Hair isn’t always strawy and stringy, but you shouldn’t wait until it gets like this to start using a hair oil. The Bollati family got this, when they founded Davines, a producer of professional cosmetic products for hairstyling salons taking inspiration from nature. And, they know nature’s not just pretty, but also proven to work when it’s technologically extracted, blended, macerated, and more. So, let hair sop up Davines Authentic Nourishing Oil ($48), a 99% organically pure hair oil free from nasty chemical fillers like sulfates, parabens, artificial colors, silicons, mineral oils, PEG and etoxilates.

It’s an odd thing to see consumers assume a product cannot be scientifically balanced and still yet very organic. Davines’ lab prove otherwise, as not only does the company insist on manufacturing with renewable energy, but it also maintains the ISO 9001 standard of quality. Yes, you get what you pay for as here, the products merge technology and creativity into an elegant whole. And, more. What makes the hair oil a stand out treatment is the organic Carthame Oil (aka Safflower), which is brimming with vitamin K, antioxidant vitamin E, and Omega 6. This spectacularly regenerative, nourishing, 100% botanical ingredient, more often hidden in nature than harvested, works to re-mineralize hair and skin. It’s an oil that has somehow avoided the hype-machine and fallen under the radar. Until Davines came along.

Davines amplifies Carthame’s moisture effects with Sesame Seed, Jojoba, and Sunflower Oils to form a medium-bodied, almost textural oil for hair’s dry ends and itchy scalp. The oil rinses out in one washing, even after a requisite 30-minute toweled up drenching. But, what you’ll love more than the hydrating core of carriers is the awesomely precise pin-top bottle, designed to protect the integrity of the Carthame Oil, But, unwittingly also allows droplets of oil to freefall from the minimalist bottle, allowing you to control exacting amount of oil needed. Why more manufacturers haven’t picked up on this handy plastic thing-y to prevent spillage is a surprise. And, surprisingly, even through the miniscule opening, a wonderfully weighty herbaceous scent comes through. Cedarwood Oil expertly plays off the plushy Lemon Peel and Orange Peel essences with a savory tang. Bergamot completes the seamless composition of the scent, though sniff deep and long enough, and you just might make out a quiet Neroli, which is more often seen as strong and vivid. A sharp accord of Eucalyptus does add an interesting nuance, as it stirs from deep within the core, and not in an offensive, medicinal way. Just asserting its presence among the absolutes. Actually, the essentials work in a genteel manner to create a middling herby scent that teeters between veins of citrus and woods. It's quite uncannily seductive.

The impeccably balanced oil is an exhilarating refresher for hair (and for the body as suggested by the brand) as really...if you aren’t treating your hair to a bi-weekly oil rinse, delivering it from the dulling effects of the environment or your over priced stylist...may shame be onto those frayed ends.

The quality of oils and their scents varies quite sharply among the mass produced varieties from those crafted by hand. Mainly, infused oils tend to leave a longer, persistent scent behind, seemingly adding a lush, edible feel to skin. And, no other niche and personable brand infuses their oils quite like ISUN. Every bottle seems like a form of synesthetic art – a full bodied oil created with ability and technical assurance from nature’s own plants and herbs. The Amber Energy Body Oil ($40) is no different.

While Sunflower creates the protective emolliency (it’s high in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A, an antioxidant to treat to the appearance of fine lining), it’s the specially infused herb oil (all organic) that evokes calligraphic strokes of skin nurturing sweetness. In this, the herb blend sees an intense tangle Yellow Sandalwood Gingko, Basil, Rosemary, Sage, and Dandelion leaves ensconced within a core of Sesame and Sunflower carriers. Beautifully wildcrafted exotic herbs Fo-Ti (to stimulate sexual vitality) and Saraswati Churna (to bring out radiance) are sprinkled with caution as not to overpower the generous helpings of essentials – Cassia, Lemon, and Melissa oils. Cassia, in particular is what gives the oil a searing animalic feel without dulling the senses. I can’t get enough of the scent as its palable, tamed, and elusive. The combination of the oleaginous carriers accented by a true Amber stone (it floats in the bottle to channel a strengthening energy) adds to the dramatic tension on skin with a velvety wash of spiciness suspended between a sweet, ambery radiance atop and its arrestingly dusky core.

How this 100% organic oil imparts an expressionist effect —dreamy and seductive – is beyond me. Amber fans* rejoice.

*It is contraindicated for pregnant women or nursing mothers

Where once the options to protect and treat the décolleté’s fine skin were limited to an SPF during the day (annoying), thick, gloppy cream at night (messy), or a light chemical peel after 40 (expensive), now you have an oil-based option to address the signs of minor wrinkling and freckling with In Fiore Décolleté Balm ($50). Most women, for years, neglect the skin on the neck, skipping both SPF and moisturizer, unless their spa visits gave the area some much needed attention. Dr. Frances Jang, a cosmetic dermatologist from Vancouver, says the commonly overlooked V-zone (the area from the chin line to the cleavage) also needs its very own skin care regimen,

“Most clothing leaves the décolleté exposed, so it gets more chronic UV exposure than we’re aware of.”

The area never gets the attention it deserves. Did you know the skin on your décolleté is thinner, has fewer oil glands, and is more sensitive than the skin on the face? These combined make the exposed area vulnerable to the effects of sun damage.

If a balm could be perilously perfect in scent, this could be it. Not only does the Décolleté Balm intensely hydrate and firm up the neck’s crepiness and fine lining, its meticulous composition is an ethereal delicacy of sweet essential oils. The wondrously luscious core of the indolic Jasmine Grandiflorum and Rose Absolute unfolds with translucent layers of clarity and reaching a wonderful complexity. Just stroke again and again, and you’ll smell the hidden vintage glamour of these fantastical snares freshen up every time. Restorative and replenishing, ribbons of Frankincense and Myrrh run through the Jasmine lending the oil a balsamic and muscular depth. The vibrant mélange grows even warmer until a tender veil of Bergamot’s zing can be felt quietly. Interestingly, it is underplayed in its aromatic verdancy. It’s this cold-pressed Bergamot that facilitates the renewal of skin, encouraging the damaged skin to turn over.

The full bodied and expansive balm is a rapturous blend of Grapeseed, Jojoba, and Evening Primrose Oils with Rosehip added to help fade away the telltale signs of forgetful treating. Trust Evening Primrose for those dry, scaly patches, as the omega-rich carrier is superb for polishing these away. Beeswax gives the balm a moldable structure, one that does blend into skin after a light massage. Sensuous and smoldering, you’ll be enamored with the ephemeral aroma persists quite nicely. It's quiet, assured, and unfailingly elegant, and problematic since it's furthers my groupie-esque obsession with Julie Elliott’s curative designs.

In Fiore, again, proves it’s not just about functionality, but also about the art.

New York based Olie Biologique is breaking with the Argan tradition. In an industry dominated by assurances of handcrafted Moroccan oil, founder Linda Thompson, takes the lid off what’s considered a luxe oil for skin and demystifies the process of selecting what should be about the quality, not scarcity, of a rare oil. Linda says,


This is the kind of backstory we don’t often hear about when rushing off to score the hottest thing to hit the beauty market since Resveratol’s antioxidant action. The deceptively simple Argan Oil (Ferulic Acid, a potent antioxidant, is among the copious amounts of omegas and fatty acids) doesn’t seem like it would need much of an technologically cobbled explanation since its old-world ambience is fitting, but after chatting it up with Linda, it’s clear her USDA approved Olie Biologique Argan Oil ($40) is a treatment that is precisely engineered and bottled to be sure no contaminants have a chance to thrive inside the ominous black bottle. First off, the 100% certification labels ensures that her lab and its expert handlers haven’t added anything to this organically produced oil. In an industry lacking regulation, Linda insists that quality control begins with a carefully selected supplier (in place of fresco artisans) who understands the importance of the long-standing appreciation for certification from the start. The production process, under what surely must be a shrewd, sympathetic, unblinking eye, is still rigorous, perhaps, even a little mathematical, despite making small batches to preserve the oil's efficacy. But it is this attention to detail that yields the purest of oils. So pure, EcoCert will only approve a certification if 95% of ingredients are natural or from natural origin, and that 95% of those natural ingredients are certified organic. This oil is.

How else to spot a stupendously high quality Argan Oil? Linda suggests really giving time to touch, smell and feel out your Argan.

“Argan has a distinctive aroma - a faint nutty, not pungent scent.

Any strong scent will come from impurities within the oil or be due to a product that was stored in improper conditions.” Because Argan is technically a dry oil,’ it should never leave a residue. Argan Oil is not thick or medium in viscosity. A final hint: if it smells fatty, it’s been doctored up with a lower grade carrier. Also, consider the colour, as the best of the oils are pale yellow, not amber, in colour. This does pose a challenge for some web shoppers as most Argan brands are sold online, so sampling will be your best bet. But, that’s why you trust a blog on oils, isn’t it?

So, I say trust that Olie Biologique’s elixir does meet the above and more. It’s an oil with a deliberate edginess that is polished. As it promises, the clean, mellow oil is soft like a caress on skin and instantly melds into parched pores, leaving behind such a satiny smooth finish that you can use a few drops under make up without worry. It’s alluring, luxuriant, and still very traditional. With an non-waxy, earthy undertone, the oil is light enough to add to your liquid foundations or gel cheek colours to create glistening, dewy glazes, but moisturizing enough to use on its own. Esthetically, it’s phenomenal oil, encouraging you to fully and naturally embrace Argan’s legendary curative powers with every USDA approved drop at a time.

Valerie Bennis, founder of Essence of Vali, debunks the notion that aromatherapy must equate to pricey luxury. Not to say, I don’t enjoy spending more than I should on my fine huilery. But, as a certified aromatherapist, she maintains an decidedly unpretentious practice of specialized holistic care through pure plant oils & extracts and takes inspiration from bowing down to her true passions - aromatherapeutic art. It's a feat many of us rarely do. She’s truly an enviable dream catcher; she left a lucrative corporate gig to spend time convincingly craft her oils locally in NYC while eliminating the need for any marketing middlemen to take her brand to the masses. Where to start with her collective of 9 oils designed to delicately adorn the skin and address the soul? With Passion, of course.

For spice enthusiasts, choose the Passion Massage And Bath Oil ($16), a body huile specifically dedicated to the excite libido and its waning whims. While this type of concern isn’t reserved for evening table talk, surely the boudoir will welcome a full, thrashing of Orange Zest upon its opening. It’s a lovely, fruity spiced up oil, not with any exotic absolutes, but an impeccably placed Patchouli, which won’t turn off anyone, even if the hippy-ish essence doesn’t usually appeal. But, the unscrupulously flirtatious Ylang Ylang is what brings out the depth from the 100% pure oil based in a pesticide-free Golden Jojoba oil. Yes, this point is often disregarded - a carrier free from grossly charged irritants. The sizable sweeps of Ginger Root oil strung quietly throughout the blend get to the helm of the heart and nicely elevate the scent. Very light-bodied in form, the oil really ought to be supersized, as it’s quite puzzling to see such a relative lack of body oils, which stoke those in-action desires deep enough to make a woman want to expose her claws without regret. This could one of such a few. Most think such an oil would need to be dense, dark, and brooding in character. Not quite, as Passion’s on-going warmth is comforting and rich. Vali’s Golden Jojoba is a refined one - it contains proteins, minerals and Myristic acid, which is an anti-inflammatory agent, leading to clean, clear and firm skin. It’s ability to extend the shelf-life of a body oil goes to waste here with Passion as you’ll be out of the easy-to-travel, plastic bottle within days.

The oil feels spankingly fresh, particularly when you need to furiously boost some downtrodden energy lurking about. Let the magic in.

You don’t go to Shen Beauty to pick up the standard apothecary fare. No mass marketed, mainstream brands at this warm & inviting Brooklyn shop, which boasts some of the world’s seemingly endless luxury lines found outside your usual department store counters. At Shen Beauty, they love their loyal clientele as much as the ladies love them right back. And, so it's no surprise that Shen Beauty is the first retailer in the US to launch Savane this past October, a completely all natural line of skin care using plant oils and ingredients native to Africa. This is a line you’ll wanna drop a week’s pay on.

The untold tale of the brand? Savane is the brainchild of Jennifer Peters and Stephane Helary – two best buds who spent over four years researching out the purest ingredients across Africa’s spatial continent (together, they trekked through the striking contrast of grassy rainforests and arid deserts alike) to craft a line of six socially conscious products with their edgy, artistic energy. All of the products are made in Africa, certified natural and organic by Ecocert, and brilliantly manufactured from fair trade and sustainably harvested wild ingredients.

Savane Balancing Face Oil ($105) captures the poetry of the continent, where a little ingenuity is the price of creative success. Within the folds of Jojoba are the rarest oils you may have ever seen – Marula Seed, Manketti Seed, Kalahari Melon Seed, and Cape Snowbush. More on the four:

• Marula brings pretty high concentrations of fatty rich oleic acids and antioxidants
• Manketti Seed yields equally potent Vitamin E and Eleostearic acid. Much like Argan, Manketti Seed is derived from the elusive Mongongo Tree, which is indigenous to Africa
• Kalahari Melon Seed, native to Namibia, adds in the regenerative properties with high amounts of Omegas 6 & 9
• Cape Snowbush firms up & tones skin.

When blended together, this is one supercharged anti-aging serum of sorts. The unexpected injection of these 4 powerful oils combat and reverse skin’s aging process with vital elements to improve skin’s moisture levels and radiance immediately. The oil is extremely lightweight and protected within a tightly sealed aluminum casing and pump, which ensures the integrity and hygiene of the essentials. Massaging a thin veil of the profound oil under your moisturizer will absorb with ease and will leave no shine behind. With 95% of the oils organic, an expiration date will inspire you use this up freely. Really, why anyone would want to use a chemically filled serum from one of those ubiquitous brands marketed beyond crass is beyond me. The superior formulation really does deliver instant and long-lasting benefits and moisture as nothing comes between your skin and these nutrients.

The first thing you notice when applying but a few drops of this tasteful yet unpretentious oil is it's earthy scent. Seasoned noses with spot the Patchouli absolute but also wonder what this essential is flirting with? It’s steeped in the spring-like freshness of Ylang Ylang, which leaves behind the faintest trace of sweetness on skin. The result is something that is seductive, nearly sexual in scent, which is exceptionally enchanting abut unique from any face oil I’ve tried.

It’s quite a scintillating composition of rustic oils that spells an alchemy of high imagination and low-key luxury at its best.

Lime. Definitely. You’ve stepped into spring’s light of dawn with the tensile blend of organic Ginger Essential Oil equally blended with the cheeky tartness of Lime Essential oil. It’s hard to make out what rises out of the top notes, but know Primavera’s Energizing Ginger Lime Body Oil ($37) is an oil that intensifies with each layering.

When thinking of understated minimalism, Primavera comes to mind. Sunflower, Olive Fruit, and Jojoba carriers form the medium-bodied texture. Did you know Jojoba oil's lightweight properties make it an excellent pre-shaving lubricant for legs and elsewhere? Massaging Jojoba onto legs helps to soften stubble, making razor action far easier and minimizing the effects of razor burn and shaving rashes.

But, it’s the pure plant oils grown from 18 organic fair trade farms around the world, which grow well over 125 ingredients (cultivated in their completely natural habitats) that set this oil apart. Ginger Root is from Sri Lanka, while Jojoba is from Peru. The NaTrue 95% certified organic oil is rousing with effect, almost like a full multitentacled blast of an energy drink first thing in the morning. Pairing the two unlikely essences gives way for an cleverly fun oil, one that could almost be deemed as charmingly unisex. The Lime is ripe and youthful as it coyingly wallops over the Ginger with its vivacious tang. The fabulously deft oil absorbs easy enough, but interestingly the scent deepens with a lingering finish if you slather on a second helping. Some how, the oil bespeaks the neo-organic ways of Germany unlike its American counterparts – idealized in synthesis and heavy in scent.

Seriously, this one dimensional naturalness is some of the best spunkiness seen in an oil of late.

...and then there is an oil, simply graceful in its poetry.

And, not because of it’s price tag. Fresh Elixir Ancien ($250) is the supreme handiwork of Byzantine monks from the Czech Republic. And, now you wonder what is it about this oil that justifies this wantonly decadent pricing? Incidental science.

I’ve often discussed the merits of age-old traditions, mostly Ayurvedic in form, but even before this fierce materiality of nature’s energies and ingredients, one of the most important medical researchers - Claudius Galenus (129–216) – uncovered what may have been the world’s first skincare treatment. When Galen created a cream to heal up his patient’s wounds, he turned to local monasteries, who were also decreed as apothecaries of their time. Monks were known to hand blend their cultivated herbs and flowers into perfectly rendered medicinal ointments to cure the wounds of the ailing. It was this type of “technological” manufacturing by the world’s first beauty anthropologists that the founder of Fresh – Lev Glazman uncovered while researching into the reams of archives found at LVMH chemist library. Fast forward through two years of weary travels on the international monastery circuit in post-communist, cooled off Europe in search of one that would recreate the rigorously disciplined craftsmanship in a contemporaneous formula for mass production even if meant the product would be created and blended by hand at far less quantities than what a lab could produce. This may look easy enough, but to succeed with such luxury & branding, the ultimate result would require something with a spiritual bent. Fortuitously today, Fresh found their friary, launched the wildly successful Creme Ancienne and now employs a small group of rawly exiled monks from west Bohemia churn out limited jars & bottles with an essentially unseeable conviction. Following the success of a face and eye cream is Fresh's canonical elixir.

Meant to be used at night, Elixir Ancien is an extraordinary face oil on many counts. The aesthetic range is quite broad. First off, the oil is dutifully reconstituted with Meadowfoam Seed, Jojoba, and Wheat Germ oils. Of the lot, the Meadowfoam Seed oil is a superior emollient that is quite small in structure, highly moisturizing, extremely stable, and capable of adhering and staying on the skin. It's because the carrier contains over 98% long-chain fatty acids, which help form an effectively seal onto skin, reducing the transepidermal loss of water. More water in means more moisture to plump up fine lines. So much so, Fresh’s lab tests actually show Elixir Ancien is clinically proven to reduce the number of wrinkles by 56% and the length of wrinkles by 62%.

...and, yes, I saw the proof.

The tersely elegant blend continues with Black Currant Seed oil and its high GLAs (to maintaining elasticity) weaved through fragile lacings of Myrrh Extracts (for tightening) punctuated with Rosemary Leaf Extracts (to soothe). Atop this inconspicuous rich roster, Seabuckthorn Berry oil (also seen in Ancient Greek and Tibetan texts) is slipped in to help cells regenerate with its mighty Omega-7’s and phytonutrients. And, you know when Time gives some unconditional love to the goodness and purity of Seabuckthorn's superhearty properties, it's an oil with some serious cred. After a week's use, foundation imparts such a seamless glide, people will wonder if you snuck off for a facelift, which would have set you back twice as much. Yes, skin is radically well-restored. It’s a consciously pared-down palette of oils. The light golden oil is ultralight in viscosity, and leaves a slight sheen that can be blended in within minutes. It’s also a rare face oil that doesn't employ any aromatherapy scents to enliven the experience, which will be a welcomed respite for those of who have gotten bored with those commonplace essences (ahem…Lavender). There is such a lovely, fresh floral haze, but truly, it’s so wispy, it’s only apparent when you dig your nose deep into the porcelain bottle. Elixir Ancien is smart for insisting on bliss without unnecessarily overpowering the senses, unlike some of those nose-searing face oils. The oil smells of something whispered, ancient, and arcane.

...and it wears just as so.

You can't talk about babies without their Mama. So I will...Zoe Organics is austere, ingenious, and completely an organic brand for that time of your life when you step in the adventures of Mommyland. For the record, I have not. But, when it comes to shopping for stripped down child-rearing necessities, I do get how mothers would sacrifice just about anything for the safety of those effusive, ecstatic all-embracing gigglefests from the little bundle of joy. Ah, the classic parent trap: icky chemicals be gone, but dry bums bewarned. Reading an organic list of ingredients but any mainstream brand can sometimes be like ripping off that cheat sheet in chemistry: a list of things you recognize at a quick glance, but you’re not sure just how bad they can be when used. Heather Hamilton takes that guesswork out of the clutter of pseudo-organo oils in the marketplace and ensures your suspicions will never be aroused with the 100% certified organic oils from her brand, Zoe Organics. How? She has put a mission, a story, a cause, not sales, front and center.

The mission? To be able to provide mommies-in-waiting the purest organic oils aiming to prevent those hideous telltales signs of pregnancy glow n’ growth – stretch marks. The story? Because of a fearful asthma attack from a seemingly fun bubble bath, she hopped onto the health & wellness track to hand craft only the safest biodynamic products. The cause? Being a sucker for altruism, it was a joy to see how Zoe Organics partners with the White Ribbon Alliance (which operates to ensure that pregnancy and childbirth are safe for all women and newborns in every country) by donating a percentage of each purchase made on the website to their efforts of raising awareness and promoting safe motherhood. And, oils?

Let me digress here and disclose a secret – I, too, have stretch marks. Say whaaat? You mean to say people assume such skin calamities were given to the maternally blessed? Not so, my friend. It never fails every year as holiday season rolls around. After all that party-hopping and wine n’ cheese merriment, my 112 lb. frame (don’t hate…) is left with what I'll say are the cutest slivers of stretches peeking from beneath my ruffled boy shorts. And, yes, the wayward squiggles show no shame during swimsuit season on my olive-toned, Bollywood-ish skin.  Yes, rakish figures get stretch marks over their delightfully smooth bums, too. Which is why I see no reason to skip the obsession and start using the Love My Body Oil ($16) on my wayward tushy. Even if Baby [isn’t] On Board just yet, I’ve decided to amp up the fight with this Rosehip Seed rich oil treatment. Though Heather designed it for use throughout a woman's 9-month hormonal tenure, I’m going to say it works for any gal pal who will appreciate the zesty tang of Mandarin paired with the perky Eucalyptus in an oil designed to treat uneven skin tone. While the Rosehip goes to town with its high Vitamin A, line-busting properties, the strongly Lavender based scent, accented with green snippets of Geranium is quite smooth. It’s a medium bodied oil, but scented so deftly, it’ll leave your backside sweetly softened like…well...a baby’s bum. The scent veers away from being qualified as an herbal-green thanks to the happy helpings of Lavender. Carriers like Jojoba, Olive, and Grapeseed round out the moisturizing base, all of which are 100% certified organic and help alleviate the expected sensitive, itchy preggo belly, boobs, and hips.

And, for those preemptive, sleepless nights, you’ll want to add in Heather’s hand blended Baby Massage Oil ($16) to soften the little's one's chappy rashes and nether regions. Also, completely 100% organic, the amplified notes of Lavender and Chamomile will quietly subdue those frayed nerves – the baby’s, not yours. With a fresh-plucked freshness that flows forth from what feels like a slightly less dense formulation, the oil’s giddy scent almost makes me want to roll around naked, too. Here, Sunflower oil is blended with the Jojoba and Olive to not only help seal moisture in the skin, but to also reduce the likelihood of infections. Who knew?

Trust in Zoe Organics for excruciatingly cutesy oils, which, in reality, work for all.

In Fiore is a San Francisco based, curatorial house of huile, run by Julie Elliott. If any brand were to secure the label of ‘luxury’ in the world of oils, this would be it. It’s here where I’d spend an unlimited cash flow, really. In Fiore operates with an artsy connoisseurship in mind; here you buy what no else truly has. Witty & wise, Julie has that intangible way of making even the most mundane of packaging, the most elegant of bottles, the easiest of oils, into brazen glamour with an unapologetic humility. Just look at that retro cool antiquely gilded compact! Decidedly hip & cool, wouldn’t you say so? The germ of her elevated basics? Sheer minimalism. The fun is in her discovery of rarified essences such as Broccoli, Coleus Forskohlii, and Japanese Bamboo. Yes, you’ve never seen these before because we haven’t either. In an oil or even in life. Julie embraces analogies between hand blended perfumery and bathing rituals – both intended to uplift and relax whether it in a fragrance, an oil or a balm. And, so In Fiore’s latest incarnation – Veloutee Multipurpose Balm for Lips & Eyes ($58) is a captivating two-timer that continues the tradition.

The lushly feminine balm is completely uncluttered conceptually as it combines the essences from Rose, Jasmine, and even Pink Peppercorn Fruit oils in such a way that you cannot detect a single note. It’s provocative and fun. There is a beguiling Rose accord that springs forth from within the scatterings of Neroli and Orange Flower. It’s likely the Rosa Bourbonia, a deliberate diversion with a lively sweetness, that lends the balm its enjoyable vibrance and warmth, but the absolutes are nimbly spliced together in such an orchestrated way that you may actually wonder just how long it took Julie to get it this right.

This cocktail of florals are nestled within Jojoba Seed oil, which has been infused with Calendula Flowers. Of late, I’m starting to develop a preference for infused oils over others as you truly do experience the longest lasting saturation of notes. While Beeswax gives it the balm its structure for use on lips, it’s still delicate enough to pat under eyes without the fear of clogging skin. And, what makes it different than other eye balms is its uniquely developed formulation:

Added to the Jojoba are Carrot Seed oil for improving skin’s elasticity, Black Currant Fruit oil for high, high GLAs, and Marula oil as a moisturizing sealant. The balm spreads easily without tugging onto skin and absorbs instantaneously without leaving any high shine. As an added bonus, when used under eyes, the balm acts as a nice anchor for concealer or powder, as I didn’t crease up at all after 6 hours of wear.

Veloutee is a splendid approach to using natural raw materials and treating skin so decadently. In Fiore’s wonderfully imaginative, streamlined vision for oils and a taste for clean classics really is are a cut above the rest for their deliciously impossible aesthetic. I’m on my way to In Fiore’s Face oils, but know this…the brand is the epitome of the crossroads between luxury and sexy - uncommonly cool in all its senses, but so warmly received and loved by all.

And, Dry Skins Have A Counterpart
Can you hear it? Holiday music is sneaking it way into department stores. And, while fruitcake and eggnog are the norm, dry skin shouldn’t be. No, we didn’t skip over your dry skin, which are constantly plagued by flaky patches and/or that requisite tightness of the cheeks. It’s a travesty to see such skin’s with clumpy cream blushes and creepy powders nearing the eyes. Really, it is. Yes, sometimes an oil isn’t enough, considering most brands care to create softer, easily absorbed ones, and all you wanna do is drench your skin with the gloppiest of goo. To solve your skin woes, double down your face oil with a thickly rich cream, which also has…more oils. And vodka. Say what?

The Product
Lush Skin Shangri La Moisturizer ($49.95) has at least 27 shots of virtuous vodka, which comprises the main ingredient, Queen of Hungary Water. Before you bust out some overdone soliloquy on how alcohol is drying, slow down to learn how it’s actually largely made up with Rosemary and distilled alcohol, which helps skin deflake itself and even out. The all-purpose toner actually balances out your pH as opposed to dry out skin. Rumour has it Queen Izabela of Hungary at the age of 72 crippled with gout and rheumatism restored her beauty and health to such and extent that the King of Poland proposed to her. Allegedly all due to this magical potion Hungary Water. If only I could snag a date just as easily…The replenishing water, coupled with cold-pressed, Almond and Jojoba oil (formulated for dry, dehydrated skin) promises to reduce roughness with its robust roster of emollients.

Why We Love It
Wearing this cream is like wearing some couture stolen off some daily deal site. As Lush makes every batch to order, you’ll feel like you’re getting a high-end luxury cream with a spirited roster of ingredients at a bargain price. Not only do the Almond Oil & Jojoba oil get absorbed quickly to relieve cracked skin and itchiness that comes from drying AHAs and Retinols (no need to drop these surpercharged exfoliants, if you use an intense cream atop), but a happy helping of Fresh Wheatgrass brings Vitamins A, B, C, E and 17 amino acids (not going to list them in fear of boring you…) and fatty acids, together which stimulates activity of growth factors that soothe skin. Wheatgerm oil adds to the Grass to relieve chappy anything, anywhere, while you get your antioxidant dose from Toothed Wrack Seaweed. Scentwise, I’m torn. It’s definitely scented with underlying curls of Vanilla – pleasant if uniform - but Violet Leaf Absolute peeks through with a scarcity. At best, it's a muted warmth; at worst, it’s simply sweet. Either way, it’s nice enough to bring about a sense of tranquility, but you won’t be able to put your finger of the absolute drawing your attention.

The Texture
Rosacea patients will love this super calming, highly nourishing and hydrating cream. It’s non-greasy, but definitely thick and reliable. Morning after, foundation glided over skin as if my face had a hydrating facial, but know I did use the cream over a few drops of my facial oil. And, yes, both sank into after a quick facial steam. For day, I dusted my Duo Mat powder over the cream (without a facial oil) to eliminate the shine, which left quite a seamless, long lasting dewy finish.

Here’s a Hint
A pea-sized amount is all you’ll need, but be sure to spread down to the neck and even backs of hands. Because Lush’s products are literally fresh, with expiration dates, don’t let the oils break down and separate. Use freely.

The Final Word
Used nightly, you’ll undoubtedly wake up to improve, refined skin, but more importantly, you’ll appreciate how Shangri La captures the duality of moisture – pure oils and water done gracefully well. Absolute decadence at a deal.

You almost want to euphemistically sing, “Lady be Good.” To the Ylang Ylang flower, that is. When you’re talking about body oils, sure lavender is ubiquitous and well-appreciated; rose will add that intangible luxury; and vanilla is the prodigious complement to absolutes all. But, Ylang Ylang is rarely seen. So rare, we’ve actually covered only one other oil to date. It’s the one essence that gets you at your wits. Too much and it’s sacrilege to the others, but too little and you wonder if tits unique kind of grace was even justified on the packaging. Have you ever found an essence that can be eclipsed so easily by popularly preferred ones? Not so in Kerstin Florian’s Soothing Bath & Body Oil ($36). Here, the essential oil acts as a seductive rival to Lavender, robbing the herb of any scene-stealing spotlight on the box.

If you don’t care a straw about Lavender, fret not. It’s here. Enough said. But, the oil has its glorious merits beyond this. First off, its USDA Organic label proves its mettles against synthetic ones with 97% pure ingredients here. No popular offenders at all. I’m often tempted to slip a spoonful of one of these USDA types to see just how good an oil can taste. Why? I know…I have no clue either. But, jest aside, this oil has that kind of pedigree that you’d expect from a luxury spa. Sunflower oil (high in vitamins A, C and D, all of which have protective qualities) is added in perfect proportions to the perennial fave, Jojoba. Both bring out the light bodied viscosity, but truly it’s the Ylang Ylang that perks up your keen senses. Pure & unabashed, it rushes out in full force and with a dizzying flutter. You actually will try hard, not to sniff out the sacred strummings of Lavender, but rather the usually unapologetic Bergamot. The oil is so full of Ylang Ylang’s stately blossoms, there isn’t even a hint of Bergie’s unlucky citrus slices anywhere. And, that’s a good thing. The gentle floral gives the oil a lovingly noble scent, almost pitched for slang, and thankfully free from any lab created vulgarities. It’s a composition that is very much purposeful as it is pristine and staunchly feminine. I’m hoping Carrie, one of our devout Twitter followers, will agree with her straight puss smile.

One note – though the name suggests it’s a body treatment, the corporate site strongly suggests the oil as a face serum, which isn’t surprising considering the essentials bring astringent attributes. It works for either, but important to mention for finicky skins with experiencing some of those dreaded monthly issues.

It’s taken me some time to appreciate Ylang Ylang. But, I’m glad to have finally found a brand that understood its girlish ways. Kerstin Florian, a celeb-favourited brand hugely popular in the UK but easy to splurge on here, really needs to rank up there among the first rate recherché of body treatments. On second thought…we’ll officially just say that it does.

At Fresh, skilled mixologists are so well known for combining exotic essential oils with natural ingredients that they have staged an organic revolution in the world of luxury skincare. Every season organo-happy fans fervently await the shop’s innovations and delectable. And, in response to the brand’s fierce dedication to sourcing some of the world's zealously guarded rare elements from around the world, huile-istas have at one time or another toyed with the grand mistress of body oils - Fresh Sugar Body Oil ($45). With its relentless authority, this is a treatment that serves as the best introduction to anyone curious to try the joys of body oils.

Nestled deep within the Sweet Almond, Apricot, Sunflower and Jojoba oils is the seductive Evening Primrose oil. While the hallmark carrier oils are exceptional in their skill to nourish, the Sugar Body Oil is also dotted with extracts of White Lily, Calendula and Passionflower (to promote healing & repair). The Evening Primrose stands apart on its own merits. Science has shown the essential oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which aids with rejuvenation of skin while dramatically reducing fine lines & wrinkles. Evening Primrose helps with skin turnover to uncover new, fresh, untouched skin cells. I've never seen Omega-6 rich Passion Flower oil used as much as it should. Here's it's added tactfully to the bounty of fatty acids from the carriers.

When used regularly, you can expect to see your skin tone even out, which is perfect for those nasty nicks incurred from hurried shaving. The result is a grease-free body oil of medium viscosity imbued with a seemingly fresh & floral citrus, not the lemon-y tart kind. It's a polite, clean, nifty oil that doesn't seem complex in its structure, but is brilliantly rendered. A tamed, feminine scent for those wanting the cheerful platitudes of a sweetly uplifting of an oil without the granny-ness of scent. The precision of Fresh’s carrier characterizations will tempt you to try this oil even on the face. Compulsively sniffable, really if you can make out the White Lily extract. Now, more of that would awaken the senses wholly. But, really? The oil is quieter than expected from its name. But, also fuller in treatment than the department store, designer-of-the-moment varieties. This multitasking tratment (on hair it makes spa time all the more fun) certainly gives consumers their money's worth. And, it's because of this I'm slightly peeved at critics who rarely give Fresh its creative due.

Trust this enchanting oil for every day's intimate moments.

Oily Skins Asked Us
Enough of oils! We heard you. Cold weather is afoot, and while you adore oils and their chemical-free benefits, some of you have emailed in asking for super-drenching creams that are made with oils to help skin stay balanced with the harsh chills and drying heaters. Winter can bring its fair share of drying effects, even onto normally oily skins. And, we get it. You don’t always want to use oil, especially in the rush of the morning, when SPF and foundation need time to blend down. So, we scouted a moisturizer with high concentrations of essential oils to help control the T-zone, give you your oil fix, and blend down in a snap.

The Product
Lush Vanishing Cream Moisturizer ($39.95) is a multipurpose treatment, which has water as its second ingredient. Yes, water, which means it’s pretty much the highest in concentration. The normal H20 kind, but added to the tap variety are Rose Water and Lavender Honey Water: the former serves as a tonic to tone up the pores and reduce signs of oiliness, the latter which soothes irritated skin. Together, they form an exceptional base of moisture when oily skins demand a lightweight formulation, which is often consider our skin needs to get to the additional beauty wares. Witch Hazel added after the organic Grapeseed and Jojoba oils helps tighten up pores, while the fortified oils get down n’ deep to treat with their pure fatty acids. We've said it before, so we’ll say it again - due to Jojoba’s affinity with our own sebum, it is more readily absorbed and tolerated by the top layer of our skin, making it easily blendable. And, Grapeseed oil also has excellent emollient properties; it makes the skin feel more supple and smooth because it locks in moisture. Both are lightly viscous in weight and density, adding virtually no greasiness to the moisturizer. Did you know Neroli oil can help to regenerate skin cells and is a rejuvenating oil used to prevent ugly pock marks? Oily skins know all about this.

Why We Love It
The essential oils, of course! Why use a plain 'ole lotion, when you can use one enhanced with fortified vitamins. When more moisture is needed, this fresh-made formulation (expiration dates are always hand imprinted Lush) also means the freshest of essential absolutes added to the cream. Ensconced deep within the folds of Shea Butter are tendrils of earthy Lavender strung throughout an organic interplay of Neroli & Geranium. Less of a deluge and more of soft lacings, the Lavender does overshadow the florals and even the tincture of a balmy Benzoin, which is probably intentional. Lush’s sensual wisps are mature and desirous and what you will appreciate, as who wants to overpower the senses when skin is begging for moisture and relief from bitter chills? Simple aesthetics hands down beat out the mediocre day creams, which scream with overhyped marketing prowess and brash filler ingredients.

The Texture
An airy, non-sticky, fluffed up emulsion, the cream is not at all greasy butmore like a full-bodied lotion. The perfect remedy for oily skins during winter, as a pea-sized amount wil absorb when massaged in and help keep oil production at bay. Shine-free complexions will need minimal blotting throughout the day. Also, impressive is how it lacks a watered down SPF, as you should be using a separate sun protectant over any moisturizer.

Here’s a Hint
Acne-prone skins won’t have to worry about clogging pores (really, a shameless marketing myth), as the Witch Hazel will boost the anti-shine activity. And, don’t forget the neck, as like hands, skipping both always betray your true age.

The Final Word
A cuddly moisturizer that will amp up skin’s moisture without having you sacrifice the slick of fatty rich oils. Yes, believe the hype.

Sundari Gotu Kola and Lotus Body Oil ($36) has one of the most surprising openings of any oil you’ll try. You’ll either love it (and want to know more) or hate it and (wonder what the heck is in it making you think twice). Since you won’t likely to find a tester to try for yourself, I’ll spend some serious time on the scent, as it's quite mesmerizing but potent.

Gotu Kola and Coriander oils unfold quite strongly through the Sesame and Coconut carriers. Native to the Motherland – India – the extracts (high in collagen stimulating and tissue regenerating Madecassic acid) from the puissant plant are know to help with your blood flow and may even help prevent ugly pockets of cellulite from sticking around. The light bodied oil (so airy light, it could double down as your weekly hair treatment) smells not of the sweetness of Coconut, but more the dried spicy aroma of the exotic herb. It’s not pungent, but woodsy and crisp and oddly welcoming. If the opening doesn’t intrigue you at first scent, try again.

See, Ayurveda is all about balancing your doshas, or imbalances within your internal and external energies through the mind-body connections. Metaphorically and physically, oils and the such can help return the body to a neutrally harmonious state. And, sometimes, you are prescribed solutions, which may seem contrary at first, but make sense in the end. Not sure of your sure dosha? Take the Sundari test.

Gotu Kola isn’t for everyone on its own. But, when it’s complemented with the Rosa Damascena, Ylang Ylang, and Orange Peel oils, you can sniff out the tendered sweetness underlying the explosion of aromatic Lotus. Exoticism aside, it’s a complex oil that is constructed with the finicky nose in mind. This is the nose that knows such a sensory experience isn’t left to the oil itself, but also of the massage required to settle down your wayward dosha. With the softest hint of Lavender and Kaffir Lime, the oil works. The subtle nuances of the phantasmagorical floral notes are hard to make out (wish the Mimosa would rise above the heaviness of Coriander), but worth the worth the effort. Skin’s perennial favorite, Retinyl Palmitate (aka Retinol), makes the oil work hard by helping to slough off dry, scaly patches faster. Yes, it’s not just a pretty scent in a bottle. It’s a treatment, too.

Don’t let the out of the ordinary roster of oils scare you off from what is truly an exquisite blend. It’s really a work of art that captures the rustic, alluring ways of savory scents from India. You just need the willingness to explore beyond the comfort zone of Lavender.

Astara is a niche American brand run by Sunny Griffin, the founder and creative force who started her brand to feed her skin with healthy, organic skin care wares that didn’t irritate her extremely dry skin. Anyone from the mountains of Telluride can tell you how high altitudes lead to extraordinarily dehydrated skin. So, it makes sense that she knows exactly what it takes to make a great oil. A former swinging 60s cover girl, Sunny has a love for all things natural and particularly those holistic treatments leading your soul to a higher sense of consciousness – which is what Astara means in Sanskrit. Yes, she is a pioneer is many ways.

Aroma Nutrient Face & Body Oil ($43) continues this alternative tradition of integrating purely botanicals oils with efficient carrier ones, created from carefully calibrated manufacturing processes. See, what's unique Astara uses lower-temperature, efficacy-preserving processing methods, never exceeding 105º F to ensure the nutritiously fresh, live, active biocultures  will deliver the hearty vitamins and good stuff to skin. Astara actually manufactures their products in pharma labs, not cosmetic ones, to be sure any errant rays of light don’t break down the elixirs and their essential elements.

The body oil - perfectly suited for your practical and beauty needs - begins with Hazelnut Seed Oil, known for its astringent qualities. It is best used for those who have oily skin, but do want to abstain from using oils or fear the commonly misaligned myth of breaking out from oils. Clearly, this entire blog proves otherwise, as I’m as oily as they come. Avocado, Jojoba, Grapeseed, Meadowfoam, Rosehip and Jojoba oils round up the base of moisture and help deliver a slick fixative to dry skin with a medium-bodied supple viscosity. Interesting to note is how Rosehip Oil helps regenerate damaged skin tissues attributed to its high content of unsaturated essential fatty acids, namely oleic (15-20%), linoleic (44-50%) and linolenic (30-35%). They are called "essential" because our body is not able to reproduce them. But, science also shows Rosehip also contains Trans-Retinoic acid, a derivative of Retinol (Vitamin A), which helps significantly reduce photodamage (think age spots, lines, wrinkles, etc.) without the side effects of retinols. The lightly viscous oil is complete with luminous notes of Lemongrass and Lavender, which appear drenched and delicate. Balanced equivocally, the low-key tang of Lemon a sweet nod to the classicism of the subtle, spring herb without appearing as a prickling contradiction. Astara shows us how the most common ingredients can be still be blended into some form of greatness. As such, the uniformly transient scent is delightfully tactile without struggling to prove one absolute rules over the other. Light enough for the face, pretty enough to scent skin.

It’s a rare brand that can mix sexiness with the cumulative power of bio-organics without any of those requisite inane marketing teasers. Astara does this well.