Everything’s Coming Up Roses

One of the perks of being a health and beauty blogger is being sent lots of lovely press samples from brands hoping for product promotion on my site and across my social media accounts. As I’m often travelling or out and about, I have them sent to my mum (aka De Mama), who has inadvertently become my (unpaid) PA – receiving parcels in, keeping track of who’s sent what and updating me with exciting new arrivals that I might like to write about.

I recently returned from Spain to a welcome pile of goodies, and whilst rummaging amongst them I noticed a common theme: rose. The most popular flower there is, roses are a recognised symbol of love the world over. I doubt there’s a woman alive who wouldn’t be pleased to receive them. (Well, maybe a few with allergies, but let’s not split hairs.) However, when it comes to beauty, the fragrance of rose can be a bit Marmite, with some people of the opinion that it’s a tad ‘old lady.’ But love or hate this classic aroma, the benefits of rose as a therapeutic ingredient for our health and skin are undisputed: it works wonders.

For me, the scent of roses takes me right back to my childhood, when I would play in the garden, and (unbeknownst to De Mama) pull the heads off the roses and soak the petals in an empty ice cream tub half filled with water to make my own perfume. I can clearly remember sitting at our little red plastic table and chairs in the conservatory on a summer’s day, watching in wonder as the water slowly turned a pinkish colour over the course of a day or two; swishing it around before anointing my pulse points with the floral water, as I’d seen Mum do with her perfume sprays. Of course, it was all fun and games until she saw the state of her precious rosebushes…and the water quickly turned rancid; the petals brown and soggy. Fortunately, I’m no longer an amateur perfumier; I leave the formulating to the professionals and stick to buying, reviewing and selling beauty products instead.

Anyway, back to the health and beauty benefits of rose, of which there are many. Taken internally – as a tea or a tincture – rose is a mood-lifting, soothing antidepressant, useful during times of stress or hormonal fluctuations. Applied topically on the skin, rose is anti-inflammatory and calming; great for dry, sensitive or mature skins, or for those suffering from rosacea or acne.

There are two main types of rose used in skincare: rosa damascena or Bulgarian rose, which has a deep, potent aroma, and rosa centifolia, also known as Morrocan or cabbage rose, which has a light, sweet, clean scent. Rose essential oil is one of the most expensive there is, due to the fact that tens of thousands of rose blossoms, picked at dawn as they are unfolding, are required to yield just one ounce of the essential oil. The good news is that you only need a couple of drops to reap the rewards.

Rose oil is not to be confused with rosehip seed oil, which comes from the fruit of the rose plant and is rich in antioxidant vitamin C. Regular Bird’s Eye Viewers will know from this post that I’m currently trialling GOPO Joint Health, which is a rosehip supplement for healthy joints and reducing inflammation. I’ve been taking GOPO for a few weeks now, and as well as feeling better physically, my skin is looking much more radiant and imperfections improved. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Rosehip seed oil is great for scarring, pigmentation and skin imperfections as well as joints.

Convinced yet? Let’s cut to the chase! Here’s a round-up of…

My Current Top Five Rose-based Health and Beauty Buys

 

a selection of rose-based products
The future’s rosy. From left: Whole Rose Buds from The Tea Makers of London via Teatourist, Organic Rosewater, Ivy Bloom, Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil, Scentered Love Therapy Balm, Whittard English Rose tea bags.

 

1. Armina Organic Rose Water, £10.90 for 100ml or £13.90 for 250ml, Ivy Bloom.

This 100% organic steam-distilled Bulgarian rose water available from Ivy Bloom is food grade; so pure it can be also used in cooking. I’m told it tastes good when added to a glass of bubbly too – but I’ll be saving it purely for cosmetic use. Either spray onto cotton wool and sweep over the face like a toner or spritz directly onto the face for a hydrating pick-me-up. Perfect for holidays or when flying, or just to rehydrate dry skin after a long winter in a centrally-heated atmosphere. The fragrance is divine, the quality evident. I’ve been using this twice a day after cleansing – a new staple in my daily beauty routine. 5/5 – love it!

2. Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil, Dr Botanicals, £49.90 30ml.

Following a generous spritz of the rosewater from Ivy Bloom, I like to apply a couple of drops of this facial oil by Dr Botanicals. Some oils can feel too heavy and greasy for daytime use, but this is surprisingly light in both texture and scent. Use before moisturiser or added to your day/night cream to protect, brighten and nourish skin. Rich in antioxidant vitamins A and C in an almond oil base, this oil is suitable for all skin types. (Contrary to popular belief, oils are also recommended for greasy skin as they balance sebum production). 4/5 – I love a more ‘rosy’ fragrance, but this lighter aroma will appeal to many. 

3. Whole Rose Buds by The Teamakers of London, via The Teatourist subscription box, £11 per month for a selection of 6 teas.

I’ve been receiving these boxes monthly from Teatourist for some time now, and it’s surprising just how many varieties of tea there actually are. These rosebuds from The Teamakers of London are both aesthetically pleasing and make a deliciously soothing yet uplifting tea. Simply put as many buds as you like into a mug, pour on boiling water and enjoy your Insta-worthy cuppa. Simples! 4/5 – love the flavour and simplicity, should probably have removed the flowers before drinking as I got a mouthful of petals. Extra point for prettiness.

4. Scentered Love Therapy Balm, £14.50.

100% natural. Apply this Scentered lip balm-style product to pulse points whenever you feel overwhelmed and in need of a hug. The Love aromatherapy balm combines top notes of clove and orange with rose, patchouli and cedarwood to create an elegant fragrance which smells amazing whilst restoring a sense of inner peace and balance. It’s been a crazy year for me so far – give me one for every handbag and pocket, pronto! 3/5 – love the convenient size, natural aroma and therapeutic benefits. Fragrance could have lasted slightly longer. Great for travel. 

5. Whittard’s English Rose tea bags, £5 for 25.

Whilst the loose rosebuds are an Instagrammer’s delight, you can sometimes find yourself with the odd bit of petal in your mouth as you sip on your brew. These Whittard’s English Rose teabags give a similar flavour but with the familiar convenience of a teabag. Best drunk with a scone, clotted cream and a generous spoonful of jam. 4/5 – similar flavour to the rosebuds. Not as pretty but more convenient in bag format. 

So there you have it! If your skin is in need of a radiance boost and your mood is equally as dull, it’s time to reach for the rose!

Sam x

Fancy reading my back-story before you go any further? You can find my other blogs at:

www.costaricachica1.blogspot.com
www.samgoessolo.blogspot.com
www.mummymission.blogspot.com
www.worldwidewalsh.blogspot.com

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