1. Alexander the Great started a shaving trend in 331 BC when he ordered his men to shave their beards in preparation for a decisive battle with the Persians. Some say that this was because beards are easy to get a hold of in hand-to-hand battle, but others say that Alexander wanted to inspire his men to identify with the demigod young Hercules. ​

3. It's a myth that when you shave, it grows back in thicker. It may seem that way for a couple of reasons. When hair first grows, it hasn't been exposed to light which may lighten the hair over time. Also, the end of the hair strand tends to taper, and when we shave, the tapered portion is removed. In comparison, what is left may seem thicker. ​

​Also, our shave soap is available online and at the Lynd Market. It has some rave reviews from some men who have used it. It is made with coconut oil, shea butter and castor oil. It also includes Bentonite Clay for more slip and Tussah Silk for a silky-smooth feel.

We've added another clay variety to our selection! Each clay has its own blend of minerals that makes it unique and gives it its color. Dead Sea Clay is known for its therapeutic saline content, plus it contains a vast amount of minerals including magnesium, potassium, calcium, bromine, and iron. Here's some benefits to using Dead Sea Clay.

• cleanses the skin while preserving moisture
• absorbs excess oil and impurities
• has anti-microbial properties
• tightens and tones skin
• helps synthesize amino acids
• improves circulation
• stimulates cell turnover
• fights against toxins and free radicals
• increases elasticity
• reduces the appearance of wrinkles
• has anti-aging effects
• useful in oily skin and acne

It is recommended to use no more than once every 7-10 days, and is best for normal to oily skin.
Like our other clay masks, it comes in powder form. To use it, remove a small amount of clay and combine with water to make a mud mixture. One jar of this clay will yield multiple mask treatments. 
If you'd like to give this a try, you can find it on our website here. ​

This product is newly added to our website! We have three new batches -- Peppermint, Lemon Eucalyptus, and Lingonberry Spice. We also have a Spiced Red Tea and a fragrance free option. Our shave soap is made with nourishing organic oils like coconut oil, shea butter and castor oil. It also includes Bentonite Clay for more slip and Tussah Silk for a silky-smooth feel. And if you need the brush, we've got that too! You can find our shave soap options here. ​

We always love introducing new fragrances -- it's so fun to discover a new favorite! We've got three new scents for you to try.

You can find the Simple Luxuries set here.

​Have you ever caught a whiff of a scent that unexpectedly took you back to a moment in time from your childhood? For me, when I smell chlorine it takes me back to carefree days at the local pool. I love the fragrance even today for that reason. I was talking with a friend who said that the smell of rubbing alcohol was reminiscent of pleasant visits to the pediatrician as a child. Many dislike the scent, but for her it evokes memories of nurses in clean white dresses and a peaceful feeling of everything being clean and in order. Isn't it interesting how our sense of smell is so closely connected with our memories? Last month we chatted about the fragrance pyramid and how fragrances are layered based on the type and size of the scent molecules. This month I thought we could continue our chat about fragrances and how they can evoke memories and affect our moods.
The answer to our question lies in how our brains process fragrances, and this is part of the limbic system in the brain. There's some really interesting tidbits on how this process works!

​Our sensory input (including our sense of smell), our memories, and our emotions are all processed in the part of our brain called the limbic system, which sits on top of the brain stem. Scientists are still discussing exactly what structures are included in this system, but they generally agree that it includes at least the hypothalamus, the amygdala, the thalamus, the hippocampus, and the olfactory bulb (scent receptors). Honestly, I'm not going to explain all those terms to you because the details are beyond my comprehension. But here's the interesting part. Our sense of smell is processed differently than all our other senses. All of our senses except for smell are processed through the thalamus; so sight, sound, touch, and taste are all relayed through the thalamus. But input from our sense of smell bypasses the thalamus. Scents have a private relay system straight from the olfactory bulb to other parts of the brain! No wonder the connection between scents and memories is so strong! Here's an over-simplified diagram of how this works.

​Often, when you have a childhood memory associated with a scent, it was formed before you were ten years old. Usually it is a perceptive memory, not a specific memory. In other words, the scent is linked to a general feeling more than a detailed account of an specific event. This memory is deeply embedded in your long-term memory and connected to your emotions, due to how scents are processed by the limbic system. 
Because our sense of smell is so strongly connected with our memories, emotions, and even our hormones, we can use the power of scent to boost our moods when we need a pick-me-up, thanks to our limbic system! Even though we have different memories associated with certain fragrances, there are some generalities that can be made about scents and our moods. For example, we've all heard about how lavender is calming and promotes rest. Here's a chart of some common fragrances, and how they can positively affect our moods.

When an orange is sliced, the orange molecules are released into the air, and they diffuse, or spread out, throughout the space. The size of the molecules affects how quickly they spread. Since citrus molecules are relatively small compared to other scents, they can travel quickly through the room. 

Just as a musician creates beautiful and complex chords with notes of varying wavelengths, fragrance designers create alluring and rich fragrance combinations with scents composed of various sized molecules. This creates sophisticated and lasting scents that we enjoy.

In the fragrance world, individual scents are called notes, and they are broadly categorized as top notes, middle notes and base notes. ​

The top notes, also called head notes, are the first scents we detect in a fragrance. These include the uplifting citrus notes and the fresh herbal aromatics. Because they are the smallest molecules, they are also the first to begin to evaporate or dissipate. 

Next we have the middle notes, or the heart notes. This is the heart of the fragrance, and it often includes soft floral notes, sweet fruity notes, fresh green notes, and warm spicy notes. The middle notes impart body and fullness to the ensemble.

Finally we have the base notes. These are the earthy, woody and musky scents. Since these molecules are the largest, they have the most staying power, and they provide the deep richness that is foundational to the fragrance combination. ​

​This fragrance pyramid is one tool we use to describe fragrances. For example, here's our description of our Pineapple Papaya fragrance.

"Sweet, juicy and tropical! A tantalizing blend of citrus top notes, and sweet fruits and sugared base notes. At first sniff, mandarin, pineapple and coconut palms open this bright fragrance. Mid notes of papaya guava and pomegranate are rounded out with a base of sugarcane, sandalwood and cypress. This fragrance will be a favorite for any fruit lover."

See how the top, middle and base notes are described and balanced for an exotic and tropical fragrance combination?

Also, the fragrance pyramid explains why fragrances will sometimes change. When a fragrance is first applied, the top notes are stronger. As the smallest molecules evaporate over time, the balance changes, allowing the mid and base notes to come through more. 

So what are some of your favorite fragrance notes? 

​We thought it would be fun to offer a discount on Emerald Agave products for the month of March as a nod to St. Patrick's Day. You can find Emerald Agave lotion, scrub, foaming soap, body oil, bar soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner on our website here. Use the code EMERALD20 for 20% off Emerald Agave products through the month of March. (This does not include gift sets.) This is the perfect time to try it for the first time or to stock up! Since so many people love this scent, it's a great one to share with a friend. 

If you are looking for a particular product on our website, don't forget that there's a search bar on our home page that makes it easy to find what you need!

Our lip balm is made with organic shea butter, organic babassu oil, and organic beeswax. The shea butter is a rich moisturizer while the babassu oil is easily absorbed by your lips. The beeswax creates a protective barrier while still allowing your lips to breathe. It also provides the firmness necessary for the balm to be in stick form. ​

Cold and blustery weather paired with dry indoor air can really do a number on our lips. Take a look at this diagram of lip skin to see how different it is from the rest of our skin. ​

We hope that this information can help you better take care of those lips this winter!