#Amazon Trio Bath Bomb

[professorpalmarosa]

Pretty Pisces (Fish Eye - Sailor Moon SuperS)

Fish Eye is a treasure and must be protected at all costs. Although there is some debate within the Sailor Moon fandom as to whether Fish Eye is an effeminate gay man, a trans-woman, or genderfluid, he doesn’t seem to mind either pronoun. However this flirty fish identifies, he’s sure to tickle your funny bone in most of his episodes.

That said, he’s actually the one who left me bawling like a baby by the end of the arc because he’s the first to realize something’s wrong. Before the Amazon Trio even realizes how deep things go, Fish Eye had the first hunch and chose to question it.

He has a change of heart, and it’s actually his actions that end up redeeming the group as a whole.

Going into this, I knew that whatever I picked for Fish Eye would be floral, perhaps even overwhelmingly so. I also didn’t want to pick my cheaper flower oils, either. I went all out and picked two of my most expensive flowers and threw it in with a really tantalizing fragrance oil.

The end result of the Pretty Pisces bomb was me taking one whiff of the end product and realizing that this is quite possibly the girliest-smelling bath bomb I’ve ever made.

It’s a little reminiscent of bubble gum at first, but then the bouquet hits you...and it hits hard. It creates a dark indigo sea, with the blue taking over the pink in the bath bomb. You can, however, see traces of the pink at the edges of the water.

If I ever end up making this little treasure again, I may make it in a larger mold so I can add rose petals and/or glitter...provided it’s being made for somebody else. I hate cleaning glitter out of my tub with the fire of a thousand suns.

Rose Damascena Absolute

Ah, roses: one of the most beloved (and most expensive) oils in the perfume industry!

Did you know that a tiny bottle of undiluted Rose Absolute may cost you upwards of $90?! The reason for this is just how many roses have to be sacrificed to make the oil. It takes 60,000 roses to produce one fluid ounce of Rose Absolute!

But trust me when I say a little goes a long way. The rose scent is overpowering in this flower-powered bomb, and it only made up about 10% of the entire oil concentration for the batch!

Pros:

Calm your nerves! Rose Absolute has a calming effect on the nervous system. You really only need one drop in your diffuser to fill the room with its beautiful scent, which brings about memories of potpourri, retro perfumes, and so on.

Reduce menstrual cramps! When mixed with other essential oils to produce a cramp-fighter synergy (Lavender, Clary Sage, Rose), women reported experiencing fewer and less intense menstrual cramps.

Cool your warm-feeling skin! Put a drop of Rose Absolute in your lotion and apply it to your body if you feel overheated. Rose will cool you down, much like Peppermint will.

Relieve Tired Muscles! Rose Absolute has anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it can help if you have inflamed or sore body parts.

It’s a mild antiviral/bactericidal! Rose Absolute can be added to homeopathic cleaning. It isn’t as strong as Tea Tree or Manuka in this regard, but does a remarkable job as a deodorizer.

Reduce the apperance of scars! Adding a drop of Rose Absolute to your cocoa butter can dramatically reduce the apperance of scars. I sometimes suffer from sebaceous cysts (think hard pimples that are super deep within your skin and never rise). And sometimes I will force them out because they’re painful. I have a lot of scars on my upper back as a result (though the Palmarosa treatment has significantly cut down on the episodes. I haven’t had any this year). The Rose Absolute has healed over some of those scars and made them disappear.

Cons:

If properly diluted, Rose Otto is considered to be universally safe. However, applying it neat may increase your sensitivity to the oil. Do not apply it neat or directly onto any mucus membranes.

If you are allergic to roses, please avoid this essential oil.

Jasmine Absolute

Jasmine Absolute is one of the most costly, expensive, marked up oils you can potentially buy. This is because it takes 3.6 million flowers just to make one pound of Jasmine Absolute Oil.

There are several artificial fragrance oils for the scent (which you can purchase even at Whole Foods) that are only a fraction of the cost, but have none of the benefits. This is one of the safest, but also most useful, oils on the aromatherapy market and the scent truly is unforgettable.

Pros:

It’s a very potent aphrodisiac! Mix this oil with some Blood Orange and Ylang Ylang, and prepare to have a steamy, passionate night of love-making. Not only does the scent carry some seductive qualities, but Jasmine Absolute can be used to aid with sexual problems like impotence and premature ejaculation.

Restore your dry or dehydrated skin to its natural radiance! Dry skin, dehydrated skin, eczema, or dermatitis can be treated with Jasmine Absolute. However, it’s important to note that you should not apply Jasmine Absolute to open wounds.

Regulate your menstruation or labor pains! Jasmine Absolute is a strong emmenagogue, which means it stimulates menses. This can be used to speed up a period that hasn’t yet arrived, as well as reduce cramping by having more material flush out of your uterus at once. Some studies indicate that it can be beneficial during childbirth, as it strengthens contractions and promotes breast milk flow.

Treat spasms! Coughs, cramps, and muscle spasms don’t stand a chance against Jasmine Absolute.

Banish negativity and boost your spirit! The smell of jasmine brings with it feelings of joy, positivity, and confidence. Emotions like guilt, shame, stress, and grief melt away; leaving you with a calm, peaceful mind that’s ready to take on anything.

Cons:

Jasmine Absolute Oil is considered to be universally safe, non-sensitizing, non-toxic, and a non-irritant (though my sister gets migraines from the artificial fragrance oil). That said, do not use the oil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

You should also never orally ingest an essential oil. Put Jasmine Absolute in a diffuser or on your skin with a carrier oil. Just remember to use it in moderation as going overboard might interfere with your concentration by “relaxing” you a little too much.

Black Opium Fragrance Oil

Brambleberry (the company behind the incredibly useful Soapqueen blog) has a slew of fragrance oils with scents you’d never imagine. They even have a leather smell!

The Black Opium fragrance is slightly floral with some sort of musky undernote. It smells like it could be a perfume all by itself: like something a femme fatale would pull out of her arsenal to steal somebody else’s man. So naturally, I thought of Fish Eye.

The smell is sultry and sexy, lingers on your skin (and in your bathroom) longer than the essential oils do, and will be impossible to ignore (not that you’d want to) even before the bomb hits the tub.

Note: This is a fragrance oil, meaning at least part of the oil was artificially manufactured. If you have an allergy or experience headaches with commercially scented products (think Bath and Body Works), you will want to exercise caution with fragrance oils.

Some (like in my sister’s case, anything with artificial vanilla) may mess you up, while others (like Lily of the Valley, again, in her case) might not.

[showersteamers12]

Shower Steamers

I initially bought this product at the state honest and immediately fell in love. After using my first one I felt like I was general in a better mood and prepared to face the day. As someone who suffers from anxiety and ptsd it's large to start my day proper shower steamers.

Sure, switching up your towels and physique wash can make your every day bathe really feel much more luxurious, but if you haven’t but considered adding a bathe steamer into the combination, you’re lacking out. They’re type of like a bath bomb in that it’s one simple way to make the whole expertise more spa-like, however quite than providing benefits for your skin, these provide aromatherapy benefits. Add a pleasant aromatic experience to your bathe - unwind, wake up and breathe.

My youngsters lately went again to high school, which, as a home-school mom, means my every day to-do lists have gotten so much longer. Our house has also been undergoing a ton of renovations — so many that, after I try to sleep at night, I can still hear hammering and drilling inside my brain. Add within the ongoing pandemic, and I've received myself a scary trifecta of hysteria.

FYI, you can typically get longer use of it by guaranteeing it stays in the corner of the bathe, away from direct running water . There’s no shortage of shower steamers to be discovered on Amazon, but these are a few of the most highly-rated ones on the market. While you’ll usually get higher results when you don’t put your pill under direct working water, these should go proper under the stream.

Yes, Vicks as in the model that makes VapoRub. These non-medicated shower steamers boast the identical distinct combo of eucalyptus, menthol, and camphor that may open up your clogged sinuses and allow you to breathe easier. They may not be nearly as good as your grandma's chicken soup, nevertheless it's price including these to your 'I do not feel nice' protocol. Please observe that shower steamers aren't beneficial for pregnant girls or for kids beneath two. Our formulation made with Eucalyptus essential oils mixed with a warm shower helps to open up every thing. The steamer will start to dissolve and release the aroma.

Now, if you want me, I'll be the one hanging the "Do Not Disturb" sign on her toilet door. It's a faculty night time, and I need the head-clearing assist of one other "Jasmine and Vanilla" bathe steamer if I ever plan on getting by way of a whole day with my students tomorrow. The best part is that they break down quick and are designed to go away shower steamers flooring stain-free, which means there isn't any messy clean-up to take care of afterwards.

If you wish to reap the truest aromatherapeutic advantages, search for shower steamers that contain pure and pure essential oils rather than artificial fragrances. As the water hits the product, the steam turns into infused with essential oils to help calm, loosen up, destress or energise the body and thoughts morning or night. Shower steamers are one of many easiest ways to make even a normal shower feel that rather more particular. The Moen Aromatherapy Combination Hand Shower is slightly completely different than others and more of a splurge, however a great pick for individuals who want to reap aromatherapy advantages on the common.

We work onerous to make sure you can loosen up with our vibrant, safe and sustainable merchandise. Our anihana range is designed to indulge your senses to raise your mind, physique and soul. For a spa-like experience at home, you can’t go wrong with any of these six bathe steamers — they’re all highly rated on Amazon with reviewers confirming they carry out well and odor heavenly. It takes about 10 minutes for every pill to totally dissolve, leaving me to imagine that they'd final for multiple bathe should you're conservative. [newline]If you’re in search of somewhat pick-me-up that can help get you happening sleepy mornings, do that possibility. A trio of citrus oils—lemon, orange, and lemongrass—will wake you up even before you’ve had that first cup of coffee.

Amazon reviewers verify that every one has a brilliant unique aroma! The set can be great for use at residence, however it’d make a beautiful reward as well because it comes in a pleasant reward box, and since the steamers are formulated with enjoyable, vibrant colours. Infused with essential oils, all you must do is drop one within the nook of your bathe. The hot water and steam help disperse the scent of the essential oils, explains Tammy Fender, an aromatherapy skilled and holistic aesthetician. The important oils and plant essences in these bathe steamers could be extremely healing, she provides. There’s just about an essential oil for every sort of situation, irrespective of whether you’re trying to get energized in the morning or relax earlier than bedtime.

The Rinse Four Pack Shower Bomb Box is a great selection pack that provides you loads of bang in your buck. We additionally love the enjoyable, lavender-based Body Restore Calm Bedtime Shower Steamers for bedtime and the uplifting, citrusy Lush Shower Bomb Not Sleepy for mornings. The lavender important oil in these steamers make them great for educing stress and promoting a good evening's sleep. Simply drop one onto the shower floor into the water stream earlier than getting into your bathe. Give it a minute or two to disperse and enter. Enjoy a pair minutes within the warm water, surrounded by your scent of alternative, and prepare in your day.

That pure hint of citrus I first picked up came from a mix of the "Lemongrass" and "Grapefruit and Orange" scents, which are designed to energise your physique and uplift your spirit. "Jasmine and Vanilla" guarantees to rejuvenate and melt away stress. And should you're in need of a mood booster, you might wish to pick up the "Watermelon and Lemonade" steamers.

You higher imagine shower steamers are a crowd-pleasing gift, and we’re especially partial to these for that function. Not solely are the scents sophisticated—choose from eucalyptus mint, orange blossom, lavender, and chamomile—but the packaging is tremendous beautiful, too. Just ensure to deal with yourself to a jar as well. Not only do you get four steamers in 4 different fragrances in this set, but you'll have the ability to truly cut each into quarters, providing you with a complete of 16 completely different makes use of out of one field. Each one is tremendous long-lasting, so you may also leave it intact and let it dry in between uses, should you choose.

Use a pastry cutter or large whisk to remove lumps and mix properly. And while they’re smaller than others, reviewers say they last longer than many different tablets. These (non-medicated) steamers will open up your clogged sinuses and allow you to breathe easily when sick. All you have to do is swap your showerhead for this decide, with aromatherapy capsules.

Our editors chosen these offers and gadgets because we expect you will enjoy them at these costs. If you purchase something by way of our hyperlinks, we might earn a fee. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.Learn more about Shop TODAY. For an optimum expertise visit our website on one other browser. AusPost delays in covid streaked areas, allow +6/7 days extra to ordinary supply time. These cookies are wanted for important features corresponding to making funds.

This choose is not tested on animals, and it shouldn’t trigger the shower ground to turn out to be slippery with use. Some sets include just one scent, while others might have a wide selection of scents, allowing you to have a variety of options available for when the temper strikes. If you’re somebody that chooses to keep away from artificial fragrances, some bathe steamers use simply important oils. But regardless of the size or scent of the set, remember to choose one with individually wrapped tablets so they’ll stay in prime form for longer. These shower steamers contain natural important oils and no artificial fragrances, plus they’re vegan, nonslip, and septic-safe.

We like the spa-like eucalyptus option, although there are additionally peppermint and lavender variants obtainable. The set of 4 steamers contains four totally different scents — eucalyptus, lavender, sandalwood, and grapefruit with tangerine — and every one is created with pure therapeutic-grade important oils . Each of the six individually wrapped shower steamers are produced from essential oils and different fragrances. They’re nonslip, protected on your septic system, vegan, and cruelty-free. These bathe steamers give off the proper amount of perfume — strong enough that you could really take it in during your shower, but not overpowering.

Drop into a bath of warm running water and allow to dissolve or place the steamer on the ground of your shower underneath a light stream of water. Like bathtub bombs, shower steamers are designed for one-time use, and can soften away throughout your shower. Place your steamer on your bathe flooring (but not directly underneath the shower's stream) and let the water droplets activate the fizz and scrumptious scents to envelop you in an opulent steam dream. Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of expertise in the magnificence trade, writing for a number of the largest magazines and websites out there.

They include a variety of scents for each mood, together with lavender, menthol with eucalyptus, vanilla, watermelon, grapefruit, and peppermint. Containing both essential oils and different fragrance, the individually wrapped shower steamers are confirmed by reviewers to be long-lasting, super aromatic, and not too slippery. After a protracted day, there’s nothing better than a pleasant, stress-free bathe. And one of the best shower steamers will certainly improve your shower expertise, since they release a tremendous aroma that lingers as you bathe with out making the floor too slippery. To select the best shower steamer, think about which aroma you’d favor and whether you’re in search of any particular advantages. For example, lavender may be calming and de-stressing, menthol and eucalyptus can provide sinus aid, and citrus scents may be mood-boosting.

Maybe even gentle a few candles to set the mood. All of those worked wonders in making a extra tranquil environment, however, none of them equaled the soothing effects that I skilled with the ZenTyme Moments Shower Steamers. We love all animals and do not purchase elements examined on animals. Products are paraben free, palm oil free, vegan, gluten free and biodegradable. Add our hand crafted bathe steamer dish created by an area potter Dug In The Mud. Generally talking, this dictates how long it will final, so think about that when also trying at the price.

This set comes with 15 individually wrapped shower steamers. The product just isn't examined on animals, and Amazon users counsel it won’t make your shower floor slippery. Awaken your senses after a dream-filled night time with Easy Breeze Awakening Shower Steamers.

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

9 gifts you can totally borrow from your friends later

The season of giving is almost upon us, but this year why not give gifts that you can enjoy as well? Why not give a gift you can borrow?

Think about it: Giving a friend a gift you'd want to receive yourself shows that you've picked out a high quality item and have selflessly given it away, rather than keeping it for yourself. Is it so terrible to want to borrow it from time to time? My feeling: no, it is not. What friend or loved one wouldn't want you to think economically while gift shopping? 

SEE ALSO: 9 things you absolutely do not need to bring to college

Still, perhaps it is best to keep people in the dark about your plans to borrow their stuff — for a few days, at least.

Here are some of the best gifts for sharing, from cooking gadgets to subscription boxes:

1. Speakers

Image: Vomercy/Amazon

A nice set of speakers are invaluable, especially when it comes to setting the mood for parties and relaxed hang-outs, alike. If you don't have the cash to get a set of speakers for you and your bud, you can count on borrowing these after you gift them. 

Chances are your friend won't be using them all the time, and if you pick a relatively small speaker like Vomercy's Bluetooth Speakers, it'll be pretty easy to borrow for a party of your own. 

Price: $49.99 on Amazon

2. A tool kit

Image: WORKPRO/amazon

Sure, a tool kit isn't the sexiest gift to give someone, but everyone needs a tool kit if they don't have one yet. Plus, you'll know exactly who to go to when you have to put together a new Ikea desk, and you won't have to shell out more cash on your own kit. 

Workpro makes a pretty affordable 29-piece tool kit that comes with its own handy roll-up bag, making it easy to transport from a friend's house to yours.

Price: $19.99 on Amazon

3. A subscription box

Wow! Candy Club is the perfect gift! 🎁 💝 Regram: @saltnsprinkles

A post shared by Candy Club (@candyofthemonth) on Aug 4, 2018 at 7:53am PDT

A candy-of-the-month subscription box from Candy Club is a wonderful gift, but odds are that whoever you give it to will end up with more candy than they can handle. That's where you step in.

Just gently remind your friend or family member that you're happy to take any extra candy off their hands. And it doesn't just have to be candy. You can also gift other subscription box services like Birchbox or Try the World, in the hopes of having the extras your friend's not interested in sent your way. 

Price: $29.99 to $39.99 per month at Candy Club

4. Games

Image: Cards against humanity/amazon

Games are obviously perfect for sharing — especially party games like Cards Against Humanity which require multiple people to play. 

Price: $25 on Amazon

5. A great book

Image: Kevin kwan/amazon

Books are quite possibly the most borrow-able gift. Once your friend's finished, it's unlikely she'll pick it up again, unless she's a member of a very serious book club.

If there's a bestseller you were looking to read, or a cookbook that you want but just can't justify buying for yourself, get it for a friend and ask to borrow it once they've finished (or forgetten) it.

Our book pick: Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan. The New York Times bestseller is the inspiration for one of this summer's most talked about (and most profitable) films.

Price: $9.60 on Amazon

6. A cozy, soft blanket

Image: Brielle/amazon

If you live with roommates or a significant other, this is an especially great gift to borrow. If it's left out in a common area, or your partner is out of the house, the blanket is yours for the taking — I mean...borrowing. 

This Brielle Cozy Cable Knit Throw with Sherpa Lining is an affordable blanket with a soft lining and a classic design. Your friend will want in every color (there are six by the way.)

Price: $25.19 on Amazon

7. A karaoke machine

Image: Singing Machine/Amazon

No one, and I mean no one, needs to use a karaoke machine at all times, but it's a fun thing to break out at parties. Give this to your karaoke-loving friend and then ask to borrow it for a party of your own. Or, even better, use it with your friend when you're at their pad. 

The Singing Machine Karaoke machine connects to Bluetooth, YouTube, Pandora, is CD compatible, and has funky lights to create the perfect mood for belting out your favorite songs. 

Price: $59.49 on Amazon

8. A gift set that comes with multiple items

Image: Glossier

Glossier's trio of its cult-favorite Balm Dotcom skin and lip balms are the perfect shareable gift. With more than one balm, why not keep one for yourself? 

The same rule applies to this set of 15 Etude sheet masks, and this collection of Lush bath bombs and oils.

Price: $30 on Glossier

9. A useful cooking tool or gadget

Image: instant pot/amazon

Giving someone a cooking gadget you're curious about or have been interested in trying is a good way to test the product out without the guilt of paying for something you're not sure you'll use. 

The Instant Pot, which has the ability to slow cook, pressure cook, steam rice and, if you can believe it, make yogurt is a good option. But a sous vide cooker, or an ice cream maker would also make wonderful, borrowable gifts.

This is another gift that's easiest to borrow if you're gifting it to a roommate or a significant other, but maybe if you're crafty, you can figure out how to borrow it from a friend or family member that lives out of town, too.

Price: $79.99 to $139.95 on Amazon

WATCH: Have your face and eat it too with these custom lollipops

[professorpalmarosa]

Dirty Bird (Hawks Eye - Sailor Moon Super S)

Out of the Amazon Trio, Hawks Eye was my guilty fave. 

We saw the least of him out of the three, so it was a special treat when I knew one of his episodes was coming up. That said, he did have the worst outfits and disguises. Just...look. See for yourself.

Since most of his targets (with Aino Minako, Sailor Venus, as the sole exception as part of a dare with Tigers Eye) were older women, I wanted his scent to be a more mature one than the other two.

My inspiration came from sappy overdrawn-out films that attempt to make you cry (and fail) like The English Patient, Earl Grey tea, and a few random things that girls I knew in college picked up as habits in an attempt to look “more mature.”

The end result is Dirty Bird: a sultry, sexy bomb that turns the tub the color of a good Merlot or Sauvignon once it hits the water. Then, just like that hot film student you’re totally banging and don’t want your partner to know you have, it leaves no trace behind when you’re done with it.

Bergamot Essential Oil (bergaptren removed)

Bergamot is an unforgettable scent, and one of my top three smells of all time. Almost all Bergamot is harvested from Calabria, Italy. My essential oils and top ten brands of Earl Grey tea (bergamot is what gives it its distinct scent) are no exception.

Pros:

It’s a great deodorizer! Not only can Bergamot be added to a spray to make your room or laundry smell better, but it is also a great natural deodorant. It can hide the smell of your armpit funk in a pinch!

Reduce the appearance of scars and promote a healthier glow to your skin! Bergamot (like Amyris) is a very useful cicatrisant, meaning that it can reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes. It promotes your skin to grow healthier, newer skin and do away with the discoloration. Some people also use bergamot as part of an eczema treatment regimen, but there’s insufficient evidence of its effectiveness for eczema.

Give your digestive system a boost! Bergamot increases the amount of saliva and digestive enzymes your body produces. As a result, it’s easier to digest food and can even be used to assist with constipation or a loss of appetite.

Relax and get some good rest! Bergamot has a sedative property, but can also be used to calm down tired and exhausted muscles. Your aches and pains melt away, leaving you in a calm, peaceful state before you drift off to slumberland.

Reduce a fever and kill germs while you’re at it! Bergamot can lower your body temperature by a degree or two, taking the edge off a mild fever so you come down from it a little quicker. Bergamot is an effective febrifuge (fever reducer), but is also great for killing germs and reducing risk of infection. Bergamot does this by increasing the amount of sweat you produce. This cools your body and also makes it easier to excrete the toxins and other things that are ailing you.

Cons:

Due to its high limonene, alpha-pinene, and geraniol content, Bergamot is NOT a cat-safe oil. If you plan to diffuse this oil, don’t trap your kitty in the room with you.

Bergamot has a sedative effect on some people. If you need to concentrate intensely on a task, drive, or operate heavy machinery, you may want to wait until you’re home for the day to use this oil.

Do not use this essential oil if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Bergamot is likely unsafe for fetuses and babies.

Since Bergamot can lower blood sugar in some people, it is best to avoid using this oil if you are scheduled to have surgery within the next 2 weeks. If you have diabetes and plan to use Bergamot, monitor your blood sugar more closely.

Bergamot has a chemical called bergaptren within it. This chemical is incredibly photosensitive, making Bergamot one of the most potentially phototoxic essential oils you can buy. The bergamot that I purchased from Essential Oil Labs has the bergaptren significally reduced, but it’s still better to ere on the side of caution and not use this oil if you plan to hit the tanning bed or be out in the sun for a long period of time.

Due to Bergamot’s photosensitivity factor, you will want to consider avoiding this oil if you take any medications that increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Taken from WebMD, lists of photosensitive medications include amitriptyline (Elavil), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin (Tequin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Septra), tetracycline, methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen, 8-MOP, Oxsoralen), and Trioxsalen (Trisoralen).

Although Bergamot is safe for diffusing around children, it is not safe for them to ingest it. To be frank, you should never take an essential oil internally without express permission from your physician to do so. An overdose of bergamot has even killed kids before, so don’t risk it.

Fragonia Essential Oil

Fragonia is a relatively new essential oil to the aromatherapy scene. The name “Fragonia” is copyrighted by an Australian company. All essential oil listed as “Fragonia” can be traced back to the same plantation.

One part pine-like, one part floral, it’s a remarkable and better smelling alternative to Tea Tree and Niaouli. This is one of my favorite oils, and I knew from a month ago I’d put it in Hawks Eye’s blend!

Pros:

Reduce Jet Lag! Due to the relaxing properties of this oil, diffusing Fragonia can allegedly help reduce the impact of jet lag on a traveler’s body. When I go to visit Hong Kong next year, I’ll probably carry a Fragonia-infused lotion with me to test that theory myself.

Reduce inflammation and kill germs! A study conducted at the University of Western Australia discovered Fragonia Essential Oil has significant antimicrobial capabilities that exceed those of standard Tea Tree Essential Oil. The oil also has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat red and inflamed skin.

Improve your respiratory health! Therapeutically, Fragonia Essential Oil is predominantly used for respiratory conditions like colds, sinus infections, congestion, and bronchitis. After I had a really bad allergic reaction to Lemon Tea Tree (September’s Oil of the Month) earlier this week, I owe my recovery to three essential oils in total: Rhododendron, Fragonia, and Cajeput. Any of these will help you out a ton.

Cons:

Fragonia Essential Oil is generally considered to be universally safe when diluted. However, due to its high a-Pinene content (approximately 1/5 to ¼ of the oil), old and oxidized Fragonia should not be used and that careful storage (preferably in a refrigerator) is recommended. Don’t let this oil get warm or leave it in the sun.

Due to its high a-pinene content, Fragonia Essential Oil is not safe to diffuse around a cat.

Clove Bud Essential Oil

Clove has a distinct scent that you either love or hate. I’m a clove-lover and enjoy not only smelling it, but tasting it. Most of the Pro-Clove camp reminisce about clove cigarettes and savor the smell full of fond memories. As for the Anti-Clove camp...dental work. So much dental work.

It’s spicy, blends with so many other scents (I love mixing it with Lavender and Bergamot, personally), and feels amazing on your throat.

Pros: Clove is used for fussy stomachs and makes it easier to cough up phlegm. It’s my go-to if I have a stuffy nose or a stopped-up throat. It’s also great for treating diarrhea, bad breath, hernias, nausea, vomiting, and gas.

You can also use it to soothe it as a counterirritant for pain, as well as mouth or throat inflammation. Some folks even mix it in lotion to help delay a man’s orgasm to ward off problems like premature ejaculation.

And it smells awesome! Clove’s one of my all-time favorites and not that expensive to find from a reputable source!

Cons: Repeated and prolonged usage of clove oil to the mouth or gums can increase sensitivity. It can also run the risk of damage to your skin, gums, or mucous membranes if you choose to abuse it.

If you plan on purchasing clove for your essential oil collection, make sure you are getting clove bud oil, not clove leaf oil. Several people have reported a heightened sensitivity and increased risk of reaction to clove leaf oil…and be forewarned: some of the sketchier vendors on Amazon sell it!

Due to the high eugenol content of this essential oil, Clove Essential Oil is toxic (and potentially fatal) to cats and dogs. If you plan to diffuse this, don’t trap your poor pet in the room with you!

Please avoid Clove Essential Oil if you are taking an antiplatelet or anticoagulant (medication that slows blood clotting) such as:

Aspirin

Clopidogrel (Plavix)

Diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others)

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others)

Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others)

Dalteparin (Fragmin)

Enoxaparin (Lovenox)

Heparin

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Rosalina Essential Oil

Rosalina is a member of the Melaleuca genus (along with Niaouli, Cajeput, and Tea Tree) and shares some of the same properties as its cousins. It’s even referred to in Australia as the Lavender Tea Tree due to its smell.

While Tea Tree personally gives me migraines, I’ve had good luck with other Melaleuca plants and this one smells the nicest out of the whole bunch. It’s slightly lemony, slightly camphoraceous, and a tad sweet. Rosalina blends with a lot of things beautifully, and is one of the safest oils you can buy.

Pros:

Fight off a cold and congestion! Rosalina’s properties are similar to that of Eucalyptus. Out of the Melaleuca family, it’s the best choice for diffusing in a room if your child has a cold, respiratory infection, or the flu.

Calm your mind and relax! Rosalina has a chemical composition of about 2/5 linalool: one of the best chemicals for promoting a calming, relaxing atmosphere. I like to blend it with Blue Tansy and diffuse it at night to promote good sleep with a clear, unclogged airway. Linalool can also be used to tone and even out your complexion!

Clear your skin and fight off microbes! Like Tea Tree and its many cousins, Rosalina has antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral) properties. It’s a perfect choice for skin care and massage oils on sore muscles.

Cons:

Rosalina Essential Oil is considered to be universally safe and is one of the few essential oils considered safe for diffusing while pregnant or nursing. Plant Therapy also calls it a “KidSafe” oil, which means (when diluted with a carrier oil or in a bath tub) this oil is safe for use on children 5 and up. In fact, out of the Melaleuca essential oils, Rosalina is the safest to use with children.

The only word of caution for this essential oil is that you may want to perform a patch test and exercise some caution if you have experienced an allergic reaction to Tea Tree, Cajeput, Eucalyptus (Globulus or Radiata), Niaouli, or Fragonia. I’m lucky in this regard. Even though Tea Tree gives me migraines, Rosalina doesn’t.

[professorpalmarosa]

Smitten Kitten (Tigers Eye - Sailor Moon SuperS)

In the Amazon Trio, Tigers Eye was the one we saw the most of. He purported himself to be the leader (though it’s more than obvious Hawks Eye and Fish Eye didn’t agree with that), had a high opinion of himself (they all did), and tended to take on more targets mostly because his preference went toward adolescent girls and young women.

There’s more than a few episodes where he attempts to come across as suave and cool, but fails miserably at it. Though I honestly think the one where he repeatedly gets blown off by Ami (Sailor Mercury) was probably my favorite. We saw more of his own personality in that one, plus there were all these weird scenes with Shingo (Usagi’s brother).

He’s a pretty lovable dork, though, even though he thinks he’s hot shit when he isn’t. That said, that gave me plenty to work with when designing a fragrance for him.

I wanted something young-smelling, citrusy, and a tad spicy. From the start, I knew Patchouli would somehow be involved. So...what’s all in this literal tiger bomb?

Patchouli Leaf Essential Oil

Patchouli Essential Oil has a familiar smell. This scent was a favorite among the Hippie Counterculture of the 1960s and we still associate it with stoners and smokers. It covers the scent of marijuana and blends wonderfully with so many things. It has a slight peppery aroma and is also the key ingredient in my favorite Lush fragrance (Lord of Misrule).

Pros: Aside from being the quintessential pot deodorizer, patchouli oil is also used as medicine for colds, tumors, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Also, if you’re an alcoholic and suffer from chronic bad breath, patchouli oil can be used to hide the smell. I also love the fact it can be used to increase your libido!

Cons: Patchouli Leaf Essential Oil is generally considered to be safe, but is best avoided if you suffer from asthma. We found that one out the hard way in my family.

Yuzu Essential Oil

Yuzu has a delightful scent that’s somewhere between a sweet orange, a pink grapefruit, and a fresh lemon. Yuzu marmalade is downright delicious (and tastes great on ice cream), and this oil smells just like it.

Kids tend to love the smell and it’s also safe for asthma.

The way it blends with Patchouli is amazing. I didn’t think those two oils would play nicely with each other at first, but hot damn was I surprised!

Pros:

Calm your nerves and boost your mood! When diffused, Yuzu has both antidepressant and anti-anxiety benefits. It’s a little bit harder to maintain the blues when such a cheerful scent hits your lungs.

Tone your skin to make it young and vibrant! Yuzu combats signs of aging, such as sagging and wrinkles. It can leave your skin smooth and beautiful.

It contains a lot of antioxidants! Yuzu contains far more Vitamin C than other citrus plants (3 times as much as lemon!). Yuzu can help you fight flu and colds, boost your immune system, and even has some antiviral components.

It’s asthma-safe! Yuzu has some anti-inflammatory properties and is a safe essential oil to use for people with asthma and bronchial issues.

Cons:

If you are distilling Yuzu Essential Oil, be sure to do so for 10-30 minutes at most. Overuse of this oil for prolonged periods can increase blood pressure, cause headaches, and leave you feeling nauseous.

Unlike most citrus oils, steam-distilled Yuzu is less likely to be phototoxic. This is because it has a significantly lower concentration of the chemical bergaptren in its chemical makeup than lime, bergamot, and several other citrus oils. That said, the plant is Citrus junos and you want to make sure it really is Yuzu you’re buying. Buy from a reputable source, like Plant Therapy. However, cold-pressed Yuzu oil will be phototoxic.

Like most other essential oils, Yuzu can oxidize. Be sure to use the oil before it reaches its expiration date, as oxidized essential oils can increase your sensitivity to that oil.

Due to its high limonene content, Yuzu is NOT a cat-safe oil. If you plan to diffuse this oil, don’t trap your kitty in the room with you.

Amyris Essential Oil

Amyris (also called West Indies Sandalwood, Candlewood, or Torchwood) is a staple in the perfume industry and used in a lot of fragrances for men. It’s a sexy, woodsy scent and one of my favorite wood oils. 

If you’re going to invest in a wood oil, I highly recommend starting with Amyris. Not only is the smell amazing, but there are little to no negative long-term effects of using the oil. It’s asthma-safe, full of positive benefits, and won’t burn too big of a hole in your wallet.

That said, it isn’t a cat-safe oil. Just don’t diffuse it near your kitty.

Pros:

Relieve stress, anxiety, and insomnia! Amyris has a calming scent. Your mind relaxes when this oil is diffused, promoting a deep and uninterrupted sleep. The oil also tickles your brain’s limbic system, boosting the neurotransmitters that put you back in your happy place.

Ward off nasty bugs! Mosquitoes, gnats, horseflies, and several other biting insects hate the smell of Amyris and are less likely to go near you if you apply this oil (diluted with a carrier oil) to your body.

Improve respiratory health! Amyris is an asthma-safe essential oil. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties also make it great for combating colds and other respiratory bugs. It soothes your respiratory tract, thins mucus, and reduces inflammation of your air passage.

Reduce signs of aging! Amyris contains the chemical valerianol and three types of eudesmol. The antioxidants in this oil can cut down on the effect of free radicals in your body, keeping your skin and organs a little more youthful for longer.

Give your memory a boost! Diffusing Amyris can boost your cognitive power a bit and make it easier to remember things. This is a great oil to invest in if you or someone you love suffers from Alzheimers, dementia, or other signs of a failing memory. Try diffusing it with Black Pepper the next time you have a study session!

It’s a great deodorizer! In the perfume industry, Amyris is often times used as a neutralizer to mediate other scents. It’s a beautiful balancer. At home, you can add it to cleaning products or diffuse it around the house to combat other odors.

It’s an aphrodisiac! It’s not just because “Amyris” rhymes with “amorous,” either! Amyris has one of those smells you associate with warm, lusty nights and really puts you in the mood.

Cons: Amyris Essential Oil is considered to be universally safe, but some people with sensitive skin have experienced a sensitivity to it. You may want to perform a patch test before use to make sure you don’t have a sensitivity to Amyris.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or terminally ill, talk to your physician before using Amyris Essential Oil.

Bonus: I retook the image above so you can see the design a little better. These are quite possibly one of the prettiest bombs I’ve made to date!

[professorpalmarosa]

Pink Sugar Heart Attack (Chibiusa - Sailor Moon)

As the mun who used to be behind @must-love-flying-horses, it’s no secret that Chibiusa (Sailor Chibi Moon) was my favorite sailor senshi.

After deciding to give the Amazon Trio (my favorite villains) a set of bath bombs, I also decided Chibiusa would be somebody great to make a bath bomb for in October. I also realized it’s been five years since I made a post on that blog. Wow!

So, what did I do different with this bath bomb than previous bath bombs? It doesn’t outwardly look any different than the other pink bath bombs I’ve made in the past (namely Sorta Sluggish and Tomboy Buddy). What makes Pink Sugar Heart Attack unique is that it has a different chemical makeup in its dry ingredients.

See, a basic bath bomb is comprised of its wet ingredients (carrier oils, fragrance oils, essential oils), baking soda, and food grade citric acid. I also add Epsom salt and corn starch to my bath bombs to harden them, make them fizz longer in the tub, and improve their shelf life.

Once you get fancy, you can add other things to your bath bombs, such as body butters, glitter, dried flowers, herbs, rhinestones, and other stuff.

Pink Sugar Heart Attack is my first ever bubble bomb. Not only will she fizz in your tub and turn it a bright bubblegum pink, but she’ll make bubbles too! I added half a cup of Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) to the dry mix, so this was a brand new experiment for me. The end result was a LOT of bubbles!

So...what does it smell like? What’s the fragrance?

Peppermint Essential Oil

Pros: Peppermint Essential Oil is used for lots of mouth, nose, and throat issues (common cold, cough, inflammation of the mouth/throat, sinus infections, and respiratory infections). People also use it for a series of digestive problems (heartburn, nausea, morning sickness, cramps, upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea).

Peppermint reduces inflammation, so some folks will use it for liver, gallbladder, and menstrual problems. It’s a useful painkiller and can be inhaled to reduce the effects of a bad cough or cold.

It’s also a great “wake-up” scent and studies have shown that smelling Peppermint Essential Oil can make it easier to concentrate on tasks. Try diffusing it while you study or during a test!

Cons:

The most comment side effects of Peppermint Essential Oil may include heartburn and allergic reactions such as flushing, headache, and mouth sores.

Although Peppermint Essential Oil can be purchased as a dietary supplement, please keep in mind that “dietary supplements” in the U.S. can slap virtually anything on the label and get away with it. The FDA isn’t as picky about “supplements”. It is the general opinion of aromatherapists that you shouldn’t ingest essential oils of any sort without first discussing it with your doctor.

Peppermint is not a cat-safe essential oil and is one of the most dangerous ones to use around your kitty. Use with kitty-cat caution!

Lemon Essential Oil

Pros:

Boost your mood and put a little cheer in the air! Lemon Essential Oil is a natural antidepressant. The smell brings to mind a clean, uplifting atmosphere that combats any mental miasma that may be lurking around the room or office.

Fight inflammation and the signs of aging! Lemon Essential Oil contains a high antioxidant concentration, which can be used to fight age spots, wrinkles, a weak immune system, arthritis, and swelling.

It’s a powerful astringent! This essential oil speeds up the healing process for cuts, scrapes, and wounds because it kills any harmful germs that come into contact with the damaged skin. You can even add a few drops to your mouthwash to really freshen up your breath. I especially love to apply this oil to my back, where I used to suffer from sebaceous cysts (not that I’ve had one since I began using essential oils). You can brighten your dull skin and keep it clean with a natural, healthy glow.

Flush out toxins and water weight! Lemon Essential Oil is a diuretic, which means it increases the amount of times you have to urinate. Your body will do this to flush out toxins and bacteria, but it’s also a great way to reduce swelling on your joints, muscles, or abdomen.

Decongest your airways! Lemon Essential Oil is a known remedy for coughs, colds, and stuffy noses. Diffuse it or put a few drops of the oil in your bath water for maximum effect.

Cons:

Since Lemon Essential Oil is derived from the peel, which is a photosynthesizing part of the plant, this oil has some photosensitive properties. As a result, it is best to avoid going out in the sun or hitting the tanning bed for the next 12-36 hours after using this oil. Lemon Essential Oil will temporarily make you more sensitive to UV lights, increasing your risk of sunburn or phototoxicity.

Other than this one note of caution, Lemon Essential Oil is considered to be universally safe and (when diluted with a carrier or put in a bathtub) is safe for children.

[professorpalmarosa]

New to this blog in October

The last of the Batman Beyond bath bombs (one for Spellbinder) will be posted tomorrow. I may be tempted to make more for Curare, the Royal Flush Gang, Stalker, Willie Watt, and some of my other favorites at a later date.

I’m not committing, though.

That said, I have three other mini-projects curing at present and am very excited to share the end results with you!

My Immortal (Ebony Dementia Darkness Raven Way)

Halloween’s coming up, guys! I wracked my brain a bit to figure out just what I wanted to do, and then it hit me: I could totally make a bath bomb modeled after the most spectacularly hilarious Harry Potter vampire Mary Sue of all time.

My Immortal, infamous for being “the worst fan-fiction ever written” is not only a comedy goldmine, but also an embarrassingly hilarious time capsule for what it was like to be an American “goffik” teenager in the mid-2000s.

I’m not talking about Bauhaus, Siouxie and the Banshees, and all the classic Goth material, but the stuff that came immediately afterward when Hot Topic was in full swing, nobody (but South Park) could tell the difference between Goths and Emos, and bands like My Chemical Romance and Good Charlotte were at their heyday.

When I first told my best friend @the-schwayest-batman-around that I was going to do this, I told him it was “because vampires” and “because Halloween.” Without missing a beat, Mike sarcastically said, “Stop lying, Skye. You’re totally doing it because MCR was the best band ever. If you disagree, you’re a prep and need to stop “flamming” da story, k?”

I later asked Lauren for ideas on what to put in that bomb, but--okay. You guys will get the whole spiel when Oh my Goth Girl (get a grip) appears on the blog. You’ll love it!

Sailor Moon SuperS Bath Bombs (Chibiusa & Amazon Trio)

There will be four Sailor Moon-inspired Professor Palmarosa bath bombs coming up for early October! I’ll be making those for my favorite Sailor Senshi (Chibiusa), as well as my favorite group of baddies.

The good news is that they’re all curing now and turned out beautiful. I just have to wait a week to see if the Chibiusa one turns out alright, since it’s a new recipe and should do something new!

I grew up watching and loving Sailor Moon. Aside from the Sanrio Hello Kitty cartoons, this was my first real exposure to anime as a kid and I loved the show.

I took a huge nostalgia hit a few years back when Sailor Moon Crystal was first  being produced. I’m thrilled that Crystal stays truer to the original manga, but one place where the original anime tickled my heart (then dashed it to pieces) was with the Amazon Trio. 

I even roleplayed as Hawks Eye for a good while. If I ever RPed Sailor Moon material again, I’d pick him up again in a heartbeat. He’s part of the reason I started dying my hair a red color in the first place. Magenta’s obviously not work-appropriate, but I’ve got mulberry down to an art form.

Just...look at these goofballs! How could you NOT love them?!

Galaxy Express 999 (Tetsuro and Maetel)

That said, as much as Sailor Moon holds a special place in my heart, my favorite series of all time will forever be Leiji Matsumoto’s 1978 classic Galaxy Express 999.

It’s one part fairy tale whimsy, two parts tragedy and angst, one part suspense and mystery, and a hearty dose of philosophy. As Tetsuro and Maetel go on their journey, Tetsuro gets plenty of opportunities to learn about what it means to be human vs. what it means to be a good person.

Every couple of years or so, I end up rewatching the whole thing. It’s like my soul needs it. It was some of the biggest inspiration to my own writing style. Matsumoto is an international treasure and well worth looking into if you’ve never tried any of his stuff before.

Both Tetsuro and Maetel will be getting bath bombs in October.

[professorpalmarosa]

Upcoming Bath Bombs - September & October

Two Saturdays from now, I’ll be making the Team 8 and Team Gai bath/shower bomb blends and already have a significant number of them mapped out. I’ve tested some combinations in the diffuser, and here’s a sneak preview of things to come:

Kiba’s blend is going to have a spice drop-esque scent, complete with an Arabian Spice fragrance and ginger.

Shino’s blend will be modeled more after a carrot cake, complete with Carrot Seed, Cinnamon, Allspice, and Nutmeg essential oils.

Kurenai’s blend of Spike Lavender and Fragonia will blow your mind and look good while doing it!

Hinata’s blend is a soft and delicate scent inspired heavily by the Moonlit Path fragrance at Bath and Body Works, complete with Lavender and Lily of the Valley.

I’m still mapping stuff out for the Team Gai blends, but I know that Neji’s blend will be heavily modeled after one of my favorite DoTerra synergies (Past Tense).

Also, I’m super excited (and already designing) the blends for some of October. A set of those bath bombs will be the first time this blog steps beyond the Naruto cast for inspiration and delves into another one of my favorite series:

Batman Beyond!

In October, we’ll see bath or shower bombs inspired by some of the key rogues gallery from the series: Blight, Inque, Spellbinder, and Shriek.

I’m also leaning toward making a three-piece set for my favorite Sailor Moon villains: the Amazon Trio.

I have the perfect colorants for Hawks Eye, Tigers Eye, and Fish Eye, and already have some ideas about what their scents would entail. (And fun fact: I used to roleplay Hawks Eye!)

There will also be 2 “free space” spots for October, meaning two other characters suggested by those who interact on the regular with this blog will be put into consideration for a bath or shower bomb. Let me know your thoughts!

And heads up: I will be totally honest with you if it’s a fandom I’m not that familiar with (Doctor Who, Supernatural, Sherlock, that sort of thing).

[professorpalmarosa]

Would you put tiny toys in bath bombs?

Some people do! I haven’t done it yet, but I’ve put dried flowersand herbs inside them before. A toy can’t be that hard, so long as it’s tiny.

I even saw this super cute storyabout a girl who put a ring inside a bath bomb for her partner—only to find outthe ring was too big!

Once I start getting into the Sailor Moon sets (I plan on doing an Amazon Trio set in October),it would be nice if I could find inexpensive tumbled stones for the villainbombs, seeing as almost all of them were named after various precious andsemiprecious stones. I’d need to get my hands on some Hawks Eye, Tigers Eye,and Fish Eye for that set.

I also thought it would be super cute to make bath bombsthat look like Poké Balls and stick little Pokémon toys inside (I’ve seen folksdo that too). I’m just stuck on how to add the “button” to the bath bomb.