When you don't take care of your skin it shows—flaky, dry skin will occur, skin will appear dull, and breakouts will surface. It can be hard to find skin care products that are not full of parabens and other yucky stuff that actually works against your best efforts to care for your skin. At Escents, we've mastered a unique line of skincare called "Thera-skin"—these all natural skin care products work to restore and reveal the true beauty and potential of your skin. This month we are offering a special of buy a cleanser and get a toner for 25% in-store and 20% off toners and cleansers online to get you on your way to glowing skin!
Cleansing is one of the most important steps to skin care because not only does it remove dirt, oil and makeup; it prepares the skin for the next steps of your skin care routine so it accepts your toner and moisturizer more efficiently. We have a wide variety of cleansers that suit any skin type from oily to mature. Click here to view our line of Thera-skin Cleansers.
Toner is often the forgotten part of the skin care regime. This is usually because it is misunderstood and considered unimportant. However, toning is a vital part of taking care of your skin because it exfoliates and restores the PH balance of the skin which prevents bacteria from harming the delicate nature of the epidermis. It also removes any excess residue or oil from the skin before moisturizing so it is not trapped under the moisturizer which can cause breakouts! To learn about our Thera-skin Toners & Hydrosols, click here.
Escents is proud to announce the launch of four new Eau de Parfums— Courage, Hope, Joy and Grace! Each unique scent was crafted to reflect the unique and complex side of a woman as well as what she inspired in others. In combination with this exclusive launch, Escents is joining forces with the Salvation Army and their “Truth Isn’t Sexy” campaign in the fight against Human Trafficking by donating 10% of the profits from the new Eau de Parfums to the cause. The Salvation Army is commited to human trafficking victims and the restoration of their freedom, dignity and self-respect. The Salvation Army creates awareness and education about human trafficking as well as funding a safe house called “Deborah’s Gate”. Deborah’s Gate is in Vancouver and is dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking recover and get back on their feet and into society. These people (mostly women) have suffered immense trauma due to sexual, physical, emotional and/or psychological violence in their lives as a result of sexual exploitation. Below are some alarming facts about the Human Trafficking industry.
•There are an estimated 27 million slaves worldwide
•250,000 sex slaves exist in North America, many of them in Vancouver, BC
•25%-80% of those sold into slavery are under the age of 24, some as young as 6
•Currently only 1-2% of victims are rescued
In addition to donating 10% of the profits of the new Eau de Parfums, we will also be asking customers to donate a $1.00 to help fund the Salvation Army’s efforts to end this awful industry that continues to grow and make money off of innocent people.
The Eau de Parfums contains 100% pure essential oils and naturally derived aromas, DPG and Phthalate free, biodegradable, no parabens, no animal testing, and no synthetic colour. They are all natural; containing essential oils alcohol and water:
Joy – Inspired by a Woman’s joy and the joy she brings to others! A passionate scent with the top notes of floral Violet and uplifting Jasmine.
Hope- An uplifting scent that reflects the hope that every woman possesses. Indulgent with the top notes of Vanilla and Bergamot.
Grace-A balanced scent which is grounded yet complex, like the Grace of a Woman. Mingles the top notes of Lily and Cedarwood.
Courage-An invigorating scent which represents the strength and courage of every woman. An energizing scent with the top notes of Ylang Ylang and Ginger.
The days are getting longer and the sun is starting to peak from the clouds. Even though it takes a bit longer in Canada to feel the true warmth of the season—spring is in fact here! At Escents, we love everything about spring because it acts as a reminder of all of the wonderful things that nature has to offer! To celebrate our deep love for this change in season, we have created four beautiful scents that reflect four of the most fragrant spring flowers Hyacinth, Narcissus, Lilac and one of our CEO’s favourite—Tuberose. The scents come in four products—a fragrant Aroma Blend, skin-softening Organic Argan Bath Oil, a delicate Aroma/body Mist and tiny Aroma Beads for scenting those special places in your home.
Transcendent and uplifitng. Heliotrope and Jasmine combine to create this timeless scent.
The Bath Oil is made with organic Argan oil which softens, hydrates and boasts anti-aging effects from high levels of Vitamin E and antioxidants. Unlike regular bath oils this one blends into the bath water creating a light, aromatic foam that is not drying to the skin. Skin is left soft and restored. Each bottle comes with a hang tag made out of seed paper which can be planted in your garden or a pot! Here’s how to plant your hang tag:
1. Chose a container that is about 4" wide and 5" tall. Try using recycled cans or jars!
2. Drill a few holes in the bottom so when you water the plant it will have drainage.
3. Place the seed paper in a pot under a thin layer of soil
4. Water thoroughly and keep moist
5. Place in a sunny corner and watch it bloom
Let us in on some of your secret gardening tips and what your favourite flowers are for spring! We want to hear from you:)
Posted by Shay Sinclair on 3/26/2013
to Promotions
In the middle of a bleak Vancouver winter, when it’s been raining steadily for two weeks with no end in sight, it can be hard to find any joy in the city’s soggy climate. Even though the evergreens – beneficiaries of all the rain – are beautiful, they’re only flashes of green in a flat grey landscape. When the seasons start to turn and flowers begin to appear (a cluster of bright purple crocuses, or budding daffodils waiting for a sunny day to bloom) there’s an old sense of relief; we’ve made it through another winter after all. Spring is on its way, and there will be flowers and sunlight.
With a little work, it’s easy to create a blooming, bustling flower garden of your own. Whether in planters on a windowsill or balcony, or spread out through your front yard, everybody can take part in adding some colour to the city.
The first step is to decide on a location. An ideal spot receives at least a few hours of direct sunlight daily, in order to make the most of Vancouver’s sometimes sporadic sunny days. If you don’t have a spot like this on your property, consider shade-loving plants or using planters that can be moved into sunnier areas as needed. For apartment dwellers with small balconies, hanging baskets don’t take up any space and can avoid the shade thrown by railings.
Different plants require different amounts of space, but a good rule is one plant per 3-4 inches in a container (giving you 3 or 4 plants in a 12 inch pot). If you only have a little space to work with, try trailing flowers (like the fuchsia) which will spill over the sides of the pot. Spacing in open gardens can be more complicated, but it’s always wise to give your plants plenty of room to grow.
If you’re new to gardening, starting with developed plants rather than bulbs is the easiest route. Avoid over-grown, straggly plants, particularly ones which seem too large for their container, as these may be root-bound and hard to transplant. Instead, look for evenly coloured leaves (yellow and black spots can indicate an unhealthy plant), soil that hasn’t drawn away from the sides of the container, and unopened flower buds.
Although most plants come with plastic markers outlining the plant’s needs, talking to staff at the garden center can help you decide which flowers will thrive in your chosen location, and what plants will need space to grow. They will also be able to help you in finding the right soil or fertilizer to give your new garden a head start.
Try to transplant your flowers on a mild day, as heat and rain can both make the task more difficult. Water the containers lightly, and leave them to drain for an hour or two before getting down to work. To plant pots, fill them approximately half-way with soil, then remove your plants from their containers and arrange them in their new home. Carefully fill the remaining spaces with soil; the goal is a flat finished surface. For an open garden, dig a wider hole than you think you need, and avoid ‘burying’ your plant by packing soil around its stem.
If your new plants look root-bound (a thick web of roots holding the shape of the container it was in), gently slash an X into the roots with a sharp knife before transplanting them.
Congratulations! You now have a flower garden of your own. Most flowers are forgiving to grow in such a mild climate, requiring only occasional fertilizing and watering once or twice a week during dry, hot spells. Watch out for over-watering, as well as pests such as aphids and slugs, and pinch off wilting flowers to encourage new growth.
Let us know some of your tips and tricks! We want to hear from you.
Now that the sun is shining, and spring it finally here it’s time to start thinking about protecting your skin from damaging rays. Our Thera-skin Solar Defender acts as a protective barrier—containing SPF 30 as well as a nourishing moisturizer that contains natural ingredients of Vitamin E and C, green tea and aloe vera. The greaseless base, can be applied over or under moisturizer and can be worn under makeup. For this month only, we are featuring our Solar Defender for 30% off—regular $58.95 for $39.95!
Achieving optimal wellness can feel daunting sometimes—jam-packed schedules, long commutes and work weeks can make it seem impossible. However, all is not lost in your quest for well-being if you follow these ten easy steps!
1. Water
Staying well hydrated is so important for your body to function properly. Remember, it doesn’t just have to be water; fruit, soups and vegetables also contain water that contributes to hydrating your body.
2. Exercise
Movement is vital to achieve wellness. Whether you’re hitting the gym, skiing, dancing or simply taking a brisk walk—exercise will improve your sleep and stress levels, contributing to your optimal wellness!
3. Challenge the Mind
Keep your mind active by exercising the brain with activities like reading, crosswords, board games or even learning a new language! These brain training sessions help to delay symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease.
4. Pet Love
Get a pet! Research indicates that people with pets live longer and have lower rates of depression. Our furry little friends help lower blood pressure, lessen anxiety and boost immunity!
5. Nutrition
Eating right is by far one of the best ways to contribute to your long term wellness. Proper nutrition will help you to be at your best both mentally and physically—improving your energy levels, managing a healthy weight, protecting your heart, reducing disease like diabetes and keeping your brain thinking at full capacity!
6. Omegas
Add some fish to your plate! Getting more omegas helps protect your body from heart attack and stroke, type 2 diabetes and depression. These fatty oils also alleviate joint pain, eczema, arthritis and much more! If you’re veggie or vegan add some flax to your diet!
7. Try to See the Glass Half Full
Being optimistic is very important when it comes to health and well-being. Negativity can be like a poison that spreads and makes you feel less energetic and less interested in the things around you. When you find yourself in a difficult situation, try and step back and see the positivity in it.
8. Spend Time with Family and Friends
Making time for loved one is crucial to feeling your best. Meeting a friend for coffee or sharing a special meal with family helps to build a support system and makes you feel connected—improving your outlook on life!
9. Meditate
Most people know that meditation is great for creating emotional balance and calmness, however, it’s also great for increased immunity, lowering blood pressure, fighting inflammation as well as increasing fertility.
10. Give Back
Interestingly, giving back to your community or other charities around the world is great for well- being. It helps to ease stress, strengthen the immune system and activate “feel good” emotions that contribute to a better mindset. These “feel good” emotions are sometimes called a “helper’s high”—a rush of endorphins that act as natural painkillers and instill a feeling of calm and self assurance.
We want to hear your tips and tricks for achieving wellness, naturally? To learn more about our natural line of Wellness Products, click here.
Most people seek relief from a headache by reaching for their favourite pain killer—from aspirin to acetaminophen and even naproxen sodium. At Escents Aromatherapy we believe that natural headache relief can be mastered by using the special blend of essential oils that make up our Headache Relief Roll-on. Made with Lavender and Peppermint then blended in an all natural Jojoba oil base, this tiny roll-on can be used as an easy, pill free go-to when your next headache strikes. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: For immediate relief, rub the oil on the temples and massage slowly in a circular motion.
Step 2: Roll on the back of the neck and massage into the neck muscles.
Step 3: For time released pain relief, roll the oil on the bottom of the feet. The skin is thicker on this area, which allows the essential oils to enter the system more slowly than the rest of the body.
The Headache Relief Roll-on also provides relief for the following:
nausea
cold/flu
mental fatigue
All of Escents wellness products are all natural, phthalate and dpg free, no artifical colours and made with 100% pure essential oils. For a limited time, spend $85 on the web and get a FREE Headache Relief Roll-on. (offer varies in-store.)
Sometimes it’s hard to show your sweetheart just how much you care. A box of cartoon valentines and a bag of cinnamon hearts might have been enough to woo a crush in third grade, but as adults all the usual sentiments and traditional gifts of Valentine’s Day can start to feel a little trite, no matter how heartfelt they might be.
Luckily, wherever there’s love there are endless ways of showing and celebrating it, on Valentine’s Day or any other. If those TRU LUV sugar hearts taste stale, why not try something new?
All across the world, the romantically-inclined are taking “you hold the key to my heart” literally. In the early 2000s, thousands of padlocks began appearing on Europe’s bridges and statues, each decorated with the names of a hopeful couple. The locks are thought to ensure faithfulness and a long future, and the new tradition has spread world-wide.
Since love and marriage go together like a – well, you know the rest – the 14th is a popular wedding date. In the Philippines, hundreds of couples are wed in themed “mass marriages”, while in Thailand some thrill-seeking couples say “I do” while bungee-jumping, sky-diving, or hanging from cliffs.
As a way of saying “I can provide for you”, gifts of food are timeless, but every culture has a different idea of what makes a romantic meal. In Cyprus, figs and honey are known as aphrodisiacs – and they should know, since Aphrodite herself rose from the waves near Cyprus in Greek mythology. Jamaican weddings, on the other hand, feature spiced fruitcake with lots of good rum; after the wedding, pieces of the heavy cake can be sent to loved ones who couldn’t make the ceremony.
For Germans, the usual Valentine’s gifts are accompanied by a regional specialty: giant gingerbread hearts, some strung with ribbon so that they can be worn around the neck like a particularly tasty necklace. And if you happen to be in Germany this February, don’t be hurt if your Valentine features a picture of a pig; seen as a symbol of luck and lust, the pig is often shown offering flowers or even dressed in lingerie!
But to the unhappily single, Valentine’s Day itself can seem like a personal insult. Maybe they should take inspiration from Guatemala, where the day celebrates amor y amistad — love and friendship. Close friends exchange flowers and chocolates, celebrating the love in a community rather than just the romantic variety.
And of course, there’s always a trip into the past. Victorian England loved to invest everyday things with plenty of romance and meaning; an entire courtship could theoretically take place just by the way a lady held her fan. But it’s the language of flowers that still holds the most sway: red roses say true love, an iris symbolizes good news, and yellow tulips tell of a hopeless romantic.
When people think of Valentine’s Day flowers they often think of Roses. Roses have always been the symbol of love because of their beauty and intoxicating scent. However, there is much more to a rose than the traditional clichés associated with passion and romance. For instance, the rose contains a special essential oil that can only be extracted with great care and love—yielding a fragrant natural substance that can be used for many purposes such as healing skin, aiding love and compassion as well as easing depression and anxiety. Escents Aromatherapy prides itself on sourcing its rose oil from some of the finest farms in the world.
Located in central Bulgaria, lies the rose valley—often known as the “Valley of Roses”—where the Bulgarian oil-bearing rose flourishes. The heavy, June rain fall and the bright sunshine, combined with the humid winds and cool nights create the perfect, temperate climate in which these delicate plants thrive. When the flowers are ready for harvest, each flower is picked by hand. Approximately 3,000 kilos of rose petals are needed to make one kg of rose oil. Meaning, about 30 blossoms are needed for just one tiny drop of oil—thus making it one of the most expensive oils in the world!
Once the petals are picked, the blossoms are sent to be distilled. The distillation process is quite complex; involving placing the blossoms and water in giant, copper stills. The stills are then fired for approximately one hour, allowing the water to vaporize—what's left is pure Rose Otto.
In Bulgaria, on the first Sunday in June, the city of Kazanlak starts the celebrations for the Festival of Roses. This fun filled event was held for the first time in 1903 and was intended to celebrate the harvest of this beautiful flower. Today, the festivities stretch out over a week, ending with a traditional beauty pageant where the most beautiful contestant is picked and crowned “Queen of the Roses”. It’s a wonderful festival that is symbolic of the lifestyle and culture of the Kazanlak region.
Posted by Jen MacDonald on 1/28/2013
to Promotions
February
is the time for love and in celebration of romance and passion, Escents
is featuring three classics from the Passionate Collection; Sensuality,
Love and our signature Red Rose.
This month, spend $50 from selected products from the Passionate collection and receive a FREE Red Rose Hand Repair Cream
(value $14.95)! This ultra moisturizing hand cream easily fits into
your bag and is great for dry cracked hands due to cold winter weather!
Here’s some more information about the scents in the Passion Collection:
Lavender Rose:
This new blend has the fresh scent of Lavender intertwined with soft,
floral Bois de Rose and combines the powers of healing and love.
Sensuality:
Sweet Ylang Ylang intermingles with musky Patchouli creating a truly
enticing, sensual scent. Realize and unveil hidden desires, express
emotions and emanate your true self.
Love: Discover the power if Love! Luxurious Rose Otto and floral Jasmine are blended together in this romance inspiring scent.
Red Rose: Inspired by the Red Rose, this delicate scent combines sweet, earthy Rosewood with calming Lavender.
Posted by Jen MacDonald on 1/18/2013
to Promotions
We were really inspired by nature when we created our natural hair care collection, so to celebrate this; we thought we’d share some other hair care secrets from around the world!
1. In Columbia, eggs and avocado are mixed together to make an ultra moisturizing hair mask. Leave it on for 15mins and wash and condition as usual; revealing soft silky hair.
2. Italian women keep their hair glossy by using a mixture of yogurt and olive oil as a deep conditioner a few times a month.
3. The people of Morocco use Vitamin E rich Moroccan oil to lock in moisture and improve hair’s elasticity and shine.
4. Coconut oil is used in South Asia as a hair mask to make hair silky and shiny. It also, helps the hair become stronger and less brittle.
5. The Spanish use this “juicy” secret to keep their locks looking brilliant. After shampooing, mix ¼ cup of cranberry juice with ¼ cup of water and rinse the hair. If you’re blond, lemon juice can be used to add extra highlights!
6. The hot climate in India can be extremely damaging to the hair. To restore shine, Indian women use hibiscus leaves and water as a shampoo—it also creates a lovely cooling sensation for the scalp!
7. To create strong manageable strands, Polish women mix egg yolks with castor oil and lemon juice and leave it on the hair for 15mins, then rinse.
8. In Argentina, the juice from Aloe Vera leaves is rubbed into the scalp to keep it moisturized and free of flakes.
9. Countries such as Belgium and Germany, swear by rinsing the hair with cold beer to make hair bouncy and full of body!
10. This natural, yet smelly ritual might surprise you! In the Czech Republic, onion peel is prepared to make a hair elixir that will dye hair a golden hue.
Treat your hair and “Go Natural” with Escents Aromatherapy’s exclusive collection of shampoos and conditioners. Made with all natural bases and healing essential oils, designed for every type of hair and are sulfate and paraben-free! These unique formulas are specialized to strengthen hair as well as nourish the scalp—creating healthy, shiny, manageable hair! The each shampoo and conditioner is customized for five different hair types—Normal, Normal/Dry, Dry/Colour Treated, Normal/Oily and Dandruff and Psoriasis.
Stress reducing Chamomile reduces inflammation on the scalp; treating hair loss due to inflammation. Rosemary protects against damaging chemicals and dyes, while stimulating the hair follicles and encouraging growth.
Cooling Peppermint has a tingling effect that helps to restore the PH balance to the scalp and contains antiseptic properties that keep the scalp and hair free from bacteria—relieving dry, itchy scalp. Rosemary works to stimulate the hair follicles and encourage growth.
Eucalyptus clears the mind and improves blood circulation to the scalp—stimulating growth. Both Eucalyptus and Tea Tree have antibacterial properties that work to cleanse the scalp of impurities which in turn eliminates dandruff and psoriasis. Both work to normalize the hair by restoring its PH balance—leaving it feeling invigorated and energized.
Customize your shampoo & conditioner to suit your specific hair care needs!
Each shampoo's base is infused with nourishing vitamin B5 which helps to restore and strengthen hair—starting at the roots, while coconut oil increases elasticity. Each conditioner contains moisturizing Aloe Vera that stimulates the hair follicles; promoting strong healthy hair. Soothing Chamomile extract repairs damage and cools the scalp. To learn more about Escents Aromatherapy’s hair care collection, click here.
Posted by Shay Sinclair-Product Specialist on 12/17/2012
to Promotions
Giving the perfect gift is such a joy – there’s nothing like seeing a loved one’s face light up on Christmas day. Finding those gifts, on the other hand, involves much less joy and much more stress. Buying one of our beautiful gift sets can make holiday shopping a little easier, so we’ve put together some great ideas that will help you save your money for the next name on your list. For this week only (December 18th to the 24th) we'll be offering our gifts at an extra 20% off (offer varies in-store). Click here to browse our gift collection.
Whether picking something up for your mother, best friend, or just a secret Santa at work, here are a few tips for making the right choice:
•Citrus scents, like our top seller Rejuvenating, tend to go over well with everyone, as do neutral blends like our oakmoss-and-bergamot Breeze.
•Unless you know that grandma is wild for roses, stay clear of heavier floral blends. More than any other oil family, floral oils are often a love-it-or-hate-it scent.
•When choosing diffuser oils, keep in mind that citruses and fresh scents like pine are the best at clearing unpleasant odors and opening up small spaces, while floral or ‘foodie’ scents create a cozy, romantic, or reassuring atmosphere.
•If your gift recipient has sensitive skin, lavender and other floral products are soothing and unlikely to cause irritation.
•For those with scent sensitivities, citrus oils are often a safe bet – citrus oils are harvested by squeezing the citrus rind, so it’s much like the scent from cutting open a fresh orange or lemon!
Posted by Shay Sinclair-Product Specialist on 12/10/2012
to Promotions
There are as many ways to scent a home as there are rooms in a house. With so many to choose from, it can be hard to know which option is best, but there’s an easy answer: ultrasonic diffusers, also known as ultrasonic nebulizers.
If you’ve visited our stores you’ve likely seen them gently misting the air, and you might have also seen them in spas, yoga studios, or other places dedicated to focus and relaxation. That’s because ultrasonic diffusers are the best, and easiest, way to enjoy the benefits of pure essential oils.
The diffusers – which act as miniature humidifiers – suspend the oil in a cool water vapor, scenting your home from 5 to 8 hours depending on the model. (Each use only requires water and 5 drops of oil, giving you 72 uses from a 15ml bottle! ) ‘Cool’ is the key word –most methods of home scenting heat the oil until it evaporates, destroying much of its healing properties. Ultrasonic diffusers, on the other hand, preserve all the benefits of the oils.
Like all humidifiers, ultrasonic diffusers also clean the air. When suspended water condenses on dust or pollen in the air, it weighs the dust down until it reaches the floor, where it can be vacuumed up instead of breathed in. The double punch of increased humidity and cleaner air makes this a particularly great choice for anyone suffering from respiratory problems, particularly allergies.
While your ultrasonic diffuser should last you many happy years, it does require regular cleaning. Thankfully, cleaning it couldn’t be easier! Just mix rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle, spray the mixture into the empty water well a few times, then wipe with a paper towel. The rubbing alcohol will help dissolve any essential oils that have gummed up in the mechanism, as well as readying the diffuser for a new blend.
Because of their delicate machinery our diffusers start at $54.95, but this week, (December 11th to 17th) our diffusers are 20% off the regular price! They make great gifts for anyone on your Christmas list!
To learn about all of the features of our NEW Magic Stone Diffuser, watch this video:
We took the time to chat with our My Canada Contest Winner, Dawn Walker, to find out why the Prairies are her favourite region and what inspired her to take such a fantastic photo! We also wanted to know where she's thinking of going with her flight across Canada!
Where is your favourite region in Canada, is it the Prairies?
The prairies will always be my favorite, It's where i was born and raised. It's home. I will always have a special spot in my heart for for the prairies.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small town called Melfort, Saskatchewan.
What inspired you to take this wonderful photo?
I absolutely love sunsets and landscapes. I'm always trying to capture that perfect moment!
Were you surprised that you won? You had so many supporters:)
I was so surprised when I got the notification email, saying my picture was 1 of 6 chosen out of all of the submitted pictures. There were so many unbelievably gorgeous pictures! I couldn't believe it! And I was even more ecstatic when i found out i won the entire contest! I couldn't have done it without all the wonderful people who took the time to vote for my picture.
Where are you going to go with your winning ticket?
I'm thinking somewhere on the East Coast! As to a specific location, I haven't quite decided yet.
Thanks to Dawn for being such a great participant and capturing such a great piece of Canada's natural beauty!
Get into the Holiday Spirit with our Escents Holiday Blends. This year we're featuring Noel, Christmas Joy, Westcoast Pine and Cheer! These great blends are amazing when added to a diffuser or mixed into your favourite unscented base such as Lotion, Massage Oil or Wash and Bubble! Great as gifts for friends and family, or simply for yourself—holidays can bring out the need for relaxation!
Noel: A classic Holiday favourite! Discover this festive blend of soothing, spicy Nutmeg and woody Cedarwood.
Christmas Joy: Embrace the joy of the season with spicy Cinnamon and a touch of rich, creamy Vanilla. Our coziest holiday classic!
Westcoast Pine: Breathe in the fresh outdoors with this blend of clean, crisp Pine and Canadian fir.
Cheer: Bring warmth and good cheer to your space for the holidays! This sweet, spicy blend combines calming Benzoin, energizing Orange and Cinnamon.
To get your hands on these exclusive Holiday favourites, click here!
We are pleased to announce the winners of the My Canada Photo Contest! We had a some great entries but there are only six prizes:( The winners are....
The Grand Prize: Dawn Walker - Beautiful Saskatchewan Sunset (Prairie)
You have won two round trip Air Canada flights within Canada! Plus, two Escents branded suitcases and a set of the My Canada Collection from the region of your choice! Congratulations!
The Maritime region of Canada is made up of of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. This beautiful area consists of lush, rolling hills, sandy beaches and quaint fishing villages. The economy relies on industries such as fishing, agriculture, forestry and coal mining. The rich history of the Maritimes is one that cannot be forgotten; from French explorers settling the area which would later be called Acadie to numerous wars that took place for almost a century between the French and the British (1689-1763). This region has a deep rooted history, which goes far beyond lobster rolls and Celtic music!
In honor of the Maritime region in Canada, Escents created a scent that is reflective of the deep seeded traditions and culture. The blend infuses traditional, earthy Frankincense with citrusy Bergamot creating a soft unwinding scent. To learn more about the entire Maritime Collection, click here.
French Canadians have been around for four centuries and have a great sense of culture and pride in their people and heritage. Approximately 7,903,001 people live in the Province of Quebec, making up a whopping 85% of Canada’s population! The beautiful city of Montreal is known for its culture, incredible cuisine and fantastic shopping; while rich history and European architecture define the capital of Quebec City. The French culture is a very unique and important part of Canada’s past as well as its future.
In celebration of French Canada, Escents has created French—vibrant as well as traditional, the scent is made up of the soft floral of Lavender essential oil and the spicy, richness of Black Pepper. This passionate blend is available in an Aroma Blend, Lotion, Wash and Bubble, Reed Diffuser and Handmade Soap. To learn more about the My Canada Collection, click here.
Situated on the shore of Lake Ontario, Metro Toronto is the financial, entertainment and cultural hub of Canada. Home to the TSX, Toronto is the largest city in Canada with a population of 6,054,191. The city is vibrant and multicultural, possessing stunning architecture and is home to great museums and galleries!
As tribute to the bustling area of Metro Toronto, Escents created a scent that is alive and full of energy. Metro fuses the citrus notes of Amyris with the sweet floral of Mimosa, creating a scent that is truly cosmopolitan. This energizing blend is available in an Aroma Blend, Lotion, Wash and Bubble, Reed Diffuser and Handmade Soap. To learn more about this fantastic line, click here.
The Canadian Prairies stretch across the lower part of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. While some feel the Prairies are just endless grasslands, a closer exploration reveals rolling hills, plateaus and magnificent valleys, scattered with delicate wildflowers such as violets and daisies. As the agricultural hub of Canada, the prairies are home to a variety of crops; corn, canola and wheat. Surprisingly, the prairies are usually drenched in sunshine, despite being covered in mountains of snow for half the year.
Journey through the Canadian Prairies with Escents’ Prairie Aroma Blend. Smoky Cardamom and sweet, woody Davana blend together, creating a rich, comforting scent. This indulgent blend is available in an Aroma Blend, Lotion, Wash and Bubble, Reed Diffuser and Handmade Soap. The Aroma Blend can be used in a diffuser or blended in one of Escents' unscented products and applied to the skin. To learn more about this fantastic line, click here.
This year, join Escents Aromatherapy in the fight against Breast Cancer. It is estimated that in 2012, a staggering 22,700 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,100 will died from it. This month, if you buy a product from the Red Rose line, 10% of the profits will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Join the fight and help find a cure.
Escents invites you to take a journey with six new scents inspired by the unique regions of Canada. Designed with home scenting in mind, the packaging features images that embody the Pacific, Prairie, Metro, French, Maritime and Arctic landscapes of Canada. For a limited time, the online store will offer 20% off (Offer varies in retail stores). Click here to learn more about the My Canada line.
In celebration of this new line, Escents is launching a Facebook Photo Contest in partnership with Air Canada! Check out these fantastic prizes below! For more details about the contest, click here!
Grand Prize: Escents will be giving one grand prize of:
• Two Air Canada plane tickets for round-trip flight within Canada
• Two Escents branded suitcases • One My Canada product line set from the region of your choice • One My Canada Aroma Blend set
Second Prize(s): Escents will be giving two second prizes of:
• One Escents branded suitcase • One My Canada product line set from the region of your choice • One My Canada Aroma Blend set
Third Prize (s): Escents will be giving three third prizes of:
• One My Canada product line set from the region of your choice • One My Canada Aroma Blend set
The pacific region of Canada is very special and unique to Canada. When most of the country is covered in snow and ice, the pacific remains lush and green. The area’s landmass consists of snow capped mountains and dense, mossy forests that outline the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean.
Canada’s Pacific is breathtaking, which is why Escents created a scent that is inspired by the area. Cedarwood and Pine combine creating a fresh, clean scent—just like the rainforests of British Columbia. Available in an Aroma Blend, Lotion, Wash and Bubble, Reed Diffuser and Handmade Soap. The Aroma Blend can be used in a diffuser or blended in one of Escents' unscented products and applied to the skin. To learn more about this fantastic line, click here.
Sal Leonardo da Vinci was a man of many talents who was incredibly imaginative and curious about the world. His resume included: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer. Some consider him the most talented person that has ever lived.
As a tribute to Da Vinci and his genius, Escents has created a scent that embodies his greatness. The packaging features his most famous painting, the Mona Lisa. The painting portrays a woman sitting staring calmly at the observer. The Mona Lisa is noted for its life like qualities. For instance, the corners of her mouth and eyes are drawn slightly upward as if she is smiling to herself—it’s almost like she has a secret. Some theories suggest that she is smiling because she knows that she is with child.
Escents’ Da Vinci includes a combination of tension melting Cedarwood and spicy, earthy Myrrh, for a fresh and uplifting scent which provides mental clarity.To learn more about Escents' Da Vinci and the whole Artist line click here.
Salvador Dalí was a very popular Surrealist painter who also dabbled in film, sculpture, and photography. Dalí was known for his unusual dressing and eccentric behavior, but he is best known for his bizarre, dream-like paintings featuring elements such as dripping clocks and dangly legged elephants. One of his most famous paintings is called, The Persistence of Memory, which is supposed to take a deep look at space and time. "The soft watches are an unconscious symbol of the relativity of space and time, a Surrealist meditation on the collapse of our notions of a fixed cosmic order".—Dawn Ades, 1981
Ignite and sharpen your mind with Escents’ Dalí. This scent is a mix of musky Patchouli and sweet, grassy Lavender. Like Dalí’s art, this Aroma Blend is both layered and complex. To learn more about Escents' Dali and the whole Artist line click here.
Henri Matisse was a 20th century artist known for his use of vivid colour and contribution to the development of the plastic arts (using plastic materials to mould). Matisse started off painting traditional landscapes and stills, but later adopted his unique style by being inspired by artists such as Nicolas Poussin, Edward Manet as well as Japanese art. But what really influenced Matisse is when he went to visit the Australian painter, John Peter Russell in Brittany. This meeting opened Matisse’s eyes to the world of Impressionism, and after this, his work flourished.
The painting featured on Escents' Matisse products is called, Bonheur de vivre also known as the Joy of Life. The painting displays a brightly coloured landscape of trees, sea, meadows and sky, with nude men and women leisurely resting, dancing and taking quiet strolls. The Bonheur de vivre provides a great sense of peace, comfort and relaxation. Henri Matisse was quoted saying, "What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing subject-matter, an art which could be for every mental worker, for the businessman as well as the man of letters, for example, a soothing, calming influence on the mind, something like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue." —Matisse, 1908
Escents celebrates Matisse, by creating a scent that is romantic, fresh and uplifting. The floral Rose blends with uplifting Bergamot, creating a passionate blend that makes you truly appreciate life! To learn more about Escents' Matisse and the whole Artist line click here.
Pablo Picasso was considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Throughout his life he completed a staggering 22000 pieces of artwork, ranging from sculpture, ceramics, mosaics, stage design and graphic arts. Picasso's art work was often a direct reflection of the political times in which he lived. For instance, when he painted the Guernica he was directly referencing the 1937 bombing of the Spanish town of Guernica, which took place during the Spanish Civil war.
Escents invites you to bring a piece of Picasso's art into your home with a calming scent inspired by the light palette and gentle strokes which he used during the infamous Blue Period. Invigorating Fir Needle and earthy Vetiver combine creating a simple, yet daring melancholy—much like Pablo Picasso's life's work. Click here to learn more about the Artist Line.
Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino was a well renowned artist of the Early Renaissance. During his short life, he became one of the most accomplished painters of his time. His work is regularly regarded for its composition, balance and harmony. Raphael’s career is often broken down into three distinct stages; his early career, which was influence by his teacher, Umbrian master Pietro Perugino, The Florentine period, where Raphael lived for four years, and finally when he was commissioned by the Pope to work in Rome to paint his personal library.
Escents invites you to celebrate Raphael’s achievements with this beautiful new scent that’s packaging features one of Raphael’s most famous masterpieces, The School of Athens. The towering fresco is believed to have been painted between 1510 and 1511. The painting represents all the greatest philosophers, mathematicians and scientists from the Greco-Roman world gathering together to share their ideas and gain knowledge from one another. Interestingly, the people portrayed in the painting lived at different times, but in this particular painting they are gathered together under one roof. Plato and Aristotle are the two main players positioned in the center of the painting. They are said to be representing two unique philosophies of the time. For instance, Plato is pointing towards the sky because he believes that the forever changing world that we see and know as reality is simply a distraction from a higher, greater, more beautiful reality. While Aristotle’s hand points downward representing his vision of the reality he sees in front of him—a reality that must be seen and touched.
As a tribute to Raphael’s great works, Escents has created a scent that is harmonious and balanced. Uniting the delicate, rich oil of Sandalwood with the creamy, floral oil of Ylang Ylang—creating a surprisingly energizing scent. Much like the Raphael’s paintings, the scent is detailed and thought provoking. This combination of essential oils invokes a feeling of deep, languid calm that melts away anxiety, tension and stress. Click here to learn more about the Artist Line.
Inspired by the Masters — Matisse, Van Gogh, Raphael, Picasso, Dali and Da Vinci. The Artist line, mixes the idea of fine art with the beauty and allure of pure essential oils. Indulge your senses with an Aroma Blend, Diffuser or Soap. Designed with home scenting in mind, the intricate packaging allows you to bring a piece of art into your home. For a limited time, The Artist line will be buy 2 get 20% off instore and 20% off online. All the more reason to experience the art of scent. Click here to learn more about The Artist line.
Van Gogh was widely known for his influence on 20th century art. His post impressionist paintings are well regarded for their bold colour and realism. Interestingly, he did not start to paint until he was in his late twenties. Throughout his life he painted almost nine hundred paintings. Van Gogh was well known for his unique painting technique that was phrased, “Squigglism”. Squigglism is the use of quick, short strokes of bright colour. Unfortunately, Van Gogh struggled with a mental illness that would later lead him down a dark path. He died by a gunshot wound, which was thought to be self-inflicted. Some believe that Van Gogh is the most famous painter of all time, however, his paintings were never fully recognized until after his death.
Escents invites you to bring a piece of art into your home with the incredible new Artist Line. The packaging of the Van Gogh line features one of his most recognized paintings—Starry Night. Known for its captivating, vivid colour, Starry Night is not only beautiful, but the quite, peaceful town creates a sense of stability and comfort. The movement of the painting allows the observer’s eyes to dance along the painting; while the large, dark structure (thought to be a mountain or a bush) anchors the eye, creating unbelievable depth.
In celebration of Van Gogh’s tremendous impact on the art world, Escents has created a scent that embodies the feeling and emotion that Van Gogh brought to all of his paintings. Just like the profound beauty and depth of Van Gogh’s artwork, the scent mingles the spicy, peppery oil of Elemi with the fresh, energizing oil of Spearmint—creating a scent that is truly indulgent. Spearmint provides a sense of well-being and balance, and is great for treating headaches and nervous stress. Elemi is useful when treating respiratory problems and holds amazing anti-aging properties. Click here to learn more about the Artist Line.
Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils. It can be used in the bath to fight tension, sprayed on a pillow help ease you into slumber, and even applied to the skin to heal and fight infection. Here are 10 fun facts about the history and origins of lavender.
1. Lavender was said to have been brought over from Arabia to sell to Greek traders approximately 600 BC, later reaching the Hyeres Islands off the coast of France.
2. Lavender was used 2500 years ago in the mummification process in Ancient Egypt.
3. It is also speculated that Cleopatra used a perfume infused with lavender to seduced Julius Caesar and Mark Antony!
4. Romans used the lavender flower to scent their homes, in the bath, to ward off insects and even cook with.
5. The name lavender originated in its Latin form as either lavare--to wash, or livendula--livid or bluish.
6. Queen Victoria used to require that her furniture be polished with a lavender-based solution, and she also sipped tea infused with lavender to settle her stomach and ease her headaches.
7. During London’s great plague, people would tie bunches of lavender to their wrists to fight infection and bacteria.
8. In Europe, lavender’s cultivation dates back to the middle ages and even as far back as the Mediterranean.
9. Today it is farmed across the globe. Lavender farms are situated everywhere from Australia, England, Asia, Europe and the United States.
10. Rene Maurice Gattefosse was one of the first people to document the healing powers of lavender in the early 1900s.
Click here to learn about the full benefits of Escents lavender line.
Introducing Escents for Him. This new line offers men a 3-step program designed specifically with men's skin in mind. Infused with the essential oils of Frankincense and Patchouli.
Step 1: Face Scrub - Wet skin and apply a moderate amount over the face. Gently massage over the face for no more than 60 seconds. Rinse throroughly with warm water. Use before shaving to help prevent razor burn and irritations. Use Escents face scrub 2-3 times a week to help exfoliate and renew skin.
Step 2: Face Wash - Wet skin and gently massage over the face with fingertips. Once a light lather forms, rinse off with warm water. This product can also be used as a shave gel. Use this product in the morning and night to cleanse skin of impurities.
Step 3: Face Lotion - Apply over face and neck to clean skin. Use this lotion day and night to renew and revitalize the skin.
Posted by Shay Sinclair-Sales Associate on 7/9/2012
to Promotions
There's no substitute for shea butter. Rich without being greasy, deeply moisturizing and capable of preventing stretch marks and soothing eczema, shea butter has very quickly become the golden standard for natural skin care. However, few people have seen shea butter in its unrefined form—thick and light yellow with a deep, nutty scent — and even fewer still are aware of the long history the shea tree has in its native Africa.
Some of the earliest references come from ancient Egypt. Clay pots filled with shea butter were taken by caravan to the cities, where it was used by the rich for the same purposes as today. In fact, the shea tree was so respected in Egyptian culture that the carved wood was used for the funeral beds of pharaohs.
Wealthy Egyptians were not the only ones who valued shea butter—for longer than written records have existed, the shea tree has been used by people living in Africas savannah belt, where the tree grows wild. With a thick trunk that can reach heights of nearly fifty feet and spiky, spindly branches crowned by vibrant green leaves, the shea tree closely resembles an acacia. Some shea trees have shaded the same ground for over two hundred years, annually producing a crop of large, plum-shaped fruits that are traditionally used for food, medicine, tool making, and—of course—skin care.
For those living in the dry heat of the savannah belt, the shea tree was (and is) a panacea for some of the climates worst effects. Along with soothing dry, chapped skin, shea butter also works as a natural sunscreen, equivalent to an SPF 5.
Despite its long history of use, shea butter has only been widely available for the past fifty years. Because of this sudden industry growth, few structures have been put in place to ensure that the people growing and harvesting the nut are respected and paid properly. Fair trade systems are a vital ethical step, and shea butter was the first oil to be approved as part of Canada's certified fair trade program.
At Escents we believe in vibrant local communities, and we're proud that our new Almond Latte collection uses fair trade shea butter. With luck, the communities which have relied on the shea tree for countless centuries can continue to prosper now that the world is in on the shea butter secret.
At Escents Aromatherapy's head office, CEO, Jacqui MacNeill, is always looking for ways to create beautiful, healing products that make people feel good. As an Escents employee, you can often find yourself being pulled into a circle with Jacqui, to smell and discuss a new Aroma Blend that she's been working on. So when Jacqui told the Escents team about her idea for a line that uses 20% shea butter, we were all thrilled! This summer, we're launching a product that is not only natural and luxurious, it also gives back to the world.
The Almond Latte Collection is of one Jacqui's greatest creations. Made with up to 20% shea butter; harvested by the women of the Léo Co-op in Burkina Faso, Africa. The Léo CO-OP is a fair trade organization that makes sure that the Léo Union workers are able to earn more money for their hard work, giving them the ability to reinvest in as well as improve their communities. The Léo Co-op stands by their moto, "Good For You, Good For Them" by helping to increase the revenue the Burkina Faso women make from the production of the shea butter.
The Almond Latte Collection consists of a shea butter créme shower cream, an ultra rich handmade soap and hydrating shea body butter. The collection is extremely moisturizing and contains carrot seed and orange essential oils. The carrot seed oil works to relieve stress, while stimulating and rejuvenating the skin, and the orange oil has an anti-ageing, skin softening effect. Each product contains aloe vera and up to 20% shea butter, which helps to heal and strengthen dry, damaged skin. The handmade soap contains coffee grounds from Oso Negro and Kicking Horse coffee, which are both local British Columbian fair trade coffee producers. The coffee grounds help to exfoliate skin as the soap moisturizes and nourishes it. To top it off, these products are scented with all natural almond extract, creating a smell that is simply divine! The Almond Latte Collection not only makes you feel great on the the outside, but also makes you feel great on the inside.
Check back next week for more information about the history and origins of shea butter.
At Escents, we believe that aromatherapy can be part of your everyday routine. In your home, each space is used for different purpose, so each space requires a unique essential oil combination. For a limited time, we are offering 25% off our Reed Diffusers (web only offer), so you can scent your space for your unique needs. Choose from our six moods - Unwind, Fresh, Passionate, Balanced, Energized and Indulgent.
Each diffuser comes with an elegant glass jar that contains essential oils and a bundle of small reeds that are inserted into the jar. The reeds act as mini straws that pull the liquid up and release it into the air, reconstructing the scent. Our Reed Diffusers don't just mask odor, they improve air quality.
Posted by Shay Sinclair-Sales Associate on 6/4/2012
to Promotions
It’s easy for children to find the right gift for Father’s Day. A homemade card and a heartfelt craft project do the trick when we’re young, but as we grow it can become a challenge to find just the right present for those special men in our lives. After all, one man can only wear so many novelty ties before the novelty begins to wear off.
For those weary gift-givers, we might just have the answer here at Escents. Whether it’s an uplifting shower gel for dad or some natural wellness for the health-conscious husband, we have fresh ideas for everyone.
It’s hard to go wrong with a bright, citrusy shower gel like Rejuvenating (bergamot and grapefruit) or Renewal (lime and eucalyptus). On hot days they’re the perfect companion for a refreshing shower, and on dreary, rainy days they remind us that a sunny day is always on the horizon. Osmanthus is another popular choice for men, with subtle, traditionally masculine oils like lemon and cedar leaf.
This year the first day of summer falls only three days after Father’s Day and the bright days ahead call for some happy preparation. Our Solar Defender Sunscreen is SPF 30 comes in a non-greasy zinc formula that rubs in with no residue or fuss, and our Summer and Renewal Deodorants use antibacterial oils (like rosemary, lemon, and tea tree in Summer) to keep everyone smelling fresh even on the hottest days. To refresh the skin, Pure & Simple Cleansing Lotion is a face wash and toner combo for men on the go.
Even men like their spaces to smell great, and our Breeze, Green Forest, and Refresh oils are all top choices for at home and on the go. Breeze uses oils like bergamot and oakmoss that are common in men’s cologne to create a calming, uplifting scent for the end of a busy day. Green Forest (lime and basil) or Refresh (eucalyptus and lemongrass) promote energy and relaxed focus, and a few drops on one of our car diffusers makes rush hour calmer and long drives safer.
Instead of a conventional, chemical solution for dad’s aches and pains, why not try one of our wellness products? The Headache Relief Roll-On is one of our best-sellers, and it works on everything from tension headaches to severe migraines. Muscle Relief massage & bath oil has cypress and peppermint oils to soothe overworked muscles and encourage circulation, and for those with tougher pain our Arthritis Treatment (not just for arthritis!) blends cypress and eucalyptus into a base that includes arnica extract, a traditional pain relief remedy.
Wonderful men deserve wonderful, natural gifts, and we hope that we’ve given you some great ideas for this upcoming Father’s Day. And for all the beloved fathers, husbands, and grandfathers reading – we salute you!
Posted by hope and megan on 6/4/2012
to Promotions
Zap Away: The new and improved formula
Keep those pesky insects at a distance with our collection of Zap Away. The two top notes, citronella and lavender are both effective essential oils in keeping insects off the skin as the former irritates the bugs while the latter heals the skin. Here are 4 products that can be used over the summer months to help zap those bugs away!
Zap Away Aroma Blend: Blend it with our Unscented Lotion to create bug barrier which duos as a moisturizer. The oil can also be enjoyed at home, in a diffuser, during those summer barbeques to reduce the stress of bug bites!
Zap Away Spray:Spray directly onto exposed skin to shield yourself from all the creepy crawlies that warmer weather brings. The wonderful thing about this bug spray is that it smells fresh and natural, making it easy to wear.
Zap Away Body Balm:This body balm not only keeps the bugs at bay, but also helps to moisturize and heal itchy skin.
Zap Away Body, Shampoo & Shave Bar:This eco-conscious soap made with 100% pure essential oils acts as a three-in-one, while also providing protecting from the bugs. Lather up on the body to wash away grime and dirt, then use as a shampoo; conditioner not required. This trusty little bar can also be used as a shave bar for both men and women. It's easy to pack, has little packaging, and is biodegradable, which is great for camping and the outdoor use.
Zap Away's product line is 100% deet and chemical free, making it safe to use on the whole family. Nature awaits!
Escents will be at the EPIC-The Sustainable Living Expo, this weekend, May 11th-May 13th! Please come by and visit us at booth 2519 and enter to win a daily draw, sample a custom blended lotion and get to know the Escents founder, Jacqui MacNeill!
Check out our District Manager, Lisa, blending her favorite lotion!
Visit us at EPIC and learn all about our custom blending program.
Save the date! Come celebrate at our Grand Opening Celebration for our new West 4th location in Vancouver at 2202 West 4th (at Yew). Saturday March 10th from 2 to 6pm.
Meet
Jacqui, nibble on great goodies and refreshments. We'll be offering
complimentary aromatherapy consultations, prizes, giveaways and....20%
off storewide (in the West 4th store only - not available online).
Wow...20 years in business...we couldn't have done it without you!
This month we're
featuring 10 of our most popular products that stand the test of time.
Over our 20 years in business, these staples have never let our
customers down. They are truly must haves - tried and true. Whether our
Top 10 already reserve a space in your medicine cabinet & purse or
they're new to you entirely, to mark our 20th year we've decided offer a
little incentive:
Get 20% off our Top 10 Must-Haves when you spend $100*
But don't take our word for it. Here's what you are saying:
Natural Headache Relief Roll-on
"Actual headache relief - I had a bad migraine but wanted to check out
one more street in Vancouver before leaving the city. Fortunately, I stumbled
upon Escents. I have been using the Headache Relief Roll-On I found there for
11 years now. Normally, I put it on my forehead, temples and on the nape of my
neck. It's strong, and it always provides some relief. I can feel my muscles
relax a bit, and sometimes I put it close enough to my eyes to get them to
water (this may not be recommended!) to get even more relief." - Donna
Muscle Relief Therapeutic Bath Salts
“Ahhhhh - Soothing, detoxing, relieving....I love
these bath salts. They are an essential part of my bath ritual. And after a run
or Pilates, working all day and then running around after my kids I take my
baths very seriously.” - Elaine
Rose Hydrosol Toner
"Liquid magic for your face!- I suffer from that
tight un-hydrated feeling, this is the stuff takes it away! This serum soaks
into my skin and easily takes 10 years worth of wrinkles away! I love the glow
the serum gives my skin and all the lovely compliments I receive!" - Sandra
Tea Tree Essential Oil
“Essential household item - I have about 5 of these
around at any given time, one in the car, in my purse, in the bathroom, travel
kit and kitchen. I use it for acne, cuts, washing floors and the bathroom,
everything! It is one of the most important health care and home cleaning oils
you can have on hand and I recommend everyone have a bottle at home. I also
make my own soap with it!” - Janis
Hair Defense Leave-in Conditioner
“Great product - I swim a lot and my hair is always
getting damaged by the chlorine in the water. So now I spray the leave in
conditioner in my hair right before I go swimming, and it's really helping with
my hair. My hair is not coarse no more, and it looks great!” - Nina
Lavender Bath & Shower Gel
“Serene! - I love the way this smells and feels!
When I shower with this in the morning I swear I feel calmer and more relaxed
throughout the day. Great for a night time bath.” - Sarah
Arthritis, Muscle & Joint Pain Treatment
“Long-term satisfaction - I've been using this cream
for a decade -- a veteran of Rheumatoid Arthritis, no other treatment,
prescription or otherwise, has been even close in effectiveness for muscle
aches and pains caused by joint probs, etc. I've recom'd this cream to many
friends over the yrs, who have been amazed as it soothes their back pains,
pulled muscles, cancer aches, etc. A discovery 'by accident', I am very
grateful for this product -- it's saved me from many sleepless nights." - Kirstin & Greg
Tahitian Vanilla Lip Balm
“Wonderful lip balm - This is a great lip balm. It
feels really nice on my lips and it makes them smooth. It really helps against
dry lips.” - Shakiba
Sensuality Hand & Body Lotion
“Mm good lotion! - Everywhere I go people always say how wonderful I smell. Lotion is light and
non greasy, absorbs well and the scent is soft and soothing. Not an
overpowering smell, but just the right balance of ylang ylang and patchouli.
It's become my signature scent. Wonderful product!” - Jayne
Willow Reed Diffuser
“Willow - Makes my apartment smell like a spa! And
the bottle is beautiful!” - Claudia
Through March 26th. Web only, not valid in-store. Subject to change and availability.
Congratulations to Tracey
K and Rose M the winners of the free tickets to the Vancouver
Wellness Show this weekend!
Thank you everyone for your wonderful, heartfelt comments! Visit us at the show - we're offering amazing specials and
activities!
From Tracey, "Just bought the ultranmist diffuser and 3 aroma blends to combat the
smoker who moved in next door. Amazing! My favorite blend is Renewal -
so fresh. Thanks to the amazing staff at the broadway location for
their knowledge and guidance ."
From Rose, "As someone with adult acne who has tried many (seems like all ;-)
topical remedies ... Blemish B-Gonewas a wonderful surprise. It works
like nothing else. Love the scent too. The essential oils ...Green
Forestmakes me feel wonderful when I use it in my misting machine (what
are the called - I forget - maybe next time I should ask for oils for
memory loss - LOL. Will end by saying I truly appreciate the sales
associates - knowledgeable, friendly but not pushy."
In celebration of our 20th year, Escents is going to the Vancouver Wellness Show this weekend February 17, 18 and 19. Come visit us in booth 316A to get to know our Natural Wellness products and meet our founder, Jacqui MacNeill.
We're going to be giving away great prizes, doing custom blending and offering amazing show specials.
We want you to come visit us so badly that we're giving away two pairs of tickets.
TO ENTER*: post a comment below telling us about your favorite Escents product and/or wellness tip. Two winners will be drawn at random on Thursday, February 16th at 3:00 pm. Winners will be announced here and contacted via email.
See you at the show!
*open for entries until Thursday, February 16th at 2:59 pm.
My Garden and what it means to me....... In 2004 I was diagnosed with a rare illness. The name of which is HSP (Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia) which is a fancy name for "my legs don't work".....It has other ramifications too. One is gardening. I haven't been able to garden in the years since diagnosis. Although I waited a long time for a 'stand up' style garden, so I could stand up to garden, and I was worried that the standing would be too much and I would suffer pain. That has Not been the case. I am thrilled to say that I have NEVER, ever experienced any pain whatsoever, while I am working in my garden. Further, gardening has brought a joy into my life, that I missed desperately having grown up on a wheat farm in Canada. The efforts that have to be made , the research to grow the most appropriate plants, all have lead to hours and hours of peace, contentment, fun and gleeful excitement and anticipation. I have grown beets (beet pickles), green beans (drunken sailor pickles), lettuce, garlic, parsley, mint, basil, potatoes, radishes, spinach, broccoli, cucumbers and even pumpkins. It is a small garden (about 3' x 12') so I am very judicious in the number of seeds I use and plants grown....It truly is amazing how much food you can grow from a small space. In this world today, it is important to me and to others that we utilize every opportunity we have to produce our own food. Because I don't have a picture from this year's garden, I'm attaching a number from last year's garden, although this years garden got off to a slow start in due to the weather, it has produced just as vigorously as in the past.
-D. Ann Moxley
Heirloom Tomato Love
I started these organic heirloom tomato plants from seed early in March of this year. Started out on my window ledge inside and when the seedlings were strong enough I transplanted to containers in the spring. We have developed quite a relationship, when we went on holidays I had someone come over every second day to water my precious tomato plants and when we had those crazy summer storms I've moved them inside for protection. Now I am waiting patiently for my special heirloom tomatoes to mature in these late summer days so I can enjoy in the fall it's been a long process but the success is a little love
-Sara Whelen
This summer I was staying at my mother's condo and with that my gardening was limited to cemeteries and potted plants. That didn't, however, stop me from pulling over my car, grabbing my camera and taking photos of other people's plant and flowers. This picture of a hibiscus was actually taken in the back parking lot of the condominium complex I was staying at. It was well hidden from view and was so perfect that I feel quite delighted at having found it.
-Sandra Withrow
Stay tuned! We have one more post of entries to go us this week and then we'll announce our winners!
Here are a few more entries from our Way to Grow contest - we're posting a lot of them and announcing all the winners later this week - we promise! Enjoy!
Princess Bleeding Heart
This is actually a photograph of my daughter with my favourite flower - a bleeding heart. The reason I’m picturing her instead of myself (aside from her being so cute), is that she was named after my great gramma and it’s memories of her that make a bleeding heart so special to me. One spring when I was a little girl, my gramma came to visit and she brought a bleeding heart to put into my family’s garden. After planting it, my gramma plucked a flower and sat us down with her in the yard. As she pulled apart the flower, she told us the tragic little love story that’s within a bleeding heart... It’s about a prince who fell deeply in love with a beautiful princess. The prince asks her hand in marriage and she denies him. He begins to bring her gifts to win her heart. The first is two magical pink bunnies, the second is a lovely pair of dangly earrings and the third is a pair of Oriental slippers (all the gifts are represented with pieces of the flower). After each gift, the princess denies him still. The prince was so heartbroken that he takes a sword (also represented by a piece of the flower) and drives it into his own heart. ...I remember being so enchanted by this story and the perfect little props that I wanted to keep plucking off the flowers so my gramma could tell it to me again and again. This spring I decided to pass on the story to my daughter and got a bleeding heart for our patio garden. Luckily I took this shot before sharing the story with her. Shortly after I did the majority of these flowers went missing as she attempted to retell the story again and again while my back was turned. The bleeding heart lived on higher ground for the remainder of the season.
-Chelsey Bastedo
I always thought that I didn't have a "green thumb" so I kept away from plants, flowers .. Gardening on the whole. This summer I really wanted my front yard to look colourful and there was only one way to achieve that. I had to plant some flowers. I went to my nearby nursery and picked up a few flowers of no special order. I just need to at least try and so I did. Surprisingly I grew a very colourful "garden" and I am very pleased at my first try.
-Moren Hinds
This summer I was staying at my mother's condo and with that my gardening was limited to cemeteries and potted plants. That didn't, however, stop me from pulling over my car, grabbing my camera and taking photos of other people's plant and flowers. This picture of a hibiscus was actually taken in the back parking lot of the condominium complex I was staying at. It was well hidden from view and was so perfect that I feel quite delighted at having found it. -Sandra Withrow Every year, I prune my grape vines. I only have three. And every summer, they take over the entire side yard & creep up across the fence to visit the neighbours. The yard can be sizzling hot but the size & amount of leaves keep the side yard nice and shady. They produce small wine grapes, but never enough for me to make any wine. So I eat them & they're delicious. Just to see them grow from a few canes to a lush green canopy every year is so rewarding.
-Ei-Leen Ong
Please find attached my picture of our first picking of zucchini from our garden. This year has been particular trying compared to past years for various reasons.
The weather was not kind as it was either too hot, too dry or too wet. We have simple tastes and don't change the variety of food we grow. Luckily we do freeze, can, jam and bake then freeze to preserve the abundant harvest when we get it.
This year was also special as I had the run of the garden with minimal supervision. I sowed, transplanted, weeded, tied up and harvested most of the garden by myself. The fact that we had any basil, thyme, dill, parsley, summer savoury, romaine lettuce, spinach, gai lan (Chinese broccoli), beans, beets, sunflowers, zucchinis, pumpkins, strawberries and blueberries is a result of my learning and consulting with others.
It's unfortunate I also had more days and nights away in August than I usually do. The garden suffered with little to no water or tending for many days and nights.
Despite the neglect, some plants flourish regardless. The first pick of zucchinis in my attached picture is a testament to that. We'll be sure to plant these again next year.
We've finally chosen our favorites from all the Way to Grow! Contest that ended on September 30th - forgive our delay, there was a lot to read through. We will be contacting our winners over the next week, but we thought we'd share some of the entries on the blog over the next while so you can see what's been grown out there and what it means. This was a really fun contest for us, and it's been an inspiration to see what's been sent in!
***
My garden is very important to me: it provides not only fresh food, but beauty too. I grow tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, potatoes, blueberries, strawberries and herbs. I love coming home and heading out to the garden to enjoy the vine-ripened tomatoes. My favorite part of my garden is my potatoes because every year I celebrate the summer with a barbeque, 20 friends and a huge homegrown potato salad. Best of all, I feel that I am doing my part to be more sustainable and green.
-Karin Spirig
This is my photo of my 'never ending-giving' cucumber plant which I grew in my greenhouse this summer! It has been absolutely unbelievable that it has now given me 60 big cucumbers in total! My wife has been ingenious in coming up with new recipes from soup to sauces to keep up with this abundant load! Also it has been wonderfully fun to share this fresh crisp vegetable with my family, neighbors and friends alike! It is good to enjoy mother's nature abundance and share this veggie 'wealth' with others! I have enjoyed planting and nurturing along this abundant plant!
We've had some great entries come in for our Way to Grow! Contest, and we thought we'd share a couple with you. If you haven't sent an entry, it's really easy, so you definitely should!
All you have to do is take a photo of something you've grown (it can be flowers, your entire garden, vegetables, a fledgling houseplant...you name it and we'd love it if you're in the photo, as well), write a small paragraph telling us what it means to you and why growing it is important to you, and email it to sales@escentsaromatherapy.com. It's that simple!
The deadline for entries is September 30th, and we'll be making our decisions at the beginning of October. What's in it for you? Escents Shopping Sprees!
Here are a couple of the entries we've had (as promised):
My garden is very important to me: it provides not only fresh food, but beauty too. I grow tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, potatoes, blueberries, strawberries and herbs. I love coming home and heading out to the garden to enjoy the vine-ripened tomatoes. My favorite part of my garden are my potatoes because every year I celebrate the summer with a barbeque, 20 friends and a huge homegrown potato salad. Best of all, I feel that I am doing my part to be more sustainable and green. Please accept my entry to the contest.
-Karin S.
In these current times, we do the best that we can to create a private utopia for ourselves. We all strive to create our own Eden, so to speak. My garden is my Eden. It provides me with solace, it provides me with food, it provides me comfort, and it provides me with the tools and energy to heal the people around me. It is the center of creation. In my garden, I can create anything. With patience and love I can nourish the soul, body, and mind with help from the soil, sun, and water. I created an Eden to help the people around me. I grow medicinal herbs as well as food for my housemates and for my community. The energy of the earth is all around us, and in this garden, in my Eden, I like to think I have harnessed a bit of this wild energy and I am very grateful for this space. Enter Eden, and let yourself be overcome by the fragrance and the beauty that surround us. Thank you for the opportunity to share my newly discovered world, the garden.
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 4/20/2011
to Promotions
Escents President & Founder Jacqui MacNeill shares a variety of environmentally friendly practices she undertakes day to day in celebration of Earth Day.
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 1/24/2011
to Promotions
Rose essential oil is associated with a wide variety of physical and emotional benefits, in addition to its captivating scent. Here are 5 benefits that can be derived from rose oil.
Escents introduces Away Essential Oil Blend, created by Samantha from Escents Richmond, a winning citrus-based energizing blend from our recent Escents Aromatherapy Olympics contest.
Escents Broadway manager Jenny Lo shares her inspiration behind Time, the winning essential oil blend she created for our recent Escents Aromatherapy Olympics.
Escents Staffer Dawn Hartshorne explains how she came up with her creation, Faith Essential Oil Blend, a winning blend from our recent Escents Aromatherapy Olympics contest.
In honour of the Olympics being held in Vancouver, Escents is holding an essential oil blending contest. The winning blends will be made into new Escents products.
Escents Aromatherapy is excited to announce its Escents Earth initiative, a commitment to transform itself through a variety of activities into an even more "green and eco-friendly" company. To launch Escents Earth, Escents is proud to recognize a new partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation, one of the world's leading conservation organizations.
Since 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has worked to encourage ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us. The Foundation uses science and education to promote solutions that conserve nature, with the goal of helping to achieve sustainability within a generation. For the month of May, 5% of all sales of the Escents Naturals Collection will be donated to the David Suzuki Foundation. Escents is increasing our existing commitment for a greener world for three major reasons:
we believe that being eco-friendly is critical to future generations
we desire to be socially responsible in support of the communities we live in
our customers value and protect the Earth around them
Escents is an earth-friendly, cruelty-free company whose products are:
cruelty free
paraben free
phosphate free
biodegradable
free from synthetic dyes
petroleum free
safe to use for anyone - babies, children and adults
all products contain essential oils
We will be sharing more information about our green activities as further plans are developed.
.JPG)
.PNG)
At Escents Aromatherapy's head office, CEO, Jacqui MacNeill, is always looking for ways to create beautiful, healing products that make people feel good. As an Escents employee, you can often find yourself being pulled into a circle with Jacqui, to smell and discuss a new Aroma Blend that she's been working on. So when Jacqui told the Escents team about her idea for a line that uses 20% shea butter, we were all thrilled! This summer, we're launching a product that is not only natural and luxurious, it also gives back to the world. 
Ryckman.jpg)
