The Wonders of Grapefruit

I have recently discovered Grapefruit essential oil…

Grapefruit helps decrease appetite and balance emotional extremes and can be used as a natural air freshener with disinfecting properties.

Grapefruit Oil (citrus paradisi) has great benefits for the immune system, it helps with skin problems, and can be used for muscle stiffness, water retention and for the nervous system.

Grapefruit oil can be used in blended massage oil or diluted in the bath to assist with cellulite, colds and flu, lack of energy, jet lag, muscle fatigue, overweight, headaches, moodiness and mental and physical tiredness.

People are beginning to realize that they can get rid of their physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual ills through the use of aromatic essential oils. Universities and hospitals are studying the use of aromatherapy oils. Some hospitals in Oxford, England, for example, have replaced chemical sedatives with essential oil blends which include lavender, marjoram, geranium and cardamom oil.

Most essential oils are so strong that a little goes a long way. Essential aromatherapy oils should be diluted in carrier oils for use in massage. When massaged into the skin (essential oils should be diluted - with the exception of Lavender and Tea Tree).

Essential oils are metabolized by the body like any other nutrients. Certain components within the oils will stimulate the immune system, destroy bacteria, act as powerful antioxidants and building blocks to improve nutrient absorption. It takes up to 20 minutes for the oils to be absorbed by the body, where they remain for 7 hours or more, before being excreted.

Smell plays an important role in the process. Differing aromatic rings are contained with essential oils. When we smell these, the odor is transferred into a nerve message. The message is sent to different parts of the brain where the process of stimulating different hormones is undertaken.

Use aromatherapy oils anywhere you want to add a touch of scent.

Add 5 drops to your bath water.

Enhance your beauty products - combine 3 to 6 drops into your lipstick, lip gloss, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, face cleanser or body lotion.

The Painter's Music. The Musician's Art

About a month ago at our Henri Bendel counter, I met a new client named Constance Emmerich. She has been using our lipsticks for over a year and is a big fan of Katrina (who works with me). Constance gave me her CD "The Painter's Music. The Musician's Art." I have been listening since...
It's a beautiful selection of classical notes that is calming and uplifting.

Constance explained the ensemble of the music built around its unusual instrumentation of oboe, string trio and piano. It has receivd two Grammy nominations for its unique colaborative story-telling project, Timeless Tales and Music of our Times.

The CD comes with a fabulous little booklet that shows great art work from four painters:Helen Frankenthaler, David Hockney, Robert Motherwell and Kenneth Noland. They were asked to choose particular works that appealed to them from An die Musik's repertory in celebrating the chamber group's 10th anniversary.

Constance is a graduate of the Julliard School and Smith College, magna cum laude, composer, and receiver of the Merkin Concert Hall Artistic Achievement Award.

The booklet describes how music "gives order and peace", "can transform you to another place", "is like food, consumed every day" (as a source of nourishment).

Music is part of our life every day. It affects our mind, mood and energy. So let's make sure it leaves us smiling.

Thank you, Constance, for a beautiful gift!

You can buy this CD on www.cduniverse.com

Interview with ediets.com. (April 4, 2007)

What is the color palette for SUMMER 2007? (eyes, lips, cheeks)

Dusted – a new collection of powdery shades designed to add an air of subdued sophistication to your spring and early summer makeup look.

Dusted is a palette of traditionally bold shades which have all been given a slight “white-washing” in time for the warmer weather. Demure and just plain pretty, they provide a fresh new take on some of your favorite colors and complement the flirtatious fashions of the season.

The GIELLA Dusted Collection:

For face:
oBuffed light switch highlighter (sheer with peach undertones), $27.00
oStarch light switch highlighter (sheer pale blue), $27.00

For eyes (all shades are available as pressed cream shadows, $27.00 and powder shadows, $20.00):
oBrushed eye shadow (taupe-y peach)
oBlanc eye shadow (taupe-y pink)
oMoon Dust eye shadow (light blue)
oSwept Away eye shadow (pale smoke)


For cheeks:
oFeather cream blush (pale pink), $27.00

For lips (all shades are available as lipsticks and lip glosses, $27.00 each)
oDusted lip color (nude pink)
oShe Shell lip color (sheer mauve)
oBlanched lip color (dusty pink)
oIn the Buff lip color (pale apricot)

For nails:
oClean Cut nail lacquer (sheer powdery blue), $25.00



What's the MOST important thing about SUMMER 2007 color?


Colors are “whitened”, dusted, powdery.



How can women of different skin tones (fair, olive, ethnic) adapt this palette wisely?

For those who fair, it is easier to find paler shades in pink, blue, yellow, green that will compliment their hair, eye and skin tone.

For those with olive skin, try to outline the lips in a liner with some “brown” in it so the lips do not look too washed out or pale. And wear lots and lots of mascara for more definition around your eye. Eye liner is a good choice: navy or black.

For those with ethnic skin tones, also use more definition around the eyes. A smoky eyelid in Caviar with liner and mascara and defined brow will be a great compliment to softer, lighter lips and cheeks. Use pinks and corals that are not too dark, but not too white….muted colors on the lips and cheeks. Gloss is also a great option to a wear a lighter shade as an accent with the depth underneath.