From My Family to Yours | Smell Goods '98™

I thought of the many ways I could express how much you meant to me/us this year.  But it all summed up into two simple yet powerful words.

Winning the Battle Against Pubescent Odor | Smell Good Spa™

Ack! *Cough* Eww! "What is that smell?!!!"

Moms, remember that day She busted through the door, coming in from playing outside?  An unfamiliar odor passed in front of your nose, but you hunched your shoulders and thought: it stinks, but maybe it's nothing - she'll wash up.  Don't get tricked.  Puberty is here and it's live & direct.  "What happened to my sweet smelling child, the one that could wear those same play-clothes for 3 days straight before they hit the laundry?!" She's still there.  Instructions on how to manage hygiene and grabbing fresh play-clothes, daily, will get you both through.

I remember my moment with the Warrior Princesses!  It wasn't a pretty thing.  My daughters are athletic too, so you KNOW.... When the WPs were toddlers/young children, I taught them how to manage their hygiene.  Teaching them that good hygiene is one of the cues to having self-respect.  We talked about what puberty is, why it is, and that it was just waiting for its moment.  Along with my friendly-reminders - remember to give more attention to that area - I'm glad we have the right arsenal, deodorant and effective body care,  to help us through this battle.  Our cuddle time is still pleasant. :o)

Winning the war by annihilating pubescent odor, would be going against nature, and actually I embrace my daughters' healthy transitions.  For now, I'll settle for winning the battle.

Moms, what are you doing to win the battle against pubescent odor? 

Last-Minute Shopper? | Smell Goods '98™

You are welcome here!  For the next 3 days, you can shop our No Lead Time category.  There's a 25% sale going on, and better yet, we'll ship it to you that same day.  *High5*

Check out our newsletter for ALL the deets. 

P.S. Yesterday I sent this newsletter to our subscribers, and blasted it on social media.  After doing so I noticed one misspelled word.  After silently reading over my work 5 times, and out loud 5 times, how is that possible! Ugh!  I hope folks are forgiving.  That misspelled word is corrected in what you are about to read.

Fragrance and the Heighten Love Affair | Smell Good Spa™

The energy that surges through my body when his hand touches the small of my back... Non-verbal, spirit-connected "I love you" lingering in silence, as I'm pulled more into his embrace... Stimulated olfactory senses coaxing him towards my pulse points....

Why would I talk about something so sensual here?  I am a woman.  I am a wife.  Woman-to-woman; wife-to-wife, having a sweet, body aroma that his senses refuse to ignore, heightens your love affair - enhancing the live good, feel good, smell good experience.

Every season, I select a personal IT scent from our fragrance collection.  12 Tribes customized in Marinade, IT, and it soon became the Snuggle Scent.  I don't know - China Doll is on the list for winter, but the way things are going, 12 Tribes might have to stay around for awhile. *Wink*

Having a love affair with a man you trust explicitly - beautiful.  Pheromones intertwined with your signature fragrance oil, as a bouquet of attraction - priceless.

So what do you have Him snuggling up to these days?

{Week 5} There's Always 1 Nut in the Family :: What's In It? Series | Smell Good Spa™

A large percentage of ingredients in bath & body care are transdermal. Overtime, those ingredients will enter into the bloodstream.  What's In It? Series is a 5-week series informing you of the ingredients used in our recipes. Helping women (and their families) to live good, feel good and smell good, wholesomely.

{Week 5} Sweet Almond Oil (INCI: Prunus Amygdalus)

Sweet Almond Oil is extracted from the delicate, white flowers of the almond tree.  A native of the Middle East, this nutty gem is a relative of the peach tree. 

Why We Use It:

• Conditioning Emollient: Rich in oils; omega-9 and omega-6, Sweet Almond Oil is a go-to for conditioning dry, tough skin.  This emollient works double as a humectant, preventing moisture loss. 

Sweet Almond Oil is found to contain more olein than olive oil, making it an excellent remedy for relieving dry, itchy and inflamed skin.

This concludes the 5-week series.  My hope is that you'll welcome our products into your home, and use them with even more confidence.  





Be whole,

{Week 4} Tree of Life :: What's In It? Series | Smell Good Spa™

A large percentage of ingredients in bath & body care are transdermal. Overtime, those ingredients will enter into the bloodstream.  What's In It? Series is a 5-week series informing you of the ingredients used in our recipes. Helping women (and their families) to live good, feel good and smell good, wholesomely.

{Week 4} Shea Oil (INCI: Butyrospermum parkii)

The sebaceous glands are microscopic glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance, called sebum, to lubricate (and waterproof) the skin.  According to the American Shea Butter Institute, the moisturizers in shea butter mirrors the sebaceous glands.  Shea Oil is fractionated Shea Butter, and is semi-liquid at room temperature. 

Why We Use It:

• Wrinkle-Free: Consistently applying Shea Oil to the skin, can actually slow down skin's aging process -  the healing, therapeutic properties present in Shea Oil can remove the appearance of wrinkles.  Additional anti-aging power comes from vitamin E, which protects the skin from harmful effects from the sun.    
• Dry Skin Eliminator:  Shea Oil allows the skin to absorb moisture, and as a result, skin receives around-the-clock softness and it remains hydrated.  Dry skin and dry scalp can both be eliminated by this beneficial emollient. 

For optimal results, when preparing our recipes, Shea Oil is paired with other effective oils.  Those oils penetrate deeply into the skin, allowing the healing properties of Shea Oil to easily pass through the skin. 

In addition, because of the healing properties, the Shea Tree received its name, karite, meaning the tree of life.

Shea Oil can be found in our after-bath oil  Marinade. 


Be Whole,

{Week 3} More Than Just Wine :: What's In It? Series | Smell Good Spa™

A large percentage of ingredients in bath & body care are transdermal. Overtime, those ingredients will enter into the bloodstream.  What's In It? Series is a 5-week series informing you of the ingredients used in our recipes. Helping women (and their families) to live good, feel good and smell good, wholesomely.

{Week 3} Grapeseed Oil (INCI: Vitis Vinifera)

Grapeseed oil is extracted from grape seeds, often from those already used to make wine.  European healers used grapeseed oil to cure several diseases.

Why We Use It:

• No Oily Top-Coat: Grapeseed oil is an emollient that quickly penetrates the skin, therefore it does not leave behind an oily covering.   
• Aging-Fighter:  Touted for being rich in antioxidants, grapeseed oil is found to protect the elastin and collagen in your skin, thus fighting sagging skin, wrinkles and age spots.  

Grapeseed oil is beneficial to dry, damaged, mature and sensitive skin.  A combination of light-weight to heavy-weight oils are infused into our recipes.  The majority of the oils used are light-weight - to work quickly underneath the epidermis; the heavy-weight oil (cold-pressed castor seed oil) works as the epidermis' protective barrier. 





Be Whole,

{Week 2} Panacean Humectant ::What's In It? Series

A large percentage of ingredients in bath & body care are transdermal. Overtime, those ingredients will enter into the bloodstream.  What's In It? Series is a 5-week series informing you of the ingredients used in our recipes. Helping women (and their families) to live good, feel good and smell good, wholesomely.

{Week 2} Castor Seed Oil (INCI: Ricinus Communis)

Native to India, castor oil has superb medicinal benefits, and is best known for treating gastrointestinal problems (used as a laxative).  Castor oil can be used to alleviate skin infections, cleanse the face,  remove skin growths (moles & skin tags), and cure inflammations.  

Why We Use It:

• Power of Attraction: Adding castor oil to many of our recipes gives those products the hydro-factor.  Castor oil is a humectant, and moisture needs to be present to get the best from it.  This moisture can come from the atmosphere or be applied to the skin via water.
• Super Emollient: Having a high viscosity level, castor oil is thick and sticky.  Those attributes allow the oil to hold moisture close to the skin's surface.  Thus, allowing essential nutrients (vitamin E, antioxidants, and minerals) to boost skin health, prevent dryness, and protect the epidermis during the winter.  

Using the correct measurements of castor oil, in our bath and body care, gives you a superior and effective product year-round.  Maintain the beauty of your skin with castor oil.






Additional Reading (you should read these):
-How-to cleanse the face with castor oil
-How-to apply castor oil topically to treat internal ailments


Be whole,

 

{Week 1} Powerhouse Gift from Japan :: What's In It? Series | Smell Good Spa™

A large percentage of ingredients in bath & body care are transdermal. Overtime, those ingredients will enter into the bloodstream.  What's In It? Series is a 5-week series informing you of the ingredients used in our recipes. Helping women (and their family) to live good, feel good and smell good, wholesomely.

Week 1- Rice Bran Oil (INCI: Oryza Sativa)

Originating in the Japanese culture, rice bran oil is suitable for healthy cooking methods.  The American Heart Association recommends rice bran oil, because of its ability to lower LDL cholesterol.

Why We Use It:

• Anti-Oxidants: Rice bran oil beats olive oil in its vitamin E power.  It's packed with tocopherol, oryzanol, and tocotrienol (most potent form of vitamin E).  Those are three anti-oxidants useful in protecting the skin and the body's cells from free radicals, whereas, olive oil only contains tocopherol.   
• Skin Protector: Impedes hyper-pigmentation by protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays.  More beauty brands are turning to rice bran oil as the go-to ingredient for sunscreen products and hair conditioners.
• Skin Softener:  One of the most gentle methods in removing dead skin cells; Rice bran oil  leaves behind a velvety feel. 

Rice bran oil is becoming increasingly popular in the United States.  When incorporated into a healthy lifestyle, the benefits are almost endless.  Rice bran oil is rich in phytosterols--it is found to soothe skin inflammations, e.g., eczema and psoriasis. 

Be Whole,

How to Have a FUNK-Free Home | Smell Goods '98™

It's that time of year again--friends and family coming & going (possibly staying for awhile).  So how can you  create a safe environment, showoff your exquisite taste, and have everyone saying, "Mmmmm"?  You know we got you, right?

Introducing, Sunset!  Isn't she a beaut?  But just like you and me, she's more than just great looks (wink).  Presently, we have the aroma lamp plugged into our downstairs bathroom, and the fragrance throw is fabulous.

In our bathroom.  The purple wall and the lamp's hue complement each other nicely.

Introducing Sunset Aroma Lamp - Named after its beautiful hue and design. 

A safe, clean and healthy way to enjoy Signature Fragrance Oils and Green Tea Medley Melts. 
This aroma lamp is designed to create an aromatic and relaxing atmosphere while eliminating the use of flame.   

Visit here to learn more about Sunset's features. 

Are fragrance lamps a part of your home decor?

Stop By. 50% Off Smell Goods! | Smell Goods '98™

smellgoodspa.com

Win Incense+$10 GC! | Smell Goods '98™

Last week a Loyalty Program was put into motion, and as promised, here is the giveaway to celebrate our loyal readers.   The Annual 50% Off Sale is approaching!  If you are a subscriber to Mmmm News ( look >), then you know when and where.  Ahem, that $10 gift certificate can come in handy.

If form does not appear, refresh page.




Winner will be randomly selected.  Winner will be contacted within 48 hours.  Winner has 48 hours to reply to email, or will forfeit winnings.  Gift Certificate is sent in a PDF via email.  Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery of Signature Hand-Dipped Incense.



P.S.  I would like for you to share this post, please. Share this post with your Social Buds to earn points for rewards.  Click Connect on the black tool bar, below.  Read about our Loyalty Program.

3 Olfactory Methods for Your Home this Autumn | Smell Good Spa™

Aromatic incense smoke dancing before my eyes, the sweet throw of fragrance sailing beneath my nose - harmonizing with the fragrant air of transition.  Welcome to autumn.

The first sign of mild temperatures and a lingering breeze, always prompts me to open up the windows.  Fragrance abounds in my home, but there's something special about the autumn air catching a scent and carrying it from downstairs to upstairs; room to room.  My mind, heart and soul feel a heighten sense of peace, joy and "welcome".  Experience that.  

Try one or all three, wholesome methods to aromatically welcome autumn into your home.  

1. Signature Fragrance Oil- Use this Di-Propylene Glycol (DPG)-free and alcohol-free product in an oil burner.  Place the oil burner in one location, the fragrance will travel to the adjacent rooms.  Inhale.  Enjoy.  Relax. 
2. Signature Hand-Dipped Incense- Dipped in our concentrated, signature fragrances, hand-dipped incense are perfect olfactory bliss for the entire home.  One stick can do that -- 11" for 1 hour of pure pleasure, and a lasting, sweet after-burn. Or 19" for 3 hours of the same enjoyment.  Inhale.  Enjoy.  Relax. 
3. Green Tea Medley Melts or Indonesia Melts - Soy Melts are best for scenting more intimate areas. Use to fragrant the guest-bathroom and bedroom.  Soy wax infused with our concentrated, signature fragrances.  Inhale.  Enjoy.  Relax. 

Need recommendations for autumn scents?  It'll be my pleasure.
Email me: itiel(at)smellgoodspa(dot)com.

Aromatically,

Have a Mani-Pedi On Us! | Smell Goods '98™

I am delighted when I find a new approach to add to your live good. feel good. smell good.™ life.  Out of appreciation to our loyal readers, fans, and customers, we are now connected to PunchTab - get rewarded for your influence!

You are an influencer!

Signs of an influencer => Tweet.  +1.  Like.  Share.  Repeat.

How?
Earn points by doing your daily, voluntary sharing.  Each time you visit us here to read a post of interest, you'll receive points.  Accumulate points when you +1, Like, Tweet & Share our blog with your Social Buds.

What are the perks?
Reward yourself with: a tasty beverage from Starbucks®, a mani-pedi, using your Groupon® card, a best-selling novel from Barnes & Nobles®, and more.  Once your points add up, you can redeem them for a gift card in the catalog.

I'm in!  What do I do?

Click the Facebook Connect button below.  That's it!  Watch out for our blog post on Facebook, and become a Google Friend by connecting to this blog (to the right).  When you click through to read, click the social buttons on the bottom, black bar to share with your Tweeples, Friends, and Plusers.  If you already receive our post via email, great, click on through and join in on the fun.

Tip:
Once you connect and share, explore the bar.  The up arrow next to your points will show the Catalog and Leaderboard.

A PunchTab giveaway will be headed your way soon. ;o)

Tell me what you think about this new loyalty program - leave a comment.


We are looking forward to rewarding your loyalty.

"Mind Your Own Beeswax!" :: What's In It? Series | Smell Good Spa™

Beeswax is meticulously formed into hexagonal cells (honeycomb), by a colorless liquid secreted from the female worker bees and its purpose is to store honey.  Once the beekeeper extracts the golden liquid, the beeswax is melted down and purified.   According to Wikipedia, the wax of honeycomb is nearly white, but becomes progressively more yellow or brown by incorporation of pollen oils and propolis.    

There are many uses for beeswax: coating for cheese, to protect the food as it ages; surgical bone wax; shoe & furniture polish; musical instruments and candles.  The beneficial effects on the skin is what I appreciate about beeswax.  According to Wikipedia,  a German study found beeswax to be superior to similar "barrier creams" (usually mineral oil based creams, such as petroleum jelly).  

Why We Use It:

• Barrier - Beeswax forms a protective barrier on the surface of the skin, shielding the skin from damaging elements within the atmosphere.  Koster Keunan, a global organic wax supplier, states, "this barrier provides a film of protection against irritants while still allowing the skin to breathe."  In addition to your skin,  the Mayo Clinic recommends using a lip balm that contains beeswax during cold weather to reduce your chances of developing chapped lips.

• Skin Softener -  If dry, rough skin is a problem, beeswax is the solution.   With its humectant and emollient attributes, beeswax attracts moisture from the atmosphere and seals it into the skin.  Furthermore, vitamin A is a component of beeswax, and it is found to be beneficial in softening dry skin.  Skin care products with this rich emollient are great for sealing in moisture after bathing or after shampooing hair (when formulated correctly).  

• Healer - Customers are pleased when they discover that the lip balm or deodorant, purchased from us, works in healing a minor cut or scrape.   All the good substances that come from the  hive - beeswax; honey; royal jelly, all offer anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-viral benefits. 

Fun Fact:

The phrase "mind your own beeswax" is slang for "mind your own business".  Possibly derived from the Irish Gaelic béasmhaireacht, pronounced beeswəraċt, meaning "morality, manners, habits." -Wikipedia

And that's exactly what I want you to do - mind your own skin care habits.  





 Be Whole,

Hair's-A-Cure | Smell Goods '98™

My heart has always gravitated to the well being of those who are in need, and sincerely desire help.  When it comes to critical diseases such as cancer, that gravitational pull does not go towards supporting the cure, as much as the daily needs of the underserved.

Lindsey Compton, a young woman with a big heart/desire, contacted me with an ambitious project to raise money for Pin-A-Sister, Chicago, IL., and to create the Hair's-A-Cure foundation.

I wanted to share Lindsey's project with you, and if you are lead to support it (in anyway), please do so:

Did You Know…Of the estimated 34(%) percent of African American women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, nearly 19(%) percent of them passed away – that’s over 6,000 lives taken due to this disease. Lindsey Compton, the 22-year-old Founder and CEO, wants to change that statistic for good.

Hair's A Cure is a breast cancer foundation that seeks to celebrate the love of healthy black hair & body while raising awareness and funds for breast cancer treatments – predominantly in the African American race. As HAC’s motto goes, it strives to Promote Hair Just As Healthy As Breasts.

The question then becomes, Why another organization? What about Susan G. Komen and others? 

“The reality is that only 77 percent of African American women who are diagnosed with breast cancer survive compared to 90 percent of Caucasian, non-Hispanic women,” Compton said. “If 90(%) percent of all Caucasian women diagnosed with breast cancer can survive then why not the same percentage in the African American race? Simple. The money and support is not there even when people claim it is.”

The HAC foundation knows over time that it can decrease the mortality rate, which is currently 41 (%) percent higher than the Caucasian, non-Hispanic race and any other race for that matter. “Hair’s A Cure will help increase the survival rate, and teach women about the importance of our health from the soles of our feet to the ends of our hair strands,” Lindsey said.

HAC has its kickoff breast cancer fundraiser and hair show in Chicago, IL on October 20^th. If you’re interested in helping, attending and/or sponsoring, visit hairsacure.eventbrite.com.

Currently the founder is looking for donations to help pay the money needed to submit its 501(c)(3) non-profit paperwork. If you’re interested in donating, please visit www.gofundme.com/hairsacure

Skin Tips For Your College Freshman_Bath & Body | Smell Good Spa™

There she goes... off to new beginnings; new surroundings; excitement; apprehension; soul searching; new friends; term papers; late night study groups; par-teys! (You know she's going to go to at least one.)  Although, you can't be there for every ebb and flow, remind her of the importance of personal girl time.  Her in-dorm spa time is the best time for reflecting, making sound decisions, and light-bulb moments.  The care she gives to her skin, may also encourage her to be mindful of consuming too many of those bottomless pizzas and sodas, at those late night study groups.

Share these time-saving bath & body care tips with your busy college freshman:

• Cleanse & Exfoliate- She can knock dirt and dead skin cells out in one round!  Using a sulfate-free, foamy sugar scrub will do the trick.  A sulfate-free cleanser will not dry out her skin; sugar is gentle enough to remove the dead skin cells, and exfoliating will help maintain an even skin tone.  Plus, foamy + sugar = FUN & Giggles. 
• Moisturize- Dry Skin 101 is not one of her electives.  One application of a wholesome lotion will keep your freshman's skin hydrated and looking healthy, all day.   Because of the water content, any lotion will counter dryness, however, you want her skin to remain hydrated.  Moisturizers with rich emollients (raw butters; natural oils) and humectants (glycerin; castor oil) will seal in the moisture (water), revealing soft, supple skin.  
• Fun Aromatherapy- After a day of challenging classes, returning to an olfactory-friendly dorm room is just what she needs.  CAUTION! Spraying her room and linens with aromatic sweetness: may inspire turn-the-music-up and singing-in-the-hairbrush moments - dancing the stress away; can help your freshman to mellow out while working on assignments; and conjure up sweet dreams.

Looking for wholesome, effective bath and body products for your college freshman?  Be sure to check out our line of affirmative & fun bath and body goods for her.

Aromatically,

Got Questions? Let's Chat! | Smell Goods '98™

This Thursday afternoon, 1p ET, I invite you to the Virtual Small and Home Based Business Expo 2012.

Join me in the forum where I'll be answering questions about your beauty + more.  Looking for simple ideas to keep that healthy glow?  Need bath & body DIY tips?  Trying to figure out how to setup a romantic spa night?  Whatever your question, I'll be there at 1p ET to answer it.

Event Registration: FREE
Date: August 23, 2012
Time: 9a-3:30p ET

Forums:
How To Create Online Events and Workshops - Alba Henderson
Events and Sponsorships - Roberta Vigilance
Business Startups - Tameka Davis
How To: Coupons and Savings - Dana Neal
Setting Goals - Chantilly Elijah-Eggerson

Creating Your Vision Board -  Thakore EmpowermentDiva ONeal
Success in Our Economy "Walk in Your Workmanship" - Alba Henderson
Creating A Social Media Marketing Schedule - ShaChena Gibbs
Your Beauty (Question and Answer) - Itiel McVay
Staying Focused During Adversity - NaSheila Gibbons-Knox

For additional details and to register, visit Alba's Exclusive Events.  Tell her Itiel sent you.

Looking forward to chatting with you!

The 1,2 Punch With Palm Oil :: What's In It? Series

According to the American Palm Oil Council, palm oil has been consumed for over 5000 years. Its health benefits are numerous, and additional benefits continue to be discovered. It is now a leading crop, and according to Dr. Betty Kamen, PhD, palm oil is the second most common vegetable oil produced worldwide. Some benefits are particular to the hair and skin, however. Sadie Bell- Livestrong.com

One morning I woke up to a very dark spot on the bridge of my nose.  I didn't even see this thing forming, it just appeared!  I immediately started giving more attention to that spot - giving extra TLC with my Palm Oil Soap.  With two daily applications, I started seeing that dark unwanted-resident-squatter-visitor fade away, and in two weeks*... POOF...gone.

Why we use it:

• With my knowledge of the superb, skin benefits of palm oil,  I knew it would give me fast results.  Palm oil is the most potent form of vitamin E.  Tocopherol, the common form of vitamin E, has been used to treat many skin ailments, for centuries.  It is found in many anti-aging products, and is a strong antioxidant that helps the skin to fight free radicals that damage the skin and cause fine lines and wrinkles.  So how is palm oil more potent than that?  Toctrienols.  Hard to find, but palm oil has them.  Unlike vitamin E, palm oil not only fights, it prevents skin damage from the door.  Toctrienols can gift your skin with healing and protection, by deeply penetrating the skin's layers and working from the bottom up.   
• When saponified in soap, palm oil effectively removes dirt and oil, and it restores the natural oils to the skin. Cleansing agents with palm oil provide deep moisturizing properties, leaving skin soft and supple. 

Many have witnessed the tremendous benefits of our Palm Oil Soap. 

Palm oil is also blended in these recipes Body Spreads, Alaea Sea Salt Polish, Mojito Sugar Smoother, Sweet Raw Sugar Honey Polish, Lush Body Butter, Marinade, and King Moisture Spray. 

*To allow complete fading of the dark spot, I would apply concealer when heading out into the sun. Sun exposure would have continued to fuel the hyper-pigmented area.