As a hairstylist, one of the most gratifying aspects of my job is getting to experience the healing power of touch and connection. My profession is unique in that, within minutes of meeting someone for the first time, I am allowed (and expected) to enter that person's personal space; touching them in ways usually only reserved for their closest family members and friends. I get to run my hands through people's hair, massage their scalp and neck and often touch their face. I never forget what an act of trust and submission this is on the part of the person sitting in my chair. I recognize that it is a privileged and always try to approach each person with respect and tenderness... very aware that how I handle them will influence not only the outcome of the service I'm about to perform, but will also alter their energy (for better or worse).
One of the tools that I use to influence my approach, and to insure that the manner in which I am handling them is healing and beneficial, is by offering a scalp massage using an essential oil blend before each haircut. I became very interested in aromatherapy when I first began my career 9 years ago in an Aveda concept salon that required all of it's stylists to perform a scalp massages on their clients. Now an independent Stylist, I have chosen to carry forth this tradition into my own practice after witnessing the immeasurable benefits.
And now that it is my choice, one of the things I do a bit differently then I did when working at the Aveda salon is limit the clients selection to three essential oil blends, rather than offering them an overwhelming choice of single oils. I have found that that the fewer choices a person has to make once they have sat down in my chair, the more relaxed they tend to feel.
Two of the blends "Wake Up" (a blend of stimulating oils) and "Be Calm" (a blend of calming oils) are always the same to encourage a sense of stability and comfort; blended with the intention of influencing the clients
mood and energy. While the third "Enjoy the Season" is variable offering to encourage a connection with the present; blended specifically
to represent (and celebrate) the characteristics
of the current time of year.
I have been reluctant to introduce my newest "Enjoy the Season
" because, to put it simply, it just hasn't really felt like Fall here in Texas. Alas, there has finally
been a shift in the air and temperature (at least when the sun goes down) and today I finally got inspired to create my latest seasonal blend! This blog is to share with you how I make my blends and will hopefully encourage you to do the same!
First I choose which 4 essential oils I want to use (sometimes I use less but never more than 4). Traditionally the essential oils that are used in my fall blends are warming, spicy, resinous or woody aromas. This year I have chosen amber, cinnamon, vanilla, and patchouli.
Next I gathered my other ingrediants: distilled water, a carrier oil (grapeseed), and vitamin E.
I keep my oil blends in a cobalt blue glass bottles (always store your blends in a dark glass bottle to avoid deterioration and protect the aromatic and therapeutic properties of your essential oils) and make a custom labels for each one. Once I have made my label and attached it to the bottle, I make sure to put a piece of clear tape over it to keep it protected.
Before blending my oils, I first fill the bottle half way with the distilled water. Next, I add two droppers full of the carrier oil and one dropper full of Vitamin E. The Vitamin E is not an essential to the blend, but because I use it for scalp massages, I like to add it for the extra benefits it gives to the scalp (helps sooth dry skin and irritation).
Adding rubbing alcohol or Vodka (2 teaspoons) is also an optional and can help to properly combine both oil and water. I only do this if I am making a blend to be used as a room, linen or body spray. When blending an oil for scalp massages, I don't necessarily want the oils to blend with the water because the oils remain more separated and give me a bit of "slip" for the massage.
Now it's time to add the essential oils! When creating a new blend, I start out small (you can always add more) with a total number of either 10-20 drops for the oil I want to dominate and 5-10 drops of the oils I want to be more subtle. I want the amber (not "technically" an essential oil, but the aroma is considered a base note) and cinnamon (a middle note) to be the most up front with the patchouli (a base note) and the vanilla (a base note) being in the background. Learn all about "notes" here.
I make sure to keep track of how many drops of each oil I use. Once I like the way the blend is smelling, I fill the bottle with more distilled water and then add more oil (doubling the amount of each). My final blend containes 40 drops of Amber, 30 drops of cinnamon, 20 drops of vanilla and 15 drops of patchouli. I then put the top on and give it a good shake. I allow the blend to sit for a day before using because the constituents (natural chemicals) contained within the oils will get cozy with each other and the aroma will become more "true", usually rounding out a bit.
And there you have it! I hope this was helpful and that you have enjoyed learning a simple way to "Enjoy the Season".
(Lov
)e,
-k.
