Exploring the History and Benefits of Patchouli: From Ancient Medicine to Modern Aromatherapy

Shannon Smyth
Patchouli is a fragrant plant that has been used for centuries for its medicinal and aromatic properties. The plant, which is native to tropical regions of Asia, is a member of the mint family and is known for its strong, musky scent.

The history of patchouli dates back to ancient times. It is mentioned in ancient Chinese and Indian texts as a medicinal herb, and was used to treat a variety of ailments, including skin irritations, infections, and anxiety. Patchouli was also used as a natural insect repellent, and was believed to have spiritual and aphrodisiac properties.

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Behind the Scenes: Arise Rollerball Perfume

Shannon Smyth

There comes a time in every woman's life where you have a revelation, an epiphany, something life-changing that it creates a pivot in your life that you can only "go up from here." While the events leading to it may, or may not have been positive, the upswing absolutely is.

Have you experienced this yet? If you haven't, I promise you, you will.

When deciding what to launch as the next product in the A Girl's Gotta Spa! bath and body line, I tossed around a few ideas in my head, but kept coming back to roll-on perfume.

Perfume is a personal thing. The fragrance you choose to wear is usually representative of your mood or how you want to feel. It's a confidence booster, a mood-lifter, a mark of your identity.

Like many other women in their 40's and beyond, I'm also at that reflective point in my life. You can look back and see turning points. You can point out which stepping stone lead to a rock, which led to a boulder which led to its own mountain. Sometimes the climb up that mountain wasn't always easy, but once you crest the summit, you feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. All of these events mold and shape you and move you up.

Right now the atmosphere is changing for women. There is so much energy it's palpable. It seemed the timing was right to launch something reflective of this.


With both of the above in mind, and the coming of Spring and Summer, a floral fruity fragrance was born. The floral is jasmine sambuc - it's feminine, denotes strength and is oh so pretty. The fruits are grapefruit and orange - a nod to our Energizing Citrus bath and body products, but also a way to brighten and open up this scent. Vanilla bean is the last component to it all, softening it, creating a smoothness and bringing it all together.

Naming this fragrance was pretty simple - I asked all of the women on my personal Facebook to tell me in one word how to describe this combination of notes. Surprisingly, or not, quite a few repeated the same word: Arise.

It stuck and from there the vision of the design began to form in my mind. Movement upward, a blush color, ombre, and soft. The gradient hues of this pink-peach watercolor exhibit rising strength. The font - OMG I LOVE this font - that A is what captured my heart. It's strong, it rises above and its flare represents how sometimes a set back can propel you forward.

Arise feels like an evolution. It comes from such a personal space in my heart to you. I cannot wait for you to try it.

Arise rollerball perfume is vegan and cruelty free and is available now.

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Malia B Luv Perfume Review

Shannon Smyth
Malia B perfume oil review via @agirlsgottaspa Some of the best perfumes are made by indie brands. When I first began blogging in 2005, I came across perfumer, Sharon Bolton, and her amazing fragrances. For a few years she went off the radar, but I was so thrilled when she recently reached out with the relaunch as Malia B (named after her daughter.) Malia B has three perfume oils that come in packaging using post-consumer materials, which are embedded with wildflower seeds so that you can plant it and grow something beautiful. The nature-inspired perfume oils are: Luv: White flowers, gardenia and vanilla Soul: Pineapple, Papaya and coconut Malia: Orange and Jasmine with a fresh top green note Malia B perfume oil review via @agirlsgottaspa I chose Luv, because I typically wear perfumes that have floral notes. I was not disappointed at all. It smells incredible! It has a fragrant sweetness to it that cannot be described - other than that I want to wear it all of the time. It is perfectly feminine and the scent is long-lasting. Each Malia B perfume oil comes in a 1/8 rollerball and price ranges from $38-$40. You can also purchase 5ml samples for $2. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: press sample

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Raw Spirit Fragrances Desert Blush Review

Shannon Smyth
Raw Spirit Desert Blush fragrance review via @agirlsgottaspa A heady scent featuring wild-harvested Australian sandalwood and a hint of the intoxicating floral note of Australian Boronia. Prior to getting Raw Spirit's Desert Blush fragrance into my hands and (immediately, because OMG) onto my skin, I had never experienced the scent of Australian Boronia. As someone who is not really a fan of the earthy and woody fragrance of sandalwood, the sweet and floral aroma of the boronia literally MAKES this perfume. The floral scent is the perfect complement to the sandalwood, creating something so utterly inviting. Raw Spirit Desert Blush fragrance review via @agirlsgottaspa Desert Blush, like all of Raw Spirit's fragrances, comes in both a rollerball and eau de parfum. I've used both, but definitely like the convenience of the rollerball to be able to have control over the application amount as well as it being small enough to fit into my purse. Desert Blush (and all Raw Spirit fragrances) is marked as unisex, however, I do feel like this is a feminine scent. But as all perfume oils interact with everyone's body chemistry differently, you may find it smells differently for you. Raw Spirit Desert Blush fragrance review via @agirlsgottaspa While the perfume is simply encased in nondescript glass packaging, it really is the outter box that lures you in with its muted hues, gold embossed font and canvas texture. You feel like you are about to open something of substance. And more so, something you can't live without. Raw Spirit Desert Blush fragrance review via @agirlsgottaspa The Raw Spirit brand was inspired by Australian photographer Russell James' collaborative art project, Nomad Two Worlds, which explores the clash of ancient and modern cultures and celebrates the richness of Indigenous and marginalized communities around the world. You can learn more about how this brand came to life via their about page. Other fragrances from Raw Spirit include: Fire Tree: a sensual, unisex, smoky and sweet fragrance oil Wild Fire: a dry, woody, sensual scent Bijou Vert: a fresh fragrance with sensual depth Citadelle: a clean, refreshing fragrance Winter Oak: a smooth, creamy, warming scent Summer Rain: a fresh and invigorating citrus fragrance If you're not sure which fragrance would best suit you, they do offer a Discovery Set. If you have a Barneys New York nearest you, stop by their fragrance counter to experience these scents for yourself. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: Press samples

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