DIY & the safely-scented way

If you read my last entry, you probably aren't too stoked on forgoing fragrance in the name of natural, because lets face it, unscented can be pretty boring. But forgoing fragrance doesn't mean you have to forgo scent! Here are some easy & safe ways to smell nice without exposing yourself to weird chemicals (the key is essential oils!)

Your luscious locks- add a couple drops of your favourite essential oil (I like peppermint -great for scalp circulation- or lavender in my hair) to an empty spray bottle with water. Following your scent-free shampoo/condition, simply spray on your hair. If you're looking for a natural hairspray or volumizer, just add 1tbsp finely ground sea salt (per 1 cup of water) to the mix, & spray away, lifting at the roots. Since hair absorbs scent super well, your result will be lovely, safely, (potentially volumized) naturally scented hair.

Your super soft bod- seriously, essential oils are your best friend! Add a couple drops to a bottle of almond oil & you have a fantastic, amazingly scented, natural moisturizer. Don't let the initially greasy feel scare ya - it absorbs super quick and will leave you with super soft skin:).

Sudsin' it up- unless you want to take on the task of making your own soap, stick with all-natural brands that scent their products the natural way, such as Dr. Bronners (your local health food store should carry his products). Don't be fooled by 'all-natural glycerin soaps' that are clear; they are clear because they have had alcohol added and so will most likely be drying to your skin. Real glycerin soaps will generally be solid in colour, have an ingredient list reading of primarily vegetable oils (canola, cottonseed), coconut oil, olive oil, & essential oil(s). My personal favourite, Rocky Mountain Soap Company soaps lather amazingly (solid bars or liquid-form) because the company adds additional (vegetable) glycerin to their soaps (on top of the already occurring natural glycerin!)

When you are using natural essential oils as a source for scent, it is not going to give you an over-powering perfumy smell, and it is not uncommon for those who are typically allergic to fragrance to be OK with essential oil scented products! Plus you get the added bonus of essential-oil-specific therapeutic benefits (eg maybe you are prone to spots on your back - both lavender essential oil & tea tree essential oil are naturally antiseptic and can help get rid of the pimple-causing bacteria!)(rosemary is great for your scalp, as is peppermint!)