Weight loss – maybe I should have moved this to number one

5.  Calm nervous system – with all the stress we deal with day to day this is a keeper.

6.  Great for your skin! I knew I could find a beauty reason for drinking this stuff!  It has anti-oxidants!

I am enjoying this morning treat and will try to find ways to give it some variety so I don’t get bored.  Do have something you have tried new this year? Or perhaps you too have discovered Kefir and also enjoying it.

Please share your lifestyle change for the new year!

Marjorie Joyner

Our previous black history blog post was about Madame CJ Walker.  Her name is forefront when we think about African American inventors and millionaires in the personal care industry.  But there are other African Americans whose inventions impacted the personal care industry.

This week we will focus on Marjorie Joyner.  Born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in 1896 she later moved to Chicago to study cosmetology.  Ms. Joyner became employed by Madame CJ Walker where she eventually became the Director of Madame Walker’s Beauty Schools.

During her employment with the Walker Company she designed the “Permanent Wave Machine” which was able to straighten black woman hair and wave white women hair for a long period of time.  Her invention was patented but she never profited from it for it was the property of the Walker Company.

Drawings of the Permanent Wave Machine

She later organized the United Beauty School Owners and Teachers Association with Mary Bethune Mcloud in 1945.  She lived to be 98 years old when she passed in 1994.

Here’s to you Marjorie Joyner for being innovative to look at hot pins in a pot roast and try to use those rods to straighten hair.  Daring to try, she later designed something that could benefit all women.

What are you willing to take a chance at?

Madame CJ Walker

Before there was Dudley Hair Care Products or for that matter Afro Sheen there was Sarah Breedlove McWilliams Walker better known as Madame CJ Walker.

In an effort to help a personal hair care problem of her own (hair loss) Madame CJ Walker took matters into her own hands.  As we all would probably do in her situation she searched for a solution.  She began trying out some homemade remedies and hair care products from another African American entrepreneur, Ann Malone whom Madame CJ Walker became a sale agent for.

Eventually Madame CJ Walker developed her own hair care remedy named Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower.  She primarily marketed her products by selling them door to door and doing demonstrations.  Later she was able to help employ other African Americans as sales agents which lead to the need for the creation of a school in Pittsburgh.

Within 15 years of business she became the first African American Woman millionaire. Over the years she employed thousands of African American woman helping them with personal growth and development.

Wonderful Hair Grower

Madama CJ Walker was able to create an empire even during times (the early 1900′s) that were hard for African American in the US due to racial disparity.

She has been quoted to say that “her prescription for success was perseverance, hard work, faith in herself and in God, honest business dealings and of course, quality products. There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it – for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.”

It goes to show that we are not our circumstances.  We can be if we allow them to overtake us but not in Madame CJ Walker’s eyes.  Thank you Madame CJ Walker for being a shining example and leaving a legacy for all to see that we too can accomplish anything!

What’s your excuse for not reaching your fullest potential?  How can you learn from Madam CJ Walker that anything is possible?

Donna Maria Coles Johnson stressing the importance of indie businesses using technology to build their business

We all have seen them on TV. Family and friends are gathered in a room and unbeknown to the person entering the room an intervention is about to take place. An intervention happens because family and friends care and love the person so much that they no longer can stand by and watch that person hurt themselves due to the abuse of alcohol or drugs.

I and eleven other Indie Business Owners gathered for the 1st Annual (I hope) Indie Cruise. It was so great to see some old friends that I get to see at the Annual Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Conference but I also made some new friends as well.

As my roommate (Dawn Fitch, CEO of Pooka Pure and Simple) walked into the meeting room the chairs were arranged in a cirle and the first words I asked Donna Maria Coles Johnson (the coordinator and CEO of Indie Business) was is this an intervention? We laughed and chuckled at the comment but low and behold that is what it actually turned out to be.

Soloprenuers often struggle with business issues and many times try to handle things on their own or put things to the side to handle another day but really need to be taken care of right away. The Indie Cruise 2011 really was a business intervention. The environment was full of caring and sharing. It was a safe place and no question or comment was ever looked as being stupid. Everyone and mean everyone was pleasant and wonderful to hang around with.

A Private Beach in Cozumel, Mexico

Now as they say “no work without play makes Jack a dull boy” and we definitely had time to play.  Visiting Key West and especially Cozumel, Mexico was the highlight of the cruise.  With coming from New Jersey and having had snow and ice just about each week since the day after Christmas a dose of sunshine is definitely what the doctor ordered.

If you missed this years Indie Cruise you will definitely want to start saving now for the Indie Cruise 2012. If it was anything like this years it will definitely be off the chain! Your business will never be the same.

About a year ago, I collaborated with another bath and body company to host a girl holiday gift making workshop. All three sessions sold out. Earlier this year we had a few other workshops for the girls as well as some private parties.  Recently we had the opportunity to host a girl scout troop of 13 girls.

This group of girls were great. We showed them how to make bath salts in which they were able to create two different fragrances. After they completed their bath salts it was time for a cupcake and juice break where we had an opportunity to briefly chat with the young ladies ages between 9 – 12. Each one of them was not afraid to talk when spoken to and when asked what they wanted to be when they grew up each one of them knew exactly what they wanted to be.  Some of them aspire to be authors, illustrators, beauticians, veterinarians, lawyers and teachers.  We finished the day making a couple bottles of body oils. 

Sometimes when it come to children we often put the last.  After each of the sessions with the girls I feel beat as a dog.  But when I see their smiling faces and when they get excited about making their customized bath and body products it is all worth it.  Often at the end the girls will come up to you and give you a hug thanking you for a good time.

It our obligation to train our next generation.  Even if they are not our own children.  They need to see other females who own their own businesses which may inspire them one day to become an entrepreneur.  Who knows what may come out of our couple hours together.  They may be the next Michelle Obama or Oprah Winfrey or La Shonda Tyree.

Creating your own beauty and skin care products allows you to have further control of what goes on your skin.  There are many beauty and skin care products you can easily make on your own.  Now if you don’t care about making your own beauty and skin care products have no fear you can purchase from 100′s of handmade/handcrafted beauty and skin care retailers online.

Many beauty and skin care products can be easily made from items you can purchase from your local supermarket.  Ingredients kept in your kitchen such as sugar, sea salt, baking soda, various vegetable oils, and milk may be used to create some of your beauty and skin care items.