The Natural Beauty Workshop

Using Fresh Props for Product Photography

Using fresh ingredients such as herbs, plants, fruits, or berries as props can easily enhance product photos.  Make sure to pick your props carefully, looking for the freshest, most brightly colored specimens, being careful to avoid any bruised or over-ripened fruits. If you depend on natural light for your photography than you may be forced to wait for favorable conditions before taking your photographs.   Make sure to keep your fresh props well stored if you can't use them right away.  Many fruits, berries, and herbs can be rejuvenated prior to the photo shoot by being dipped in a quick bath of cool water.  Allow any leaves or stems to soak up plenty of water before removing them from the bath. Drain the props on a clean towel and gently dab them to dry.  This should also help the fruits and greenery to appear as fresh and colorful as possible.

Here are a few shots from some product photography I did this weekend.  I love how the colorful berries enhance each image.

Do you use fresh fruits, plants, or veggies in your product shots?  We'd love for you to share your work with us on The Natural Beauty Workshop's Flickr Photo Group.

Self Image and Natural Beauty

I spent this weekend attending a family wedding.  Being a traditional affair, the bride was accompanied by bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearers, and a long flowing train of tulle.  Jennifer, the bride, wore a carefully detailed gown, handpicked jewelry, but most importantly, a glow of joy.  While her hair was meticulously styled, her makeup expertly applied, and her gown perfectly fitted, it was her beaming happiness that made her one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen.

We discuss beauty a lot on this blog.  We invent recipes and techniques that are meant to primp and pamper us, but I think it's important to mention once in a while that true beauty has a lot to do with attitude, health, and emotional well-being.  There is no serum, potion, or magic recipe that can compare with the natural glow of happiness and self confidence.  This is why the smile and effortless charm of a self assured woman can light up a room, no matter her age.  So next time you pamper yourself with your favorite home spa recipe make sure that you do so with a self loving attitude.  Take care of your body because you love it, not because you are desperate to change it.  When you apply your makeup, try enhancing the features you love instead of trying to hide the features that you are dissatisfied with.  Most importantly, try to remember what you love about yourself, inside and out, every time you look in the mirror. 

Keeping your skin, hair, and body healthy and beautiful is a lifetime endeavor.  As is the nature of life, this journey will have high points and low points, but no matter where you are, it will always be important to love and appreciate the body you have right now.  While scrubs, facials, and creams will always have their place in my skin and body care routine, I have found that self-affirmation may be the most powerful home spa treatment of all.

Click here to see the incredible wedding photos taken by Carla Ten Eyck.

Photography Tips for Soap and Toiletries

I recently received a great photography tip from Sharon of Morgan Street Soap Company.  I have always admired Sharon's beautiful product photographs.  When she offered to share her secret I was all ears.  Sharon explained to me that the most important tool for her photography, next to the actual camera, is her tripod.  Most of her pictures are taken using the following method:

• Create a white backdrop using white foam, poster board, or durable fabric. Sharon prefers to use the thin foam found in the kid's section of craft stores.  Prop up the background facing a window or other source of natural light.  You'll get the best photographs by taking your pictures during the day.  If you need to take photographs at night you may have better luck using a photography light box.
• Arrange your items as you like, allowing plenty of room for the white area to appear in the frame.
• Make sure there is one black object in the original frame of the photograph. This will help you to balance the colors in an editing program later.  You can use a black piece of paper, a bottle cap, or anything that you may have on hand.  Leave the object somewhere in the frame that will be easily cropped out later.
• Attach your camera to a tripod.  There are many inexpensive tripods on the market.  I recently purchased a small flexible tripod for only $15.00.  This small investment will help your photos look a great deal more professional. 
• Set your camera on a short timer and aim the camera for your photograph.  Setting a delayed timer prevents you from inadvertently shaking the camera while pressing the button to take the shot.
• If you are using a digital camera, take as many pictures as you like.  You can sort through them later for the best shots.
• After you've uploaded (or scanned) your photos onto the computer you can begin editing them.  Most photo editing programs such as Photoshop or Paint Shop will allow your image using a feature called "curves".  The black object helps to set the color tone for your photo. Then use the "curves" tool to adjust the lightness and contrast.  In other programs, such as Picassa, you can perform similar functions by using their "fill light", "color temperature", and "contrast" features.
• After adjusting the photo you can crop it to eliminate the black object and make any other finishing touches that you like.

Here is an example of what my photo looked like using Sharon's tripod and white backdrop method BEFORE I adjusted the curves:

Here is how the photo looked after I adjusted the curves:

Thank you for sharing such a great tip with me, Sharon! I look forward to taking many more beautiful photos using this method.

Scents & Memory

For our sixth Anniversary my main squeeze, Scott, delivered a huge assortment of flowers, herbs, and plants to our door.  We spent the day together reclaiming the garden from its cold winter sleep and planting the beautiful plants that Scott had brought home.  I was planting a patch of marigolds when I was hit with a strikingly vivid memory of my childhood:  My family lived with my great grandfather for a while when I was a little kid.  He was a great big man with great big ideas and great big ambition.  He was a stickler for tradition, etiquette, and getting things done the right way.  I was a crazed, over imaginative, and inherently rebellious child.  Despite our differences he was my hero.  I was his under four foot shadow.  My Great Grandfather had fantastic garden’s surrounding the house.  Forests of Poppies engulfed the side patio while a beautiful Cherry Tree dropped it’s delicate blossoms on the veranda above.  In the backyard, the perimeter of the lawn was filled with cutting flowers.  There were always enough fresh flowers on hand to fill the house with their glorious aroma.  There was also a special place just for his prized rose bushes and a massive vegetable garden.  There were green herbs, berries on lattices, and bountiful ripe veggies as far as my little eyes could see.  My very first garden was a 2 by 4 foot square that he cut out just for me.  My younger sister had her own plot right next to mine.  He taught us how to sow seeds and reminded us to water every day.  I don’t remember much of what was in my garden, but I do remember my little sunset colored  marigolds.  The smell of their leaves brought this all back to me in the garden that day.

Science has established solid links between scent and memory.  It’s no surprise to me that the memories brought on by the sense of smell are often deeply emotional.  After all, my Great Grandfather passed away when I was seven years old yet the scent of a fresh marigold can still bring tears to my eyes.  What I found especially interesting during my study into the subject was the applications that this science may possibly be used for.  Studies have been made on Aromatherapy’s use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and short term memory loss.  Studies have also been performed using aroma during sleep and study to increase the memories retention of new information.  Could it be that familiar aromas keep memory alive and functioning by refreshing these emotional connections?  So often our reminiscing is cut off by the demands that our every day lives.  Perhaps we are lucky that the emotional connection to our sense of smell forces us to remember our past, even when we least expect to.

Now that everyone knows the scent of a fresh Marigold can strike me with an emotional memory I'd like to invite all of you to share your most memorable scents.  What aromas evoke the most vivid memories for you?

Super Suds

There is no special interest story so special as one that involves your very own nephew.  R.J. is in fourth grade and had his first science fair this year.  We were honored when R.J. asked his Uncle Scott and I to help him with his project.  We spent quite a while noodling over what subject to report on.  Eventually it hit me.  Soap!  It's always smart to play to your strengths.  I was pretty sure this was one of the few aspects of chemistry I would be able to effectively explain to a fourth grader.  After just a few discussions, a series of hand drawn diagrams, my own version of molecule charades, and some home reading, R.J. got it!  By the time he wrote his report and built the display he really grasped the concepts of saponification and the inner workings of a soap molecule.  I was pretty impressed.

To demonstrate saponification, R.J. and I made a batch of Hot Process Soap.  Since lye is a pretty dangerous substance, R.J.'s actual "help" during this process was limited to observation through several parts of the process.  First, R.J. helped me calculate the recipe, gather our equipment and ingredients, weigh the oils, and line the mold.  Next, after donning our goggles and gloves (which looked especially cute on R.J.) I mixed the lye and water solution while R.J. observed from the other side of the room.  I mixed the oil and the lye solution next.  After getting rid of the lye solution's container I invited R.J. back to my side of the room and we began the long process of stirring the hot process soap over the stove top.  R.J., Scott, and I all took turns stirring while it went through its phases.  We cheered when it entered what we called "applesauce stage", and we nearly went wild when it reached "mashed potatoes".   We colored the soap, added fragrance, poured it into a mold, and later cut the soap into bars.  Success!

R.J.'s final project was simply awesome.  He drew up diagrams based on our earlier discussions, made a time line of soap's history, displayed pictures of our soap making adventure, and displayed three different kinds of soap for people to see in person.  He displayed one bar of melt and pour soap that he had made with me a week earlier, a bar of the hot process soap that we had made together, and a bar of cold process soap that I had given him for the display.  Everyone at the fair stopped by to sniff all three bars!  To top it all off, R.J. wrote an incredible report for his project, explaining how soap works, where it came from, how it is made, and why it is so important to us.  I am thrilled to report that after all his hard work R.J. took home a first place ribbon, medal, and a trophy for his soap project.  The entire family, aunts, uncles, grandparents, all called to congratulate R.J. on his huge success.  We are all incredibly proud of him and his super suds!

Here is a closer look at R.J.'s diagrams.  I think they were my favorite part!

What soap is made from:

Saponification / How soap is made:

A soap molecule:

How soap works:

This is my favorite one.  You can't see his caption in the picture but it read, "Soap molecules grab dirt and germs, than hitch a ride with water on its way down the drain." An ingeniously simple explanation of how soap molecules do their job!

Earth Day 2008

Nearly forty years ago, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson announced a nationwide grassroots demonstration that would later be known as Earth Day.  This demonstration was held on April 22, 1970, and is regarded as the birthday of the modern environmental movement.  We've come a long way since the first Earth Day.  Through education, activism, and hope, the environmental movement has brought change and most importantly, nationwide awareness to the issues that threaten our world.  But despite all our efforts through the past forty years, we still have a long road ahead of us. 

Climate change, environmental sustainability, and the depletion of wildlife habitats are just a few of the major issues facing our planet right now.  While we each do our part by making responsible choices in our daily lives, you may be surprised to find out that you can make an even bigger difference without ever leaving your chair.  Through communication and activism you can help to initiate legislative changes that can have a huge impact on the environment.  A simple phone call, email, or letter can make a huge impact when it is combined with thousands of other voices.  To find out more about how you can speak out for the changes you care about please visit one or more of the following websites:

Earth Day Network's Call for Climate
Today, The Earth Day Network is organizing a massive worldwide phone campaign.  People from all around the world will be calling their local governments asking them to enact tough and fair climate legislation. If climate change is something you care about, visit The Earth Day Network to find out how you can call in for the climate.

Organic Consumer's Association Action Center
The Organic Consumer Association is an online, grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to sustainability, food safety, and environmental awareness.  If you are passionate about organics, fair trade, and environmental sustainability than you will find their action center to be a very valuable resource.  There are many different causes to take part in on this page.

Take Action With the World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund has a long history of campaigning for the protection of the world's creatures and their habitats.  Help them speak out on behalf of the world's animals.

Thanks to the internet, activism is easier than ever.  Remember, every voice counts, but yours can only be heard if you are brave enough to speak up!  Happy Earth Day Planet Earth!

Hanami - A Celebration of Flowers

Around this time of year something very special begins to happen.  Bulbs begin to sprout, the air begins to warm, and flowers begin to blossom.  In Japan, this event is celebrated by a tradition that is called Hanami.  Every year, between the end of March and the beginning of April, crowds gather throughout Japan to witness the beauty of thousands of trees in blossom.  While all flowers are worthy of celebration, the particular flowers that are viewed during the Hanami are Sakura,(or Cherry Blossoms) and Ume(Plum Blossoms). 

In The United States, the tradition of Hanami inspires countless festivals throughout the country.  These festivals celebrate not only the blossoming of trees, but Japanese heritage, traditions, and culture.  The largest of these American festivals is The National Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Washington D.C.  This year, the festival begins on March 29, and will run until April 13.  Other festivals can be found throughout the United States during the early Spring.  Here is a small sampling of festivals that are being held in 2008.

Hanami: Celebrating the Cherry-Viewing Season
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn, New York
Saturday, April 5 - Sunday, May 11

Macon Georgia's 26th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Macon, Georgia
March 28 - April 6

7th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
April 5 - 6

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
San Francisco, California
April 12, 13, 19, and 20

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia
Horticulture Center, Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 13

Denver Colorado Cherry Blossom Festival
Denver, Colorado
June 28 - 29

If you can't find a festival near you, you can always celebrate the Cherry and Plum Blossom Season at home by sampling some traditional Japanese Skin Care Ingredients.  Our Kyoto Scrub recipe is a great example of how these simple, and beneficial ingredients can be used.  Treat yourself to a healthful meal of traditional Japanese cuisine, a cup of steaming green tea, and a special home spa experience.  You can also celebrate Hanami by creating some bath and body treats scented with one of our blossom themed synthetic Fragrance Oils.  Asian Plum Blossom, and Cherry Blossom are two of my favorites!

Tools of the Trade

On an average day you can find me clicking and clacking away at my keyboard for hours on end.  While a good part of my job involves hands on formulation and experimentation, the bulk of the work I do happens at my desk.  At this familiar work station I research, tinker, and dream on a daily basis.  I wanted to share with you some of the websites that I use to accomplish all of this.

Aromaweb
AromaWeb is an indispensable resource if you are using essential oils.  As most of you already know, essential oils can be complicated ingredients.  While their benefits and intense aromas make them very desirable ingredients, they can be dangerous if they are not used properly.  AromaWeb offers profiles for individual oils which include possible uses and safety information, part of over 250 pages of information on essential oils!

OnlineConversion.com
For many people one of the most confusing aspects of creating new recipes is dealing with percentages and conversions.  This online conversion calculator makes the conversion aspect a little bit easier.  Once a recipe is converted to metric terms, determining a percentage a cinch!

FromNatureWithLove.com Library
I direct readers and customers to this library for help with a wide variety of questions.  The articles here have been compiled over the years in an effort to help FromNatureWithLove.com customers with common questions and challenges.  In this library, you can find articles on formulation issues, specialty ingredients, product challenge testing, soap and toiletry making, and much more.

Wikipedia
Every day this resource grows larger, covering more and more ground in the home spa and natural skincare industry.  I often use Wikipedia as a starting base when researching a new ingredient.  I am often surprised at the wealth if information this resource contains.  However, you must always take care when using Wikipedia as a source of information.  This online encyclopedia is fueled by user generated content.  While plenty of the articles on Wikipedia are right on target, some articles may contain misinformation.  The best way that I have found to use this resource is to gather what I find interesting, and then double check the facts using more reliable resources.  Wikipedia is not a definitive authority, but it can help to lead you in the right direction.

Happy 2008!

Happy New Year everyone! As I settle into 2008 I can't help but recall the resolution I made last year. For 2007, I decided to trade in all of my beauty products for natural or handmade products. It seemed like a pretty big goal in the beginning, but one by one each item was replaced with something at least a little bit healthier. Rather than swapping everything at once, I replaced each product as it ran out.

Body wash was the first thing to go. It was easily replaced by handmade soap. Next on the chopping block were any commercial creams or lotions. Fresh batches of home made emulsions and balms replaced them very early on. My arsenal of bath goodies and body scrubs were already handmade by me, so that part was easy! Toothpaste and deodorant were switched to natural brands, and I began making my own face wash and moisturizer. During the summer I made an investment into a set of mineral makeup. My mismatched collection of makeup needed to be given the pink slip anyway. Even most commercial cosmetics need to be replaced on a regular basis, so letting go of the multicolored potluck in exchange for a simple, easy to apply routine was a lot less painful than I had originally anticipated. The biggest challenge was haircare. I drug my feet about abandoning my store bought shampoo and conditioner. I tried several natural store brands and had mixed results. Eventually I tried a solid shampoo bar, accompanied by a home made vinegar rinse. This turned out to be my favorite switch of all. My scalp is healthier, my hair is shinier, and my natural and handmade beauty cabinet is complete!

Best of all, my resolution was completed by the next year. Not too shabby, if I may say so myself. This year's resolution? Fresh vegetables and produce every day! For some reason, I think this one may be harder to manage, but I love a challenge. What's your New Year's resolution? I would love to hear what everyone is challenging themselves to do in 2008. Drop me a line by email, or leave a comment telling us about your resolution!

Great Expectations

Some scientists believe that our expectations can do more than determine our personal tastes. They believe that our expectations can actually alter what our senses perceive. For example, the human mind can read most familiar words when the letters in the middle of the word have been jumbled. As long as all letters are present, and the first and last letter of the word remain in their correct position, most people will automatically read the word with no trouble at all. What is more amazing is that most people will not even realize that the letters have been changed. We expect the word to be written a certain way, and unless we are paying close attention, our minds will simply "fill in the blanks" to save the time and energy of actually analyzing every letter individually.

My father once told me a very memorable story about expectations and the perception of taste. On a flight to Europe, many years ago, my father sat next to a fellow named Hans. Hans was traveling with a co-worker, Alex, who had been upgraded to a first class seat. Prior to the flight, when the two men were offered the upgrade, Hans had graciously given the seat to his young co-worker who had never flown first class.

During the flight, Hans and my father worked on their laptops, made small talk, and relaxed to pass the time. Through the flight's duration,  Alex sent small gifts to from the first class cabin. Whenever he was served something sweet, he would have some of it sent back to Hans, who happily enjoyed them. Toward the end of the flight, an attendant arrived with some hard candies wrapped in gold foil. "I love butterscotch," Hans remarked as he delightedly popped one into his mouth. Immediately, Hans's face dropped with disappointment. A moment passed, and he riled in disgust. Spitting out the candy, he explained to my father that this candy tasted awful. So awful, that he was convinced it must have been prank candy. Shocked and angered, he began ranting to my father that Alex must be playing a nasty trick on him. "What kind of sick person would do something like this?" he exclaimed. He sat back in his chair, red and fuming.

A few moments later, Alex came down the aisle with a huge grin on his face. "How are you enjoying my treats, Hans?", he asked. Hans exploded! He began to berate the young man for his cruelty. The grin on Alex's face very quickly turned to a puzzled and mortified expression. He told Hans that he had no idea what he meant. He had eaten the very same candies earlier. Because he found them so delicious, he had several sent to his friend in the rear cabin. Convinced that Alex was only continuing his sick joke, Hans handed Alex one of the remaining candies, insisting that he ate it right away.

The very confused Alex popped one into his mouth and said, "I don't understand, Hans. This coffee candy is delicious." Now Hans was confused. He unwrapped a third candy and began to eat it. Hans quickly realized what had happened. When he opened the candy he was expecting the sweet flavor of butterscotch. He was caught off guard by the bitter coffee flavor, so much so, that his mind automatically read "bad" instead of "good". Bashfully, he apologized to Alex and continued to suck on the candy.

After Alex returned to his seat in first class, Hans looked at my father and handed him the last hard candy. "It's quite good, really," he explained.   

This story is a favorite of mine. It illustrates the power of expectations very well. The next time you try something new, keep Hans in mind. Try to clear your mind of all expectations and experience the flavor or aroma objectively. You may be surprised at you what you develop a taste for!