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Uses and Benefits of Rose Water

June 17th, 2010

Rose Water

Rose water does not get the recognition it deserves! With all of its uses and benefits, it should be in every household, but it seems to be a well-kept secret.

Rose water is a by-product made when producing rose oil, carrying with it a beautiful scent and natural healing properties. It is rich in vitamin C and vitamin A and it has antioxidants that helps to get rid of tired skin and give you a glowing complexion. Rose is a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory qualities, as well as being excellent for hydrating and rejuvenating the skin. Be creative with it and you have at your fingertips a myriad of uses and natural remedies.

For Your Face:

1. Use it as a natural facial toner because rose water helps to absorb excess oil from the skin without leaving a drying effect. Make your own by combining 1 1/4 cups of rose water, eight drops of glycerin and 3/4 cup of witch hazel in a dark glass bottle (this is important because you do not want light to affect the mixture). Shake the bottle well before use, and apply daily with cotton balls or swabs. Rose water toner is perfect to combat acne.

2. Apply rose water to your face to tighten pores and prevent wrinkles. Acting as an astringent with anti-inflammatory agents, the rose water will help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

3. It can be used as a gentle facial cleanser. Make your own by mixing one cup of rose water, 2 teaspoons of glycerin and 10 drops of rose essential oil. The essential oil will add to the cleansing properties of this rose water cleanser as well as help preserve it.

4. Men can use rose water as an aftershave to soothe irritated skin from shaving.

5. Rose water makes a GREAT makeup setting spray! Add it to a spray bottle and spritz lightly over your face. It will set your makeup and gave you a dewy finish for hours.

6. Use it to remove your makeup. Dab with a cotton swab and gently rub in a circular motion on the face until makeup is removed.

7. Dab on temples and eye area to ward off or soothe headaches.

8. Rose water helps to balance the pH of the skin, helping to control both dry and oily skin and can soothe many types of dermatitis.

For Your Skin:

1. For a light, refreshing perfume, add five drops of jasmine oil to a quarter cup of rose water. Store your perfume in a dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid to keep away from light.

2. Soothe a sunburn with rose water. Cool rose water spritzed on skin feels great, reduces puffiness and gently disinfects the skin, preventing infection and irritation.

3. Add rose water to a hot bath to help relax as well as trap moisture in the skin, making skin smoother and firmer.

For Your Hair:

1. Pour rose water over your head while showering/bathing as it can reduce inflammation of the scalp, increasing the blood supply to the scalp and promotes hair growth.

2. Rose water benefits the hair by acting as an excellent moisturizer. Mix some rose water in your shampoo and you’ll be left with conditioned and moisturized hair that smells great and is extremely soft to touch.

For Your Health:

1. Add rose water to bath water to relieve fatigue, produce a relaxing effect, improve your mood and lessen stress and depression.

2. Rinse with rose water to soothe a sore throat.

3. Soak a cotton ball soaked to treat inflamed glands.

4. A cotton swab soaked in rose water can be used for treating and relieving inflamed gums. Warm rose water can also be taken in your mouth for treating gums. Regular use of rose water helps in relieving and curing paining gums, strengthening of loose teeth and removes bad odor from the mouth.

For Your Home:

1. Use rose water spritzer as an air-freshener.

2. Spray rose water on counter tops to disinfectant bathrooms, on couches, carpets, etc..

3. When cooking, rose water can be used in many dessert and baking recipes in place of vanilla extract.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Body Scrub Benefits and Tips: The Top 5 Reasons to Use Body Scrubs

May 17th, 2010

Exfoliate with Caswell-Massey's Almond Body Scrub

Yes, your beauty product arsenal is probably stocked with varieties of body treatments from moisturizing lotions to body cleansers in gel and cream form, a facial mask or two, solutions for removing make-up and even a few bronzing and scented products for finishing touches. But, do you have one of the essentials for prepping, invigorating and toning your skin? I’m talking about a body scrub, a simple product that offers some unique skincare advantages that you don’t get from bathing with soap or applying lotions. What are these advantages? Read on…

1. Bring on the Luster

A body scrub single-handedly removes dead skin cells, the top layer that looks dry, flaky and dull. It will also remove toxins that the skin does not allow to pass through, as well as dirt and oil. A scrub is made of up of refined, granulated particles (such as a sugar body scrub or a salt body scrub) that when rubbed against the skin will quickly remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Normal bathing will not provide this type of exfoliation which is needed for healthy skin.

2. Great for All Skin Types

For those with oily skin, body scrubs are a great way to unclog pores and deeply clean the skin. Because dry, dead skin is just laying on the surface, the extra oil buildup is trapped underneath, clogging your pores. With a scrub, the barrier layer is removed, oil will have less of a chance to get trapped, and breakouts will be averted. For dry skin, a scrub will stimulate the blood circulation and the production of the skin’s natural oils, which will help to keep skin moisturized.

3. Moisturizing Benefits

Once you remove the barrier of dead skin cells and reveal the healthy layers underneath, creams and lotions will be readily absorbed by the skin. For 2-in-1 exfoliation/moisturizing process, choose an exfoliating body scrub as our Almond & Aloe Body Scrub that is made with natural oils which moisturize as it exfoliates.

4. Immunity Boost

It is believed that by stimulating the skin and blood circulation, body scrubs can positively affect one’s immune system which in turn can prevent skin disorders, skin disease and keep skin youthful. There are even certain body scrubs made to pull toxins out from the skin to prevent physical ailments.

5. Be Tan Ready

Exfoliation is a necessity when it comes to applying self-tanner because you want even skin that can retain the tanning product; dry skin makes the tanning product darker and you don’t want streaks and uneven color blotches. Therefore, use a scrub to remove excess dead skin and leave the new skin ready for a bronze glow. Pay close attention to your knees and elbows with the scrub, as those are the main spots dry skin builds up.

Choose Wisely

There are many different kinds of body scrubs on the market, offering different benefits, from moisturizing, to aromatherapy to natural healing properties. Therefore, know what you are looking for in a scrub before you choose one. If you want to relax your mood, shower with an almond or lavender scrub. For a quick pick-me-up, use a refreshing lemon or mint scrub. If you are looking to use an all natural body scrub, choose an oatmeal or sea salt scrub, which acts as an antiseptic as well as a cleanser.

Handle with Care

Rule of thumb when using a body scrub is to be gentle – don’t scrub until your skin is red and tender. Only a small amount is needed at a time, preferably a quarter size to start. In the shower, use a wet washcloth or shower poof and gently work the scrub in circles. Once you have scrubbed your entire body from shoulders to feet, rise one last time to make sure all of the product is washed off.

Don’t forget that your skin is your body’s largest organ, and adding a scrub to your routine will only increase your health and appearance.

Tags: Bath Scrub, Body Scrub, Exfoliating Body Scrub, Exfoliating Scrub, Natural Bath Scrub, Scrub, Shower Scrub
Posted in Bath & Body Products, Beauty, Men, Women | 1 Comment »

Experience Casma – A Fragrance of Bold Sophistication

April 27th, 2010

A Return to Glamour

Back from the archives – Casma has returned! For those of you who have not experienced this sophisticated and bold collection, let us introduce you…

Casma

Setting the Stage – The Era
Imagine yourself in the Roaring 20s, when bootleg gin flowed like water and New York Jazz was in full swing. It was an age when fabulous flappers dared to show their knees and danced the night away with the latest fad called The Charleston. Art Deco was the new style of design and architecture to mark the era. Everyone was testing the limits of society’s rules, and women were asserting themselves as equals with the passing of the 19th Amendment. It was a time to break from tradition.

A new scent appeared on the shelves of the Caswell-Massey store – Casma. Its sophisticated scent seduces stars of the silver screen, including Carole Lombard. The times demanded something different – just as the 20s was an era of pushing the envelope with bathtub gin and bare knees, something was lacking in women’s fragrances – a scent that was sophisticated yet defied the norm. To fill that need, Casma emerged as a perfume for the thoroughly modern woman who dared to be different by day and glamorous by night.

The Essence
Casma is alluring, and those that wear it are meant to be the talk of the town. The very scent is magical, with an exciting quality to it—like decadence rolling off black velvet. Can you say daring, yet decidedly feminine?

Casma Cologne Spray is a beautiful blend of distinctive notes. The top notes are creamy rose, jasmine, magnolia petals, ginger, and mandarin, accented with bergamot, green leaves and sun-kissed plum. The rich floral heart blends nuances of rose, jasmine, magnolia petals, and sensual ylang ylang. It has the slightest hints of saffron and amber. The bottom note is sensual and warm with amber, patchouli, sandalwood, cedarwood, silken musk and a subtle hint of vanilla.

The History
Casma was originally launched in New York in 1922 by Caswell-Massey. At this time fashion designers who held significant influence on the fashion industry (and still do to this day) were issuing their first perfumes. Notably, Coco Chanel of Paris was on the rise in Europe, introducing a new style of dress complete with a little black dress and pill hat to match. As she was searching for a scent to complement her fashion style, Caswell-Massey was at work in the United States designed a scent for flappers and women of empowerment. It is believed that Casma was the first American aldehydic scent, describing a scent that blends man-made and natural fragrances. Many say aldehydes add “sparkle” to a scent, and many perfumers consider aldehyde a fragrance family or category.

The Image
The look of the Casma line is unique and intriguing on its own, bringing the Roaring 20s back to life. The charming packaging depicts Art Deco scenes of flappers enjoying the nightlife and wandering amidst a night cityscape. The colors of rich gold, strong black and deep purple are both exciting and mysterious.

One of the most notable celebrities of the Roaring Twenties, Carole Lombard, wore this dare-to-be-different scent and described it as her favorite.Lombard, listed as one of the American Film Institute’s greatest stars of all time, was the highest-paid star in Hollywood in the late 1930s. She was the poster model for glamour of the times, and she chose Caswell-Massey as her signature scent.

Few perfumes, Casma included, are so original that nothing has ever come close to duplicating them. Casma remains unique. The scent stands out as an exotic and superior example of the perfumer’s art. One critic was noted as describing it as follows, “What makes [this perfume] stand out to me is [it contains] a note or notes I at least have never found in any other perfume, something intriguing that teases the senses by its elusiveness.”

Tags: Casma, Caswell-Massey, Cologne Spray, Perfume
Posted in Uncategorized, Women | 11 Comments »

Achieving the Perfect Shave – Shave Tools and Steps to Achieving a Close Shave

March 8th, 2010

Men, you know the feeling. The fresh-faced, clean of a great shave, leaving your facial skin soft and smooth. This might not happen every day, but it is more achievable than you think. You just need the right tools and to take the right steps.

We, the makers of the 1752 Shave Collection, will share with you the steps to the perfect shave. Here we will divulge the secrets of preparing your face for a shave, tell you how to avoid razor burn, ingrown hairs, cuts and other skin irritations and get the softest skin since your adolescent years.

1.Prep Your Face

Heat Things Up

First, let’s start with some heat! It’s best to shave in or right after the shower. The heat of the shower aids in opening your pores and allows the hair to soften and rise so they are easier to shave off. If you don’t have time for a shower, wrapping a moistened, warm towel around your face for several minutes will do the trick.

Wash Away

Lucky Tiger Face-Wash

Use a facial soap or facial cleanser such as Lucky Tiger Face Wash to rid skin of dirt and oil that can get trapped in pores during shaving. Skip the scrubs and save for another time – scrubs can make skin sensitive and cause irritation during shaving.

Oil Slick and Sleek

Pre-Shave Oil

Don’t skip this step! We need to prep and soften the hair to allow the razor to move easily. We also want to help reduce stubble and cut down on the chances of nicks and razor burn. The trick here is to apply a few drops of pre-shave oil such as Caswell-Massey 1752 Pre-Shave Oil to the face with your hands and massage into your skin.

2. Game Time

Layer Cream or Suds

Shave Soaps & Creams

Now it’s time to get personal. Your preference comes into play; shave soap or shaving cream. For those who are pro-shave cream we suggest Caswell-Massey’s 1752 Shave Cream in Sandalwood or Almond or Dr. Hunter’s Shave Cream. Shave creams that come in tubes and jars are preferred over creams in aerosol cans because they produce a gentler lather whereas the latter produce too much foam which prevents the razor from achieving a close shave. For those loyal to shave soap, try the 1752 Shave Soap in a Shave Bowl (the soap lathers nicely and has a bowl container to keep it intact for reuse).

* Whatever your choice for lather, it is key to apply it to your face with a shave brush. This is something our grandfathers knew best! With a quality shave brush, you’ll lift and separate each hair and coat them more thoroughly with lather, further reduce the chances of ingrown hairs and make skin softer for a more comfortable shave.

Badger brushes are preferred because the bristles are sturdy and durable. With a brush, wet the bristles with warm water and begin working up a lather with your cream or soap. Then, moving in circles, apply the lather to your face.

Razor Sharp

Armed with your razor in hand, start at the sideburns and shave with the grain….in other words, in the direction that the hair is growing. Use long strokes to work down the face, rinsing the razor frequently, and finish with the neck. By then the pre-shave oil has had more time to absorb into the skin and loosen the tougher hair in that area.

If you feel like you have achieved ample coverage, skip to the next step. If you feel like you could use one more pass, lather up and shave again, this time going across or against the grain to ensure you haven’t missed any stubborn beard hair. (And be gentle this time around! Don’t apply too much pressure or you will end up with razor burn.)

3. Clean Up

Time to rinse your face with cold water to remove any excess cream and oil as well as to close the pores and refresh the skin. Dry your face by patting with a dry towel. Gentle, gentle.

4. After Effects

You’re not ready to walk out the door just yet. The last thing to apply to your face is after-shave products. Shaving can be harsh on your skin. The skin on your face is very sensitive, and constant shaving may leave it dry, irritated, and prone to ingrown hairs. Also, you might get a few cuts here and there that will need some loving attention.

After Shaves & Balms

Enter After-Shave Balms, such as 1752 After-Shave Balm, which are great for conditioning and healing the skin after shaving. An after-shave will soothe the skin and give it a healthy appearance, not a red, bumpy irritated one. After-shaves usually come in lotion or balm form and can be scented or unscented. If they are scented, it is light scent that will wear off in an hour or two, allowing you to layer cologne on top without the fear of smelling too strong and sending people running in the other direction.

Lucky Tiger Face Moisurizer

If you have dry skin, you can finish with a facial moisturizer such as Lucky Tiger Face Moisturizer to combat dryness and keep skin smooth.

The last step of course is to admire the handsome devil that you are in the mirror and get ready to tackle the day.

Tags: men's shave, razors, shave, shave balms, shave sets, shaving, shaving cream
Posted in Men, Uncategorized, shaving | 3 Comments »

Mixology 101: How to Mix Fragrances Using Essential Oils and Natural Ingredients

February 4th, 2010

For more than two centuries, Caswell-Massey has been creating formulas and combining natural ingredients to produce personal care products of subtle complexity, undiminished purity, superb quality, and luxurious fragrance that keeps customers loyal. In our products, we use only the finest, perfume grade, natural essential oils to give our soaps, lotions and perfumes their rich, complex fragrance. We also sell these oils by themselves.

Here we invite you to express yourself and get creative by becoming a mixologist and creating your own personal fragrance with Caswell-Massey essential oils. It’s easy and the results can be surprisingly gratifying. Next time someone asks what you are wearing, you can say “it’s my very own fragrance.”

Creating your own scent is a great group activity – what a great activity to try for your next Girls’ Night.

Also, making a personal perfume or cologne for someone special is such a unique gift that will be remembered and cherished.

To make your own scents, you will need the following:

Perfume funnel
Dropper
Oils for bottom, middle and top notes
Diluant (an alcohol-based solution to transform perfume oils into perfume or cologne)
- You can use unflavored Alcohol for your dilutant
- Clean Perfume Bottle

Once you have your necessary tools, it’s time to choose your scents.

First, choose an oil for your bottom note, usually a stronger scent that will last. Examples of bottom notes are musks and earthy scents such as Sandalwood, Jasmine and Vanilla. You can search your favorite perfume/cologne online to find out what is used as the bottom note and work from there if you are unsure of a starting bottom note.

Next, choose an oil for the middle note. This scent will add substance to your top and bottom notes. Examples of middle notes are floral scents such as Lavender, Rose and Chamomile. Choose a scent that will go well with but will slightly contrast your bottom note.

Now choose a top note oil, the scent that will be noticed first upon application. Usually light and airy, these scents will wear off first, revealing the middle and bottom notes. Examples of top notes are citrus scents such as Verbena, Lemongrass, Bergamot and Orange.

Finally it’s time to mix the scents with a diluant. Use your perfume funnel to mix ¼ oz. diluant (you can use unflavored Vodka or ethyl alcohol) in a perfume bottle with 2 drops of a bottom note oil, 3 drops of a middle note oil and 3 drops of a top oil. Shake the bottle well and store in a cool, dark area for 48 hours to allow the scents to blend together. Feel free to test the scent and make any adjustments needed such as adding an extra drop of a top note.

It’s that simple.

Enjoy!

Some suggested combinations to help you get started:

- Bottom Note: Caswell-Massey Patchouli, Middle Note: Caswell-Massey Lilac, Top Note: Caswell-Massey Lemon

- Bottom Note: Caswell-Massey Egyptian Musk, Middle Note: Caswell-Massey Woodsy Rose, Top Note: Caswell-Massey Almond

- Bottom Note: Caswell-Massey Eucalyptus, Middle Note: Caswell-Massey French Lavender, Top Note: Caswell-Massey Lilac

- Bottom Note: Caswell-Massey Egyptian Musk, Middle Note: Caswell-Massey Vanilla, Top Note: Caswell-Massey French Lavender

You can also use 2 scents instead of three for these classic combinations:

- Caswell-Massey Sandalwood and Caswell-Massey Woodsy Rose

- Caswell-Massey Woodsy Rose and Caswell-Massey French Lavender

Oils that work well with almost anything:

- Caswell-Massey Vanilla

- Caswell-Massey Musk

Looking for more ways to use our Essential oils?

Any oil can be added to Caswell-Massey Sweet Almond Oil and used in small amounts for a body perfume, larger amounts for bath oil or massage oil.

You can enhance your favorite fragrance, lotion or gel with a few drops one of a perfume oil to give it a unique twist and make it a true signature scent.

Perfumed oil can also be added to candle wax for candle making or a few drops can be sprinkled on Potpourri to freshen any room.

Tags: Aromatheraphy, Custom Fragrance, ESSENTIAL OILS
Posted in Bath & Body Products, Uncategorized | 10 Comments »

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Uses and Benefits of Rose Water

For Your Face:

For Your Skin:

For Your Hair:

For Your Health:

For Your Home:

Body Scrub Benefits and Tips: The Top 5 Reasons to Use Body Scrubs

1. Bring on the Luster

2. Great for All Skin Types

3. Moisturizing Benefits

4. Immunity Boost

5. Be Tan Ready

Choose Wisely

Handle with Care

Experience Casma – A Fragrance of Bold Sophistication

Achieving the Perfect Shave – Shave Tools and Steps to Achieving a Close Shave

1.Prep Your Face

Heat Things Up

Wash Away

Oil Slick and Sleek

2. Game Time

Layer Cream or Suds

Razor Sharp

3. Clean Up

Mixology 101: How to Mix Fragrances Using Essential Oils and Natural Ingredients

Categories

Archives

Recent Comments

Subscribe

Tag Cloud

Blogroll

Uses and Benefits of Rose Water

For Your Face:

For Your Skin:

For Your Hair:

For Your Health:

For Your Home:

Body Scrub Benefits and Tips: The Top 5 Reasons to Use Body Scrubs

1. Bring on the Luster

2. Great for All Skin Types

3. Moisturizing Benefits

4. Immunity Boost

5. Be Tan Ready

Choose Wisely

Handle with Care

Experience Casma – A Fragrance of Bold Sophistication

Achieving the Perfect Shave – Shave Tools and Steps to Achieving a Close Shave

1.Prep Your Face

Heat Things Up

Wash Away

Oil Slick and Sleek

2. Game Time

Layer Cream or Suds

Razor Sharp

3. Clean Up

Mixology 101: How to Mix Fragrances Using Essential Oils and Natural Ingredients