#how to dilute essential oils

[infernalwitxhcraft]

How To Dilute Essential Oils

Be ready for a long one. Essential oils can be tricky. And they are something you don't want to be using undiluted for the hell of it or because an article you read claims it's more potent if you, ya know, put it directly on (yikes, don't fall for that!). I got certified in aromatherapy five(ish) years ago for the hell of it & to help my business for in-person clientele. While I don't use it as much as I used to, I did learn all the proper dilution techniques that I thought I would share here!

Before I dive into this breakdown, know that it is in your best interest to dilute any essential oil. While lavender doesn't cause a reaction out of most people, it is still in a highly concentrated form. There are many oils, such as cinnamon, that you should never put on your skin without diluting first, as it will cause irritation. It falls into a category of "hot oils" which means that you will feel a tingle or burning sensation, depending on your skin type. Tea tree and lavender are the only two you can use undiluted (and if you have sensitive skin, you may still want to dilute to be on the safe side) - for anything else, you should be grabbing your carrier oil.

Do not replace the carrier oil with water. You remember that you learned somewhere growing up that water and oil do not mix? Yep, same rule applies. They will separate and the oil will still go directly into your skin.

That being said, carrier oils that have nourishing properties for the skin tend to be best. Jojoba, coconut, almond, hell even olive oil all work. The essential oil sticks with the fats in the carrier oil and will slowly absorb into your skin (via the fat in your skin). All of this prevents skin irritation. You can buy these in bulk for a discounted price if you find yourself using essential oils on a regular basis to save on money.

Carrier Oil Breakdown

• Jojoba - usually a favorite of many people that use essential oils in their skincare products. Odorless, non-greasy, a little waxy.

• Coconut - light, doesn't go rancid or leave residue, good for every skin type! You can also use it in a wide range of product types.

• Grape seed - mostly odorless. Best for delicate skin (sensitive skin, for the elderly, etc.)

• Olive oil - heavy & can be greasy, so buy the light stuff. Has strong odor. High in vitamins and minerals, very good for your hair and skin! Be aware though that it will leave some residue until fully soaked in & can clog pores. Personally, I use this a lot for my anointing oils or salves.

• Almond - slightly oily. Best for dry or irritated skin. Beauty & health recipes.

So, some quick pointers.

• Firstly, best way to remember it is it is 1 drop of essential oil per 1 tsp of carrier oil.

• 1% is recommended for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised. 2% dilution for a healthy adult. 3% for short term, small areas (if you're washing it off right away or sometimes in the situations of pain relief).

• Make sure you are diluting if using for hair care.

• Make sure you are diluting if adding into the bath. Remember, oil separates from water. Put the diluted mix in.

• Also, if you're trying to mix essential oils, go ahead and do so. Just make sure that it equals out the entire drop rate (if it were 6 drops, for example, it's be 3 drops of lavender oil and 3 drops of rosemary).

• This is where I'll answer the whole, well what the hell would you use 10% or 25% dilution for? You can use 10% for specific issues, such as an injury. Don't keep at it for more than two weeks. For 25% is the most you should ever go, and that would be for debilitating pain. Don't be using that every day though, and not every type of essential oil is good for that high or concentration.

Now, here's a little conversion list. Hopefully it's clear enough!

• Okay I know that I have followers on both sides of the globe so here's this: 5ml = 1 tsp. 10ml = 2 tsp. 15ml = 1/2 oz. 30ml = 1 oz. Do with that what you will. I am american but I'll be using millimeters to explain since I, too, find it easier.

• For 0.5% dilution: 10ml = 1 drop. 15ml = 1.5 drops. 30ml = 3 drops. You can't do 5ml for 0.5%.

• For 1% dilution: 5ml = 1 drop. 10ml = 2 drops. 15ml = 3 drops. 30ml = 6 drops.

• For 2% dilution: 5ml = 2 drops. 10ml = 4 drops. 15ml = 6 drops. 30ml = 12 drops.

• For 3% dilution: 5ml = 3 drops. 10ml = 6 drops. 15ml = 9 drops. 30ml = 18 drops.

• For 10% dilution: 5ml = 10 drops. 10ml = 20 drops. 15ml = 30 drops. 30ml = 60 drops.

• For 25% dilution: 5ml = 25 drops. 10ml = 50 drops. 15 ml = 75 drops. 30ml = 150ml.

This is where I will mention: children, the elderly, and those that have chronic skin conditions will oftentimes need different dilution rates than the generically given 1%. If you someone that fall into this category, it is in your best interest to speak to your doctor first. Find someone certified that can help you with finding the proper dilution rates, as you may need further adjustments, don't just use these guidelines.

I don't offer clients aromatherapy-only packages anymore (as it worked better in combination). When I was offering that service, I kept it strictly in-person for a reason!

[blackwinged-soul]

...right. Riiiight. I genuinely wanted to meditate, but I forgot about the My Stomach Is Stupid disease.

I tried to eat lightly and ate as soon as I could so I would hopefully have time before bed, but it still took me resting until 9pm to feel alright enough to trust my stomach with diaphragmatic breathing and sitting upright. But I had to attend to bodily needs and take my meds and drink my gut health thing and take care of the chinchillas and now it's 10:12pm and I'm about to crash.

(I got hit with Multiple Episodes of vasovagal near-syncope this weekend because I was in 105F weather. I wasn't even OUTSIDE THAT MUCH. But. Guh. I almost passed out three times in a row on the airplane home. So that was fun. {lP It always messes with my stomach the worst...)

Anyways. Tl;dr I'm exhausted and not in good health right now and my headache will accept Coasting but not Directed Thinking. My back will accept Slumping or Laying but not sitting up straight. My tiredness is more powerful than my discipline right now.

I know I could meditate lying down, but I guarantee I'm going to conk out when I try that. I barely have the energy to stay conscious; I can barely dredge up enough astral energy to shape it into My Being and not just like. stagnant pools. Definitely don't have the strength that I could project anything without hurting myself...

I can meditate for centering tonight before bed but I certainly won't be traveling and communing, let alone channeling anything for a shield. I did that once when I was well-rested and emotionally charged, and it exhausted me for three days.

So uhh. Definitely not tonight.

And probably not Wednesday or Thursday night, either, because I'm sure it'll be more of the same.

This weekend, then. When I can eat dinner, and then have 6+ hours before I need to sleep, and also have time to write whatever happens down afterwards. And make some tea. I feel like tea would be really nice.

I did spend awhile sitting at the library feeding the pigeons today (something I do every day after work). And I was wondering, "What's the point of Her involvement with my personal endeavors?" And kinda Intentionally Sent That Question Out.

Luckily I was calm enough to be receptive, because I had a vision of me (as I am in this life, which is a VAST departure from how I usually see my astral form), taking in golden light and then radiating it out to the dark space. Reaching my arm out, and the energy flowed with it and beyond it. It didn't last long, mostly that one quick image.

I got Feelings of that gold being not just peace (a given), but hope, renewal. A sort of... not quite legacy, but still an impact?

I don't know that She'll ever tell me exactly why she cares enough to let me direct this thing with a purpose for her. But whatever. If not for her, I'm doing it for other people who need the hope I desperately needed.

[klemen-tine]

Glass Bones and Paper Skin Part 3

Platonic! Bruce x Model! GN! Reader

Trigger Warnings: Hint at suicide, Body Issues, Eating problems (not a disorder), Child Neglect, stalking, Partner Abuse

Part 1

Part 2

@problematicreblogger and @wpdarlingpan Since you guys wanted to be tagged lol

+++++++++++++

Y/N sat in the bathtub in the guest room. It’s been three days since they arrived, saw the photos, and the creepy trophy room. Three days since their conversation with Dick, finding out that they had all been on their terrace and taking photos of them. Stalking them. 

They wrapped their arms tighter around their legs, resting their chin on sharp knees and staring at the porcelain tiles and gold facet. Three days of walking on egg shells, somehow managing to evade most attempts in hanging out with the siblings and Bruce, and only really seeing them at meals. Y/N hasn’t built up the nerve to ask about the trophy room, but Y/N knows that everyone in the house knows that Y/N knows of the two rooms. They know of the photos, the ones taken without their permission or knowledge, and the clothes that have redefined their modeling career. 

Sighing, Y/N stared at their pruning hands and the now cool water. The bubbles dissolved a long time ago and the essential oils had become diluted enough that the scents no longer permeated the air. 

Finally dressed in a robe, lotion and oil on their skin and face and teeth washed, Y/N exited the bathroom and screamed at the sight of Jason on their bed. In the midst of their panic they threw the brush at the larger man, who caught it skillfully. 

“Wha-what is wrong with you? No-wait, why are you in my room?” Y/N walked around the large bed to where all their clothes are kept. Their eyes not leaving Jason’s imposing figure that was currently resting on their bed. 

“I knocked.” Y/N rolled their eyes, “I didn’t ask if you knocked, why are you in my room?” Jason shrugged, “Just felt like I haven’t talked to you in a bit.” Jason and Y/N’s relationship was like that of dragons in the old ages. Full of history and non-existent. 

Jason was already dead by the time Y/N had entered the Manor. A small body buried in the Wayne gravesite. In hindsight, Y/N’s timing had been awful. Moving in when Tim basically forced Batman to take him in as a Robin, Dick’s and Bruce’s relationship had worsened, Jason was dead for about a year, and Alfred had still been grieving. Truly a terrible time to join a family. Y/N could taste the tension when they had first moved in, and they understood immediately that they were just another unneeded burden. 

A 13-year-old Y/N cried in their bathroom, mourning their mother who had loved the fame more than them, the friends that loved Y/N for Y/N, and the life on the West Coast that they were now expected to continue on the East Coast. 

The unfairness of it all. 

“What do you want to talk about?” Y/N asked, rummaging through the drawers and finding a nice shirt and some nice jeans. 

“Hmm, oh you know, the casual how are you doing? How’s the model-life? Any fun stories you have? What have you been doing lately?” Y/N started changing in the bathroom, keeping the door cracked so they could hear the questions. 

When Y/N reemerged, now fully dressed and the robe hanging on the back of the door, they smiled at Jason, “I’m doing good, kind of tired but that's to be expected because of the ‘model-life.’ The fun stories I have are more of traveling around the world and seeing different cultures and eating good food. 

“As of late, I’ve been thinking about getting a cat.” Jason’s brow raised, “You travel though.” Y/N nodded, “Yeah, some models travel with their pets and I think that's what I plan to do. They’re easier to travel with than a dog, and I don’t think a dog would like my condo.” Jason nodded, “You could always leave it here. The little spawn would take care of it.” 

“I can’t do that to the family. It’s my pet and should be my responsibility.” Jason hummed, “Is it because you don’t want to visit?” The air stilled and blue eyes met E/C. Jason didn’t look bothered, if anything he seemed relaxed about the whole thing, “It’s fine if that's the reason. I hate being here too.” 

Jason came back as a dead person Y/N knew not to talk about. From the stairways, they would watch Jason storm out after a bad argument with Bruce. Unable to completely understand what exactly was going on, but from the hushed conversations they knew it was something they didn’t want to know about. 

“I don’t hate being here, I just don’t have reason to visit other than Alfred.” Jason continued to stare at them, “Not even for ‘family.’” 

“Jason, when have you ever looked at me and saw a sibling?” Jason didn’t banter with Y/N, never showed interest or any inclination that Y/N even existed. Y/N is pretty sure that to Jason, Y/N is just a stranger living in the manor. 

Y/N wonders if they will see Jason’s temper. Will it appear like the monster hidden in the closet, waiting for the right time to lash out at anything? Y/N has heard the screaming matches, the threats, the holes in the walls from Jason. For someone who has killed people, Y/N wonders if they should really be mucking around with Jason. 

When Y/N looks at Jason, they see the middle child of a family that had other priorities. Once upon a time, Jason was the youngest and loved by Bruce, but then younger Robins came. Jason died, and while never replaced, Robin was. 

When Y/N looks at Jason, they see the middle child of a family that Y/N is not a part of. 

They are not siblings. Not cousins, relatives, they are not even friends. Barely acquaintances if Y/N is honest. Which is fine. Y/N has gotten over the hurt and feelings of loneliness. 

It is just Y/N against the world, with Alfred partially in their corner. Not fully. Never fully because Alfred will always be in the Wayne family’s corner, and Y/N is not a Wayne. 

Jason sighed, “Mmm, I guess that night when you took a beating from that one dude for not getting in the car.” Y/N paused in brushing their hair, mind reeling and slowly turning their head to look at Jason who was instead picking at his nails. Y/N opened their mouth, but Jason beat them to it, “You went out partying, like almost every high schooler does, and your boyfriend was drunk.” 

“Just get in the car, Y/N!” 

“No! You’re drunk and you said you’d stay sober!” 

“I am sober, now get in the fucking car!” 

“Fuck off!” A 15-year-old Y/N stormed off, turning their back to Marcus Dueller, the then jock of the school. A rough hand grabbed their shoulder and a fist met their face, “You don’t talk to me like that.” 

“...Marcus wasn’t my boyfriend.” Jason didn’t show any signs of hearing Y/N, “You took a pretty bad beating, I’ll admit it. I was going to step in once he started choking you, but you took that brick to his head pretty hard.” 

Blood splattered across Y/N’s face as Marcus collapsed. The hands around their neck loosening and Y/N took deeply needed gasps of air. Their throat aching and lungs burning as they rolled over onto their hands and knees. Tears pricked their eyes as the pain and realization settled in. 

“I called his friends. He was fine, just a concussion.” Marcus and Y/N never talked again, and Marcus’s friends took one look at the bruises on Y/N’s face and neck to understand what had happened. 

They all stayed Marcus’s friends, because unlike Y/N, Marcus was loved by his family. 

“Then, you walked your beaten ass towards the liquor store.” 

“Oh my God! Y/N!” Stacey cried out in shock, and she gently cupped bruised cheeks and watched split lips grow into a smile. 

“Can I have that bottom shelf vodka please?” 

“Bitch, you need a second shelf from the bottom vodka.” They sat outside of the store, Stacey’s partner taking over the counter as she watched Y/N take swig after swig from the bottle. Her concerned eyes tracing over each and every bruise and cut, down to the clothes they were wearing and scrapes in their knees and hands. 

“How many does this make?” 

“Seven. Whoever said seven was a lucky number is a liar.” 

“Oh Y/N, why do you keep doing this?” Y/N gave Stacey the most beautiful they could muster. Not minding the ache in their cheeks or the burning of alcohol on split lips. 

Looking back at it, perhaps Y/N was on a downward spiral. Trying to find love in other people that weren’t the people at home. From ages 13 to 15, Y/N had dated over 9 people. Not one of them made it past two months, and none of them were healthy. 

Once Y/N got into modeling, all their attention went into it. Dating and friends were on a standstill as their career and education became a priority. Maybe that was another thing Y/N inherited from Bruce, a known serial dater. Although, Y/N knows for sure that their taste in partners was definitely inherited from their mother. 

Some of Y/N’s earliest memories are of M/N getting berated and smacked around by men bigger than her. When they would leave, Y/N would emerge with bandaids and tears on their face. M/N would smile at them, blood from her nose painting her lips red and she would cup soft cheeks and whisper in their ears- 

“Diamonds have never been made with gentle hands.” Y/N glared at Jason, who was meeting that glare head on. Now that they are older, Y/N has learned to hate that phrase. They have watched numerous models be in kind and gentle hands and still be beautiful. Still have a loving and healthy relationship with themselves and the other. 

Now that they are older, Y/N knows how untrue those words are. Yet, who said those words had to only be applied to romantic partners? 

“Now here you are, in your glass castle imitating diamonds.” Y/N’s nose scrunched, “Always the poet, reading the classics.” Jason shrugged, "Someone has to be literate in this messed up family. Sure as hell ain’t Bruce.” Y/N rolled their eyes, “So what? That still does not explain anything. More importantly, why now then?” Why was it now that they decided to make a move if they had supposedly been caring for a while now. 

Jason smirked, "Because finally, Bruce sees it too.” Y/N narrowed their eyes and watched with pursed lips as the bigger and stronger man got up from the bed, and walked over to them, “I’d wear comfortable shoes, Y/N. You’re going out with Bruce and the little spawn today.” 

“Wait, what do you mean Bruce finally sees it too? What is there to see?” Jason smiled at him, and it looked more of a monster preening at it’s prey. Callused hands reached up and traced the small, almost invisible scar on Y/N’s upper lip. 

“Make sure you smile, the vultures will be there too.” 

++++

“I do think green will look best on you.” Y/N smiled at Damian, “Green looks good everybody, Damian. You just need the right shade.” Between them was an emerald green silk shirt, the price displayed like a bounty and Y/N wanted to walk out of the store once they saw it. Yes, they made a lot of money, but Y/N also knows what it means to be frugal. 

Damian raised an eyebrow and continued to judge the piece as if it had insulted the family. Y/N set the shirt down and continued to peruse the aisles. Their eyes looking at all the clothing and trying to predict what will be in style. What could they use to match or create their own trend? It is still winter, meaning layers will still be necessary but how to make a stylish outfit when there needs to be layers. 

“Do you see anything you want, Y/N?” They jumped a bit, and whirled around to see Bruce smiling at them. Those blue eyes, intense like winter rivers, roamed over what Y/N was looking at and he raised a well groomed eyebrow, “Do you want that one?” 

“N-no, no thank you. I’m just looking.” Bruce hummed, and wrapped a large arm around Y/N’s bony shoulders and brought them close. He pressed his lips against his temple, an unusual act of affection towards his kids but everyone will chalk it up to Y/N being a model and still young. Bruce whispered against Y/N’s skin, “Just let me know what you want, and I will get it for you.” 

‘If I want to be left alone?’ Y/N didn’t voice it, but they didn’t have too. Bruce’s grin was sharp, “Within reason, Y/N.” A chill ran down Y/N’s spine and they swallowed down the bile threatening to come up. 

“I have money, Bruce. I can buy my own stuff.” Bruce picked up a shirt, “Let me spoil you. It is what parents do.” 

“You already paid off my condo, that is good enough.” Bruce continued to smile, “That was for the birthdays and holidays I missed while you were with us. I still have to make up for the time when you were with your mother.”  Y/N wanted to scream, “How about you donate that then?” 

Bruce smiled, “I already do. Let me spoil you.” He kissed Y/N’s temple once more before walking away, eyeing everything the way designers did when critiquing their pieces. Y/N had a feeling that if they didn’t get something from here, the store would be paying the price. Grabbing a sheer halter top and pair of black high waisted pants, Y/N let Damian throw the green top on the small pile and made their way to the check out. The cashier smiled nervously as the Wayne family stood in front of her. 

True to Bruce’s promise, he paid for the three articles of clothes, the pair of shoes, the jewelry, the accessories, the–

“I think that is enough.There are a lot of bags, and while I appreciate it, I really don’t need anymore stuff.” Y/N placated Bruce and Damian, already picturing the amount of trips it will be to take everything back home. The man seemed satisfied though, smiling and shrugging his shoulders, “If you insist. How about some lunch now?” 

Y/N wanted to decline. They wanted to go back to the manor and get away from everybody. The feeling of walking on eggshells and constantly being watched had their skin crawling and the need to take another bath. Bruce wrapped an arm around Y/N’s shoulder and brought them close, and Damian took up their other side. 

“You’re acting more as a bodyguard than a father it seems.” Bruce smiled, “We’re having a nice family outing. I’d hate it if one of your ‘followers’ interrupted." Y/N furrowed their brow, but they could not stop their body from tensing, “Someone is following us?” 

“Unfortunately.” The photos they saw in their old room re-emerged and a feeling of dread seized their muscles, making them lean further into Bruce. Yes, they were once all Robins, but not once in those photos taken from their terrace was there ever a reflection of the Bat. 

“It’s okay Y/N, I’ll make sure they won’t take any of you.” 

“How… how do you know its not you they want a photo of?” Bruce smiled, guiding them into a fancy restaurant, Damian requesting a table away from the windows, "Because they all know not to follow me.” There was something akin to a warning in Bruce’s voice that had Y/N biting their lips and following the wait staff quietly. 

Y/N watched as Damian and Bruce conversed casually, well, as casually as Damian can be. The topics went from school, a family named the Kents, and future prospects. Damian was still unsure about what exactly it is he wanted to do, and it most likely didn’t help that Tim was the one who was going to take over Wayne Enterprises. 

Y/N continued to eat and sip their tea, not wanting to add to anything as their mind wandered. After talking to Jason, it proved to Y/N that they were somewhat always being watched. Jason bringing up that one specific memory may have made Y/N’s heart rate spike, but it did prove that Jason was there. The photos, all of them that were taken without Y/N’s consent, show that everyone had at some point gained interest. 

However, why did they never act on it? Why wait until now to do something? 

‘Bruce finally sees it too.’ Y/N’s jaw clenched, what does Bruce have to do with any of this? Could they not interact without Bruce’s permission? Alfred would never allow that. 

Would he? 

“What do you think, Y/N?” The question jolted Y/N out of their thoughts and back into reality. Looking around the table to two expectant gazes, they gave an apologetic smile, “Sorry. I was thinking about something, what was the question?” 

Damian scrunched his nose, “What is there to think about when you have blood-related family members in front of you?” Y/N blinked in shock, and then remembered how much blood meant to Damian. They shrugged, “I have a busy schedule coming up.” 

Bruce stabbed the piece of steak with the silver fork, “You do, don’t you.” He stared at his child, one who he has left to their own devices and now is estranged from the family. Always keeping them at arms length, and never looking back to see if they are behind them. Not because Y/N trusts them to be, but because Y/N was used to them not being there. 

Y/N, for how proud Bruce is of them for standing on their own, is still naive. Still innocent. They didn’t notice the paparazzi lurking around, or maybe they got so used to them they learned to block them out. None of it sat right with Bruce. Those should have been things he taught Y/N. Things to prepare Y/N for a world that was bathed in camera flashes and gossip. How to look out for themselves. How to defend themselves, and what to do in case there is a stalker. Those should have been at least a fraction of what Bruce taught them. 

Yet, he never did any of that. Looking at Y/N sitting across from him, sitting tall and with a closed-off expression, had Bruce frowning. Y/N was still polite, smiled when they needed to and engaged in conversation, but there was still a wall between them. Almost like glass. Bruce is able to see everything and hear almost everything, but his ability to interact with his child is limited. All interactions stopped by the wall of glass put up by Y/N themselves. 

It's a good thing that Batman breaks glass windows on a daily basis. 

“You have some shoots in New York, will you be visiting afterwards?” Bruce watched Y/N’s eyes widen and lips pursed. He could see the breaking point, cracks spreading throughout the glass as Y/N’s mind tried to wrap around the question. 

“How–” 

“Is it odd for a parent to know their child’s schedule?” Y/N blinked, and processed the information. A tight smile formed on their lips, “How long have you known my schedule?” Bruce took a bite of the steak and Damian continued to eat his plate of some fancy pasta.

“Now Y/N-” 

“How long have you known my schedule?” Damian glanced up, irritated at their father being cut off, but the look on Bruce’s face had him settling down. The man was smiling, non-threateningly but all Y/N could see was the Bruce that had stood before them in the changing room after Gabanna’s runway show. The same eyes, full of intentions that had Y/N shivering and the money, power, and background to act on those intentions. 

“Like I have said, Y/N. I am making up for the lost time and neglect you have faced within our home.” 

“And I have said, Bruce, there is nothing to make up. That still does not answer my question about you knowing my schedule.” The cracks were spreading, chipping away and becoming weaker. 

“What parent doesn’t know-” 

“Don’t repeat that sentence. Bruce, you know what I am asking and you keep avoiding it. Who told you my schedule?” An emotion other than faux politeness finally filtered into Y/N’s voice, making the question sound firm and unlikely to bend or be swept away with Bruce’s elusivity. He smiled, “Oh Y/N, did Maya not tell you? GLM Agency has been under new agency since last year. Wayne Industries is now the parent of GLM Agency.” 

Y/N stared at Bruce in confusion, their pretty face twisting as the words registered with them. Everything crashed on Y/N, like glass shattering and bathing them in their shards. The guest room that is identical to their bedroom at home, the clothes that are from their closet, the two rooms full of their photos and mannequins wearing their iconic looks, that fucking Batman-inspired piece of clothing. 

“Y/N.” They’re walking away from the table, head lost in thought and body moving on autopilot. The need to get away from everyone was overpowering the logical part of their mind, and Y/N is walking towards the front door of the restaurant. Pushing the glass doors open, and being bombarded by flashes from cameras. 

“Y/N, what do you have to say about your mother?” A 13-year-old Y/N was guided out of the condo by police officers. Eyes rimmed red from crying and their only source of comfort was the blanket they managed to snag before being escorted out. 

“Were you aware of your mother’s drug-use?” 

“Are you on drugs?” A 17-year-old Y/N walked past the paparazzi, keeping their eyes forward even though they wanted to snarl at that person. 

“Y/N! Look over here!” 

“Look!”

“Over here!”  

A large hand gripped their arm guided Y/N through the crowd and towards the parking lot where the car was. The large body blocking the photos and shielding them from the flashing of cameras that had thrown Y/N back in time. Once inside the safety of the metal box on wheels, Y/N became aware of their rapid breathing and the feeling of their heart pounding. Irregular beats and sweat began to form on their skin as they struggled to take a breath. Just one breath.

The hand that had guided them to the car grabbed their wrist and placed it on a large and firm chest, emphasizing the deep breaths that Y/N needed and wanted to take. Rough fingers gently traced their cheek, up to their ear, and then to their hair. Gently bringing Y/N back to the present. 

“Shh shh, it’s okay Y/N. It’s okay. You’re safe.” E/C eyes drifted around the car, and closed once they saw the person’s reflection. 

“Father, those vermin have been cleared. All of them will be getting in trouble.” 

“Thank you, Damian.” Y/N rested their head against the glass and fought down the need to jump out of the car. Bruce eyed Y/N, and what made it worse was there was an apologetic look on his face. 

“Y/N, I… I am sorry. I thought Maya had told you.” 

“Seems like your manager isn’t doing their job if you didn’t know. You should get a new one.” 

“Don’t talk about her like that,” Y/N mumbled, feeling a headache forming and they wanted nothing more than to curl under the covers and die. They could feel Damian’s pointed look through the seat, “Maya is a great manager. She will not be replaced.” Damian sneered, “She didn’t even inform you of the change in ownership.” 

“Because it does not concern me. As long as I am able to get booked and get to my destinations, it does not matter who is in charge.” Y/N paused, “Although, now it looks like nepotism.” 

Bruce huffed at his child’s overdramaticness, "It's not nepotism. I had no say in what shows you did or who booked them.” 

“But you had a say in what clothes I wore.” Ice filled the car and Bruce gave Y/N a long look. 

“Just that one piece, and I asked her to do it. She didn’t have to do it.” Y/N laughed, long and hollow as they turned their head to Bruce, “Of course she had to do it. Bruce Wayne is asking for a commission piece, who would turn it down without risking their reputation?” The man sighed, “Y/N, I submitted a commission piece. That is the only thing I had a hand in throughout your modeling career.” 

“Others won’t believe that.” 

“Who cares what others think.” Y/N whipped their head around to Damian, “I do. I do a lot actually. I care a lot about what my fellow models say and think about me.” The boy rolled his eyes, “Why? Their opinions don’t matter.” 

“And your’s do?” 

“We are family!” 

“By blood, yeah! That’s as far as it goes.” Damian looked ready to snarl out more remarks, but the abrupt parking of the car had both of them pausing. They were already at the manor, and Y/N wondered just how fast was Bruce driving to get them here so quickly. 

Y/N was quick to jump out of the car, “I will grab those bags later. Please don’t make Alfred take them.” Bruce followed, “Y/N.” 

“No! No, ‘Y/N’ or anything. I want to be left alone.” Y/N pushed open the manor’s front door, and they wonder how many times they have snuck in and out of these doors before. Was it really even sneaking out if someone knew? 

“Y/N, we need to talk about this.” There was something in Bruce’s voice that stoked the right ember within Y/N’s chest. Whipping around, they glared at the two Waynes, “For fuck’s sake, I just want to be left alone! I was fine with how things were. None of this-this- whatever the hell this is! 

I was fine on my own. I was fine without you guys. I would have been fine if you stayed away!” Bruce didn’t even look bothered that Y/N was yelling, in fact the asshole looked relieved. He gave a patient smile with fake concern in those blue eyes, “The thing is though Y/N, you never should have done it on your own.” 

Y/N rolled their eyes, “Where the hell did all of this even come from?! This… this sudden need to be part of my life? You’re not even being subtle about it!” They were drawing a crowd, but Y/N couldn’t even bring themselves to care. 

“I keep telling you, it does. Not. Bother. Me that you all were inattentive. It doesn’t make me mad, it doesn’t make me upset, it doesn’t stir anything within me knowing you were not there. Yet here you are trying to make it up and all that nonsense, but when I tell you that it's fine you don’t listen!

“It genuinely seems that you are not doing this for me, but to ease your guilt.” Bruce met Y/N’s gaze, and it appeared they were in their own little showdown. Bruce’s gaze, not showing a hint of anger or irritation at his child while Y/N seethed. For once, Y/N looked liked the wild one in the family. Their teeth bared and eyes full of unadulterated rage, they glared at Bruce with the face of a raging angel. 

They hated how Bruce’s lips pulled into a smile, and the feeling of gloating eyes falling on their body from all their siblings. Like they all knew something Y/N didn’t. 

“Bruce finally sees it too.” 

Y/N pocketed that thought, taking a deep breath and trying to calm down. Nothing intelligent was ever said when angry– 

“So tell your big brother Y/N, how do you expect us to trust you on your own when you can’t even notice someone on your terrace?” 

– Fuck it. Intense E/C eyes landed back on Bruce, “If you bought GLM Agency a year ago, why now?” Bruce continued to stare into Y/N’s eyes, “Because it seemed like you needed a break from Gotham. So, I figured a year away would be good.” 

Y/N narrowed their gaze, “Then why didn’t you call?” 

“Because it looked like you needed a break.” Y/N chuckled, “I needed a break, or you needed time to get those rooms set up?” Bruce raised a brow, but Y/N continued on, “It's one thing to have photos from some photoshoots but not photos taken without my consent. Or the clothes I’ve worn on mannequins with almost the exact same physique as me.” 

“They are exact.” Y/N tore their gaze away from Bruce to stare at Tim, the thin and exhausted looking teen standing above them on the stairway. Chapped lips opened, “We used the measurements within the modeling database and created mannequins that have your exact measurements.” 

Y/N gaped at him for a quick second before rolling their eyes, “Wow. That’s not helping your guys’ case at all.” Dick approached them, going for a placating gesture and an easy smile, “Now Y/N, I think you might be overreacting–” 

“I think I am underreacting to all of this. I find out that you all have been taking secret photos of me, which someone them are from my ‘stalker’ and I don’t really believe that but whatever, you have access to my bank account, you bought the modeling agency I work for, commissioned a Batman-inspired piece, and that you have been keeping some of runway pieces on models that are exactly my measurements!

How else am I supposed to be reacting?! And I still don’t have my phone back!” Y/N snapped at Dick, and then began to rub their temples when the headache got worse. An Aspirin, they need an Aspirin. Now, preferably but Y/N has the strangest sense that even if they did take it, the headache would not go away. 

“Whatever, just… I’m going home tomorrow and whatever was bought today just… just ship it. Since you know my address and all that apparently.” Y/N began walking up the stairs, ignoring the panicked looks some of their ‘siblings’ were giving them and the dark look on Bruce’s face. 

Dick, ever the peacemaker, reached out, “Wait, you can’t go back yet! You still have a few more weeks before your next shoot. Just stay for a few more days.” 

“Add kidnapping and being held against my will to that list too.” Y/N continued walking, feeling exhausted and wanting to sleep. They missed the nod Bruce gave Tim and Damian, and they missed the dark and knowing looks on Jason’s and Dick’s face. The walk back to the room was long, and more exhausting than usual. The events of today caught up to them and Y/N wanted nothing more than to cry, scream, and then go to sleep. 

Because why not. 

“Y/N, you are making a mistake.” Dick followed after their younger sibling, who only sped up to get away from them. The man grabbed Y/N’s forearm, “Y/N, listen! You don’t want to do this.” 

“What is ‘this’ you are talking about Dick? I am literally just going home. It is not a big deal.” Y/N tried to pull their arm away from Dick, but to no avail. 

“It's how you are doing it Y/N. All we want is to spend time with you and make up for the lost time!” Y/N wanted to scream at Dick, but held it in and instead gritted out, “Why didn’t you do it normally then? Like… texting or calling.” Dick pouted, those blue eyes looking sad and his lower lip jutting out like a toddler, “We missed you, and we just wanted to see you.” 

Y/N’s face was scrunched, their mouth open in disgust, “How can you say that with that look on your face as if you all weren’t the ones who ignored me?” Dick looked heartbroken and some part of Y/N felt bad about that. They remembered the room with the photos and the other side of Dick that they saw only a few days ago. Their body seized in terror, but Y/N tried to keep their expression neutral. 

“Look, Dick, once again I am not mad about how my time here was spent. I’m genuinely not. But you guys keep throwing it back in my face and saying such contradicting things, of course I’m going to get upset about it.” They are trying to be civil. Trying so desperately to be civil and it feels like it is not working. Old wounds and painful memories continued to be dragged out of the crevices of their minds like it was some type of zoo attraction. 

A 16-year-old Y/N stared at the shattered mirror, tears racing down their face as they stared at their broken reflection. All they could see were the imperfections everyone continued to call out. Comparing them to their mother, to other models, to society’s twisted views of beauty that Y/N is trying to be. 

If their mother was alive, would she know what to say? Would she gaze at them with those soft eyes and long lashes, smiling beautifully and whispering, “Diamonds have never been made with gentle hands.” Continuing to remind Y/N that modeling was not a gentle job. It wasn’t a job for those with paper skin or glass bones. Those easily hurt by the meanest of comments, nastiest looks, and the horrendous words never made it in this industry.

Would this have been easier if they had the support of Bruce and his kids? 

Labored breaths and broken sobs filled room-turned-practice room as the mirrors caught the sight of a teenager breaking down. Crumbling and shattering under the pressure, pricking their fingers as they cleaned up the broken mirror and picking up their shattered image. 

It will be those same mirrors that watched those broken shards form their glass castle, posing as diamonds to deter others from trying to break in. 

Y/N continued to walk down the long hallway, ignoring Dick’s calls and locking the door behind them. It was only 2pm, and Y/N had plans to sleep the rest of the day. They had no bags to pack, and nothing here they felt like taking. All they needed to do is sleep the day away, which will be easy, wake up tomorrow, call a cab and skedaddle out of here. 

“Thats all we have to do, Y/N.” They closed their eyes for what only felt like a few minutes, until jostling and whispers of their name had them groggily opening their eyes. A yawn escaping them and their eyes struggled to open. 

“Why are you in my room?” Tim gave a small huff, “Its dinner time.” Y/N buried their face in their pillow, groaning out a ‘not hungry.’ The young man hummed, “I think you should come down for this one, Y/N. You might get the answers you want.” 

“Not interested.” Tim leaned down, his breath tickling Y/N’s ear, “You’re glass castle is shattering, Y/N. Don’t you want help fixing it?” Y/N wanted to swing. They wanted to do something to get their point across that they wanted almost nothing to do with this crazy family anymore. 

They opted to glare, and Tim gave a soft smile, “C’mon, lets go eat. Besides, Alfred said that the cab won’t be coming for you if you don’t eat dinner.” 

“Alfie!” Y/N groaned into the pillow, and they had stopo themselves from throwing up their arms and legs in a fit. Leave it to Alfred to do something so diabolical. Groaning one more time, Y/N sat up and mentally braced themselves for this shitshow of a dinner. 

E/C eyes looked at the door they know they locked, and chose that whatever little bickerment that will start was not worth it at this point in time. Throwing their legs over the bed, they followed Tim out of the room and towards the dining room. 

Everyone was there, and waiting for Y/N to appear. Once again, they were made to sit between Bruce and Damian, which they did so with little complaint. 

“Now, Y/N, it looks like everyone has some explaining to do.” Y/N gave Bruce the driest most unimpressed face they could muster, to which the man took with a smile, “So, what questions do you want answered?” 

‘They’re really doing this.’ Y/N could feel another headache forming, but decided to take the brightly colored bait. Looking at Jason, who was meeting their gaze with his green eyes waiting for this question, Y/N asked, “What did you mean when you said ‘Bruce sees it too.’” The man smirked, meeting Bruce’s eyes and back to Y/N, “Exactly that. The old man finally sees what you are to this messed up family.” 

Y/N narrowed their gaze, taking a bite of the pasta, and chewing slowly. Dick decided to chime in, “Y/N, you have been loved by us for a while. Something you probably pieced together, but Bruce took a while to see it because… well because you’re not us.” 

“Not like, you’re not Robin, but more like you’re not…” 

“You’re fragile.” Everyone’s head turned to Damian, and Y/N had half the idea to be upset about that. They raised an eyebrow, but before they could say anything Damian continued, “You are not meant for this life we lead. Vigilantism never suited you, and that is something I picked up on when I first came here.” 

When Damian had first met Y/N, it was like seeing a rare flower that had to be protected at all costs. Y/N was something that at the slightest gesture, could be hurt. When people come across something ethereal like that, the need to protect it can be divided into two different directions. 

Hovering or distancing. 

Bruce chose to distance himself, whether he knew it or not, and Damian had followed suit. He watched as his older sibling hovered from a distance, watching the rare flower bloom before it was finally the right time to engage with it. 

“Y/N, it isn’t so much that I didn’t want to interact with you, it is that I didn’t know how.” Bruce looked into his child’s eyes, “How could I interact with someone who needed gentle hands, when there is not a gentle bone in my body.” Bruce’s hands have broken more bones than the human body has. He has scars on his skin and calluses on the palm of his hands. 

“It took me a while to figure out why, but once I did, your absence became suffocating.” Everyone had been gasping for air, doing everything in their power for the slightest piece of oxygen. It was the fear of Y/N being harmed that kept them collared and chained to the photos, every interview, every runway show. 

However, Bruce knows that every now and then, children should be able to spread their wings and fall. Y/N ended up flying, soaring above them and never looking back down. Bruce, and the family, decided to give Y/N a year. Just one on their own. This gave them all plenty of time to improve the glass terrarium that they wanted Y/N to be placed back in. This time they will be protected and paid attention too. 

“When everyone stated that I can finally see the impact you have on this family, it means I have to come to terms with the fact that I no longer want to be hands off with your life and career.” Y/N’s brow furrowed, not liking the term ‘hands off.’ 

“You have done great on your own. A fabulous job. Clawing your way up and making a name for yourself, I am so proud of you. Everyone is extremely proud of you. 

However, there is no need for you to struggle anymore. You’ve proven yourself, now let us take care of the rest.” Y/N felt shivers go down their spine as they stared at their family in fear. They took in each expression, and when they made eye contact with Jason, the other had a daring look in his eyes. Begging for Y/N to do something, similar to how predators hope for their prey to fight back to make the kill all the more interesting. 

“But… But I don’t need your help, Bruce. I can do this on my own.” Bruce’s smile was that of honey, luring in unsuspecting insects and trapping them in its viscous fluid. If Y/N were younger, they may have fallen for it. They may have allowed themselves to coat their fingers in sugary words and sweet gestures, just so they could feel the love from a father. 

“I know. We know, but you don’t need to anymore.” 

“Now wait a minute-no. No no no no. You can’t just do that, explain yourself, and expect me to just roll with it.” Y/N set their napkin down, and tried to stand from the table, “I don’t need your help, although thank you for wanting to I guess. I am fine with it just being me and Maya.” 

“About that…” Dick grimaced, handing Y/N his phone and pulled up was an article. 

Y/N’s eyes widened and the world around them went cold. THey looked back up, “You’re lying.” Dick shook his head, fake empathy across his face as Y/N continued to read the article.

“No. NO this is a joke and a terrible one. Maya would never–” 

“They were found in her apartment, Y/N.” The headlines, eerily similar to ones from five year ago, flashed across the small phone screen. 

Manager of Model Y/N L/N Suspected of Drug Usage

Y/N wanted to cry. Horrible flashbacks resurfacing and tears pricking their eyes. They turned to Bruce who was still sitting and eating his pasta.

“Bruce, please. I know Maya, she would never do this.” The man said nothing. Y/N bit their lip, “Bruce… Bruce please. If its because of what I said then take that out on me. Please leave Maya out of it.

“Please Bruce! I know Maya. She’d never do that, and–and Bruce please.” Y/N was whimpering now, tears streaming down their face as the thought of losing their manager, the last person they had, nearly had them collapsing to their knees. 

“Lets make a deal, Y/N.” Bruce wiped the corner of his lips, and grabbed Y/N’s thin wrist. 

“You come home more often, during breaks and whatnot. I won’t have a lot of control over your modeling schedule, but make sure you include time each week for family. The only exception is when you are out of the country.” Y/N stared at Bruce in confusion, but nodded along. 

“In return, Maya gets out of trouble. Nothing will change other than the weekly meeting with family.”  Y/N can’t breathe. They cannot breathe and there were eyes all on them. Gulping down on whatever air they can get a hold of, Y/N sobbed out, “Why are you going to such lengths?” 

Bruce stood, and even though Y/N is tall, no one compares to Bruce’s towering figure. He smiled down at the model, and cupped a wet cheek with a calloused hand. Ice blue eyes stared into watery E/C eyes, and that smile turned too sharp to not be hidden blade, “I told you. It is too make up for lost time. Plus, as those photos suggest, you need protection. What better protection could you have that is not only part of the family, but also vigilantes?

“While it is true that diamonds are never made without pressure, diamond-encrusted jewlery require gentle hands and patience.” Bruce kissed Y/N’s temple, and the model flinched away. Ice blue met their eyes once more, “Now pick, Y/N. Either way, you will still be meeting us once a week, but you can have someone you know at your side or someone under my command.” 

+++++

“And cut! Good job everyone!” The flashes from the camera stopped and the stage lighting turned off, no longer blinding everyone within the room. Y/N stood up from the red couch, a smile still on their lips as they thanked the photographers. 

“Y/N, as always, perfect shots!” 

“Good job Y/N!” 

“Thank you for doing this, Y/N!” They continued to smile and acknowledge everyone that passed by, Maya right behind as they walked back to the changing room. Sitting on the couch was Jason’s large form and Tim’s lithe one. Both of them looking up as Y/N entered, ignoring Maya’s flinch. 

“You have a birthday gala you need to catch. Come on, change out of that and lets go.” Leave it to Jason to get the message across. Y/N nodded, taking to the changing room where they know their clothes are already waiting for them. They could hear Tim interrogating Maya in the politist way. Clipped words and empty praises. 

“Y/N they came out of nowhere! They stormed in and went straight to a vent where these-these drugs were! I’ve never even seen those there before! Let alone know that there was a vent!” Maya cried into Y/N’s shoulder as Dick and Damian watched on. 

Emerging from the changing room in jeans and a crew neck, Y/N sighed, “Alright, shall we get going?” Jason stood up and Tim shook Maya’s sweaty hand. Y/N gave his manager a nod, signalling for her to take the rest of the day off. Jason’s large hand rested on the small of Y/N’s back, and Tim led the way to the new car that Bruce bought. 

The ride was only two hours, filled with light conversation and catching up. Once at the mansion, Y/N greeted Alfred with a hug. Not as tight as they normally are, but it felt wrong entering the mansion without hugging Alfred. Bruce entered the foyer and grinned, hugging Y/N and kissing their temple. 

“Your clothes are in your room, and there is another present on behalf of Damian and Jason.” Y/N nodded, “Thanks, Bruce.” The man smiled, “Come and eat dinner when you are done. We’ll have enough time before the Gala to at least eat something.” Y/N began walking away, each step up the stairs feeling like there was lead on their feet stopping them from going any further. 

Once in the room, the locked the door and on the bed was a box and black and gold clothing. The black looking like it was made out of silk, and the gold was sequin. Y/N carefully walked towards the box, and when they lifted the lid, a white kitten mewed at them. Their fur still looking young and their eyes bluer than Bruce’s. They mewed and mewed, and Y/N could feel tears streaming down their face. 

In neat cursive and tied around the bow of the box, was a small note, ‘We’ll watch her when you decide to leave the country.’ 

Y/N bit their lip, and felt as if their world was falling a part once more. Broken glass surrounding them and no matter where they stepped, their feet will end up bleeding. Now forced to rely on their family to carry them out of the mess they made, and now… now there was a lifeform that this family can and most likely will use against them.  

Thin fingers gently picked up the cat and gave it a wobbly smile, as she mewed at Y/N. A red collar already around her neck, tied in a perfect bow. 

“Y/N, the makeup artists are here. Are you ready?” Wiping their tears, Y/N set the kitten down and took in the black and gold piece once more. 

“Not yet, but they can come in. I’ll get dressed afterwards.” 

“Alright.” The door opened, despite Y/N locking it, and it was Dick smiling as he let in the two artists who were now scrambling to get set up. Blue eyes traveled from the cat, to the clothes, and back to Y/N. He grinned and stalked closer to his younger sibling that was now being corralled into sitting in front of the makeup artist. 

He picked up the kitten and passed her for Y/N to hold, whispering in their ears, “Happy Birthday, Y/N.” 

______________________________________________________________

Honestly... I really like this series. I think I'm going to do other stories but in the other characters POV now.

[thejournallo]

Explain the basic: Oils

Check out Part 1, which explains how to use the things down below. Disclaimer: All the things in this post are based on research and personal experience. As much as I could be a teacher, I suggest you find many resources for knowledge to develop your own experiences. Make sure you research the oils you buy/use because some oils can damage or hurt your skin in a really bad way. as well as some aromatherapy oils that can hurt your pet (if you have one).

Types of oils

Anointing oils — A sacred oil that’s blessed and charged and specially formulated for a specific purpose, usually for people.

Carrier oils — Vegetable and mineral oils that are used to help dilute essential oils that could cause skin irritation.

Condition oils — Anointing or conjure oils used to help relieve or improve someone’s condition.

Conjure oils — A dressing oil from an ancient practice usually African, European, or Native American traditions. Often found in Hoodoo.

Dressing oils — Specially prepared oil applied to spell and ritual objects before using them to sanctify, charge, and prepare them for use.

Essential oils — Volatile, concentrated oils, with the characteristic scent of the plant/flower they are from.

Ritual oils — Oils used to anoint candles, ritual tools, material, furniture, money, and other such items, and then use to anoint the body are often also called anointing oils.

Basic oils and their use:

Basil: Stimulates the mind, used in money-attracting oils, and encourages peace

Benzoin: Increases personal power and awakens the conscious mind

Bergamot: Money and protective rituals

Black Pepper: Protection and promotes courage

Chamomile: Meditation and inducing peace

Camphor: Purification and promoting celibacy

Cardamom: Energy to love and sexually oriented formulas

Cedarwood: Enhances spirituality

Cinnamon: Money and psychic awareness

Clove: Courage and protection

Coriander: Love and healing

Cypress: Blessing, consecration, and protection. Helps ease loss

Eucalyptus: All healing and purification.

Frankincense: Spirituality and meditation

Geranium: Happiness and protection

Ginger: Courage, love, money, and sexuality

Grapefruit: Purification

Jasmine: Love, psychic awareness, peace, spirituality, and sexuality

Juniper: Protection, purification, moon symbolism, and healing

Lavender: Health, love, peace, and consciousness

Lemon: Purification, healing, and lunar use

Lemongrass: Psychic awareness and purification

Lemon verbena: Love

Lime: Purification and protection

Lotus: Spirituality, healing, and meditation

Magnolia: Meditation, love, and psychic awareness

Myrrh: Spirituality, meditation, and healing

Neroli: Happiness and purification

Niaouli: Protection

Oakmoss: Attract money

Orange: Purification

Palma Rosa: Love and healing

Patchouli: Money, sex, and physical energy

Peppermint: Purification

Pine: Purification, protection, money, and healing

Rose: Love, peace, sexual desires, and enhancing beauty

Rosemary: Love and healing

Sandalwood: Spiritualty, meditation, sex, and healing

Tangerine: Sun symbol, power, and strength

Tonka: Money

Vetivert: Money

Yarrow: Love, courage, and psychic awareness

Ylang Ylang: Love, peace, and sex

As always, I will love to hear your thoughts! and if you have any questions, I will be more than happy to answer them! If you liked it, leave a comment or reblog (that is always appreciated!). if you are intrested in more method check the masterlist!

[sanhatipal]

"Noble d'Apchier"

A little watercolor painting of Chloe,with the Zorn palette! I found out about this palette a while ago and I really wanted to try it out! (More on that below )

Chloe's hair is something I adore, it's gotta be one of my absolute favourite character designs ever,I love how swirly and fluffy it is,very fun to draw. I've drawn her normally before,I wanted to do one with her vampire eyes and fangs too. I decided to try to draw a white fuzzy rim around the foreground against the plain background,for a change,like in some of the VnC panels.

The Zorn palette,or Apelles Palette was a colour scheme used by Anders Zorn in the late Victorian/Early Edwardian era. It ,or something similar,might have been used by artists of old civilizations too, because it avoids the use of blue and green entirely: which would eliminate the need for rare pigments . It's essentially a colour mixing challenge,to draw the entire paintings with 4 pigments,2 basic colours: Ochre yellow, Vermillion,and Black and white,which can be mixed into different shades. It can be an excellent exercise and means for portrait painting

Modern artists use red instead of vermillion,but the essence is the same. So that's what I did too. I considered using vermillion,but I realised that it would introduce a lot of yellow tint, making the picture very warm. Which is usually something I prefer honestly,but not what I was going for here. Also,I need to consider the fact that I'm a watercolour artist,which is very different from the original intended palette. Zorn used oil paints,but other artists use it fine for gouache and acrylic too, however,that too is different from watercolor, because instead of mixing with white, I'll be diluting with water,which changes the composition of the palette considerably. So I went with these supplies: ochre yellow and red watercolor pencils (for me, basically watercolor pigments,I don't use them to draw,I grind and dissolve them in water),white and black watercolor tubes,and white ink. In addition: lineart with sepia,grey and black brush pens,which are well within the bounds of the palette

To be honest,I ended up not using the white paint tube at all,water makes more sense to me. I didn't use anything else though,and stuck with the original materials.And the results:

Does it work? Hell yeah. It's not perfect,but I'm happy with how she turned out

Was it restricting? That's kind of the point,to paint with some limitations

Was it hard? Honestly? No. Not at all. It's definitely very different from what I'm used to,I use a lot of colours both as is and mixed,but this was surprisingly easy. Perhaps because of my subject,which didn't have much colour to begin with

Do I recommend it? If you want a small challenge,or to experiment or practice colour mixing,definitely

Will I do it again ? Absolutely. I feel like I haven't utilised much of the potential of this palette. I ended up using mainly red and black, hardly any yellow at all. So I'd like to do something more colourful with this palette, perhaps a sunny painting of a gingerhead girl with flowers,and for this I'll probably use vermillion,not red

Anyways, that's all! If you read all this,thank you for your time!!

[psalacanthea]

Death's Garden- An Astarion-Inspired Perfume Blend

This is a recipe for an essential oil blend which can be used for aromatherapy in an oil warmer, as an oil-based perfume, or in the making of bath or skin products.  The recipe is a RATIO, which means that it can be easily doubled or tripled depending on what you’re using it for. 

A scent inspired by Astarion Ancunín’s own forays into perfume-making.  Bright, full, and complex, the prickly green herbs and sophisticated citrus of this unique cologne are gentled by a background of aged resinous wood and vanilla.  Herbal but warm, the curious mix of rosemary and bergamot is bracing and strong, but not overwhelming– the perfect cover for the stylish man about town who wishes to hide the unwholesome air of undeath.

Can be used in lotions, cologne bases or with a carrier oil, but would not recommend for use in cosmetics that are applied to the face or mouth.  As I have allergies stemming from many synthetic scents, I only use essential oils.  Bergamot is photoreactive! Please do not apply to your skin before going into the sun, you willl burn.



Astarion Essential Oil Blend Recipe

5 drops Bergamot essential oil  (citrus bergamia)

3 drops Rosemary essential oil   (rosmarinus officinalis)

2 drops Frankincense essential oil  (boswellia serrata))

2 drops Vanilla botanical extract  (vanilla planifolia)

1 drop Sweet Fennel essential oil (foeniculum vulgare)

Notes:

Wet: Goes on with a burst of citrus and woody herbs that quickly fades into an intensely green, very layered scent.

Dry: it dries down with just a hint of honey-sweetness, anise, and a strong bergamot presence with pleasantly dusty old wood notes.

these notes are from ME, and do not mean you will experience the perfume in the same way!

Warnings&Comments:

Please be aware if you’ve never used essential oils- they should be diluted with a carrier oil before being applied to skin.  Good quality grapeseed oil isn’t a bad choice, and it’s cheap!  I use sweet almond usually.   

Not a food safe blend.  

Can smell completely different on your skin from person to person, due to how essential oils react with body chemistry

Store your finished product in a container that is tinted, as exposure to sunlight will make the scent fade faster.

I use Vanilla botanical extract, but vanilla oleoresin is also fine, though it will tint your finished perfume brownish.  Otherwise this should come out as a very pale amber color.

Citrus oils are photoreactive, as noted above. They will burn your skin if you go into direct sunlight after applying.

Other BG3 Scents:

Astarion: Midnight Bacchanal

Gale: Faithfully Yours

Shadowheart: Night Orchid

[the-intuitive-divine]

i've really been wanting to write this ritual ever since it was first placed in my heart a few weeks ago, and i finally got around to it! so here we go... 💖

Reconnecting/Cleansing Ritual

for reconnecting & cleansing your relationship with yourself or your partner ✨ keep reading below 👇

1.) set your intentions

if at all possible, come into this ritual with a clear mind and at the very least a neutral mindset.

if this ritual is for just yourself, what is your goal by performing it? are you feeling lost? hoping to connect with your inner self? or maybe hoping to cultivate some confidence?

if this ritual is for you and your partner, how are you looking to strengthen your bond? does your relationship need more trust, peace, or strength? or do you just want to create a peaceful moment to reflect and affirm your love?

2.) cleanse yourself/selves

there's many ways this can be done - incense is commonly used for cleansing, but i also really like using (properly diluted!) essential oils for anointing. i personally like to anoint the areas that are most troubled by what i want to treat (eg. over the heart for love or on the forehead for anxious thoughts) here's a few ideas for essential oils:

cardamom oil for love/self love

chamomile oil for stress reduction

clove oil for banishing negativity

lavender oil for anxious thoughts

geranium oil for trust

you can also add in crystals as well! place them around you/your partner or hold them while performing the ritual then keep them with you for the next five days. some ideas for crystals include:

rose quartz for love

rhodonite for forgiveness

amazonite for banishing negativity

citrine for self confidence

unakite for emotional balance / release

3.) connect

and here's where we connect with ourselves and/or our partner. if performing this ritual solo, i really like to wrap my arms around myself as if i'm giving myself a big hug, or sometimes i will place a hand over my chest to feel my heartbeat and my breathing while repeating some affirmations. the butterfly hug also works well here

my head and my heart work together

negativity has no control over me

i trust myself and my intuition

i am worthy

i am confident

if you're doing this ritual with your partner, physically connect in a way that makes you and them feel safe. my favorite is the melting hug. while in this position, take turns repeating affirmations/reassurance about each other and your relationship.

i am safe in this relationship

our trust is strong

we can work through disagreements together

i am present with you

we are by each other's side

you can continue on for as long as you'd like! when finished, i personally like to have a snack or meal or watch a movie/show to keep a relaxed and connected atmosphere.

i hope this ritual exercise can help welcome more peace and love into your life as much as it has helped me 💖

[tiredwitchplant]

Everything You Need to Know About Herbs: Clary Sage

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea, salvia officinalis)

*Poisonous *Medical Herb *Feminine

Folk Names: Clary Sage, Clear Eye, Clarywort, Eye of Christ, Europe Sage, Eyebright

Planet: Jupiter, Mercury, Moon

Element: Air, Earth

Deities: Diana, Juno, Luna

Abilities: Emotions, Fertility, Inspiration, Intuition, Psychic Abilities, Subconscious mind, and Sea travel

Why Poisonous?: In the essential oil format, it has reported to cause unpleasant side effects such as : premature contractions, miscarriages, impairing drowsiness, nausea, and severe headaches. It is advised to be used sparingly and not be near those expecting a child and animals.

Characteristics: Can reach 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. In rich, well-drained soil with full sunlight, it will produce its beautiful purple-white flowers during June and August. Has a nice fragrant scent.

History: Was first documented in the first 4th century in Greece as a medicinal herb. Is part of the mint family and is native to Southern Europe and Central Asia. Its botanical name derives from the Latin word salveo which means “be well.”

Growing Clary Sage:

Easy to grow? Yes.

Rating: Moderate

Seeds Accessible: No (At least not in USA)

How to Plant Clary Sage

Video Guide

Where to Buy Seeds

Magical Usage:

Can calm and soothe emotions during menstrual cycles

Can be used for purification, Home Blessings, Herbal Amulets, bath herb formulas, and added to Anointing oil.

The scent can create a shield to protect from evil energy

Smelling the herb can clear one’s mind to make a critical decision

Can be used in love spells

Can help open one’s third eye and induce meditative states

Medical Usage:

The seeds were used to reduce inflammation in the eyes

Diluting the oil can help get rid of acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions

Can be used a sedative to help with insomnia

Reduces stress and pain during menstrual cramps

Sources

[booksbeansandcandles]

Magical folk, don't freak over big words.

ALL PLANTS, especially flowers have "VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS".

(Be sure to say that in an ominous thundering Darth Vader voice to make it sound even scarier).

How many of y'all know what a "Volatile Organic Compound" actually is?

Well if you took Biology or Chemistry you should remember.

If you don't remember, or never took chemistry:

Volatile - describes how easily a substance will vaporize (turn into a gas or vapor). A volatile substance can be defined as (1) a substance that evaporates readily at normal temperatures and/or (2) one that has a measurable vapor pressure. The term volatile usually applies to liquids.

Organic - Carbon based compound ... carbon atom bonded to one or more other atoms, often hydrogen.

Compound - a compound is a substance made up of two or more different chemical elements combined in a fixed ratio

So the definition of a Volatile Organic Compound:

Compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. High vapor pressure at room temperature means that they boil very easily (move from liquid to gas state). VOCs give the scent to flowers, plants, perfumes, etc. Some VOCs are natural, and some are man-made.

So, VOCs have a low boiling point and often a low flashpoint. Boiling point where the point where a liquid changes to steam. The boiling point of water is essentially 212 degrees or 100C. Flash point basically means the temperature at where the gas can ignite ... some VOCs can ignite on their own but these are the man-made chemicals.

VOCs are what gives things SCENT (ODOR - SMELL).

VOCs can be NATURAL, they can be man-made, and they can be man-made copies of natural VOCs.

If something smells, there is a VOC.

Essential oils have VOCs.

Even Peace Lilies have VOCs.

Essentially oils are extremely concentrated essences of plants and yes, they have a high concentration of VOCs. It takes obout 10,000 pounds of rose petals to make 1 pound of rose essential oil. It takes about 66 pounds of lavender flowers to make 1 pound of lavender essential oil. You only use a drop or two at a time OR highly dilute an essential oil in a carrier. You don't rub an entire dram (1/8th ounce) of essential oil on your body at a time - that is DANGEROUS. DO NOT PUT ESSENTIAL OILS ON BABIES OR INFANTS - only super diluted ... 2 or 3 drops of lavender oil in 2 or 3 OUNCES of carrier (almond oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, mineral oil, jojoba - this is a natural plant wax which is liquid at room temperature and great for the skin). Don't put essential oils on premature babies especially those that are just at 6 months!!!!!

So, now hopefully you aren't terrified of the term Volatile Organic Compound.

Yes, there are some VOCs that are harmful or deadly - especially man-made substances.

Yes, essential oils have VOCs ... again, ALL plants have VOCs.

[jasper-book-stash]

Okay...regarding Witchcraft For Everyone by Sam Wise...

Well, firstly, if you're the author...I'm sorry, you probably shouldn't look at this post, I'm not fond of this book.

This was a deeply frustrating book. I have so many margin-scribbled notes expressing my frustration as I read it.

The most frustrating parts for me was in the editing and formatting: The inconsistency in the capitalization, formatting, and spelling of chapter titles, paired with the lack of page numbers and a non-existent table of contents, drove me absolutely bonkers.

So many chapters have bold claims with nothing backing them up within the text, which could have been fixed by citations and sources to back them up. And the author does do this in some places - citing specific books or podcasts or people under specific chapters within the text itself.

There are claims that many witches do or don't do something with seemingly no realization that one's experiences aren't universal, along with bold claims in subjects that the author themself claims they know nothing about.

There are also several separate instances of the author putting essential oils into water (sometimes bath water) without proper dilution. And I'm not just biased because of my anti-essential oil stance! My coworker, who uses essential oils herself, backed me up on this being a bad move!

And can someone please, for the love of whatever, tell me how we came to this organization of chapters?

Honestly, this is a 5/10 book. It's not the worst beginner book I've read, but it's far from the first I'd recommend to a beginner.

I just...wish it was a little better.

[sassypotatoe1]

Okay speed round: essential oils edition.

Do not use essential oils topically undiluted.

Do not use essential oils topically on children under the age of 10, or ingested until the age of 15.

Do not ingest essential oils undiluted.

Do research from a reputable medical journal or blog, webmd, mayo clinic, healthline, Cleveland clinic, about how specific oils interact with specific medications.

Do not put a citrus oil on your skin, diluted or otherwise.

Tea tree oil does not have a significant enough antimicrobial effect, you will not cure a pimple, cold sore, or disinfect your house with tea tree oil, you will need so much to see a significant enough antimicrobial effect that you will give yourself chemical burns.

Eucalyptus oil soothes your airways, it does not reduce inflammation or cure asthma or lung infections.

Lavender oil smells nice and can make you feel somewhat better emotionally, it will not replace your anxiety medication, sleeping pills or antidepressants.

Peppermint oil is a major irritant, do not use it undiluted on your skin, do not ingest it when your intestines are sensitive, do not use it if you have psoriasis or eczema.

No essential oil will ever be able to replace chemically synthesized compounds with decades or even centuries of evidence based science backing it up, and the risks of injury or illness are not worth the frankly pathetic and often unpredictable benefits.

You can receive benefits from essential oils, and they make nice scents for your home, but the people trying to peddle significant health effects are lying, they just want to sell distilled plant oils that smell nice.

[nevermore117]

figured I might talk a little about how I've been making soap so yall can judge my dirty ass workstation

I'm making a new batch this evening so it seems like a good way to show everything from the top. This is a long post, I just like sharing my hobbies and I think soapmaking is fucking cool ok

Part 1:

Essentially, when you make soap you're mixing sodium hydroxide (or another similar base like potassium hydroxide) with water and oils and blending them up. When mixed they go through a process called saponification, during which (from my rudimentary understanding) the fatty acid tails break off from the fat structure because the hydrogen atom in the NaOH (sodium hydroxide) really wants to bond in that spot instead. The Na is an ion and breaks off from the molecule in water anyways, and it and the remaining O bond with the fatty acid tail and make a soap. Don't ask me any more please I'm not out of gen chem 2 yet.

All that means is, you take some water and some oils and some sodium hydroxide and mix it together, let it react, and you get soap. The key is the ratios of oils, water, and sodium hydroxide.

The thing is, sodium hydroxide is a strong base. Which is kind of like a strong acid in how bad it is to touch. You don't want it on your hands, you don't want it in your mouth, and jesus fucking christ it WILL blind you if you get it in your eyes. So PPE (personal protective equipment) is a must. And not just some gardening gloves either, you need proper eye and skin protection.

I have latex gloves, a long-sleeved denim shirt I got from my old job for free, and some decent protective goggles. All of this goes on before the lye is opened and doesn't come off until I'm completely done with everything. PPE isn't a joke.

Anyways. When you're making soap you need stuff like measuring bowls of course, since like I mentioned it's the ratios that matter. I measure everything by the gram with a digital scale. Silicone spatulas are also a must, I have two.

I also have an immersion blender. You COULD stir by hand, but I'm not eager to splash 10M lye around willy nilly so I got the blender. It just makes it easier and gives a better final product. I keep my tools separate from anything I would eat with bc, yknow,

, so no smoothies for this bad boy. Not pictured are plain spoons for adding stuff to the measuring bowls. I use glass bowls bc the lye can corrode metal.

Once I measure out an oil/butter I dump it into a big glass measuring cup. I could use a bowl but the measuring cup has a handle and I'm gonna be heating it up later.

Did you think I was done fearmongeroing about sodium hydroxide? Nope! It isn't just bad to touch, it's also bad to breathe! And it generates heat when you dilute it! That's hardly unique to lye, but it's still a little scary and cool.

The lye comes in little round pellets that I have to dissolve into a specific amount of water to get the right concentration of sodium hydroxide solution, and while that's happening it gives off vapors that SUCK to breathe. Ask me how I know. It's not "gonna kill you, call 911 asap", but it's "OWCH my LUNGS". You know if you breathed some in, it stings for a bit when you breathe in like something irritated the lining of your esophagus. Because it did.

So you have to make soap (or at least dilute your sodium hydroxide) in a well-ventilated area. Hence why I do this in my dirty ass garage instead of a nice clean kitchen. I have a big fan set up right next to my water bath (for keeping the lye cooler as I dilute it plus emergency water for washing), and I open the garage door to get that shit out. No enclosed spaces for me, please.

Now... actually making the soap look and smell nice. I have fragrance oils I add, plus I can also add stuff like soap colorant (NOT FOOD DYE), clay (like a clay mask), exfoliants, etc. I just kinda fuck around with trying new oils together. The appeal of this hobby for me is trying new things and experimenting.

I'll update more with actual in-progress photos once I'm done. I took these after cleaning all my supplies, I have some work I have to do before actually making soap bc it takes a while to measure everything out. Hopefully I'll find some time later this afternoonnnn

[butch-himbo-king]

hello, here's some unsolicited advice for your sinus infection, pls disregard if you dont want that.

theres 3 things i think might be helpful to you and you might already be doing some of them.

1. neti pot or saline wash. depending on how clogged ur nostrils are, it might be difficult to use a neti pot, but if you persevere doing it daily, i think it can bring some relief. ceramic neti pots are more expensive but i think theyre safer than plastic. you can google how to do this, just make sure to use clean/boiled water. also when ure done, blow ur nose gently and without closing either nostril.

2. nasya, this means putting oil blend up ur nose in the morning. if you google, you can find a lot of premade oils, but i find it safer and cheaper to make ur own. i use coconut oil with 2% essential oil (i use tea tree and eucalyptus globulos) but if you choose to do this, you can just do the euc so you dont have to buy 2. google "nasya ayurveda" for more info

3. steam inhalation, this is the one you might already be doing like when u turn on the shower rly hot and breathe in the steam. i also like boiling water in an pan adding essential oil (again eucalyptus globulos reccommended) off the heat and breathing in with a towel over my head and the pan to trap the steam (this is physically uncomfortable but worth it for the relief)

source: ive had so so many sinus infections both as a child and adult and my mom is into aromatherapy so ive learned a bit from her and also google

Safety note 1: pls still take your antibiotics when you are able to get them!!! these suggestions are more for relief than getting rid of the root of the inflammation so u still need the anti-bios

Safety note 2: if you do this, pls be sure to dilute your essential oils carefully. they are incredibly concentrated substances that can actually do harm undiluted. all the suggestions i made here have been practiced in traditional medicine (specifically ayurveda) for thousands of years and are safe!! but only as long as you follow the directions

im very sorry if this comes off preachy or like im telling you what to do or like those essential oil moms, but these three things have helped me tremendously and i thought they just might help you too. once again, feel free to disregard and tell me to go fuck myself if thats your truth. im also happy to answer any questions if u have them!

i like ur blog and hope u and ur partner continue to do well and be happy!

thank you fr for sending this it’s so sweet and really genuinely appreciated!!!

i have tried the netipot but both of my nostrils are too swollen for the water to even drip into my throat let alone go all the way through to the other nostril. it literally just sits in whichever one i pour it into for a second and then falls straight back out once it overflows lmfao

and i have been doing a lot of steam inhalation with simmer pots and any time i make soup or tea

one thing i haven’t tried though is the oils. i know if i make a trip to my moms house she’ll have everything i need bc she’s also a very herbal remedy type of woman and she has her big wooden storage box of every oil imaginable.

thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to send me a little bit of help this is really and truly appreciated i hope you have an amazing day 🫶🫶🫶

[forestclay]

Essential Oils for Hair Growth: Benefits, Uses, and Cautions

Essential Oils for Hair Growth: Benefits, Uses, and Cautions

Essential oils have become increasingly popular as a natural solution for various health and beauty concerns, including hair growth. These potent plant extracts are known for their therapeutic properties, and many have been shown to promote healthier, stronger hair. Incorporating essential oils into your hair care routine can help stimulate growth, improve scalp health, and enhance the overall appearance of your hair.

Benefits of Essential Oils for Hair Growth

Stimulates Hair Growth: Certain essential oils, such as rosemary and peppermint, are known to improve circulation to the scalp. This increased blood flow can help stimulate hair follicles, encouraging new hair growth and preventing hair thinning.

Strengthens Hair: Essential oils like lavender and cedarwood can help strengthen hair strands, reducing breakage and split ends. They nourish the hair shaft and help maintain the integrity of the hair, leading to longer, healthier hair.

Balances Scalp Health: An unhealthy scalp can lead to hair loss and slow growth. Essential oils like tea tree and eucalyptus have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help combat scalp conditions such as dandruff, itchiness, and infections, creating a healthier environment for hair growth.

Reduces Hair Loss: Essential oils such as thyme and clary sage are believed to help reduce hair loss by balancing hormones and supporting overall scalp health. These oils can also help slow down the process of hair thinning and support thicker hair growth.

Improves Hair Shine and Texture: Essential oils like ylang-ylang and chamomile are excellent for improving the texture and shine of your hair. They help to condition and hydrate the hair, giving it a more vibrant and lustrous appearance.

How to Use Essential Oils for Hair Growth

Scalp Massage: One of the most effective ways to use essential oils for hair growth is through scalp massage. Dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil, and massage it into your scalp for 5-10 minutes. This helps to stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles and promote hair growth.

Hair Mask: Create a nourishing hair mask by mixing essential oils with a base like yogurt, honey, or avocado. Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair, leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse thoroughly. This method deeply conditions the hair while delivering the benefits of the essential oils.

Leave-In Treatment: Add a few drops of essential oil to your regular leave-in conditioner or a carrier oil and apply it to damp hair. This helps to lock in moisture, strengthen the hair, and protect it from environmental damage.

Shampoo Boost: Enhance your regular shampoo with essential oils by adding a few drops to the bottle or mixing them with your shampoo during each wash. This helps to cleanse the scalp more effectively while promoting hair growth.

Hot Oil Treatment: Combine essential oils with a carrier oil and warm the mixture slightly. Apply it to your scalp and hair, cover with a shower cap, and leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour. This treatment helps to deeply nourish the hair and stimulate growth.

Recommended Essential Oils for Hair Growth

Rosemary Essential Oil: Known for its ability to improve circulation, rosemary oil stimulates hair follicles and promotes hair growth. It also helps prevent hair thinning and graying.

Peppermint Essential Oil: The cooling sensation of peppermint oil increases blood flow to the scalp, which can help promote hair growth. It also has antimicrobial properties that can improve scalp health.

Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender oil is known for its ability to calm the scalp and reduce stress, which can contribute to hair loss. It also helps promote hair growth by improving circulation.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Tea tree oil is excellent for treating scalp issues such as dandruff and itchiness. Its antimicrobial properties help to cleanse the scalp, allowing for healthier hair growth.

Cedarwood Essential Oil: Cedarwood oil balances the oil-producing glands in the scalp, reducing hair loss and promoting stronger hair growth. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can improve scalp health.

Thyme Essential Oil: Thyme oil is known for its ability to prevent hair loss by improving blood circulation to the scalp and promoting hair follicle health.

Cautions and Considerations

Dilution: Essential oils are highly concentrated and should always be diluted with a carrier oil before applying them to the scalp or hair. Undiluted essential oils can cause irritation, redness, or allergic reactions.

Allergies: Perform a patch test before using any essential oil on your scalp or hair. Apply a small amount of the diluted oil to your inner arm and wait 24 hours to ensure you do not have an allergic reaction.

Pregnancy and Medical Conditions: Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and individuals with certain medical conditions should consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils. Some essential oils can have contraindications or interact with medications.

Overuse: Using too much essential oil can lead to scalp irritation or build-up on the hair. Use essential oils sparingly and according to recommended guidelines.

Conclusion

Incorporating essential oils into your hair care routine can be a natural and effective way to promote hair growth, improve scalp health, and enhance the overall appearance of your hair. However, it’s important to use them safely and responsibly, keeping in mind the necessary precautions. With consistent use and the right techniques, essential oils can help you achieve stronger, healthier, and more vibrant hair.

[psalacanthea]

Faithfully Yours- A Gale of Waterdeep-inspired Perfume Blend

this is a recipe for an essential oil blend which can be used for aromatherapy in an oil warmer or as a perfume.  The recipe is a RATIO, which means that it can be easily doubled or tripled depending on what you’re using it for.  

Inspired by the charming and erudite Gale of Waterdeep from Baldur’s Gate 3, this scent evokes the warmth of scholarly companionship, tucked away in a maze of bookshelves.  Hints of mystical incense and worn-in leather mix with a waft of lavender from a waiting bath somewhere beyond your idyll in the heart of a wizard’s tower.  An ungranted wish.

Can be used in lotions, cologne bases or with a carrier oil, but would not recommend for use in cosmetics that are applied to the face or mouth.  As I have allergies stemming from many synthetic scents, I only use essential oils, and cannot speak to how this would work with synthetics.  Lemon oil is photoreactive!  Please do not apply before going into direct sunlight, as it can cause the skin to burn.

Gale Essential Oil Blend

2 drops Vetiver essential oil  (vetiveria zizanioides)

1 drop Frankincense essential oil  (boswellia serrata)

1 drops Coffee essential oil  (coffea arabica)

2 drop Vanilla botanical extract  (vanilla planifolia)

2 drops Lemon essential oil (citrus x limon)

1 drops Lavender essential oil (lavandula angustifolia)

Notes:

Wet:  vibrant lemon and uplifting green herbs followed by a quick burst of coffee’s nutty-bitter warmth and a hint of incense, bracing and bright.

Dry: tart citrus fades quickly, and the sharpness of the lavender does as well, leaving behind a rich, velvety soft layered scent.  A cozy, snuggly perfume that’s still complex and full of depth.

these notes are from ME, and do not mean you will experience the perfume in the same way!

Warnings:

Please be aware if you’ve never used essential oils- they should be diluted with a carrier oil before being applied to skin.  Good quality grapeseed oil isn’t a bad choice, and it’s cheap!  I use sweet almond usually.   

Not a food safe blend.  

Store your finished product in a container that is tinted, as exposure to sunlight will make the scent fade faster.

I use Vanilla botanical extract, but vanilla oleoresin is also fine, though it will tint your finished perfume brownish.

As noted above, lemon (and all citrus) essential oil is photoreactive (reacts with sunlight). I have very sensitive pasty skin, but I’m always careful to only apply diluted, and have yet to be burned.

Other BG3 Scents:

Astarion: Midnight Bacchanal

[yavieriel]

Courtesy of my cleaning binge today, some advice:

70/30 isopropyl alcohol is extremely good at cutting through grease. Buy a gallon of it and put it in a spray bottle and you have a cheap, effective, and safe grease-stripper. I use it routinely to clean my stove hood. Unlike most "multisurface" cleaning sprays (both detergent cleaners and things that are some variant of vinegar and/or essential oils), it won't leave a subtly sticky residue that traps dust.

If it's in your kitchen, it needs to be cleaned. Cooking creates airborne grease no matter how careful you are, and it will settle on everything. That's why things will have a weirdly matte, sticky surface after being in a kitchen for awhile. Spritz it with the isopropyl and wipe it down with a paper towel.

You can buy 30% acetic acid that will dissolve the most stubborn mineral deposits and soap scum. Use gloves and goggles with it or dilute it. Standard white vinegar is 4% acetic acid, for context. If you dilute your 30% down enough you can be less cautious, but it'll be less effective. 30% can etch things though, so use carefully.

If you can remotely afford it and have hard flooring, buy a hard floor cleaner. They're automated mop-vacuums that deposit clean water, scrub, and suck up the dirty water instead of just swishing dirty water around. They use a tiny fraction of the amount of water that traditional mopping does and you don't need to vacuum before using one (although you should get up any big stuff like leaves or onion skin). If you spill a liquid, they'll suck it right up and leave a clean floor behind in moments. I can't emphasize enough what magic this is.