Just like everyone else in America, I'm a little annoyed with the rising prices of everything -- not to mention the ever-present grocery shrink ray. (Can ice cream cartons get any smaller?)
I've resisted raising prices at Wilava because I didn't want to become one of 'those' companies, and I'd really hoped I'd be able to ride out the bad economy. But, the costs of running my business have gone up... by a lot. Not just insurance and the day-to-day costs, like printing labels and shipping, but some of the raw ingredients I use have gone up in price by more than 100%.
More than 100%!
So I've spent the past few months analyzing products, prices, packaging, suppliers, you name it. I think I have some solutions that will allow me to both stay in business and benefit you!
As of today, Balancing Facial Toner is going to be sold in an 8 ounce size, and I'm eliminating the 4 ounce bottle. In reviewing past orders, I noticed many customers were buying two bottles of Toner for every one bottle of Cleanser. So this change has benefits beyond just $$$ savings -- there's less packaging, which is great for the enviroment and it will take up less space in your home. The price is going up a few dollars, but you'll be getting twice the amount. I hope everyone is happy with the change.
Vitamin C Serum is also going up to $30 at the end of this week. Unfortunately, there was no easy fix here. I had switched packaging from jars to airless bottles a few months ago, and didn't raise the price. But the new packaging is a bigger raw cost vs. the jars, so I really just have to give in here. This change will take place on Friday, so if you want to get a bottle before the increase, order now!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
DIY Snowy Day Spa Soaks
It's been cold here in central Massachusetts the past few months. It seems like we've had about 12-18 inches of snow just about every 3 or 4 days, school is always being canceled, and people have had enough. In fact, I just looked out the window, and it has just started snowing again. True story. Well, everyone deserves a respite, and for me, it comes in the form of a nice, warm bath. Luckily, a comforting, pampering bath is one of the easiest DIY spa experiences to create at home.
To start, all you need is a nice, warm tub of water. Not too hot -- that would be drying to your skin -- but warm enough that you can sit comfortably for 15-20 minutes. (It's okay to replenish the heat with short bursts of hot water while you're in there, too.)
And now, the best part: Bath Additives. You have a whole kitchen filled with possibilities! The basics are milks, grains, oils and botanicals. Here's a breakdown for each category. Mix and match depending on your mood.
Milks: It's said that Cleopatra bathed in milk. I'm not sure if that's true or not (I wasn't there!), but either way, added to a bath, milk is mildly exfoliating, cleansing and moisturizing. Use Cow's milk (skim, whole, buttermilk...), Goat's milk, and even Coconut milk, which creates a super-silky bath and smells like a tropical paradise (can be found in the Asian aisle at your local market). Add 1-4 cups per bath.
Grains: My go to bath grain is Old-Fashioned Oats. It's naturally moisturizing and can alleviate dry, itchy winter skin. You can buy cosmetic-grade colloidal oatmeal at the drug store, or you can simply grind up some whole oats in a coffee grinder until they reach a powdered consistency. Add them while filling the bath. If you have some cheesecloth, even better. Fill it with whole or coarsely ground oats (and some botanicals, if you wish), tie up with string, and hang it under the faucet while filling the tub. Then, just let it float in the water while you soak.
Oils: Boost the moisture in your bath by adding oils. Unless you happen to have an emulsifier on hand (such as one of the Polysorbates), the oil will simply float on top of the water. But it will leave you feeling soft and moisturized. Try adding a small amount (a teaspoon or so is all you'll need) of jojoba, hazelnut, extra light olive, rice bran, flax oil, or any other liquid oil you have on hand. Just be forewarned that these will make your tub slick, so take caution when stepping out of your bath.
Botanicals: Here's where you can get really creative. Do you have a kitchen stock-pile of herbal teas? These work great in the tub, and if you keep them in the tea bag, you don't have to worry about cleaning up messy buds, barks and leaves afterward. The obvious choices for botanicals are calendula, chamomile, lavender and rose (all are soothing, and smell nice). But do you have a cold? Teas with peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary or fennel will help with congestion, and even sore muscles. Looking for an antioxidant boost for your skin? Try Roobios or Green Tea. A nice chai blend can help to stimulate circulation. With teas, or any botanicals you choose, keep in mind that in high concentration (like in a cup of tea) they can cause staining... both on you and your tub. One bag, perhaps two, should do the trick in the bath. [Caution: if you suffer from hayfever or other seasonal allergies, certain botanicals, such as chamomile or lavender, can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Be sure to read labels! Also, some herbs, such as Chamomile may lighten hair.]
You'll want to limit your soak to about 15-20 minutes as anything more can be dehydrating and can sap energy.
When you're all done and the water's drained, a quick sprinkle of household baking soda and a wipe with a damp cloth will clean the tub and get rid of any residues.
To start, all you need is a nice, warm tub of water. Not too hot -- that would be drying to your skin -- but warm enough that you can sit comfortably for 15-20 minutes. (It's okay to replenish the heat with short bursts of hot water while you're in there, too.)
And now, the best part: Bath Additives. You have a whole kitchen filled with possibilities! The basics are milks, grains, oils and botanicals. Here's a breakdown for each category. Mix and match depending on your mood.
Milks: It's said that Cleopatra bathed in milk. I'm not sure if that's true or not (I wasn't there!), but either way, added to a bath, milk is mildly exfoliating, cleansing and moisturizing. Use Cow's milk (skim, whole, buttermilk...), Goat's milk, and even Coconut milk, which creates a super-silky bath and smells like a tropical paradise (can be found in the Asian aisle at your local market). Add 1-4 cups per bath.
Grains: My go to bath grain is Old-Fashioned Oats. It's naturally moisturizing and can alleviate dry, itchy winter skin. You can buy cosmetic-grade colloidal oatmeal at the drug store, or you can simply grind up some whole oats in a coffee grinder until they reach a powdered consistency. Add them while filling the bath. If you have some cheesecloth, even better. Fill it with whole or coarsely ground oats (and some botanicals, if you wish), tie up with string, and hang it under the faucet while filling the tub. Then, just let it float in the water while you soak.
Oils: Boost the moisture in your bath by adding oils. Unless you happen to have an emulsifier on hand (such as one of the Polysorbates), the oil will simply float on top of the water. But it will leave you feeling soft and moisturized. Try adding a small amount (a teaspoon or so is all you'll need) of jojoba, hazelnut, extra light olive, rice bran, flax oil, or any other liquid oil you have on hand. Just be forewarned that these will make your tub slick, so take caution when stepping out of your bath.
Botanicals: Here's where you can get really creative. Do you have a kitchen stock-pile of herbal teas? These work great in the tub, and if you keep them in the tea bag, you don't have to worry about cleaning up messy buds, barks and leaves afterward. The obvious choices for botanicals are calendula, chamomile, lavender and rose (all are soothing, and smell nice). But do you have a cold? Teas with peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary or fennel will help with congestion, and even sore muscles. Looking for an antioxidant boost for your skin? Try Roobios or Green Tea. A nice chai blend can help to stimulate circulation. With teas, or any botanicals you choose, keep in mind that in high concentration (like in a cup of tea) they can cause staining... both on you and your tub. One bag, perhaps two, should do the trick in the bath. [Caution: if you suffer from hayfever or other seasonal allergies, certain botanicals, such as chamomile or lavender, can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Be sure to read labels! Also, some herbs, such as Chamomile may lighten hair.]
You'll want to limit your soak to about 15-20 minutes as anything more can be dehydrating and can sap energy.
When you're all done and the water's drained, a quick sprinkle of household baking soda and a wipe with a damp cloth will clean the tub and get rid of any residues.
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