Saturday 1 October 2016

Food for your Face and the 13 Power Packed Essential Oils



Food for your Face was launched back in February out of a whim to rescue distressed young women who were exhausted from work and tireless nights, and needed a quick fix to repair the condition of their fatigued skin. Might I add, this was done so after Mama Firefly decided to treat MY tired skin after a series of exhibitions and back to back projects. I grew up around home remedies and fixes for healthy skin, but never paid attention or took interest in looking after myself. I never spent that allotted time every evening pampering myself or trying xyz recipes to improve skin texture, complexion or appearance. It wasn’t until Mama Firefly forced me to sit down for a spa session that I realized how effective these mixes can be, and genuinely, how great one could feel with clean, refreshed and nourished skin. Perhaps all these years I took ‘good skin’ for granted (MashaAllah).

What’s made FFYF stand out, as a product line and venture, is the power packed natural ingredients such as traditional oats, barley, various herbs and flours, in addition to our favorite essential oils. Mama Firefly has nearly 20 years of experience in aromatherapy which we’ve configured into all our products. Each batch is handcrafted fresh by her every week. Ingredients are sourced from the finest of vendors. Most of these ingredients are freshly ground at home. This ensures quality in our mixtures for cleansers, scrubs, and face packs.

Essential Oils have a plethora of benefits for the mind and body but must be used with care and precaution. Some are strong and require carrier oils to be diluted with to prevent reactions or side effects. Please don’t panic, we use appropriate quantities in our products to ensure the safety and well-being of our patrons. These essential oils are applied in varying blends and amounts into our mixture for FFYF products. This is also why we request our concerned customers to share their skin conditions, any known allergies, in addition to medical conditions or pregnancies prior to placing an order. We do not retail our products without a brief consultation. This allows us to recommend the right product, not just for its results on the skin, but the general well-being of every individual that uses FFYF.

Please note, the benefits shared here are generally identified with skin care. There are several other uses and properties of each oil that may be researched or explored in detail later. The information posted below is put together after researching several reading materials and books. If you like it, share this post or link back to it.

Rosemary Oil
The aroma of Rosemary Oil, when inhaled tends to relieve mental stress, reduces anxiety, allows mental clarity and can aid in learning mechanisms. Inhaling rosemary can also help clear sinuses and chest congestion. Anti-bacterial properties make it a go to oil for clearer skin that combats acne. Packed with anti-oxidants, it reduces signs of aging. Tightens the skin and boosts cell growth, which in return reduces wrinkles. Improves skin complexion and fights acne. Anti-inflammatory properties make it a great treatment for dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. This reduces the puffiness and swelling. Rosemary also helps soothe the skin and heal burns. Rosemary Oil tends to be great for dry skin.

Found in Sweet Cherry Pie (Face Pack for Dry & Sensitive Skin)

Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass Oil tends to have healing and therapeutic properties. It is a great source of essential vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, folate and vitamin C. It also provides essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, zinc and iron. Lemongrass Oil minimizes pores due to astringent quality. It aids in tightening the skin and also fights fungal bacteria, warding off infections due to its antibacterial properties. Lemongrass Oil also controls secretion of oil, limiting its production, being extremely beneficial for oily skin. Lemongrass Oil also strengthens your skin tissues.

Found in A Tangerine Affair (for most skin types)

Orange Oil
Extracted from the peels of orange, Orange Oil is packed with Vitamin C.  Vitamin C helps protect and heal the skin, which makes it super for acquiring smooth and glowing skin.  Anti-bacterial and Anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for acne prone skin, can aid in reducing redness, swelling and pain caused by acne and bacterial infections. Orange Oil has calming and therapeutic properties, accordingly, can be used to alleviate stress, depression and anger.

Found in A Tangerine Affair (for most skin types)

Bergamot Oil
Bergamot, a citrus oil, works as an Anti-depressant and uplifts the mood. In return, also alleviates stress by reducing nervous tension. Bergamot has great healing properties for the skin, reducing chances of infection and adding shine to the skin. Anti-septic properties make it a winner in combating acne and breakouts. Bergamot is also essential to reducing scars and acne marks, leaving the skin even toned.

Found in all Pandora Perfect Cleansers and Fixxer Upper Face Packs: Sweet Cherry Pie (Face Pack for Dry & Sensitive Skin), Mint Cooler (Face Pack for all skin types), A Tangerine Affair (for most skin types), From Cleo with Love (Face Pack for Oily Skin),
Rumi’s Notes (Face Pack for Aging Skin), Gladiator (Face Pack for Acne Prone Skin)

Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil, like Bergamot, Geranium and Patchouli is a feel good oil. It uplifts your mood and invokes a happy feeling. Peppermint oil is an antiseptic so the redness and breakouts that could be, are zapped with it. Anti-inflammatory properties make it suitable to treat eczema and psoriasis.  is also a reason for its tingling sensation (the menthol effect). Peppermint Oil is comprised of iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, Vitamin A & C in addition to Omega 3 fatty acids. Anti-Microbial properties make it a natural remedy to combat acne. When sunburnt, peppermint oil can alleviate pain and hydrate the skin. The scent of peppermint oil can reduce headaches and remove stress. Peppermint oil can also help clear sinuses and congestion within nasal passages.

Found in Mint Cooler (Face Pack for all skin types),

Geranium Oil
Geranium Oil is a powerhouse of benefits for healthy and beautiful skin. It has astringent properties and therefore tightens the skin, reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Geranium Oil increases blood circulation under the skin and helps heal scars, wounds, cuts and other abrasions. It can be used to target dermatitis, acne and other skin diseases. This also reduces dark spots and acne marks. Geranium Oil also helps heal wounds and combats infections. Beneficial for both oily and dry skin.

Found in all Pandora Perfect Cleansers and Fixxer Upper Face Packs

Patchouli Oil
Like several other essential oils, Patchouli Oil has properties that allow an individual to find harmony and balance, in addition to alleviating stress and anxiety. It is remarkable as an anti-depressant and aids in overcoming grief and loss. Patchouli Oil has immense anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. This makes it a powerful ingredient in fighting eczema, dermatitis, acne and psoriasis. Due to its anti-inflammatory property, it’s beneficial in reducing itchiness and redness caused by skin irritation. Also aids in reducing wrinkles, smoothing out the skin, giving it a glow.

Found in Mint Cooler (Face Pack for all skin types), A Tangerine Affair (for most skin types), Rumi’s Notes (Face Pack for Aging Skin)

Petit Grain
Another category of citrus oil, Petit Grain is fundamental to skin care in addition to its therapeutic properties as an anti-depressant and feel good oil. It can help reduce stress as well. Petit Grain is particularly beneficial to oily skin as it controls oil production.  Regular use can aid in reducing pimples, blemishes, acne, scars, in addition to blackheads and whiteheads. Petit Grain has healing properties due to its anti-septic nature. It prevents infections and can help heal cuts, wounds, and other skin abrasions, while restricting growth of bacteria. Petit Grain oil can aid in hydrating the skin and maintaining oil balance. When used in the summer time, Petit Grain oil can lend a cooling effect.

Found in From Cleo with Love (Face Pack for Oily Skin), The Gladiator (Face Pack for Acne-Prone Skin)
Ylang Ylang
Known for its gentle fragrance, Ylang Ylang Oil carries a variety of properties that make it great for skin, mental and physical health. Ylang Ylang balances the production of sebum within the skin, making it a great retreat for overly dry or overly oily skin. It can help treat eczema while also being pivotal in healing cuts, burns and wounds due to its anti-septic properties. Ylang Ylang can target acne without drying the skin. This oil tends to expedite the healing process while also benefiting the human body by lowering blood pressure, relieving stress and working as an anti-depressant, taking away chronic sadness.

Found in From Cleo with Love (Face Pack for Oily Skin), The Gladiator (Face Pack for Acne-Prone Skin)

Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus Oil has taken popularity in recent times by being infused with several skin care products. The oil has a woody aroma in essence. Eucalyptus has strong healing properties as an anti-septic. It is used to treat burns, cuts, blisters, and bruises. It softens the skin and leaves it hydrated. It is also used in treating shingles and measles, reducing irritation and inflammation. It tends to sting over insect bites and open wounds, but works to cool the skin and heal the targeted areas. Eucalyptus can also aid in alleviating headaches and clearing sinuses.

Found in From Cleo with Love (Face Pack for Oily Skin)

Cedar Wood
Cedar Wood Oil has a woody aroma with warm undertones. It is considered to have calming properties, while stimulating spiritual bonding between individuals. It can invigorate a sense of confidence and strength, particularly in individuals undergoing testing times. Cedar Wood promotes smooth skin by healing cracks and dry patches; it can therefore be used to treat eczema. It is also used to treat wounds and scars due to its antiseptic properties. Cedar Wood Oil is also considered an astringent; it constricts muscles, hence tightening skin and pores leaving refreshed, rejuvenated skin. This oil keeps microbes from entering the pores in addition to impurities caused by dust and other allergens, this helps combat acne. The scent of Cedar Wood Oil can be a stress reliever and reduce anxiety. It aids in the release of serotonin which then converts to melatonin, a hormone that triggers sleep within the brain. It can help ease one to sleep and rest peacefully. Cedar Wood Oil is also known to help balance hormones.

Found in Rumi’s Notes (Face Pack for Aging Skin)

Cypress
With a woody scent reminiscent of the forests, Cypress Oil is a natural healer for cuts and wounds. It is used to treat external wounds as well as preventing infections. Cypress also holds astringent and antiseptic properties, this allows it to play a vital role in treating skin irritations as well as lending to youthful and smooth looking skin.

Found in Rumi’s Notes (Face Pack for Aging Skin)

Vetiver Oil
Vetiver has an earthy scent, similar to musk. Vetiver replaces damaged and dead skin cells with new ones, being a healer. This is effective toward reducing scars and marks across the skin.  It has anti-septic and anti-bacterial properties, making it a great way to clean impurities from within pores that lead to blackheads and acne. Vetiver is also applied to restore moisture balance within the skin, keeping it hydrated. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it a great retreat for puffy skin and redness, in addition to its power house of anti-oxidants which combat premature aging.

Found in Rumi’s Notes (Face Pack for Aging Skin)

Ordering Food for your Face
Drop a message at Facebook Page with your skin type and what  you're looking to combat! :) We'll review and respond.

Wednesday 28 September 2016

Retrospect: Imperfections and Contentment

Originally written on the 29th of September, 2014

I believe that every moment of our lives comes with a purpose... To awaken or learn from.
When I was awaiting my boarding pass at the Emirates counter two weeks... ago.. I paused thinking it shouldn't take me too long with my skywards membership. I reached the queue and boy, was I mistaken. It was packed. The porter mentioned that there are many hajjis hence the wait, and it shouldn't take me long. Considering the mindframe I was in I then realized that waiting was my only option. I looked up at the passengers. All the men in ihraam. Their families.. Women and children. Watching them, My eagerness to get into departure gates subsided. I couldn't help but smile believing the splendor and magic of being united and visiting Allah's home. Where there is no difference in caste.. Stature.. Color.. Age or gender. I was ashamed actually to think I should continue with the expedited check in because I flew with an airline frequently.

A few moments waiting at this counter worked wonders to charge a train of thoughts that plays constantly like a reel for my trip. I observed families and individuals in public spaces. Not once but again and again. I realized that people are happy. They don't care if their wives are beauty pageant contestants.. Or if their husbands are Korean or Hispanic like themselves. It mattered that they were together. They had beautiful children together and just for the day they just wanted to get out and celebrate their lives. Some men were tall. Their companions petite. Some women were heavier than their leaner partners. A group of young people walked about with different wardrobes altogether.. And their smiles were happy. Just happy.. You know the way your eyes light up and you can see the relaxed expressions from across a corridor kinda happy. The I will splurge on my reading kinda happy.. Or I'm in the mood for a chocolate indulgence kinda happy.

People don't care what you're wearing. Who cares if your top isn't flattering .. Or those pants don't do justice. Why must it be superficial. What if your slacks give you comfort. What if your flat chappals give you more of an edge than your stilettos?

It's very evidently us, ourselves, that let expectations rule our very precious lives. Each of us was made beautiful.. Crafted to perfection under His care. When we get called to Him.. We all leave the same way. When we entrust Him with our affairs.. He watches over each of us the same way. Why do we allow ourselves to calibrate and compare or tread toward an expected perfection. When our now is direction to better the present.

We rely on everyone else's approval of our happiness. We forget ourselves and our gratitude toward Him. It may seem like a vague little narrative.. But I don't know. I feel moved. I know life is in His hands.. It could be brief. In that short span I'd love to be in the company of those He blessed me with.. To fulfill my purpose in serving Him.. And of course to find my little piece of happiness. Rightly so.. Happiness is not being perfect.. It's looking past the imperfections. That is what He does for you and me. If we keep longing for more.. The better.. We may miss out in the faith cherishing our now and sit wondering a million what ifs.

Tomorrow is never certain.. But our faith sets it in place. When we believe in His Master Plan.. Things always feel right even when skies are stormy. We become so worried wondering what the storm will bring.. We forget to listen to raindrops tapping at the window sill.. Or the thunder roaring in its might across open fields. I want to listen.. I find that thunder comforting. I love the rain.. It feels like everything in the surroundings is being rinsed of negativity and sadness... To renew that little dose of happy.

I pray.. May He pardon our flaws.. May He show us the joys in our perfect imperfections. And may we look beyond skin tones and physiques.. Appreciate the guise of working hands and feet.. And of course... Always accept His decree. May we embrace the time bestowed with our elders.. May we honor the comfort of a dear friend.. May we value the love of a companion.. And respect the presence of a mentor. May He call us to His home.. and may we unite in faith.. All in accordance to His Master Plan.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...