Tag Archives: flowers

The Benefits of Geranium Oil

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson
13 Aug

 

The Benefits of Geranium Oil

There are about 250 naturally growing species of scented geraniums (Pelargonium), most of which are native to South Africa. Geraniums come in many different colors and scents; however, only a few types of geraniums are capable of producing copious, quality essential oil, which is extracted through steam distillation of the stems and leaves of the plant.

History of Geraniums

The use of geranium oil dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was used to treat cancer. Ancient Greeks utilized geranium oil to treat wounds and speed up the healing process. In the late 17th century, geraniums became a part of Victorian parlor etiquette, adorning tables as a revitalizing potpourri and a garnish for finger bowls. Geraniums are now a popular staple in gardens worldwide.

Benefits of Geranium Oil for Skin

The many benefits of geranium oil make it a popular ingredient in HollyBeth’s products. Its astringent properties tighten the skin to reduce wrinkles while increasing blood flow below the surface of the face to promote the healing of acne, age spots, and scars and encourage new cell growth. We have customers telling us all the time that our rose geranium face moisturizer helps their rosacea. And our rose geranium toner balances the skin’s ph. Rose geranium oil is Mother Nature’s anti-aging serum! 

Benefits of Geranium Oil for Body & Mind

Research has shown that Geranium oil is a good medicinal tool for reducing inflammation. Studies also indicate it’s antibacterial properties are beneficial to those with skin disorders. It helps balance hormones, ease nerve pain, fight infection, heal wounds, and improve mental function as a natural anti-depressant and anxiety reliever. Geranium oil can even be used as a deodorant and bug repellent. And of course, it smells great, too!

The beauty of geraniums is much more than skin deep! These lovely flowers are true gift of nature for the mind, body, and spirit.

10 Beauty Secrets for a Younger You

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson

We live in a world fixated with lists and numbers. We define the health of our relationships by the answer keys of a list of questions.  We demarcate our business ad life by the breadth of our twitter lists and describe the richness of our lives centered on sometimes unattainable bucket lists.  Despite this trend being somewhat vexatious to the soul, I do appreciate the delicate balance of sound advice and the creation of helpful guidelines. Alas, I have created a list of beauty secrets and skin care tips – some scientific, and some just for and from the soul…

1) Smile Often. Smile With Purpose. Smile Randomly.

The reactions you receive will make you smile even more. Frown lines are the wrinkles that age us.

2) Floss & Read

Your brain is already wrinkled and your teeth will never wrinkle.   Reading = Beautiful Mind.  Floss = Beautiful Smile.

3) Use an Eye Cream

Your eyes are the windows to your soul.  Your eyes speak volumes of who you are and who you will become.   Your beauty regimen should never be without an eye cream, serum or combination of both.

4) Exude Confidence

Even if you are flagging into a downward spiral, always find your inner confidence and harness it.  Nothing is more beautiful than a woman that is confident and strong even if she finds herself flanked by unwanted pounds or unwanted company.  You are always strong no matter what surrounds you!

5) Inside – Out | Outside – In

What you put into your body will reflect on the outside.  What you allow to permeate your mind will define your spirit.  What you expose your body to will be the framework for your internal health and wellness.

6) Wash Your Face at Night, Twice

During the day we are exposed to harmful, unsolicited pollutants. We add product to our faces thus turning our day look into our night look. No matter how exhausted we are after an arduous, exhausting day, wash once to clean and twice to purify. 

7)  Wear Sunscreen ALL DAY, ALL YEAR

Sun damage is not mutually exclusive to summertime, heat or an overwhelming amount of sunshine.  To this day, I am fighting the many reckless years of trying to achieve the perfect Southern California Ban de Soleil look. Try a foundation with sunscreen in it like suntegrity. and I always mix it with a small amount of rose geranium face moisturizer before applying.

8) Breathe

Use the wonders of essential oils to create needed balance in life.  Breathe deep and with purpose.  Take the time to see the beauty in everything.  Desiderata by Max Erhmann, whom encapsulates this thought perfectly, “ With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”

9) Moisturize Your Hands, Elbows & Knees

We often overlook them with our beauty regimes.  We tend to focus on our face and forget our neck and décolletage. And our hands, elbows and knees are incessantly maltreated.  They too need to be pampered.

10) Drink Water

As the largest organ, skin needs to drink in the moisture offered by water from the inside out.  Skin care should NEVER have water in its ingredients list.  It dilutes the efficacy and emboldens the chance for bacterial contamination.  HollyBeth Organics NEVER adds water to any product. I encourage you to review closely the ingredient deck of any skin care product.  You will be shocked to see that water is sometimes the first ingredient (and don’t forget that the ingredients are listed from largest quantity to smallest.)

My grandmother and great grandmother lived well into their 90’s and both were women that celebrated rugged individualism and took very different approaches to beauty.  Celebrate your own beauty, your own approach and your own 10 skin care tips.

Sunflower Seed Oil

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson

Sunflower Seed Oil for the skin

Sunflower seed oil is so beneficial to the skin. A study on infants compared sunflower seed oil with olive oil and found that olive oil “significantly damages the skin barrier” and should be discouraged for dry skin treatment and infant massage. They also determined it reduces infection. It is rich in oleic acid, linoleic acid, carotenoids and  high in Vitamins A, D, and E. It is non comedogenic: it doesn’t clog the pores. Safe for infants, sunflower seed oil is a better skin barrier than the petroleum based products as it protects the skin and locks in moisture. The oil also contains folic acid that helps the body manufacture new cells.

According to Dermatology Times, several studies indicate that the oil has anti-inflammatory properties.Thus making it perfect for acne prone skin by fighting the bacteria yet moisturizing at the same time. The National Eczema Association also encourages the use of sunflower seed oil for those suffering with outbreaks.

What does this mean? That this oil penetrates the skins, absorbs quickly and reduces the fine lines. It is a powerful moisturizer and deeply nourishing for the skin. We have sunflower seed oil in our face and neck elixir, body polish, body oil and flourish calming perfume. See for your yourself the results of sunflower seed oil.

Sunflower Fun Facts

Sunflowers, native to the Americas, have been growing since 1000 B.C. The largest producer in the the U.S. is South Dakota. With over 70 species to choose their benefits are eclectic. In Japan, millions were planted to absorb toxins after the tsunami destroyed the nuclear power plant. In French the word for sunflower is tournesol: follow the sun. Birds love the seeds that make some of the best oil for cooking and for the skin.

 

Ode to Rose Geranium Toner

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson

I am in love with HollyBeth Organics’ Rose Geranium Toner. In fact, it is one of my all-time favorite skin care products, and I won’t leave home without it. Looking for a great-smelling body mist? Need a toner to sooth your skin? Want to keep your makeup in place all day long? How about a rehydrating midday pick-me-up? This product does it all! Oh, Rose Geranium Toner, how I love thee, let me count the ways.

Great-Smelling Body Mist

Rose and geranium combine to create a rich, rosy smell that will make anyone feel like royalty. Get blanketed in luxury with each spray of this beautifully fragrant body mist. Just imagine standing under a waterfall of rose petals!

Soothing Toner

Keep your skin in check with this Rose Geranium Toner’s antiseptic properties of rose geranium hydrosol, nourishing rose oil, and anti-inflammatory helichrysum. This sooth-all skin solution calms and heals with each spray.

Makeup Setting Spray

Tired of your makeup running off your face by the end of the day? The last step of your morning routine should be a few sprays of the Rose Geranium Toner to set everything in place to keep your face game going strong.

Midday Refresher

Been running around all day? Just got off of a long flight? You know that icky, weighed-down feeling your skin gets when you have been going non-stop? A few sprays of the Rose Geranium Toner will rehydrate your skin and refresh your senses with a much-needed pick-me-up.

Seriously, this toner has earned a spot of honor in my makeup bag. Reward your skin (and your senses!) with this ultimate jack of all trades.

Lavender

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson

Lavender love

My love of lavender began while living in France. The decadent rows of it in the south of France and all the creams and potions were just divine. However, it wasn’t until I moved back home and visited Sequim (pronounced Squeem not seqeem), Washington that I seriously thought about having a lavender farm, a dream that might still come to fruition but very hard to do in Georgia. The Pacific Northwest although rainy, has some of the best in the country and the entire town of Sequim thrives and is dedicated to this dynamic herb. After losing industry in the community they decided to plant fields of the plants  and voila a thriving festival and businesses bloomed.

Lavender History

The history of aromatherapy is thanks to this aromatic herb. Rene Gattefosse burned his hand and used the oil to stop the pain. It healed the hand without scarring or infection. However, the French have the Romans to thank for Provence’s abundance of  farms. The Romans introduced the herb to France. It is thought that the name comes from Latin “lavare” to wash of ‘livendulo” livid or bluish. Before World War 1 the French government cleared the almond orchards. They replaced them with lavender in the hopes of keeping the population there instead of fleeing.

Lavender Uses

In ancient Egypt the flowers were used for embalming, cosmetics, massage oils and as perfume. Egyptians would put it on their heads. The Greeks would anoint their feet. According to the Greek Philosopher Diogenes “When you anoint your head with perfume, it flies away in the air and only the birds get the benefit of it, whilst if I rub it on my lower limbs it envelopes my whole body and gratefully ascends to my nose”. During Nero’s time it was used for indigestion, headaches and to clean wounds. It is said that the plant was first domesticated in the Arab world. They dominated the Mediterranean culture, specifically Spain and from there lavender spread. Fast forward to the Middle Ages and it was used to raise money for King Edward 1. King Charles V1 of France stuffed his pillows with the flower buds. It was also used to treat lice and other pests.

Lavender has been a cure all for centuries, from linen, to inciting passion, repelling insects etc. etc.It takes approximately 175 lbs of the flower buds to make one ounce of essential oil. Lavender hand cream is the second product I made and the first featured in a national magazine. You will find it in skin therapy blended with lime essential oil. Our cleansing oil and lavender mist also contain the essential oil. This essential oil is the most widely used oil probably due to its medicinal properties. I love it because it is relaxing and makes me dream ;).

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson

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Happy Mother’s Day

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, a time to celebrate those that have been a major force of support and inspiration in your life. Be it your mother, caregiver, or any person in your life who has guided you, it is time to say thank you – and shower them with love (and gifts!).

Origins

The origins of Mother’s Day start with the Greeks and Romans celebrating mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele with festivals. The contemporary inspiration comes from the older Christian tradition of “Mothering Sunday,” in which devoted followers would return to their mother church for Lent services. As the years progressed, the tradition turned into holiday in which children honor their mothers with gifts, such as flowers and mementoes.

Modern Holiday

Traditional American Mother’s Day owes its place on the calendar to Anna Jarvis. After the death of her mother in 1905, she pushed for a permanent way to honor all mothers, as well as establish a holiday that celebrates the achievement of women (at the time most holidays were androcentric). Anna Jarvis’ mission to pay tribute to mothers resulted in President Woodrow Wilson declaring the second Sunday in May officially Mother’s Day.

Thank You

Though every day should be Mother’s Day, it is time to officially pay tribute to mom. Did you know Mother’s Day holds the record for most phone calls made in a day, topping every other day of the year? Time to make that phone call, send those flowers and gifts, and remind moms everywhere how important they are.

The Perfect Gift

Still looking for that special something to send mom this year? HollyBeth Organics offers a wonderful selection of inspired gifts, including new Flourish Calming Perfume, our exclusive Rose Geranium Soy Candle, gift certificates, and more!

Spring Skincare Products We Love

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson
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On Sale in Honor of Spring!

 

Spring is in the Air

Time to break out your spring skincare products! Now that the sun is out and nature is in bloom, cold winter nights wrapped up inside by the fire are replaced by outside adventures and lighthearted evenings on a patio. Life is in full bloom, and it is time to celebrate.

Spring is a Big Bouquet of Flowers

Bright colors and rich greens rejuvenate sleepy landscapes, and nature fills the air with the budding aroma of flowers, trees, and fruits. Inspired by spring’s natural bounty, HollyBeth created her signature Flourish Perfume, a delightful combination of jasmine and rose mixed with hints of lavender and bergamot. Soft scents of floral and earth perfectly combine to evoke the blooming flavors of a new beginning. It is the perfect perfume to add to your spring skincare products.

Spring is an Orchard of Fresh Fruit

Crisp citrus flavors of orange and lemon energize the spirits and uplift the soul. One of my favorite HollyBeth Organics spring skincare products is her Citrus All Over Cream. A refreshing blend of camellia, jojoba, and sweet almond oil adorned with lemon, lime, and orange essential oils create this delicious moisturizing cream that nourishes the skin and tantalizes the senses. And as an added bonus, the citrus-based cream naturally repels pesky bugs! Looking for a spring skincare shea butter? Try HollyBeth’s Lemon Lime Shea Butter Cream. This southern-inspired cream infused with invigorating lime and lemon enlivens the skin with happy hydration. And in honor of spring, HollyBeth Organics’ Lemon Lime Shea Butter is on sale! Click here to add this zesty moisturizing cream to your spring skincare routine.

Spring has arrived! Time to let your skin enjoy it, too.

Happy Leap Day!

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson

allingredients

Happy Leap Day!

Happy leap day! Tis that extra lucky day (or believed to be extra unlucky by some) that comes every four years to keep us in sync with the solar / seasonal year. It actually takes the Earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds to complete its orbit (around 365.25 days), so an extra day is added to the calendar to keep us in tune with that additional time.

Spring Inspiration

And who doesn’t appreciate additional time? No matter what your superstitions about today may be, an extra day on the calendar gives us all a little bit more life to live! And with spring just around the corner, what better time to be inspired by the beauty of the Earth. The flowers will be blooming, the trees will be in color again, and nature will be in full swing as everything comes back to life.

Natural Ingredients

Did you know that all of HollyBeth Organics’ ingredients come from flowers and trees? From camellia, rose, geranium, sunflower, jasmine and lavender, to avocado, carrot and pumpkin, all of our certified organic products are made of the Earth’s finest natural resources. Want to read more about the ingredients HollyBeth uses to create her skin care solutions? Check out our Ingredients page to discover more about what goes into her products.

Now go out there and seize the (extra) day!

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift for Her

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson

HollyBeth Valentine's Gifts

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift for Her – Rose Geranium Candles

Valentine’s Day is around the corner: another gift-giving holiday that may leave some of us clueless as to what to give that special someone. If you’re like me, you’ve probably gone the roses and chocolate route every year, which is totally understandable – who doesn’t love flowers and candy? But why not add a little something special with one of HollyBeth Organics’ limited edition Rose Geranium Candles.

Eco-Friendly Candles

Made with premium kosher, EcoSoya wax, each candle is hand-made with love and scented with HollyBeth’s favorite rose geranium essential oil. Enjoy flowery notes of sweet rose and soothing geranium, a luxurious aroma inspired by trips to the Botanical Gardens and the fresh flowers at Hall’s Atlanta Florist.

Hand-Crafted Vessel

Each candle comes in a unique, artisan-made vessel adorned with gold leaf accent rings, crafted at Atlanta’s own Honeycomb Studio. Reuse the vessel as a vase, pen holder, or even a drinking cup. A thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift for anyone in your life seeking roses and romance.

Limited Edition

HollyBeth candles are hand-made in small batches, allowing her to create one-of-a-kind, limited edition scents inspired by the flavors of the season. Stock is limited, so be sure to order soon if you want to surprise that special someone this February 14! And don’t forget to treat yourself, too ;). The perfect Valentine’s Day gift for her – and you!

*Each candle comes gift wrapped in gold tissue paper with ribbon.

Azaleas

Posted on by HollyBeth Anderson

azalea

Azaleas, in the same family as rhododendrons, can live for hundreds of years. Native to Japan, they can reach a height of 12 feet. With over 10,000 different varieties, one is at a loss to choose between them.  This one is golden azalea or native azalea and is blooming in my backyard. Folklore remedies properties include hypertension and cough. Azaleas symbolize modern, forbearance and temperance.