Blooming Positive

Roses aRe not only ubeR-Romantic, they aRe also natuRe’s pick-me-up. caroline brien explains how we can use theiR positive petal poweR

PERHAPS roses should be for every day, not just Valentine’s, given that aromatherapists regard rose essential oil as nature’s antidepressant. ‘The phrase “take time to smell the roses” is about slowing down,’ says skin expert Jane Scrivner. ‘That beautiful scent works on the body’s olfactory system – when it’s picked up by the brain it has an uplifting and positive effect on mind and mood. Bulgarian rose otto essential oil, for example, is used in aromatherapy in cases of depression, while for the skin, it’s also amazingly healing.’

It takes around five tonnes of rose petals to create 1kg of pure rose oil, making it incredibly expensive and one of the reasons rose-based scents can carry a hefty price tag.

FRAGRANCE FAVOURITES

With that in mind, for maximum positivity opt for a perfume with solid rose credentials. Ostens Impression Rose Oil Isparta eau de parfum (£175, ostens.com), is packed with petals from four roses, including Turkish Isparta, giving the scent a spicy, jammy quality.

Maison Crivelli Rosa Saltifolia eau de parfum (£75, johnlewis.com), is lightly honeyed due to the centifolia rose at its heart, while Laboratorio Olfattivo Rosamunda (£90, libertylondon.com), blends Bulgarian and Turkish roses with oud and amber for a rich, velvety finish. Or inject some fun into fragrancing with Jo

Loves White Rose & Lemon Leaves Paintbrush (£40, joloves.com). Using white roses to represent love and celebration, this refillable pen lets you ‘paint’ the light, clean scent over skin as the perfect pick-me-up on the go. MOOD & SKIN BOOSTERS For mood-boosting that benefits skin too, try complexion and body care enriched with rose extracts. Pixi +Rose Essence Oil (£24, pixibeauty.co.uk) is a tri-phase oil that sinks in quickly to calm, nourish and strengthen with softening rose oil and balancing rose water. Korres Wild Rose Spotless Serum (£55, lookfantastic. com), also delivers rich, skin-plumping hydration but has a potent amount of vitamin C too, tackling dark spots and dullness. Organic rose otto oil in Jane Scrivner Rose Gold Serum (£33, janescrivner.com) is hand-blended into a jojoba oil base. The balancing blend helps reduce inflammation, boosts radiance and smells heavenly.

HANDY TIP

Put a positive spin on the current hand-washing situation with Faith In Nature Wild Rose Hand Wash (£4.39, faithinnature.co.uk), infused with rose essential oil, rose water and organic rosehip, and follow with L’Occitane Rose Calisson Hand Cream (£8, uk.loccitane.com). It’s richly softening without being sticky.

BODY CHECK

To nourish skin from the chin down, body oils hold the scent best. Try Narloa Rose Garden Body Oil (£17, narloa.com), with herby rosemary and red damascena rose petals floating prettily in a coconut and argan oil base. Or massage on Irene Forte Rose Body Oil (£99, ireneforte skincare.com). The organic fruit and seed oils plus wild rose leaves skin silky and delicately scented for hours.