While essential oils have become a pretty buzzy topic in the wellness space the past few years, some of us are still a little confounded as to where to get started with them. A great way to dip your toe in the scene if you’re still on the fence about what oils you should buy is to explore their benefits in beauty products.

We’ve rounded up our favourite essential oils that can act as a guideline as you start your journey, along with our picks of Canadian beauty brands that offer up the additional benefits of essential oil blends and diffusions.

GRAPEFRUIT

Benefits: This fruity oil ups your energy, immune system and positivity, making the mood-boosting benefits of citrus-based scents perfect for your morning routine.

Our Product of Choice: Spritz on some Triple Citrus Blend Hair and Body Mist from Cake Beauty to make your a.m. a breeze.

Image from Cake Beauty website

FRANKINCENSE

Benefits: This oil has stood the test of time with its ability to soften your skin when applied topically plus it calms your mind while reducing negative thoughts.

Our Product of Choice:For smooth skin and moments of pure bliss, use Crawford Street Natural Skin Care’s Hand Cream in Frankincense.

Image from Crawford Street Natural Skin Care Instagram 

LAVENDER

Benefits: Its properties to de-stress, reduce anxiety and help you sleep work with your body to keep your mind and soul relaxed, creating the perfect oil for your nightly routine.

Our Product of Choice: Sink into its benefits with Cocoon Apothecary’s Touchy Feels Bubble Bath in lavender and rosemary.

Image from Cocoon Apothecary Instagram 

PEPPERMINT

Benefits: This super oil is great for combatting headaches, nausea, sore muscles and even a stuffy nose, keeping the pep in your step.

Our Product of Choice: Lather up with some basd invigorating mint body wash and experience peppermint’s cool and soothing sensation.

Image from basd Instagram

LEMON

Benefits: Its antibacterial and antifungal properties disinfect while the oil detoxifies and reduces your stress, making this master of many trades ideal for cleaning.

Our Product of Choice: For a fresh and squeaky clean home try Lemon Aide’s All-Surface Cleaner, Kitchen Hand Wash and Dish Liquid.

Image from Lemon Aide Instagram

Brands and corporations are making a beeline for our pockets, working to capitalize on what is problematically deemed the “wellness trend” – and the problem starts exactly from the phrase “wellness trend”. The fact that a mass collective in society has removed our blinders and are eliminating the idea that hustle, stress, never-ending performance, unattainable body and beauty standards and material wealth are the only measurements of a successful and fulfilling existence does not constitute a trend, so much as it does a period of enlightenment.

In fact, reducing the time we are actively dedicating to acts of wellness and self-love as a “trend” is anti-intelligent and diminishing to othose who are putting our personal well-being ahead of burnout and bad purchasing decisions. This reduction of the movement to something as flippant as a trend stems more from fear than it does ignorance.

Take the “personal care” industry as an example. The more we focus on what big corporations are putting in our “personal care” products, holding them accountable for selling us toxins and chemicals that are bad for us, and asking whether or not they have been tested on animals or use child labour in their supply chain means that companies need to start being better. And being better typically means taking a bottom line hit. And so the same companies that are responsible for selling us ineffective chemical-ridden items from one product line are launching others that are marketed to the wellness, planet-conscious crowd (did someone say Unilever’s Love Beauty Planet?).

Further to, the more we are collectively becoming aware of what is causing us to be ill of body, mind and spirit, and taking dedicated action to rectify this, the less corporations and big pharma can continue to sell us cures. A solid sense of self through the ongoing practice of mindfulness will eventually lead a rational individual to the understanding that a $12 mascara from a company that tests their products on animals in China will not fundamentally make us a more beautiful or powerful person. An expensive spa day once a year does not a wellness practice make.

It isn’t just corporations who are fearful of “wellness”. Most of us who have shared about an improved lifestyle after adapting a routine  meditation practice or a plant-based diet have endured our share of rolling eyes or the predictable “…but bacon!” statement from friends.

But the truth is a person who has put their wellness before a work hustle is less likely to contract modern day stress-induced afflictions that require big pharma to knock us out at the end of a stressful day, or cause our muscles to seize from the pressure of being in constant fight mode, our immune systems to shut down, and our sense of self to be so utterly destroyed that we are weakened and seduced by false promises of beauty, health and happiness, drawn to the florescent lights of Shoppers Drug Mart like moths to the flame.

Certainly, any rational individual understands that essential oils, meditation and palo santo cannot cure even a common cold. However, investing routinely in your personal self-care through practices that reduce stress on both the mind and the body enables us to face what modern day challenges come our way with a stronger sense of who we are as individuals, why we are here on this earth (really, it is to be happy) and what really matters in this life. Investing in our health ensures our immune systems are stronger so we fall ill less often and can enjoy life as it is meant to be enjoyed. Investing in our minds and our hearts through meditation, reflection, yoga and aromatherapy opens ourselves to understand that happiness will not be found in a new electronic or pair of shoes and therefore we do not need to run ourselves into the ground for capital gains and material wealth.

Let us be mindful that corporations will work to leverage consumer trends into their own profits. Let us protect our right to nourish our beings with love and self-care. Let us push against a system that insists we be weak, dull and quick to part with our money for superficial cures to problems we do not have. Let us be well.

The final leaves are swirling past us to the ground and we begin our retreat into the darkest time of the year. Many of us find deep peace and inner connectivity outdoors, embraced in the arms of nature. In preparation for the next few months, when the majority of our time will be spent indoors,  it is a wonderful time to create a sacred space within our homes, one that can bring us to a state of calm and sanctitude. In shorter terms, it’s time to make a home altar!

What Is An Altar?

Altars have been used for thousands of years in religious ceremonies and are typically associated with offerings to the gods, and have commonly been used in sacrifice. A home altar is a place that offers a personal sense of the sacred. Whether you are a practicing Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, or a connector with the universe and Spirit, human beings often require a visual reminder of what we hold high in priorities. An alter acts as a sacred place in our homes that draws us back to our sacred beliefs, priorities, personal serenity and sense of being.

Why Make An Altar?

An altar is a physical representation of your core beliefs and values. It is a place that you can honour yourself, your life, your Spirit and your ideals. It is a beautifully creative way to express the inner composition of your peace, your connection, your inspiration and your love. A home altar will create a sense of peace within your home, and will ground you back to your core values in times of need. It is a wonderful place to ponder on, to find quiet, and to meditate. You will find in time that being in presence of your altar’s space will elevate your mood, vibration and energy.

How To Make An Altar

The Space

Select a prominent space in your home, one that you see regularly. An altar is not meant to be hidden, but a daily way to connect to your inner being. With the proper intention, your altar will serve you every time you look at it, extending energy and love and mindful reminders.

Typically, altar surfaces are flat, such as a bookshelf, tray or small table. Once you have selected a space in your home for your altar, cleanse it with sage to clear any old or stagnant energies. Cleanse your altar’s space as often as you feel necessary.

Sacred Items 

You are the only person who can determine what is sacred to you. What connects you to yourself? What do you value? The sacred items on your altar can be reminders of what you strive to embody, how you want to live your life, and what fuels your personal life purpose. These items can be pictures, books, crystals, Mala beads, a gift from a friend or family member, small reminders and knick knacks, statues or pictures of deities, oracle cards. Anything that brings you a sense of love and peace, or anything that offers positive energy is great for your altar.

Recommendations: Nature and the Senses 

If you feel a call to honour nature on your altar, find items that speak to the 5 elements, such as a candle for fire, air and space, or live plants and flowers for earth and water. It is also excellent to feed your senses with your altar. Examples include a small meditation bowl will honour your ears, a shawl or cushion used while you are in front of your altar will honour your sense of touch, and essential oils or incense will speak to your nose.

Your altar is a space to find yourself, to draw inspiration and to connect with your inner being. The more you feed it with your presence and love, the more it will serve you. It is your space to do what it calls you to; praying, meditating, journaling, singing or simply being. Namaste.

Image Credit
Manuel Meurisse
*Canadian Proud: All products in this post are from amazing Canadian companies we love!

In honour of Earth Day on April 22nd, we thought it would be timely to chat about the benefits of soy candles over paraffin candles and of course, offer a round up of some of the best Canadian soy-based candles available. Health and lifestyle pros are in the know; when it comes to candles, soy is in and paraffin is out. While the term “Soy Candles” may seem like a buzzy concept, if you are a frequent candle user it’s important to understand why a soy candle is significantly a better choice over a paraffin-based candle.

Quick Things To Know: 

Natural vs. Non-Natural

Soy candles come from soybeans which are a natural, renewable source whereas paraffin candles are made from petroleum. Petroleum is a non-renewable source and has been recognized as containing carcinogenic substances. Soy candles do not require chemical fragrances to scent them. When checking labels, it’s important to look for candles that are 100% natural, as some manufacturers will claim to be soy-based but will also have non-natural additives and artificial, chemical-based scents. Soy candles can be scented using natural methods, such as essential oils.

A Clean Burn

If you’ve ever seen black soot in your candle holders, you can be certain it wasn’t a 100% natural candle. If the black soot is in your candle holder, one can only wonder what has been distributed into your home and breathing air during the burning process. A soy candle is non-toxic and will offer a clean burn, ensuring the only thing you are breathing in is the relaxing and soothing vibes your candle was meant to give off.

Soy Burns Longer

While a soy candle may cost a bit more, rest assured that you will get up to 50% more life out of this purchase than you would a cheaper, paraffin candle. This is because soybean-based wax has a cooler burning temperature than paraffin.

Benefits of Natural Scents

Soy can hold onto the scents drawn from essential oils better than their non-natural candle counter parts, meaning that you can truly embrace the a soy-based candle for its natural aromatherapy qualities. For lovers of essential oils and believers in their benefits, soy candles are another great way to take in the pleasures of scent.

Below is a quick look at some of our favourite Soy Candles from Canadian companies

Vancouver Candle Co.

Store Link

Natura Soy Candles

Store Link

Citchen Candle Co.

Store Link

Milk Jar Candles

Store Link

Au Natural

Store Link

Soy Harvest

Store Link

Image Credit

Lisa Hobbs

*Canadian Proud: All products in this post are from amazing Canadian companies we love!

We all know that our ability to cope with stress must ultimately come from within. There are practices we can introduce into our daily existence to reduce stress levels such as regular yoga and exercise, more sleep, cutting back on caffeine, etc. But what about the times when you feel the need to curb the anxiety quickly, efficiently and as soberly as possible? Or your mind is in overdrive and you can’t seem to find your breath, peace or sense of ease?

Simply recognizing our need for calm is the first step towards allowing it to enter our lives. Existing in a society that values hustle over harmony can be tricky for those who often find ourselves burning the candle at both ends without seeming to ever accomplish much.

Luckily, we are entering a time when people are feeling more secure to vocalize a need to stop and regroup. A simple evening of self-care and sleep can be the best thing to help us get back into alignment to meet daily challenges with love and perspective.

Giving yourself the gift of calm and deep rest naturally is easier than ever. We’ve curated a selection of our absolute favourite products (they’re ALL Canadian) to help get you there.

Stress Release Roll On from Blends With Benefits

New to the essential oil scene, this Canadian company with its super clever name and cute packaging, offers a 100% blend of pure essential oils in their Stress Release roll on. The mixture of neroli, orange, patchouli, rosewood, champa, and jojoba is the perfect recipe to incite feelings of calm through tried, tested and true aromatherapy practices. Simply roll on, breathe in and chill out.

Relaxation Booster from Well Told Health

(Formerly called Relaxation Booster)

Recognized for their collection of all natural Health Boosters crafted with nothing but organic vegan foods and absolutely no synthetics or fillers, Well Told Health’s Relaxation Booster is made with only two ingredients; organic lemon balm and organic goji berries. Taking two of these a couple hours before bed will help quiet the mind and allow us to sink into a state of calm and restful sleep.

Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar from Earth Luxe

Is there anything that Himalayan Salt can’t do? Using this magic mined salt in handheld crystal bar form all over your body will not only gently remove dead skin and pull toxins from the skin, but can also help reduce stress, muscle tension and exhaustion.

Lavender Orange Body Oil Epic Blend

Best used after a soothing hot shower, generously applying this body oil will have an immediate effect with its use of lavender essential oils. This Lavender Orange Body Oil will not only hydrate and moisturize, its scent is perfect to ground the senses and bring us into a state of calm.

Nightly Zen Loose Leaf Sleep Tea from Affect Health 

This blend of Passion Flower, Valerian, Oat Straw and Skullcap has been professionally formulated to help reduce stress, sooth anxious thinking and calm our central nervous system. A cup of this potent but soothing brew will help wind your body down for a good night’s sleep.