Oil me up

I’m a spa junkie. If I can, I use my journalistic pull and pimp myself out to try out free massages, facials and body treatments. Even if I didn’t get them for free, I would go ahead and pay for a good massage. I am especially addicted to the essential oils used in these massages. These oils are all-natural, highly concentrated wonders that give me a much-needed "high." Lavender and mint essential oils are my "drugs" of choice. The scent of lavender calms and relaxes my nerves, while mint gives revitalizing benefits better than any upper.

Pretty soon, I began stocking up on essential oils, realizing that I could reap the same satisfying benefits even at home. I expanded my collection to include rosemary, which is great for relieving stress, and eucalyptus, a powerful decongestant. I used essential oils for every ache and pain to cure any ailment and to ward off tension. My room started to smell like the spas that I love, and I would get that serene light-headedness that probably comes with a harmony between mind and body.

It was only natural, then, that I started to gravitate to beauty products infused with natural essential oils, particularly L’Occitane’s Aromachologie collection. This set uses essential oils in its products much like a baker uses flour in his cakes: oils are the base that gives rise to the mixtures. L’Occitane’s very first ingredient, in fact, is rosemary essential oil, now one of the main ingredients in the Aromachologie collection’s Revitalizing line. There are three more lines within this oil-obsessed range: Relaxing, Purifying, and Hair Care. Each line relies on a blend of essential oils to achieve a particular action.

Relaxing

A range designed to fight stress and tension, products within this line contain lavender, which boasts remarkable calming properties and prepares the body for sleep; tea tree, which helps restore balance and promote a more positive state of mind; geranium, a powerful decongestant that uplifts the senses; and basil to soothe and reduce stress. The standout from this line is the Relaxing Bath and Massage Oil. This oil helps the body unwind, destress, and prepare for a night of uninterrupted Zzzzzs.

Revitalizing

Perfect for combating physical fatigue, this line uses mint essential oil that offers reenergizing and refreshing actions. Other oils are pine, which stimulates and energizes; rosemary, a very effective tonic best for when you’re overworked; camphor to invigorate; and cypress, which stimulates microcirculation. Best buys from this line are the Revitalizing Bath and Massage Oil, which boosts energy levels and invigorates both the body and mind; the Revitalizing Shower Gel, a fresh bath buddy that reenergizes; and Revitalizing Cream Gel for Tired Legs, perfect for relieving and improving circulation in legs that have been walked on far too long.

Purifying

This line promises to ward off pollution and pollutants with lemon essential oil, which has purifying, relieving, healing, and antiseptic properties. Along for the ride are cardamom, which relaxes the spirit and neutralizes odor, and eucalyptus, a decongesting and healing oil that purifies the air. Opt for the Purifying Roll-On deodorant from this line. It provides natural long-lasting protection without the overpowering scent.

Hair Care

L’Occitane’s new hair-care line features oils such as cade, mint, artemisia, and angelica to meet specific needs of all hair types. Dry hair is salvaged with Angelica shampoo, a tonic that restores shine, radiance, and softness to dry, damaged, and color-treated or permed hair. Use it with Angelica conditioner to leave hair soft and tangle-free. Give bounce to fine hair with Artemisia shampoo, which strengthens and invigorates limp, lifeless hair. Follow it up with Artemisia conditioner to ensure that hair is kept strong and shiny.

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L’Occitane products are available at Rustan’s Essenses Makati, Rustan’s Tower, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center, Essenses Robinsons Place, Cebu Ayala Town Center, and Rustan’s Gateway.

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E-mail comments to ana_kalaw@pldtdsl.net.