Generally speaking beauty products are all about self care, taking time out from your busy day to take care of the one and only, it is time when you get to be very selfish and concentrate completely on yourself. It is what I like about having my little pamper rituals, for those 15-20 minutes (ok maybe an hour once in a blue moon), I really am the centre of the universe, letting my products make me feel like a princess from the Arabian Nights. Massage oils on the other hand are not really a part of this story, instead of focusing on self, massage oils let you focus on your intimate relationship. Just imagine lighting up some candles, opening up a fragrant bottle of oil to use on your loved one, the intimacy that this ritual creates is an incredibly seductive way to show your other half how much you care about them.
I could go on, but at the risk of this post becoming a Danielle Steel novel, I think it's time for Flora Paradiso* to take centre stage. As with any good massage oil, you are looking for a combination of carrier oils, that would give a good slip but are also not too heavy or they won't be properly absorbed by the skin. The base in this blend is a mix of caprilyc/capric triglyceride fraction of coconut oil, and apricot kernel oil, making it light and easily absorbed by the skin, yet still perfect for a massage that incorporates light strokes. Flora Paradiso* is actually inspired by traditional massage techniques from South-East Asia, which are guided by energy flow and balances within the body. If that is all a little too Zen for you, what makes any massage oil truly special is the choice of essential oils.
Essential oils have both topical and aromatherapeutic properties, while your skin and muscles are enjoying the physical benefits of a massage that the chosen oil complements, your mind is soothed by inhaling the scent. In this blend you will find: Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Atlas cedarwood, Chamomile, High altitude lavender, Patchouli, Petigrain, Bergamot, Damascan rose. There are a lot of different essential oils so you are advised to patch test 24 hours before use, Bodhi and Birch only uses bergaptene free bergamot in all their products which isn't photosensitising. The blend includes both relaxing and uplifting essential oils, with ylang ylang also boasting some aphrodisiac qualities. There is nothing stopping you from using it as a regular body oil to moisturise your skin. The scent isn't overpowering and does disappear within an hour, or maybe a little less, leaving you in good spirits with wonderfully soft skin. I do like using it in this capacity, but frankly I feel a little guilty not sharing all this goodness, so more often than not it is utilised as massage blend.
The fragrance is very soothing, a soft chamomile note works with the overall floral sweetness of the blend, making it more unisex rather than feminine (although let's face it, the lines of what is and isn't girly are more than a little blurred, so who cares as long as you find the scent appealing). In general I find massage is one of those amazing things that can make you feel like a million dollars, take away all the tension and out a smile on your face, it just feels so good to be on the receiving end. However, I'm also one of those people, if I don't feel completely comfortable with the masseuse, I just can't relax and get the benefit of it. It is just such a vulnerable position to be in, in the hands of a complete stranger. So while Mr RF is far from a professional, I always feel very safe in his hands, and when it comes to swapping places, it is my way of saying thank you and showing my love and appreciation for the fact that he is in my life. It wouldn't be right to use a product that didn't complement the sentiment. Flora Paradiso* has a scent and feel that is really conducive to romance, the rest is up to the participants.
*PR sample, all opinions expressed are my own, based on my personal experience with the product. No one spoon feeds me information, honesty and integrity are not things I take lightly. No amount of pressure (real or imaginary) would make me post something that wasn't authentic.
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