Essential Oils | My Mills Baby

I’ll soon find out as the fabulous folks at Amphora Aromatics have given me all this loveliness to try!

What better way to kick off Day 1 of #OpBabyWeight than to surround myself with beautiful smells?! Talk about easing yourself in gently! After the shock of the scales and dreadful pre-diet pics, this is just what I need.

^ I didn’t need anymore motivation on a Monday than this! ^

But I’m not just simply making my home smell gorgeous, apparently essential oils also play their part in weight loss. Yep, I was skeptical too. I still am! But who am I to argue with science?

Aromatherapist Eugeny Couture has developed the following advice for any would-be dieter who wants to keep those hunger cravings at bay.

Keep a bottle of Grapefruit oil in your handbag and take 3 to 5 deep breathes of it at least 6 times a day to regulate your appetite.
Use a combination of the following oils in a burner: 4 drops of Mandarin, 3 drops of Bergamot, 2 Clove, 1 Cinnamon, 1 Chamomile.
Add two handfuls of Epsom salts to a hot bath infused with 5 drops of Juniperberry and 3 drops of Grapefruit. You can also add 2 drops of Lavender.
If you enjoy having a massage, change the oil you use to this appetite suppressing blend: 40ml of Sweet Almond oil, 4 drops of Rosemary, 4 drops of Fennel, 3 drops of Juniper, 3 drops of Grapefruit, 2 drops of Rose Geranium.

Sound like a ploy to shift essential oils to you? Well you’d be surprised. Scientific research into weight loss and aromatherapy goes back some way with Grapefruit essential oil in particular being singled out for its extraordinary properties.

Toxins in the body are one of the main problems of retained weight. Cellulite alone is a sign that fat is storing waste in an ineffective way. Grapefruit essential oil helps internally to cleanse the body, especially the liver, riding the system of toxins which would contribute to unwanted pounds and undesired cellulite. It also works topically, when mixed with coconut oil and rubbed into troubled areas, to eliminate cellulite over time. Stasia Bliss: Grapefruit Essential Oil May Trump Fruit in Dieting

In addition to Stasia’s claims above, there’s a wealth of research out there that suggests a few deep sniffs a day may help suppress food cravings and trick the body into feeling satisfied. Part of this may be due to the fact that grapefruit essential oil also contains Limonene and Myrcene which are known antidepressants and mood enhancers.

So right now, on Day 1, I’m sat at my desk with a burner with 3 drops of Grapefruit, 2 drops of Mandarin and 4 drops of Bergamot in a bid to cleanse my kidneys, lymphatics and my vascular system, and stave off my hunger. It’s way too early to say if it’s working yet - but my home smells like a spa!

I’ll be following Eugeny Couture’s tips above in conjunction with the diets listed HERE. Oh and trust me, I’m giving that coconut oil / grapefruit concoction a good go on my cellulite too! I’ll report back on my findings so keep your eyes peeled for the #OpBabyWeight hashtag for updates.

If you want to give this a try with me, head to amphora-retail.com, or check out all their great aromatherapy tips, advice and research on Twitter & Facebook.

As a skincare nut, I followed the recent National Skincare Awards 2014 with interest. I was encouraged to follow a skincare regime at a really early age thanks to a beauty-obsessed mum, and by my early teens my dressing table was littered with designer trial-sized lotions and potions she thought I’d like to try. Even for Christmas and birthdays I’d request Cinique and Clarins rather than clothes and gadgets. I’m convinced this is why, at 31 and with 2 children, I’m still often asked for ID to buy wine (it’s nothing to do with my penchant for pigtails I’m sure).

When I saw that Botanicals were scoring big with their range of organic natural products, I got in touch immediately. In truth, since having Heidi my skin has taken a bit of battering and I wanted to see if they had anything to help sort it. I’m still wrinkle-free, but hormones, this current heatwave and late nights with Heidi have stripped away some of the moisture from my skin. I’d class myself as having combination skin now (so a little oily on the t-zone, but otherwise fine) but lots of the ‘glow’ I used to have seems to have ebbed away. My eyes look sullen and a little less sparkly too.

They suggested I try their Organic Facial Serum with Mandarin & Chamomile, so I readily accepted their recommendation.

What is it?

The synergy of the precious oils contained in Botanicals facial serum has excellent revitalising effects. Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, and potassium (known as the ‘youth mineral’), the serum is non-greasy and deeply penetrating, promoting healthier, younger looking skin.

Our nourishing anti-ageing serum is also rich in avocado - known as ‘nature’s botox’. Studies have proved that avocado significantly increases the amount of collagen in the skin, helping to reduce the signs of premature ageing.

So, I was expecting something rich in natural minerals, non greasy, hydrating and firming. It sounded perfect. As a massive advocate of essentials oils and UK businesses, as all Botanicals products are handmade in rural England, it also combines two things I’m utterly passionate about. Let’s just say, I had high hopes!

Directions: Dot two to three drops evenly over your face and neck. Then lightly smooth over the skin using upward movements. Best when applied to damp skin.

Key ingredients (all certified organic): apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, rosehip oil, jojoba, evening primrose, lavender, mandarin, chamomile.

Me: Pre-trial. I appreciate there’s a filter on this, and I look a little moody, but I was trying to show what my skin looks like bare. Hopefully you can see the problem areas I refer to above.

What I thought

Serums are a seriously under-appreciated part of the skincare family. For years I’ve used Elizabeth Arden’s Good Morning Face Serum under my make-up. I hate my skin feeling greasy and have always loved how this just sinks right in. I know I’m getting the right amount of hydration and protecting my skin against any nasties in my make-up, whilst creating a great primer on which to trowel on my war-paint.

Recently however, I know my skin has changed. It’s time to move on and I need something a little more intense and richer. Botanicals hasn’t disappointed and I’d thoroughly recommend to anyone in the same boat as me.

To start, it smells AMAZING; really citrusy. This scent is long-lasting thanks to all the essential oils too. Some of the smell lingers on my bed clothes too which I find is lovely and relaxing after a tough day with my little people.

It sinks in great. Not as quickly as the Elizabeth Arden one but I actually find this reassuring given I need the extra hydration at the moment. I’m no longer using serum in the same way I did before. It’s no longer a base for my foundation in the mornings and is now a nighttime ritual instead. When I come to cleanse my face in the morning, it’s much softer than usual and I seem to have less dry spots than before.

Me: 8 days in. No filter whatsoever. Images are slightly grainy as I’ve used a camera phone so I can’t be accused of cheating!

The elasticity in my skin seems better too. Sensitive areas prone to the odd ‘bad day’ seem firmer (my neck and under-eye area). I wouldn’t want to say it’s a miracle product in terms of anti-aging given my skin is still in very good condition, and I’m only 8 days in! I can tell you I’ve ditched my old serum in favour of this one though, and I’m really pleased with it. I seem to have got that pre-children ‘glow’ back, and this is priceless to me.

At £25.95 for 30ml it’s comparable to my old serum. It’s packaged beautifully and the dropper means you can use the serum incredibly sparingly. Due to all the natural ingredients, it’s recommended you use within 6 months of opening, 30mls should see you through until you need to buy another.