My addiction to perfume runs long and deep, but I gave up conventional brands years ago. My body often reacted to the toxins in department store brands, and I just couldn’t take it anymore. (As I say in Eco-Sex, there is literally poison in your Poison™.) I was sick of getting sick from something that was supposed to provide a pure experience of joy. But that’s when my relationship with natural perfumes began, and it’s been a heady (yet healthy) long-term love affair.

The famous perfumes we know and love contain volatile organic compounds (the toxic stuff found in house paint), parabens, phthalates and a suite of unidentified chemicals that we may never know much about. That’s because the label “fragrance” is used by the industry to hide so-called “trade secrets,”—those secrets are potentially very bad for your health. What constitutes “natural” is, of course, still very complicated, as the FDA barely regulates the ingredients in personal care products. But the scents curated for this piece are indeed safe, non-toxic, and (let’s not underestimate the importance of this) hella sexy.

Welcome to the world of natural perfumes – it’s not just for hippies anymore. You will not smell like you’ve just returned from a Grateful Dead concert when you dab or spritz these high-end scents on your wrists. The biggest complaint about natural perfume is that it doesn’t last, yet I don’t think that matters. When you fall in love with a scent, is it that problematic to reapply it throughout the day or evening? Scent tells a story – but you want it to tell YOUR story, not some contrived, synthetic, corporate story that a million other women are telling everyday. (Sometimes by leaving noxious trails in elevators and giving you a headache from the next cubicle.)

To really wrap your mind around perfume, you need an encyclopedic body of knowledge. But there’s no need for all of us to go that deep – we just need a scent (or several) that work for the contexts we create in our daily (and nightly) lives. I wear perfume to seduce myself. For the journey of this piece, I wanted to source the most seductive, erotic, natural perfumes; the ones that made me feel equal parts boldly sexy and wildly mysterious. But that’s just my story – you must find your own.

The conventional perfume industry is steeped in marketing that makes it impossible peel back the hype from the celebrity-stamped scent. How are you going to create your own story, your own memories, when J. Lo or even Elizabeth Taylor have already marked it with theirs? Finding the perfect natural scent allows you to become your own icon.

These six artisanal natural perfumes have much to offer. They are sustainable, conscious, luxurious, and safe. Some are organic, some are vegan, and some have a very low concentration of safe synthetics, which I’ve learned aren’t always an anathema for the noses at natural perfumeries. They are all free of petrochemicals, parabens and phthalates. But the main reason I chose these brands is that they made me feel like a Greek goddess on a stroll through a garden of otherworldly vapor, each in their own exquisite way.

1. Strange Invisible Perfumes

Inspired by a line from Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, Strange Invisible Perfumes will make you feel like a queen indulging in an ancient, ethereal ritual. The art of botanical perfumery is Alexandra Balahoutis’ passion. She founded Strange Invisible Perfumes in 2000, and has never used a single synthetic in her pure perfumes and eaux de parfums. Only plant, flower, seed, wood and resin essences create the narratives of SIP’s scents. Says Balahoutis: “Through the gorgeous vapors of botanical perfumery, Strange Invisible Perfumes serves the reality, not the dream, of luxury craftsmanship.”

Having fallen head over heels for Vacances, one of SIP’s limited edition pure perfumes, I can tell you that she is a wise and talented woman. This blend of temple mandarin, hemp, jasmine, black copal, cedar, black currant and honey evokes a sense that I’ve spent the day on a tropical beach, napped on a hammock with my lover, gotten dressed for dinner, and am walking a torch-lit path to a table by the sea. Next time I’m in LA, I plan to stop by their adorable boutique in Venice again, this time, to get a bespoke blend by Balahoutis.

2. Honores Des Pres

The French know their perfume, and lucky for us they know it just as well when it’s natural and organic. Honores Des Pres may seem like a whimsical line if you take a gander at their website and bottle design, but they are extremely serious when it comes to making exquisite perfume. This is another completely synthetic-free brand that says no to animal testing and is certified by Ecocert. Their expert nose, Olivia Giacobetti, says, “Magic is just like a shower of truth.” I don’t quite know what that means, but it doesn’t much matter, because it evokes the same kind of mystery that Sexy Angelic does. This scent blends a touch of hemlock flowers, angelica seeds, and Calissons (a sugar, almond, and melon candy from Aix-In-Provence). If you need to seduce someone other than yourself, apply this with wanton abandon. It wears close to the skin so you don’t have to worry about offending anyone in an elevator. Honores Des Pres calls this perfume their “secret love elixir” and I concur.

3. Persephenie

Persephenie Lea wants to take you on an olfactory adventure, and this is a trip you don’t want to miss. Persephenie is the master aromatherapist, artist and perfumer behind her namesake line of botanical perfumes and blends. I first learned of her work with essential oils while researching scent seduction recipes for my last book. She creates personal botanical custom scents for clients in LA, where her studio is based. Persephenie’s botanicals contain fine, rare ingredients strictly sourced from the natural world. Her new, passionately curated line of perfumes has only four scents, each one profoundly sexy.

Bedouin, the botanical of the bunch, blends top notes of cardamom and orange, heart notes of rose bouquet, and base notes of sandalwood, Madagascar vanilla, and ambrette. Wear this when you’re looking for adventure. According to Persephenie, it’s a “tale of Persian nomadic woman, distinctly feminine, illuminated by color, movement, and the scent of rose.” But feel free to take liberties with your own story – and go wherever it takes you. (Note that the other three perfumes contain less than one percent of synthetic ingredients, but are totally free of parabens and pertrochemicals.)

4. Crow Perfume

Crow’s water-based perfume revolution will have you hooked. If you wish to feel extremely girly, go to Crow. This unique line of water-based perfumes is airy, light and delicious – perfect for a summer day. Alcohol, paraben and phthalate-free, Crow Perfume is inspired by poetry, love letters and romance novels, according to its founder. Each of the six scents is blended by hand in Los Angeles. My favorite is Enchanted, a blend of neroli, jasmine, lily and ozone. It makes me feel like skipping through a meadow in a vintage halter dress and evokes images of Brigitte Bardot on her farm in the seventies.

5. Red Flower

Deep, mysterious, and truly natural, Red Flower is equally dedicated to preserving the Earth and making you extremely sexy. This artisanal brand takes sustainability as seriously as it takes scent, and that’s really saying something. The company was launched in Barneys in 1999 with six flower candles and two flower teas. Based in New York City’s Nolita, the Red Flower boutique feels part harem, part stylish urban oasis – it’s not easy to leave once you’ve entered. Their organic perfumes are pure flower and herb distillations hand and wild-crafted in USDA-certified organic oil. Ambrette is the seed of the hibiscus flower, and Red Flower’s Ambrette perfume combines scarlett hibiscus with rose, bitter orange, orange blossom, frankincense, black pepper and geranium. It’s musky and deeply sensual, and unlike other natural perfumes, it lasts for many hours. What I love most about this perfume is how right it feels on both city streets and in bucolic landscapes, and how it reveals new layers of exotic scent long after you’ve applied it.

6. Le Labo

Le Labo’s formulations contain a small amount of synthetics, but that’s mainly because the founders of this line love the sexy, animalistic notes of musk – but prefer not to kill any animals to make you smell good. Visit their flagship shop in on Elizabeth Street in New York City (or their shops in London, San Francisco, LA or Tokyo) and experience each of their eleven scents. I say “experience” because you won’t simply smell them; you’ll create a story with each one. A proper story has a beginning, a middle, and an end, and Le Labo’s vegan fragrances are very proper, very beautiful stories.

Of all the lines I sampled, I couldn’t choose just one of Le Labo’s perfumes. They all seem to have a specific function in my life depending on the day, the event, or the company I’m keeping. What makes Le Labo truly unique, however, is that they will mix up a batch of your favorite perfume when you stop in – nothing sits on the shelf, losing power and going stale. (Yes, perfume can go stale.) Visit one of Le Labo’s fragrance labs for unforgettable made-to-order scents that will utterly transform you.

Main Image Photo Credit: Brandon Christopher Warren

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Cinnamon steps out of its fragrant box.

Nothing reminds us of the holidays quite like cinnamon does. But why restrict the aroma to Christmas cookies and wreath decorations? Cinnamon is one of the world’s oldest-known spices and is regarded to have healing properties by many cultures. Many of its benefits derive from the spice’s anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant prowess.

Cinnamon is no joke – it’s quite potent and can take your health to the next level. Whether you smell it, ingest it, or apply it, the health benefits of cinnamon are very real and more than skin deep. Try to incorporate it into your everyday routine to reap the most benefits. Not sure where to start? Follow one of the following 20 tips to get you going.

Brain Power Booster

It was found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory. Carry a cinnamon stick around with you, and take a whiff every so often to keep you focused at work or school. Or, add a few dashes of cinnamon to your morning coffee or cereal to get your day off to a more focused and alert start.

Potpourri

Take a few drops of essential oil of cinnamon and sprinkle them atop dry potpourri. Place the potpourri in a small bowl and station it somewhere that gets good ventilation so that the aroma can spread – in the kitchen, near doorways, or atop the radiator. The room will carry with it a subtle hint of cinnamon that will offer you some year-round comfort.

Cholesterol Reducer

In a Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center study conducted over 40 days on a group of diabetic patients, each of whom were given one-quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon daily, researchers observed that their triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels dropped.

Pain Reliever

Cinnamon is used to treat pain because it reacts with the hormone-like substance prostaglandin, which contributes to the contraction and relaxation of muscles.

Moth Repellant

Break 3-4 cinnamon sticks and combine them with 1/2 cup of whole cloves and 1/2 cup whole black peppercorns. Fill sachets with 1 tablespoon of the mixture and toss the sachets in your underwear drawer or hang them in your closets to ward off pesky moths.

Diabetes Treatment

In the same Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center conducted a study on diabetic patients, whom were each given one-quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon over 40 days, researchers observed that patients’ blood sugar levels fell as much as 30 percent. In another study, published by Fertility and Sterility in 2007, researchers gave half of the participants cinnamon extract and the other half a placebo. Over an 8-week period, the women who took the cinnamon extract showed greatly reduced insulin resistance compared to the placebo group.

Weight Loss

Because of cinnamon’s effectiveness in reducing insulin resistance – research by the Human Nutrition Center at Tufts reports that cinnamon triples insulin’s capacity to metabolize blood sugar – the spice can thus reduce hunger and sugar cravings, which leads to weight loss. Especially for those living with diabetes and find it hard to lose weight, cinnamon is a welcome tool.

Menstrual Aid

Cinnamon has been used for centuries to help women with heavy menstrual bleeding, whether it be due to endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, or primary menorrhagia as well as a result of childbirth, miscarriage, or any other fertility condition.

Circulation Booster

Cinnamon is commonly used to thin blood, which in turn increases circulation throughout the body. This not only helps to reduce pain in troubled areas but promises that oxygen is being supplied to the blood cells. Cinnamon is also a great dietary complement for heart attack survivors.

Arthritis Pain Reducer

In a 2008 study published in the journal, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, researchers discovered that cinnamon slowed down the breaking down of bones and ultimately reduced bone damage.

Complexion Enhancer

Due to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial qualities as well as its antioxidant power, cinnamon is effective in treating acne and skin blemishes. Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon with 3 tablespoons of honey, apply to the skin, and let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight. Wash off with warm water.

Mouth Freshener

Given its fresh and fragrant aroma, cinnamon is commonly used to fight bad breath. You can either chew on small pieces of cinnamon bark or gargle cinnamon water to prepare for a hot date or cleanse the palette.

Light Bulb Diffuser

Here’s a creative, no-fuss way to bring the cinnamon scent to a room. Simply put one drop of essential oil of cinnamon on a cool light bulb. When you turn the lights on, the heat from the bulb will emanate the aroma throughout the room.

Bladder Infection

Urinary tract infections and bladder infection can be avoided with the consumption of cinnamon, which packs an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal punch. Cinnamon is also a diuretic and contributes to urinary discharge.

Digestive Aid

Cinnamon helps to break down fats during digestion. The spice contains volatile oil, which is the main player in this process. Add a bit of cinnamon to a heavy dish and you will be doing your body a favor. If the spice doesn’t complement the dish, a half an hour prior to eating, sip on tea water spiced with a few dashes of cinnamon and a teaspoon of honey. The concoction will sooth your digestive system and get it ready for what’s to come.

Insect Bite Treatment

A mixture of cinnamon and honey applied to a skin irritation will help to alleviate the pain and itching. The duo will disinfect the infected area and moisturize and heal it. No need to layer on the dangerous chemicals when you have this natural remedy!

Cold and Flu Reliever

Cinnamon is commonly used across East Asia and Europe as a warming herb for conditions involving the body to become cold. In these cases, cinnamon is combined with ginger to treat a cold or flu.

Stomach Soother

A combination of honey and cinnamon is known to help relieve stomachache. The pair – which are packed with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties – not only treats ulcers but also reduces gas in the stomach.

Food Preservative

If you add cinnamon to any recipe, it actually helps to prevent the spoiling of the food by delaying bacterial growth.

Yeast Infection Fighter

Cinnamon can be used to stop medication-resistant yeast infections. High blood sugar levels can lead to candida overgrowth, and cinnamon is helpful in lowering blood sugar levels. Cinnamon’s anti-fungal properties are also helpful in combating the effects of a yeast infection. So if the meds aren’t working, try adding extra cinnamon to your diet.

*Precautions: For those of you who are pregnant or lactating, refrain from using medicinal doses of cinnamon or cinnamon bark. Cinnamon tea should also be avoided by those suffering from ulcers. Essential oil of cinnamon is toxic when consumed beyond a certain amount and is best used topically or on external objects for aroma purposes. And be careful when it comes to applying cinnamon to the skin – some people are sensitive to it. Test a small section of skin prior to any treatment.

Aylin Erman currently resides in Istanbul and is creator of plant-based recipe website GlowKitchen.

Images: Baking in Pearls, MadMup, ShellyS, Kastner, Ed Yourdon, Luke Roberts, Gustavo, Rachel Ford James

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More than just a garnish.

Take these 10 herbs and you’ve got yourself 20 different ways to tackle everyday issues, from keeping mice away to treating the common cold. This list gives you reason to chew shamelessly on fresh tarragon leaves, re-establish Mojito Monday, and pass up your expensive and toxic perfume for slightly green-tinted wrists. Enjoy!

Tarragon

1. Toothache Treatment

Back in the day, Greeks used to chew on tarragon to numb their mouths from toothache. Instead of reaching for a painkiller, try easing the pain the natural way. If anything, at least your breath will be refreshed!

2. Internal Cleanser

Clean yourself from the inside out with tarragon. Tarragon consumption has been linked to increased bile production, which contributes to the elimination of toxins from the body. Tarragon is packed with tannins, bitters terpenes, flavonoids and coumarin, which are the backbone to its cleansing properties.

Mint

3. Mojito Makin’

Make a mint mojito with a kombucha base. With or without alcohol, the herb is the star of this show stopping drink.

4. Keep Mice Away

Despite our predilection for the fresh aroma of mint, mice beg to differ. They despise the smell mint so much, they will avoid all areas – even a block of cheese – where mint is scattered.

Marjoram

5. Natural Perfume

According to mythology, the goddess of love Aphrodite grew marjoram. Because of this, marjoram has been used in many a love potion. Take fresh marjoram leaves and rub them on your wrists and behind your ears. The aroma is sweet and light but with a spicy edge that makes it fitting for both males and females.

6. Bone Building

Marjoram offers some 520% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K, making it one of the richest herbal sources of the vitamin. Vitamin K contributes to healthy bones and preventing the onset of osteoporosis.

Rosemary

7. Mosquito Deterrent

Rosemary is a great way to turn an itchy Summer evening into a bug-free one. Grow rosemary in your garden or near an area of your porch where you like to entertain guests or hang out most. Mosquitoes are averse to rosemary and will stay clear.

8. Hair Rinse

Rosemary has been associated with hair re-growth and strengthening as well as the elimination of dandruff. Boil a handful of rosemary leaves in two cups of water, let the water cool, and then rinse your hair with the rosemary-infused liquid.

Oregano

9. Common Cold Fighter

Oregano is an effective treatment for the treatment of colds and to relieve sinus pressure. Oil of oregano, which is available at most health stores, is especially effective. Place a few drops under the tongue or place 2-3 drops in a glass of water or juice before drinking. The oil drains sinuses and reduces inflammation.

10. UTI Treatment

Oregano has anti-microbial properties that can fight off E-Coli, the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections. Oregano oil is the most potent forms of this treatment.

Thyme

11. Lung Booster

Thyme contains an oil called thymol that acts as an antiseptic and disinfectant. Add a sprig of thyme to hot water with honey and lemon for a soothing drink that prevents bronchitis and clears lung passageways with each sip.

12. Household Cleaner

Because of thyme’s disinfectant properties, the herb can be used to clean around the house in place of toxic, harsh chemical cleaners. Brew fresh thyme in water. Mix water with a light, vegetable-based soap and pour into a spray bottle. Use the liquid to clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

Basil

13. Fatigue Support

Basil is known to help treat adrenal fatigue. Place a few drops of basil oil on clothing to carry the effects with you all day or include some fresh basil at mealtime for a pick-me-up.

14. Acne Treatment

Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, basil is great for combating acne. Steep fresh basil leaves in hot water for 20-30 minutes. Let the water cool and use a cotton ball to apply the basil-infused liquid to acne-prone areas on your skin.

Coriander

15. Headache Healer

Coriander is regarded as a natural way to help get rid of a headache. Grind coriander leaves to release their juices and rub the paste on your forehead to relieve an aching headache. Or, sleep with a coriander leaf on your pillow.

16. Immunity Strengthener

Coriander leaves are packed with magnesium, potassium, and fiber. Eat coriander regularly and you will surely boost your overall immunity.

Parsley

17. Dark Under-Eye Circle Remover

Crushed parsley is a great remedy for ridding dark circles under the eyes. Parsley contains vitamin C, chlorophyll, and vitamin K and many other active compounds that cause it to reduce inflammation and tighten and lighten the skin.

18. Breath Freshener

Chew on parsley after dinner, especially if garlic was involved, to remove the stink and leave behind a fragrant and pleasing scent.

Saffron

19. Memory Booster

Saffron contains a compound called “crocin” that contributes to faster learning and better memory retention. This is especially helpful for those with age-related mental impairments.

20. Colorant

A little goes a long way with saffron. Whether it’s to color a grain dish red or even stain fabrics, adding saffron to the mix will ensure a dark rosy tint. This is a much better option than the overused red 20 coloring, which is derived from crushing red ants.

Aylin Erman currently resides in Istanbul and is creator of plant-based recipe website GlowKitchen.

Image: VancityAllie, DebbieC, Gravitywave, Greatist, FeatOfFun

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Have you ever wanted to be a “babe in a bottle?” No? Me neither. The fragrance industry would love us to join in on the big scented party. Modern fragrances can be famously toxic and bad for our bodies, and yet people have been dosing themselves since the ancient woman figured out how to distill essence of lavender. Why? Because fragrance equals sex to our bodies. And the reason may go back to pheromones.

It’s science, fellow sniffers! You know that feeling when a member of your preferred gender nears who makes your stomach turn over and your knees buckle a bit? (Does Ryan Gosling help ring a bell?)  It’s all about chemistry and the scientific explanation behind it. Pheromones, strictly defined, are a chemical secretion that triggers a social response in a member of the same species. I know, when you put it that way, romance sounds about as appealing as ride in a Hummer with Karl Rove.

Further, there are all different kinds of pheromones, as some help us find food or deal with danger. It is the sex pheromones that are designed to let the world know when females and males want to get breeding. And pretty much every being on earth uses them, from microscopic organisms to insects to sea life to us.

And according to experts, pheromones are what really get things cooking on our ends. James V. Kohl is the author of The Mind’s Eyes: Human Pheromones, Neuroscience, and Male Sexual Preferences. As he told SeXis Magazine via Alternet, pheromones are enough to spark an interest in another person. According to Kohl, “Most actions are based on unconscious effects, animal behavior, where something causes a hormone to change without thought, when we start to think about it we have the option of behaving like an animal or thinking it through.” So as Kohl points out, they get us moving but don’t seal the deal. So we’re not all slaves to our chemical signals.

But that doesn’t mean pheromones aren’t powerful. Via Blisstree, the brain contains a special place to conduct pheromones called Nerve Zero. Since pheromones are not believed to smell in a traditional sense, it is Nerve Zero that is thought to process these chemicals and get things moving in our libido. Therefore, pheromones may help us choose mates and can affect fertility, puberty and more.

Some experts believe males release them through sweat glands or females during ovulation. But can you bottle them? There is a huge industry of pheromone sprays and perfume that claims you can, though experts remain divided on if they actually work. Botanical experts point to some natural substances that can help sex drive. Cinnamon might increase blood flood throughout the body (always a good thing) while pumpkin seeds, high in zinc, may increase sex drive.

But, in the end, do pheromones make us more attractive to our preferred gender? It’s very likely they do – just be sure, next time, to check in with your subconscious sex.

Image: pedrosimoes7

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Do you sprint through department stores? I do, and it’s always through the makeup section. I have bad allergies and walking through rows and rows of fragrances is akin to demons waving perfumed-drenched pitchforks at me. Fragrance means an instant headache, sniffling nose, and a possible asthma attack. To me, perfume is utterly toxic. To everyone else? Yeah, actually it looks like it is toxic as well.

At the start of the movement for safe cosmetics, way back in 2002 when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, a report called “Not Too Pretty” discussed the dangers of perfume. A full page ad ran in the New York Times with the release of this report, featuring a pregnant woman sniffing what looked like the perfume brand, Poison. The ad ran, “For baby, it could really be poison.” The report found that 72% of tested beauty products contained phthalates, a chemical linked to birth defects and hormone disruption. And Poison contained the highest levels of the chemical.

This report launched the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which is responsible for much of the safer products on the market today. But a recent analysis by the Campaign shows that top-selling fragrances still contain at least 12 ingredients not listed on labels. What’s more, these “chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions or disrupt hormones. Hormone-disrupting chemicals are linked to a range of health effects including sperm damage, thyroid disruption and cancer.” Fragrance receives one of the highest hazard ratings from the Skin Deep database.

Second-hand fragrance is also a concern. Anne Steinemann is a professor of civil and environmental engineering and professor of public affairs at the University of Washington. According to Dr. Steinemann, “One person using a fragranced product can cause health problems for many others.” Some of the health hazards associated with second-hand fragrance are asthma, headaches, and even contact dermatitis.

So do we protest by throwing our perfumes into the sea like some kind of Boston Tea Party? (Heck no, because it is way too toxic for the fish!) We found at least one healthier option on the scented market. A Perfume Organic offers up fragrances with more certifications than a Star Trek neurosurgeon (aka TONS).  This brand is certified USDA Organic, Oregon Tilth, cruelty-free and vegan – it even gets Greenpeace’s approval.

The line was founded by Amanda Walker, a vegan, organic, local, and raw food advocate. After a career in the perfume industry, she decided to create a healthier option for those seeking scent. Her perfumes contain certified organic botanicals and are hand-poured locally in Manhattan in small batches to maintain purity.

A Perfume Organic offers four scents, each for $65: Green, Urban Organic, Perfumed Wine-Rose and White Magik. Green is rose with hint of chamomile; Urban Organic is lemon with ginger and grapefruit; White Magik has white flowers with spearmint; and Perfumed Wine-Rose is berry, crisp apple and peppers. I have to be honest – with my history of fragrance headaches, I approached these perfumes as one might approach a root canal. You know you gotta do it, but you just want it to be over with. Commence crushing headache, right?

Cue the ringing of church bells and throwing of confetti! Nary a headache did I have with these scents. They smelled fresh and botanical. If you want to smell like fruit, you smell like fruit. If you want a hint of floral, it’s there. My favorite was White Magik for its sage and spearmint “aftersmell.”

And just what are they made of? Amanda supplied me with a detailed list of what goes into her perfumes. Her scents contain pure ingredients like lavender, bitter organic, spearmint, white pepper, lemon, and more. As she told me, “I never use any solvent extracted ingredients. This is very important as solvent extraction use petrochemicals and phthalates (such as absolutes and concretes). Also, I’m very careful to never use any endangered ingredients – my sandalwood is from Australia.”

Best of all? You can actually wear her scents without smelling like a broken perfume factory just rampaged by 1000 cats. You can find them at Futurenatural.

FTC Compliance

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

The post A Fragrance without the Fragrance: Organic Perfume Review appeared first on EcoSalon.

Sometimes my daughter Syd’s drawers smell a bit gamey, like her soccer uniform after a match of  living up to her title as “the finisher”. She’s a darling girl, don’t get me wrong. But she has a frightful habit of  tossing items into her drawers to avoid that exhausting chore of putting them in the hamper. Enter drawer sachets. They give off that happy floral odor that can even compete with dirty socks.

Here are a few nicely packed bundles gathered from from the natural garden.

Show at top, and pretty enough to give as a hostess gift, this lime green natural linen drawer pillow was crafted by graphic designer Lotta Hellberg using safe dyes and aromatic potpourri. $22 for a set of two at Eco Artware.

Lavender is always a draw. Just ask the bees. These Sonoma Lavender sachets from Body and Home are $18 and are wonderful for lingerie drawers.

These Eco Seashell bags from Little Things Favors are not just for the bridal party. They’re Florida Coast fresh and add a delicate scent to the closet. $350 each. And for bringing in the great outdoors (and deterring the moths at the same time) the Natural Wild Herbal sachets at Eco Day Spa are $7.99 and tres outdoorsy.

The post Top Drawer Sachets for Scent and Shooing Moths appeared first on EcoSalon.

Who would have ever imagined the day when Clorox, makers of the ubiquitous chlorine bleach, would come out with a line of eco-friendly cleansers? 

But here they are, 7 Green Works natural products such as bathroom cleanser, dishwashing liquid, and glass  & surface cleaner. Fragrance comes from essential oils, there is no phosphorus or bleach, and cleaning agents are coconut based.
Green Works has been endorsed by both the The Sierra Club and the Design for the Environment Program. It will be very interesting to see over time if Clorox is merely testing the marketing waters or committed to cleaning them.

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For richer or poorer, we make promises on the fragrant vow of a bohemian wedding. A spritz of bliss, a splash of devotion as you wade through the musky fog of a purple haze. Spring back flower child, as you transform chameleon-like to a foxy lady. Or perhaps play a little hoochie coochie during this summer of love. Experience one of these many personas presented by Rich Hippie wildcrafted perfumes.

Aptly named, Rich Hippie creator Nannette Pallrand stays true to the lifestyle of her California home base. Made using traditional methods employed by perfumers before World War II and the advent of the petro-chemical industry (read 100% natural), she answers the call of the Left Coasters who demand a pure alternative to laboratory-concocted scents. By combining extracts from organically-farmed flowers and plants with organic alcohol made from grapes grown in the great wine regions of California, these fragrances are truly natural and create a dynamic reaction on the skin to uplift the senses.

Rich Hippie’s dedication to purity has made it popular with all kinds of women all over the world (not just our granola sisters). The perfumes have been featured in Elle, British Vogue, Organic Style, Body & Soul, and many other publications. Nanette has crafted a uniquely in-demand product and there’s nothing quite like the sweet (or earthy Sumatran patchouli) smell of success.

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Even though they are invisible, scents have a powerful impact on your mood, and, sometimes, candles just aren’t potent enough on their own. Any green shopper knows that most air fresheners are harmful to your health and the environment. And, while boiling cinnamon or cloves gives off a pleasant fragrance, who has time for that every day?

Get in touch with your former hippie self instead. With the Lotus incense burner, hand-carved by artisans in Vietnam, the solution is as simple as lighting a match. Featured at Ten Thousand Villages, recently voted one of the most ethical companies by The Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine, you can support fair trade compensation practices by choosing this decorative and functional piece. Just pick a scent and bask in the serene glory of aromatherapy. (Available at Ten Thousand Villages for $20.)

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When it comes to treating myself well, let’s just say it’s taken time, but I now consider myself an expert in the art of self-care. My focus covers the insides and outsides; spirit and body; brain and brawn. I take time to read, practice yoga, run, laugh, love, take naps, get manicures, share with friends, go to therapy. All in the spirit of living life now rather than waiting for”¦something to justify being nice to myself.

One of my self-care tactics is using sweet-smelling, good-feeling lotions, oils and perfumes. But the greening of my habits and lifestyle has brought with it an adjustment or two in this department. Most of my products, no matter how "good" or "expensive", had to be banished from my bathroom. Chemicals, preservatives, petroleum”¦I could go on.

So I’ve been playing the field, waiting for the skin care line that has what it takes to steal my eco- and product-loving heart. Voila! The French have done it again. Patyka products are certified organic – the company grows and extracts its own organic materials using only sources committed to Fair Trade practices.

Patyka represents what we at Ecosalon truly believe – luxury, style, eco-friendliness and social responsibility are not exclusives. All of Patyka’s face care products are free of harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients. They offer a "Classic" line for the younger crowd and the "Biokaliftin┞¢" line that targets the signs of aging that some of us know and wish we didn’t.

Patyka’s body care line is my favorite, especially the Body Oil ($37). I love the simple glass bottles – perfect in the bathroom on a little tray mirror. So very French, so very chic. Only the "cleanest, rarest, most sophisticated organic plant extracts" are used. Ingredients are listed in full with detailed descriptions of each product and its purpose. See the Patyka website for products and prices. Free shipping on orders over $100.

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The post PATYKA: Organic Self-Care in a Bottle appeared first on EcoSalon.