how aromatherapy can enhance your brand
You know the feeling you get when you walk into an Anthropologie store? It feels familiar and cozy, and though their window displays are literal works of art (it’s true - they hire local artists to install them!), that invite an experience of their own, that feeling you get is likely due to the wave of Capri Blue’s Volcano candle. It’s immediately recognizable and you instantly feel comfortable. The power of scent is a truth that we all know and experience daily. Scent alters an experience no matter where or what it is. Another example that comes to mind is the Soarin’ Over the World ride at Disneyland. When you fly over the orange groves in California, the ride releases an orange scent above your head… and when you fly over the waters of Fiji, you smell the ocean. It is a transcending experience that my husband and I always looked forward to anytime we went, and we would go on that ride specifically when we felt tired and wanted to relax. We often fail to realize how powerful scent can be and how transformative it can make a space - especially a lash studio space!
Since the beginning of mankind, humanity has used aromatherapy for medicinal, mental, and emotional purposes. We’ve used everything from diffusing and inhaling essential oils, to burning incense and candles, to smudging plants and wood. Sage has been a long-held staple for cleansing spaces and clearing our minds.
I personally love Palo Santo because it has such a lovely smell. It’s woody, with a hint of lemon and mint. Tracing back to the Incan Empire, it was mainly used in native ritualistic medicine, preferred by shamans and healers for its metaphysical properties of purification and clearing negative energies. Spanish for Holy Wood, Palo Santo is a wild tree found in areas from Mexico to Peru & belongs to the same family as Frankincense and Myrrh. This tree produces an incredibly aromatic and hypoallergenic resin that only grows stronger in concentration with age.
Palo Santo is one of nature’s best tools today for purifying and cleansing your space. It’s rich in brain-oxygenating terpenes, such as limonene and a-terpineol, which uplift the spirit, and bring peace, calm, and clarity to a body, situation, or place. Its benefits also include relieving the symptoms of headaches and colds, and it has a grounding effect that can enhance creativity (score!). Whenever we talk about our clients taking their “lash naps,” how much more assuring is it to know that the aromatherapy you’re using is causing a positive effect!
Palo Santo consists of only one ingredient that is not synthetic - that’s a bonus for me! It can be hard to find candles that are not made with any harmful synthetic substances. BUT it’s incredibly important because many of the chemicals found in some candles can cause headaches - this is not good for clients. Using essential oils, burning Palo Santo, or at the very least making sure your candles are free from harmful chemicals and harmful fragrances, is the safest way to go.
HOW TO USE PALO SANTO IN YOUR STUDIO
Using Palo Santo is really very simple. Ignite your stick of Palo Santo. Hold at about a 45-degree angle pointing the tip down toward the flame. Allow it to burn for about 30 seconds to 1 minute and then blow out, sending your intentions with the smoke. Place the stick in a fireproof bowl, like ceramic or metal.
You can use it before your first client and in between clients if you prefer. I personally use it once in the morning and then throughout the day, I diffuse a blend of Palo Santo essential oil and Aroma Fresh essential oil from Eden’s Garden. The resulting scent is very clean smelling and isn’t an overpowering essential oil smell (you know what I mean!). Below is a simple morning ritual to follow.
Creating a Morning Ritual with Palo Santo
• Arise in the morning with intention.
• Open your blinds and allow some sunlight in.
• Light a stick of Palo Santo and allow it to burn for 30 seconds to 1 minute, before carefully blowing it out.
• Place the Palo Santo in a fireproof bowl.
• Sit quietly for 10 - 15 minutes and focus on your intentions for the day, holding gratitude and thanks in your heart. Prayer during this time can be particularly calming and intentional.
• Stretch your arms, legs, hands, feet, neck and back.
• Start your day feeling refreshed and positive!
Have you smudged sage or burned Palo Santo before? Or does this get you excited to try it? Let me know! I’m also curious to know if you use any kind of aromatherapy in your studio in general and if you’ve put much thought into how it represents your brand! If you need help with this, I’m just a DM or email away. Would love to hear from ya!