Health & Wellbeing: How To Add Essential Oils To Your Beauty Routine

Last month, I received a lovely package from Tisserand showcasing their newly repackaged essential oils, which got me thinking about how much I use these wonderful, all natural oils in my everyday beauty routine. 

I've been using essential oils for years, and have regularly flirted with the idea of doing a proper aromatherapy course (I'll get around to it one day I'm sure!) after experiencing many of their benefits for myself. Like a lot of ingredients that are derived from nature, essential oils have some fantastic therapeutic properties and each one harnesses different benefits. 

The world of aromatherapy and essential oils is, of course, vast and fascinating (especially when you start to read up on their history and usage throughout time), but I thought it might be useful for those who are reading this that are new to essential oils, to understand some of the simple ways that you can use them by focusing on five of my favourite ones to experiment with.

Best For Scalp Treatments / Healthy Hair Growth - Tisserand Rosemary Organic Pure Essential Oil*

Rosemary pops up as a key ingredient in many green/natural haircare ranges thanks to its well-known anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, so it's a useful essential oil to use in DIY hair and scalp treatments. It's great for dry scalp and dandruff problems and is also good for helping to stimulate hair growth, so ideal for those who have fine or thinning hair. To give it a go, just mix a few drops into your regular shampoo, or try a weekly natural hot oil treatment by melting 2tsp of Coconut Oil with 5-6 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil and applying it all over the scalp whilst it's still warm. Leave on for an hour and shampoo as normal.

Best For Making Your Own Natural Deodorant - Tisserand May Chang Ethically Harvested Pure Essential Oil*

The exotic-sounding May Chang is often used by people who can't stand the smell of Tea Tree Oil, and instead prefer the scent of this uplifting, citrusy, lemony oil. May Chang is a powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal oil, so it's perfect if you want to make your own natural deodorant. Simply fill a spray bottle with warm water, a tsp of Baking Soda and 15-20 drops of May Chang, for a refreshing and absorbing spritz for your pits!

Best For Sleep Problems & Anxiety -Tisserand Lavender Organic Pure Essential Oil*

One of the most widely used essential oils around the world is Lavender and it's a wonderful essential oil to use if you experience any problems with sleep and/or anxiety. The scent of it is definitely something that people either love or hate, but if you're in the former camp, you can easily use Lavender Essential Oil by adding a few drops directly to your pillow, bedsheets or a warm bath before going to bed, or add a couple of drops to a cotton handkerchief to breathe into whenever you're feeling anxious. 

Best For Anti-Aging & Healing Acne Scars - Tisserand Frankincense Wild Crafted Pure Essential Oil*

You might have only heard about Frankincense from the three wise men, but this humble essential oil has been used for centuries to heal and protect the skin. One of the easiest ways to reap the benefits of this oil is to make your own facial oil and apply a little as an anti-ageing treatment 2-3 times a week or apply it to acne scars every night. Try mixing a couple of drops of Frankincense with 20ml of Jojoba Oil in a dark glass bottle to start your off and always do a patch test first if you have sensitive skin.

Best For An Uplifting Body Oil - Tisserand Grapefruit Organic Pure Essential Oil*

I'm a huge fan of citrusy scents and Grapefruit is one of my all time favourites because it smells so fresh and zingy! I find it incredibly refreshing and uplifting which is ideal if you suffer from the winter blues or just need a little cheering up on a bad day. I like to add a few drops to a nourishing carrier oil such as Sweet Almond Oil to make my own pampering body oil - it's so lovely to use after a morning shower to set you up for the day in a good mood!

Tisserand Essential Oils are 9ml each, prices vary from £4.75, and are available from a range of stockists including direct from tisserand.com

Do you use essential oils?

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Foodie Friday: Cacao, Hazelnut & Goji Berries Granola (Vegan / Dairy Free recipe)

Granola is one of my favourite things to have for breakfast, but I mostly make my own as many of the boxes of granola that you find in the supermarket aren't as healthy as they look with hidden sugars and artificial preservatives.

Thankfully, making your own granola from scratch is ridiculously easy and you can rest assured knowing exactly what's in it!  Below, I've shared my current favourite granola mix which includes Cacao, Cacao Nibs, Hazelnuts, and Goji Berries, but you can, of course, add or take out whatever you like to incorporate your own favourite nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and you can choose to sweeten it however you want to. What I would suggest though, is using the best quality oats that you can find, (preferably organic ones) because the granola base really makes all the difference. 

Ingredients:- (makes roughly a medium sized Kilner jar of granola) 

• 250g Organic Jumbo Rolled Oats
• 50g Hazelnuts (chopped or whole, whichever you prefer)
• 50g Raw Cacao Nibs
• 50g Goji Berries
• 25g Desiccated Coconut
• 2 tbsp of Raw Cacao Powder
• 2 tbsp of Coconut Oil (liquid)
• 2-3 tbsp of Agave or Maple Syrup
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Method:-

1. Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4 and line a large baking tray with greaseproof baking paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the Jumbo Oats, Hazelnuts, Cacao Powder, Desiccated Coconut, Coconut Oil, Agave Syrup and Sea Salt, mixing everything together until it's thoroughly combined.
3. Transfer the mixture to the baking tray and spread it out so that it's an even layer. Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until lightly toasted. Make sure that you give everything a stir through to turn over the oats half-way through so that it cooks evenly.
4. Take the tray out of the oven, sprinkle over the Cacao Nibs and Goji Berries and allow to cool.
5. Once it's properly cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container such as a Kilner jar. 

Storage & serving: Your homemade granola will keep in an airtight jar for around 2-3 weeks, giving you plenty of time to enjoy it for your daily breakfast. I usually measure out a few tablespoons (it depends on how hungry I am!) per serving, splash over some Almond Milk and add some fresh fruits like Strawberries or Blueberries. If you find the granola isn't sweet enough for your tastebuds, just add a little swirl of Maple or Agave Syrup and enjoy! 

Have you ever made your own granola?

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A Face Oil For Every Skin Type & Concern: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Mini Gift Set review

Face oils have got to be one of the best products that I've ever added to my skincare routine, and I have several different bottles that I like to reach for, depending on how my skin is feeling that day. I think it's really important to try and understand what your skin needs, rather than just slapping on a 'fix it all' type of product, as these rarely work for everyone.

Instead, grab a mirror and take a good look at your complexion. Is it looking dull? Feeling tight? Are there any oily parts?  Or any extremely dry areas? Is it red or feeling irritated? Can I see the first signs of ageing? Am I breaking out? Next, ask yourself what, if anything, you'd like to address with your skin. Do you want it to feel softer and have a more even skin tone? Be less oily? Feel more hydrated? Look more radiant?

All of these questions can help you to find the best products for your skin at this present moment and don't be alarmed if your answers are different the next day or within the next week or month - that's totally normal! Your skin can change depending on lots of different factors such as seasonal changes with the weather, what you're eating or drinking, stress levels and of course for us ladies, whether Mother Nature is dropping off her monthly 'treat' or not. 

So if you're new to face oils and want to introduce one (or more) into your skincare routine, I'd recommend getting your hands on some samples or travel sizes to try out first. This way, you can find out which oils work best for you and your skin, before you splurge on some full-size bottles. To make this slightly easier, I've been testing out the Ooh Oils of Heaven Mini Gift Set which is a brilliant way to try out five 100% pure and natural oils that you can use on their own, or you can mix and match them to create the perfect blend for your skin's needs. Easy!  

 Best for Sensitive, Sun Damaged, Oily & Problem Prone Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Rejuvenating Face Oil

If you're a health and fitness fan, you may already be aware of the benefits of taking Baobab as a superfood supplement, but did you know that it's great for your skin too? Derived from the seeds that come from the pods of the African Adansonia tree, Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Oil is carefully cold-pressed to retain as many of its nutrients as possible. Rich in vitamins A, D, E and K, it also contains a range of fatty acids including the essential omega 3, 6 and 9 which means this oil is amazing for helping to heal any skin damage (especially from the sun) and is ideal for anyone who has eczema, rosacea and psoriasis thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. It's also easily absorbed and feels balancing, making it a good one for oily skin types to try out as well.  

 Best for Dry and Damaged Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Argan Moisture Retention Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £19, link)

Argan Oil has soared in popularity over the past few years and for good reason. It's incredibly rich in Vitamin E and contains essential fatty acids such as Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid and Oleic Acid which really help to lock moisture into the skin, keeping it happy and hydrated for longer. Argan Oil is also great for anyone who has damaged skin as it helps to repair delicate skin tissue - those with wrinkles and scars may see some noticeable benefits by using it on a long-term basis. Sadly, due to Argan Oil's popularity, there are a lot of poorly diluted versions on the market (often blended with much cheaper oils), so always make sure that you purchase yours from a reputable brand or retailer. Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Argan Moisture Retention Face Oil contains just pure Argan Oil that has been cold-pressed from Argan kernels in Morocco, with nothing else added to it.

 Best for Anti-Aging & Mature Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Cacay Anti-Aging Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £39, link) 

The newest discovery in the world of natural face oils is Cacay, and this superstar oil has been making some serious waves in the beauty world due to its incredible anti-aging benefits. Made from wild Cacay nuts that are harvested in the Columbian jungle, Cacay Oil contains 50% more Vitamin E and twice the amount of Linoleic Acid than Argan Oil, as well as three times more Retinol than Rosehip Oil, so there's no wonder that it's quickly become a go-to oil for anyone who wants to fight the signs of aging! It also helps to seal in moisture, fend off ageing free radicals and it promotes healthy collagen production. Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Cacay Anti-Aging Face Oil is 100% pure and cold-pressed, making it a must-try for those seeking a more younger, fresher, smoother and plumped-up complexion. I highly recommend it as a night treatment in your evening skincare routine!

 Best for Normal, Oily & Combination Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Moringa Anti-Oxidant Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £19, link)

Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Moringa Anti-Oxidant Oil is the one that I tend to suggest the most for people who have 'normal' skin as it's a fantastic all-rounder, but it's also useful for oily and combination skin types as I find it's rather balancing and it helps to promote a clearer complexion overall. Moringa Oil is packed full of antioxidants and contains high levels of  Oleic Acid, Vitamin A and Vitamin C which not only help to heal acne scars and blemish marks, but also make it suitable as a natural defence against free radicals and for tackling the first signs of ageing. It's been a well-used beauty treatment oil throughout time and was regularly used by the ancient Egyptians - no surprise then to hear that it's harvested from the Himalayan 'Tree of Life'. 

Best for Uneven Skin Tones, Scars & Pigmentation: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Rosehip Nourishing Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £19, link)

Along with Argan Oil, Rosehip Oil is another hugely popular oil and features regularly in many skincare gurus' daily routines. Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Rosehip Nourishing Face Oil is cold-pressed from Chilean Rosa Canina seeds and contains Vitamins C, K, and A, alongside Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, and Linoleic acid. Rosehip Oil is well known and revered for its powerful cell-regenerative properties that make a noticeable difference in improving skin tone and reducing areas of pigmentation. It's also brilliant for helping to fade scars, boost collagen production and it's great for smoothing out any fine lines and wrinkles. 

How do I use Face Oils?

Spotted a face oil that you want to try? To incorporate it into your skincare routine, simply apply 2-3 drops after your serum (or after cleansing and toning if you don't use a serum), making sure to massage it gently into the skin, and that's it! Think of it as the last step instead of using a moisturiser - you don't need to use anything else after applying an oil. I mainly use face oils in the evening, but you can use them in the morning as well if you prefer (I sometimes like to mix 1-2 drops into my morning moisturiser if my skin needs an extra boost). If you want to mix and match any of the oils above to create your own custom blend, go on right ahead! 

Ooh! Oils of Heaven Mini Gift* (5 x 5ml, £12.50) is available exclusively from Lovelula.com who offer worldwide shipping.

Have you tried Ooh! Oils of Heaven?

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Foodie Friday: 4 Salads To Make This Summer (Vegetarian & Vegan recipes)

The days of staring into a bowl of sad looking, limp lettuce leaves are well and truly over, so say hello to Summer with four of my favourite salads!

One of the most overused retorts that I often hear when people find out that I'm trying some new vegetarian/vegan meal ideas is that boring old chestnut, "So you just eat a bowl of rabbit food/lettuce then?". *cue MAJOR eye roll*. 

Thankfully, the growing popularity of snapping Instagram perfect meals has highlighted how beautiful and colourful something as simple as a salad can be, and that it absolutely doesn't have to include a single lettuce leaf (unless you want it to that is - there's nothing wrong with some crisp, fresh lettuce anyway!).

Here are four of my favourite summer salads that are not only packed full of flavour and taste as good as they look, but they easily prove that salads need not be boring. Vive la révolution!

Bright & Sunny Thai Salad

This Bright & Sunny Thai Salad is bursting with flavour and combines juicy mango chunks with colourful ribbons of fresh veggies and crunchy toasted cashews. There's even a tasty dressing to finish it off beautifully.

Ingredients (serves 2):-

• 1 Courgette
• 2 Carrots (medium-sized)
• 1 small Mango (firm)
• 50g Cashews (chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon of Coconut Oil
• Hemp Seeds

For the dressing:-

• 1/2 Garlic Clove (finely chopped)
• 1 Red Chilli (finely chopped, remove seeds if desired)
• Juice of 1 Lime (freshly squeezed)
• 1 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Honey or Agave Nectar

Method:-

1. Slice the Courgette and the Carrots into thin ribbons using a vegetable peeler. Chop up the Mango into smallish chunks and place everything into a large bowl.
2. In a frying pan, heat up the Coconut Oil and add in the chopped Cashews, tossing until lightly toasted. Allow to cool slightly and add to the salad bowl.
3. In a jam jar or a similar container with a lid, make the dressing by adding the Garlic, Chilli, Lime Juice, Olive Oil and Honey. Shake thoroughly to combine.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to mix everything together. Sprinkle over some Hemp Seeds for an extra nutritional boost.

Deconstructed Ploughman's Salad

A classic Ploughman's can be a heavy meal with all that bread and cheese, so why not try a lightened up salad version for Summer? You still get all the flavours and textures, but it won't leave you feeling bloated afterwards. Win-win!

Ingredients (serves 2):-

• 100g mixed Salad Leaves
• 1 Celery stalk (chopped)
• 1 Apple (thinly sliced)
• 50g Cheddar Cheese or Dairy-Free Cheddar (thinly sliced)
• Handful of Walnuts
• 2-4 Oat Cakes (crumbled)
• Salt & Black Pepper

For the dressing:-

• 2 tbsp Cider Vinegar
• 1 tbsp Honey or Agave Nectar
• 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Method:-

1. In a large bowl, add the mixed Salad Leaves, chopped Celery, Walnuts, crumbled Oat Cakes and the sliced Apple and Cheese. Gently mix everything together.
2. In a jam jar or a similar container with a lid, add all the dressing ingredients; Cider Vinegar, Honey and Olive Oil, shaking well to combine everything.
3. Arrange the salad onto plates and pour over the dressing. Finish with a sprinkling of Salt & Pepper.

New Potato, Avocado & Lamb's Lettuce Salad

This potato salad makes for a filling lunch option, and by only using a dressing instead of coating the potatoes in a heavy mayo sauce, it's much lighter too, but still very satisfying.

Ingredients (serves 2):-

• Handful of New Potatoes
• 50g Lamb's Lettuce
• 1 Avocado
• Salt & Pepper

For the dressing:-

• 1 bulb of Garlic
• 2 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Cider Vinegar
• 100g Crème Fraîche or Dairy-Free Alternative
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon

Method:-

1. Preheat the oven to 200C. Slice off the top (pointy end) of the Garlic and place cut side down into a small ramekin. Roast for 20 minutes or until the cloves are soft to the touch. Set aside to cool down.
2. Wash the New Potatoes and chop into bite-size chunks. Boil in a large saucepan for around 20 minutes, drain and allow to cool slightly.
3. Chop the Avocado into small chunks and add to a salad bowl with the Lamb's Lettuce and New Potatoes.
4. For the dressing, squeeze out the now soft Garlic cloves into a food processor and add the Olive Oil, Cider Vinegar, Crème Fraîche and Lemon juice. Whizz until smooth.
5. Arrange the salad onto plates and spoon over the dressing. Season with a little Salt & Pepper.

Warm Indian-Style Asparagus & Courgetti Salad

If you're not a fan of cold salad, this warm Indian-Style Asparagus and Courgetti number might be more your thing and can be served as a side or bulked out with tofu/veggie protein for an evening meal.

Ingredients (serves 2-4):-

• 1 bundle of Asparagus Tips
• 1 Courgette
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric
• 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
• Pinch of Chili Powder
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• Handful of Pine Nuts
• Coconut Oil for Frying

Method:-

1. In a frying pan over a medium heat, melt the Coconut Oil.
2. Spiralize the Courgette (or if you don't have a spiralizer, just use a vegetable peeler to cut it into thin ribbons) and add to the frying pan with the Asparagus Tips.
3. Add the Mustard Seeds, Turmeric, Cumin Seeds, Chili Powder and Pine Nuts, and lightly toss together for 3-4 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and arrange into bowls. Squeeze over a little Lemon Juice to serve.

[The salad recipes above have been adapted from recipes by Abel & Cole]

What are your favourite summer salads?

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Foodie Friday: How To Make an Aztec Hot Chocolate (Dairy-Free/Vegan recipe)

Despite Spring being on its way, the evenings and nights are still quite chilly so I wanted to share a quick and easy recipe for a delicious, warming hot chocolate with a difference. This is the perfect drink to wrap your hands around when it's cold and raining outside.

I've been having some serious chocolate and chillies cravings recently (don't worry, this is normal for me as I love them both anyway!), so what could be more satisfying than something which has the two flavours combined? It may sound strange at first, but the Aztec Hot Chocolate was one of the favoured luxury drinks of Mayan royalty and their traditional recipe involved mixing ground up cocoa beans with an assortment of spices including chilli pepper, and whisking it all together with some water until it became frothy. This ancient method is how Hot Chocolate is thought to have been first invented, though the version that we all know and love nowadays seems like a million miles away from the bitter, spicy chocolate drink that the Mayans enjoyed.

So I wanted to have a go at making my own Aztec Hot Chocolate at home; one that retained most of the traditional chocolate bitterness and had a spicy kick, but was made with organic almond milk instead of water for a creamier, more indulgent drink. 

Ingredients for one cup:-

• 250ml unsweetened organic Almond Milk
• 20g unsweetened organic & fairtrade Cocoa Powder
• Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
• 1tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• Dark Chocolate (optional topping)
• 1tsp Maple Syrup (optional as a sweetener)

Method:-

1. In a small pan, heat the almond milk over a medium temperature and add the rest of the ingredients.
2. Whisk until everything is thoroughly combined and the cocoa powder has fully dissolved.
3. Remove from the heat when the mixture is hot but not boiling.
4. Pour into your favourite mug, add some shaved dark chocolate if desired and enjoy! You can serve it with a cinnamon stick or two to swirl into the hot chocolate for extra flavour and some squares of dark chocolate on the side.

Have you ever tried an Aztec Hot Chocolate?

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Two Easy Ways To Enhance Your Hair Colour Without Damaging It

Dyeing your hair is a fun way to get a brand new look instantly, but if you just want to add a little more depth and shine without completely changing the colour (and without the damage), here are two easy ways to enhance what you've already got.

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Foodie Friday: Homemade Classic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing recipe

Jazz up a simple salad with this flavour-packed vinaigrette salad dressing that's much lower in saturated fat than many of the ready made oil based dressings you'll find on the supermarket shelf (and much tastier too!).

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Foodie Friday: Dark Choc & Coconut Banana Pops recipe (Dairy-free & Vegan)

Cool yourself down in this heatwave with one of these guilt-free Dark Choc & Coconut Banana Pops which are super easy to make. 

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6 Easy Makeup & Skincare Tricks to Make Tired Eyes Look More Awake

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely not a morning person and always wake up looking like a zombie with huge dark circles.  In order for me to look more awake, I rely on these easy skincare and makeup tricks.

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Guest Post by Živa: DIY Sugar Body Scrub with Rose Petals

A big hello to Evelyn's lovely readers!  I'm so excited to be posting on We Were Raised By Wolves as I've been reading Evelyn's musings for absolutely ages!  I decided to share a cute little DIY project with you all today, and I hope you'll like it.  We'll be making a DIY Sugar Body Scrub with Rose Petals - perfect for spring.

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How To: Getting the most out of your Hair Masks & Treatments

If you like to keep your hair in tip top condition and/or you're just plagued with problematic hair like I am, then this post is for you.  Here are my top five pieces of advice for getting the most out of your hair masks and treatments.

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NOTD: Ciate Angel Wings & Ciate Caviar Prom Queen

This year has seen so many different nail trends that I've simply lost count of them all.  We've had everything from cracking to magnetized, croc effect and furry, to feathers and graffiti and more!  And of course we've had the caviar trend which has been pioneered by Ciaté, those people behind the adorable nail polishes with little bows.

In my advent calendar I opened up a bottle of Caviar Pearls called Prom Queen (a multi coloured affair of blue, pink and silver, complete with chunky glitter particles) and decided to give this a trend a go.  I first painted my nails with three coats of Ciaté's Angel Wings (metallic white shimmer, very christmassy but a bit streaky), and then it was time to get my caviar pearls on.

I opted to do just an accent nail to see what it would look like.  I painted my ring fingernail with another coat of Angel Wings, and then whilst that was still wet, I sprinkled over the Prom Queen Caviar Pearls (make sure to have a dish underneath to catch everything!).  Pressing the beads firmly down into the nail, I left it all to dry for around 20 minutes and then sealed just the tip of the nail as directed with a top coat.

The advent calendar came with a little funnel to put the pearls back into the bottle, but it doesn't pick up the glitter particles - these were left stuck to the dish :(  

So what do I think of the Caviar nail trend?  Well, it really didn't last as long as I hoped it would.  Within less than two hours, those little pearls were starting to fall off here, there and everywhere.  They probably would stay on longer if you used a top coat over the whole nail instead of just the tip, but even then I'm not so sure.  Anyway, as a bit of fun it's alright, but I can't see myself doing it again because it just took so long to do (20 mins to dry - who has time for that?!).  I will however be keeping an eye out for that leather effect nail polish from Nails Inc which looks much more my thing.

The Caviar nail trend - do you love it or hate it?

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