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Relax and Pamper Yourself with Lavender Essential Oil

by admin | Nov 29, 2021 | Asheville, Healing, Health, Massage, Women

Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils. Besides its pleasant scent, it is beneficial for health and beauty. If a day at the spa is not in your schedule or your budget, pamper yourself at home with lavender essential oil. Here are a few ways to pamper yourself from head to toe.

Hair

Treat your hair to deep conditioning with lavender essential oil. Add 6 to 8 drops of lavender essential oil to 2 teaspoons of carrier oil such as olive or coconut. Essential oils are concentrated and potent. It is important to dilute them with a carrier oil before use. Once you have the mixture, apply it to your hair and massage it into the scalp. You can comb it through to ensure even distribution. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual. Lavender oil can help repair damaged hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and pleasantly fragrant. It helps prevent dandruff too. You can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your shampoo and conditioner to make it part of your regular hair care routine.

Cleanse and Tone Your Face

Lavender essential oil cleanses and tones, leaving skin feeling fresh. It locks in moisture, making it a good moisturizer for dry skin. Regular use of lavender oil reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars. You can make a facial cleanser by applying 3 to 5 drops of lavender essential oil with a teaspoon of olive oil. Massage it into your face and neck for a minute or two. Use a warm washcloth to remove any excess. Pat your face dry with a towel.

Soothe Your Feet

Our hard-working feet often get neglected. However, they could use some pampering too. Not only can lavender essential oil soothe tired feet, but it also contains antifungal properties that can treat athletes’ feet and toenail fungus. All you need for a relaxing foot bath is a container big enough to soak your feet comfortably. Fill it with warm water, and add 6 to 8 drops of lavender essential oil. You can also add a 1/2 cup of Epsom salts to relieve sore, achy feet. Soak your feet for approximately 20 minutes.

De-Stress Your Body and Mind

If you’ve had a hard day at work and your nerves are frazzled, wash away the anxiety with a lavender bath. It can help to relax stiff muscles and alleviate the pain of a tension headache. Lavender also helps relax your mind and body so that you can sleep more soundly. To prepare your lavender bath, fill the tub with warm water. Mix 8 to 10 drops of lavender essential oil with 1 ounce of coconut oil. Then add 8 to 10 drops of the mixture to your bath. Soak in your lavender bath until you feel relaxed. Now that you’ve pampered yourself from head to toe with lavender, you can sleep soundly and peacefully.

Caution

Essential oils are potent extracts that can be potentially dangerous. Never take essential oils internally. Never apply essential oils directly to the skin since irritation may occur. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying. Although lavender essential oil is considered safe, skin irritation may occur in people who are allergic. Lavender may interact with sedative medications since it can cause drowsiness. Always consult your physician before using essential oils.

Courtney Maybin, Owner of Beauty Bin, Asheville’s New One-Stop Beauty Shop

by admin | Dec 31, 2019 | Asheville, Beauty, Massage, Skincare

Native to WNC, Courtney Maybin has lived here all her life, except during a few years when she moved around the country with her husband, Cameron Maybin who is a professional baseball player. In 2015, they returned to Asheville and bought a home. It was then that Courtney found the opportunity to consider what she wanted to do for her own career.

“I always loved the beauty industry, so I chose to take the esthetics course at Blue Ridge Community College. I became a licensed esthetician in 2018. From there, I decided to start a studio out of my home to continue to practice and to begin to gain clientele, but I always knew I wanted to open a store front,” she says. “I began the planning for Beauty Bin in early 2019 and worked throughout the year to prepare for an end-of-year opening.”

Courtney’s vision for a salon and spa includes her mission to give affordable services to everyone regardless of race, gender, or age. “It’s important to me that no matter who walks through the door, they (my staff) know how to work on any kind of hair or any kind of skin type.” Insisting on this diverse skill set means that her employees require more training, but Courtney believes it is worth the effort. “Self-care is important and something all people should invest in.”

Tammy Barnwell, Courtney’s mother, has been instrumental in her new business venture. “She’s my lifesaver,” Courtney says. “As far as business things, whether it’s scheduling or bookkeeping, she can do it all. I know the field of esthetics, which she doesn’t know at all, and she knows all these things about internal business. We’re learning a lot from each other. Beauty Bin couldn’t run without her!”

With Tammy by her side, these two ladies also look for ways to give back to the community. Beauty Bin was a drop-off location for MANNA Food Bank’s annual holiday food drive; and they are planning to continue to work with the food bank throughout the year to help those in need. Courtney is also continuing to work on a charity she started with her husband, Maybin Mission, with a spa-inspired twist. The original program allowed the community to nominate families to receive holiday gifts: a Christmas dinner party, and a visit with Santa. One lucky winner was gifted with a 60-minute massage, custom facial, brow wax, and skin-care set. “Looking forward, I want to find more ways to give back to the community as much as possible.”

At Beauty Bin, you’ll find everything you are looking for in a spa or salon. This “one-stop” shop offers facials, massages, lash extensions, color, cut, and more. You can get it all under one roof at the Beauty Bin.

Visit the Beauty Bin at 117 Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville and you’ll leave feeling beautiful!