So here's a fun little tidbit of information for the day that hardly anyone will tell you- when you lose weight (say nearly 100 pounds), wrinkles and lines appear overnight it seems. Ugh. Just when you begin to accept yourself, and allow your brain to readjust to an unfamiliar world of found confidence you are confronted in the looking glass with a new level and challenge list and the process of being comfortable with your whole being starts all over again (or intensifies). What's a lady to do? Well either roll over and admit defeat and slink away from prying eyes (maybe even hide behind a stylish leather fan like Empress Sisi did for the rest of her life) or seek out something out of the box or rather out in the garden and that's exactly what I did when I stumbled into the realm of botanical beauty and Jade Forest Co. In truth, "stumbled" may not be the correct way to describe how I found myself a year later with my vanity table displaying such smancy jars and pots filled with botanical skin-loving creams but it sure sounds better than blundered. For you see, I do have the stars above to thank for aligning a bit and throwing some luck my way after a turbulent time as I won a little giftaway on social media last fall and was introduced to this incredible hidden gem of a shop. I received several products in a stunning presentation fashion that were camera ready to show off and heralded something beyond the commercial expectations on the shelves, my favourite ended up being the Nymph's Harvest- Autumn Skin Food Face Cream. I fully admit I was a bit scared to try yet another jar of creams (albeit generously free and a gift of luck) as all my life I have battled sensitive skin and painful blemishes but something seemed different and after having such a delightful conversation with the owner about skin sensitivity and her process of harvesting the ingredients straight from her garden and the laborious further process and research that went into every product, I thought "Okay, one more time". That one more time quickly turned into several frantic searches and purchases and one happy lady beaming in the looking glass. Allow me to invite you to this curious garden of pampering pots, creams and fragrances by describing all I tried and end with one jar I will sing from the rooftops about. Are you ready for a transformation? Part I Nymph's Harvest- Autumn Skin Food- Skin Cream On opening the fancy amber pot (it even arrived with an endearing little golden spoon for scooping out the cream!), a collective medley of sweet blueberry, plum juice, apple skins, sage and the natural green spice of fall harvested meadow plants greet the nose. That relaxing and sweet scent stays and plays with the imagination as the thicker cream melts into the skin and natural body heat amplifies the fruit aroma for a few hours. All very charming but above all, here's the question: did I break out or have any skin reaction? Dear fellow indie wanderers, I now own 2 huge jars now, does that answer your question? This Autumn Skin Food has served as the foundation of my collection from Jade Forest Co. and started the much-needed healing of my troubled skin and scarring. 100% recommended. Crowned Flowers Face Cream During several fascinating and enjoyable conversations with the owner (she is such a sweetheart and I can't thank her enough for putting up with all my questions; never be afraid to ask anything, especially at this storefront), the Crowned Flowers Face Cream was one product that was suggested for my most pressing areas of scarring I was beginning to get self-conscious about which was my jawline. Sadly this beauty cream was not my favourite out of the generous suggestions and may work better for someone who has less visible scarring and pitting. The scent was also not my cup of tea as it reminds me of freshly sliced cucumber (thank you late 90s high school locker lingering nightmares and scent aversions/associations). The consistency is more thin and I did notice less puffiness under my eyes and the skin seemed brighter even after 16-hour shifts and 4 hours of broken sleep. So all was not lost with Crowned Flowers and the little pot is completely empty now. Snow Queen Solid Perfume for skin and hair (Gathered Notes: Gardenia, Jasmine, Paperwhite, White Rose, Baltic Amber, Crushed Snow, Leather, Conifer Boughs, Jupiter Berry, White Cedar, Frankincense, Myrrh, Styrax and Labdanum) Opening each fragrance and product on this website is either a lovely rendition of a folkstory or an imagined tale that accompanies the notes captured in each skin or hair creation. The fable of the Snow Queen is shared and gathered with this solid perfume in a palm-sized snap compact as this is regal and commanding with creamy white florals enfolded in various conifers and a soft leathery amber finish. There is also this almost "sparkling" smoky quality with the resins that is quite majestic and seasonal (although now I am sorely regretting not wearing this scent in my curls for the recent Renaissance Festival that sported the theme of Celtic this following week; Snow Queen would have dazzled even in this muggy heat). At the base is the beeswax that warms to the surface as the hours tick on and this perfume lasts 8 hours on my skin which is very impressive for a solid perfume and up to 15 hours in my tousled mane. For those curious, these types of solid perfumes can easily be added to your tresses with taking a small amount and allowing the natural body heat to melt the wax and oils and then lightly massaging that at the ends of your hair. Autumn Harvest Solid Perfume for skin and hair (Gathered Notes: Chamomile, Helichrysum, Sweet Woodruff, Crystallized Maple Sugar, Cognac Soaked Vanilla Beans, Crystallized Birch Syrup, Cherries, Clove, Nutmeg, Cinnamon Bark, Peru Balsam, Beeswax, Goldenrod, Apple, Sage, Artemisia, Rose, Gardenia and Plum) Mmm if you are a blueberry fiend or have been looking for a non-pumpkin fragrance (the sacrilege, haha!) to welcome in the best time of the year, you have to try Autumn Harvest. This is only one of the fragrant offerings Jade Forest Co. has in their solid perfume catalogue listing that is completely unique and a must-try for autumn-tide lovers and seekers. On me, the fresh blueberries that smell still wet in the pail ready for baking and canning fade first along with the apple skins with a grating of nutmeg and clove then I amp the golden rod, creaminess of the white florals and natural sweetness from the maple syrup, vanilla and beeswax base for about 4 hours on my skin and 8 hours in my hair. I wouldn't say this perfume is strictly a gourmand it's more an assortment of the season in the baking dish and outside the kitchen window- think of the breeze of the last rays of summer giving way to autumn. Very lovely! Violet Ether Solid Perfume for skin and hair (Gathered Notes: Violet Leaf Concrete, Orris Root, Sweet Woodruff, Vanilla Beans, Elderflower, Jasmine, Rose and Hyacinth Enfleurages) This perfume is what I imagine Lily Bart from Edith Wharton's classic The House of Mirth wearing as her audience stares in awe at her natural grace on display and her scandalous choice for her tableaux scene of recreating Reynold's Mrs. Lloyd. She would no doubt seek out something soft and natural with an ethereal regal element to it, a diaphanous incandescent dryad. On me, Violet Ether gently drapes me in a dreamy aura with the slightest hint of a hidden aquatic for 2 hours before needing to be reapplied. In my curls, the scent lingers longer, and the sweet beeswax base and vanilla are more noticeable whilst on my skin the violet and green florals are the shining stars of this perfume. Absolutely gorgeous and a rarity for myself. Lilac Snow Whipped Body Butter I was over the moon when I opened my most recent order and saw a very special birthday surprise of a jar of this body butter nestled among the colourful and gilted trappings this shop loves to sprinkle and brighten customers' days with (thank you so much, Jade!). I wish I could take a proper photo of Jade Forest Co's presentation and labelling because it's something to behold and experience! One of the best packaging and gift-giving-ready displays I have seen in the indie world. Matching the glittering arrangement is a product that is fragrant and works as promised. When it comes to Lilac Snow the opening fragrance is quite unique resembling (to my nose), floral mustard. A few seconds later the downy milky florals begin a metamorphosis that creates a convincing lilac aroma under the impression of "cold snow" and forest trees. Overall a lovely aroma with a curious opening but has a calming powdery floral finish in store. The formula is ideal for dry spots such as elbows, and rough heels and invites snuggles during all seasons. Moon Cloud Sleeping Mask And now we come to THE jar that has reigned over my vanity table when it comes to impressive results and one formula that...well quite frankly is one I want to keep a secret (as well as this Indie treasure) as I don't want this cream to sell out all the time and I won't be able hoard more of, haha. Okay, okay I will be kind and share my new skin obsession that being this sleeping mask that comes in this beaming jar topped off with an adorable little cloud charm and a piece of white agate in the shape of a shiny cloud that you use to scoop out the cream! (I've never seen anything like that before; this is why I love indies). Inside is pure fluffy skin magic that smells to me of powdery liquorice and lavender and has been a balm throughout my own personal transformation. Lines are softening (so much so I can wear my hair back off my forehead again), my cheeks and neck have never been this soft, my complexion looks so dewy and each time I put this cream on and wake I can't help but smile and feel the confidence building as my true self is shining through now. A new chapter has truly begun and I'm ready to step out. This jar is worth every penny and a life-time repurchase for me. Comments are closed.
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28th of January 2023) NOTES/COMBINATIONS and Stones CURRENTLY ON THE HUNT FOR: Naughty Licorice/Star Anise Cardamom Cardamom Cake with Roses Smoky Honey & Leather Leather and Florals Pomegranate Colder Tuberose scents Smoked Florals with Cinnamon and Honey Graham Cracker and Incense Double strand of Rose Quartz or Moonstones or Black Tourmaline Chainmaille Jewellery Houses of Fragrance and Interest on the Horizon (shops that contain such temptations): LurkerAndStrange Good Spirit Wolf Rapt In Maille ToadStoolSoaps DSH Perfume Baphomet&Co Harvest Moon Haven Granny Hootenanny's Shop
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