We are all familiar with the term ‘exfoliate’, or better yet, ‘scrub’. But like most beauty fads, do we really know why we do it and if we are doing it right? Earlier in my life, exfoliation in my skin care routine was synonymous with torture. The thought of scrubbing my body with some sort of salt-concoction, aimlessly trying to get rid of those hard and dead skin on my heels even now makes me pull my ‘No, thank you, not interested’-face. But as my journey with self-care and self-love progressed, I learnt more about sustainable beauty products and routines (such as exfoliation) but also why they exist. The word ‘exfoliate’ dates to the 17th century from the late Latin...
Have you ever wondered why minty bubble gum seems to boost your mood almost immediately after only a few chews and why brushing your teeth with toothpaste is so satisfying? The secret (that’s what we like to call it) is spearmint leaf oil. Apart from its fresh aromatics, spearmint oil is known as a mood-boosting agent. Its antiseptic properties make it ideal for babies and sensitive skin that are prone to infection. Historically, spearmint oil has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic, Chinese and Greek medicine. The leaves were used to treat scurvy. It was also used to heal wounds by rubbing salt and spearmint leaves directly onto the broken skin. The Romans brought mint to Britain, from where it...
It's that time of the year again!
My favourite festival of all time. The Pringle Bay Village Festival!
What makes it my favourite festival? The community that welcomes visitors with such amazing hospitality. I think you come as a stranger and leave as a friend. Some people never leave...
Oh, and the food, entertainment, stalls, fun run, mountain biking, activities...it's all of great quality! Then there's the fact that it is hosted in the beautiful Kogelberg Biosphere, surrounded by mountains, has a great beach and is in a conservation area.
Beautiful Scenery, Warm hospitality, Fun activities = My favourite festival
And when you are here, don't forget to come say hello to us at the Le Riche Shop!
XXX
The local fisherman in Pringle Bay know it as "Aasbossie" (Bait bush). Basically, after fishing with foul smelling bait the whole day, this is the cure. I'm smiling as I write this. Clearly, even they realize they need to smell better before going back into civilization. The perfumed leaves of this Fynbos species is highly aromatic and prized by locals. Here at Le Riche Perfumery, we use it in our Fynbos style perfume called VERT. This green floral style perfume literally takes you on a fragrant journey through Fynbos. I love it for the memories it evokes. Have you ever gone kloofing in the Grabouw mountains, ziplined on a hot summer day and fallen down for a rest on a picnic blanket surrounded by sun baked Fynbos?...
Ah, the essential oil that has ruined a good many blends...Use with caution! If you are trying to add a mossy, green and somewhat singular tone to your fragrance blend, this is what Lippia Javanica can help to do. When blended pleasingly, it imparts the pleasant mossy scent of ferns in a typical mountain kloof (gorge), to the blend. If it is not enveloped by a sturdy well balanced blend, you might find it overwhelms with the fragrance of rotting plant material...like rotting ferns in a kloof...which some animals used as a toilet... It certainly takes some practice to use in blends, but it is well worth it, simply for it's uniqueness and lovely medicinal value. I find it pairs well with mint...
