The moon, ever shifting through phases of silvery light, holds unique, potent energies that can guide and support us through the sacred rhythms of life. Living in sync with the moon is especially helpful when it comes to pursuing our passion projects, as the progression of moon phases naturally supports creation, growth, culmination, and release. Each phase of the moon holds its own magic, which we can draw upon to assist us in these endeavors as well as to celebrate our achievements along the way. I’ve crafted a full moon herbal bath salt to help you do just that.

UNIQUE ENERGIES OF THE EIGHT PHASES OF THE MOON

Dark/New Moon
This lunar phase’s energy invites us to a place of darkness and stillness, a watery womb of rebirth where we can begin again if we choose. It’s an ideal phase for inner reflection and sowing seeds of intention for long-term growth.

Waxing Crescent
The sliver of light of the waxing crescent stirs new energy that can help us set our intentions in motion through goal setting and action. Nurture the seeds you planted by taking practical steps toward your desires.

First Quarter
The moon is half light and half dark during this phase, with energy expanding outward. Continue with actions toward your goals, making decisions and dealing with any obstacles along the way. Refine and reshape your plan as needed and continue moving forward with perseverance and steadfastness.

Waxing Gibbous
Energy is rapidly building. This is a good time to evaluate your progress, continue to refine your intentions, and prepare for culmination.

Full Moon
This is the culminating phase of full illumination and lunar power at its peak. It’s a time to celebrate your achievements while also taking some time for self-care, for cleansing and recharging in this phase’s abundant energy.

Waning Gibbous
After the peak, the process of release begins. It’s a time to feel grateful for your growth and all that you’ve learned, while at the same time letting go of any excess that doesn’t serve your desires.

Last Quarter
As the moon is once again half lit, the energy of the last quarter turns inward. Resolve any unfinished business, tie up loose ends, and continue to clear what no longer serves your goals.

Waning Crescent
Also known as the Crone’s Moon, this final sliver of light before the darkness invites us to enter into rest and let go so we can begin anew, whether that be with a new passion project or a new phase of an existing project.

Full Moon Celebration Bath Salt

It’s important to pause and celebrate our achievements in life—both the small steps along the way as well as larger, culminating events. The peak phase of the moon is an ideal time for celebrating these milestones.

I’ve created a full moon herbal bath salt to help you celebrate and honor yourself and your work in the form of self-care and self-reverence. Bathe in the full luminosity of this moon phase and fully indulge in the experience of this luxurious botanical preparation, which will relax and uplift you, cleanse your aura, recharge your spirit, and ready you to fully soak up the potent lunar energy of the full moon.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom salts

• ½ cup Himalayan pink salt

• 1 tablespoon each of dried rose petals or buds (unsprayed), lavender buds, and chamomile blossoms

• 10 to 20 drops total of essential oil (I like to add 8 drops each of frankincense and copaiba essential oils)

How-to:

Blend the salts together in a glass bowl.

Add the dried herbs and gently stir them into the mixture. Add the essential oils drop by drop, continuing to stir as you do, incorporating the oil evenly into the mixture. If you’d like, put your bath salts on a windowsill beneath the light of the full moon, to be charged by its potent energy.

Add ½ to 1 cup of the salts to your bathwater. Enjoy your full moon bath and celebrate you!

“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.” —J.R.R. Tolkien

Opalescent moonstone resembles a tiny planet or a luminous mini-moon. Moonlight and moonglow wrap the world in radiant light that glows like a pearl.

All things related to the moon have long been among my favorites, which is not surprising, I suppose, since the first thing I notice about my surroundings is the light. But here’s a surprising truth about the moon: Unlike the sun or stars, it does not radiate its own light. Rather, it reflects the sunlight that hits its surface, just like when light strikes a mirror.

In fact, although the moon magically looks pearly white to us, it is actually quite dull, with a massive gray surface similar to that of a dusty rock. Still, the light of the moon appears preternaturally beautiful. It seems to wrap itself around us in a warm, radiant glow that creates luminescence in anything it touches, especially the skin. In mythology and folklore, the moon is imbued with magical powers. But in truth, it’s a fraud.

No matter what it looks like or how you explain it, moonlight is an illusion, which in some ways serves to make it even more compelling, mysterious, and alluring. We strive to appear bathed in a moonlit glow—radiant, luminous, and lit from within. Here are a few secret ways to evoke the light of the moon on your face and body, with the help of makeup and skin care.

MS Beauty EyeLights

Cream Eyeshadow No one knows how to get a glow going like clean beauty guru Rose-Marie Swift, founder of RMS Beauty. Swift has worked with Sports Illustrated cover models and top celebrities, and RMS Beauty EyeLights Cream Eyeshadow has a slavishly devoted following—for good reason. A little dab on the lids lights up the entire face and creates a subtle look when you’ve got somewhere really special to go. It’s creamy but it stays put, and it includes organic green tea extract and ethically sourced mica. EyeLights won’t crease or smudge, and it reflects light so beautifully that your eyes radiate moonbeams! rmsbeauty.com

Soft Services Buffing Bar Miniature Collection

Any bookworm will be drawn to this collection of four mini buffing body bars, microcrystal exfoliants shaped like Lilliputian bars of soap. The bars are packaged in what looks like a book, and they’re perfect as a gift, great for travel, or as a special treat for yourself. With mineral-derived microcrystals tucked into bars that feature a moisturizing base, the collection features four flavors—Original (fragrance-free), Green Banana, Debaser (by D.S. & Durga), and Affocato L’Orange (espresso, vanilla, and coconut cream). Designed to smooth and buff rough spots and leave the skin looking luminous. softservices.com

California Naturals Glow Oil Body Wash

Owen Wilson is an investor in California Naturals, and also an adviser: His official title is “chief shampoo officer.” The Glow Oil Body Wash is a light gel that softly foams in the shower, leaving a fine mist of moisture lingering on the skin to keep it glowing. Loaded with lubricious botanical oils, including evening primrose, guava seed, sunflower seed, and aloe, it’s designed to soften and feed the skin. thecalifornianaturals.com

Live Tinted Born to Shine

A makeup and skin-care hybrid, Born to Shine is a skin hydrator, with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and sunflower seed oil that all nourish and hydrate, with an added bonus: a dollop of micro-shimmers that create a halo of light that looks like a lit-from-within glow. It’s perfect on its own, or blended into moisturizer or foundation, in three shades that radiate warmth for all skin tones. livetinted.com

How glorious is it, at that very first moment, when fall shows up at your doorstep? You know that feeling. The rush of crisp air, out of nowhere, greeting you with a hello that is somehow both enthusiastic and seductive. It’s bright and bold and yet has a deeper layer of come-hither invitation, beckoning you outdoors, where a gleeful shiver of excitement begins tickling your spine as the stirring wind whispers golden secrets in your ear and toys with your hair. That feeling. The one we wait for all year long.

Twirling in the joy of being outdoors now, so scented, colorful … it’s entirely exuberant. And then, a second gift: the rush of comfort when you arrive home after that premiere encounter with autumn. Ahhh. The candlelit coziness of a warm lair that beckons a bit of rest, with all the quiet comforts of your enchanted home. What better environment for your fall beauty rituals, to restore and rejuvenate? After all, summer was quite the blast! But we have some repairs to do, no? A bit of sun-parched skin sloughing, a dreamy soak, and some feeding of the skin—and the soul—is in order.

Our Triple Goddess of Beauty in this pumpkin-spiced season are the harvest darlings hazelnut, date, and apple. I’m mad about this trio together for so many reasons! Our star hazelnut is really quite overlooked in beauty, but is so potent. These pretty little solar orbs are packed with flavor and rich in vitamin E, making them effective both topically and internally for firm, glowing, hydrated skin. They also allow us to tap into higher wisdom and creativity. And then there is our delightful date. Presented as offerings to both the gods and the departed, dates are tokens of strength and spirituality. They make excellent low-glycemic natural sweeteners rich in vitamins and minerals, and support fresh skin with antioxidants. When used directly on the skin, dates impart a plush softness and sheen. And then, there is our classic apple. She is a daily ritual in my world, as a sacred symbol of both Freya and Aphrodite. Apples are abundant, classically autumnal, and Venus-ruled bringers of love, health, and peace. In ancient Egypt they were believed to bestow the gift of eternal youth upon the gods, and I cannot argue this. These lush ladies provide vitamins A, B, and C, as well as UV protection, and they help rebuild cells, reduce wrinkles, and keep you vibrant from head to toe. So you see, we have a divine trio on our side! Joining them are a few more fall luxuries: the buttery almond, so wise and wealthy. Rich in more of that skin-loving healer vitamin E, almonds help repair fine lines while bestowing beautifying fats. Then there is sweet maple, another low-glycemic, mineral-rich sweetener that also reduces inflammation in sensitive skin, banishes blemishes, and hydrates. The magic of the sacred tree is of course present, with love and money magic enhanced by Jupiter. Our season is topped off by none other than … who else? Pumpkin! The seeds, that is. These are my seasonal secret weapon! Rich in zinc, essential fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E, these little darlings actually help skin repair its collagen, and they are excellent for acne and other inflammatory conditions, like psoriasis and eczema. They encourage cellular renewal, protect against damage, keep skin firm, and even promote hair growth.

Conjure these for your next ritual, bringing forth all the magic of autumn at fall equinox, Samhain, or how about that flirty Libra new moon? I see you soaking by candlelight, potions on, and delicately nibbling a sweet treat. Are you ready, mes amours? Now, to prepare for all this gorgeousness, you’ll want to make a petite potion base: a sweet and luscious apple-date paste, ripe with precious nutrients and delivered in a creamy, sensual swirl of autumnal joy. Begin by warming ⅓ cup of unsweetened almond milk in a saucepan. Place 8 pitted dates in a shallow bowl, then gently pour the warmed milk over them, and soak for 20 minutes. You may wish to press the dates down into the milk with the back of a spoon to completely submerge them. Pour the mixture into a food processor and add ¼ cup of finely chopped red apple. Pulse it all until it is smooth. If needed, add a small amount of almond milk to create a creamy texture. You’ll be dividing it equally between the facial and exfoliant recipes below. Both topical potions go on so gently that you might mistake them for being inactive … but oh no—they’re softly powerful! Though I must warn you, they’re so fabulously ripe with harvest goodness that they cannot contain themselves—literally. By this, mignonettes, I mean that they are rather … juicy. They’re not neat and tidy to use but rather an earthy, highly sensual experience. And like all good romps, they require a bit of cleanup, so do give your sink and bath a good rinse afterward. Totally worth it. You’ll glow as if you’d just had an entirely different sort of ritual …

Le Bois Sauvage

Facial Exfoliant and Masque Conjures 2 to 4 treatments

1 tablespoon apple-date paste
(or half of what was made with the recipe above)
2 tablespoons hazelnut flour
1 teaspoon almond oil

This could not be simpler! In a pretty bowl, combine half your apple-date paste with the hazelnut flour and almond oil. Mix together in a clockwise motion until blended. Apply to dry skin in a thin layer, and massage in circular motions to lift away old cells and get circulation going in your skin. Next, apply a second layer, as thick as you can manage—it goes on like a gommage—and allow that to rest on your face for at least 10 minutes, though I leave it on longer for maximum benefits. Remove with a damp cloth, followed by a thorough rinse with cool water. Pat dry. You can follow with your beauty oil of choice here, though you will not need much, if any. A refreshed, relaxed radiance awaits!

Beauty Witch Secret: This recipe makes more than you think, but it actually freezes well, so by all means save it for your next seasonal beauty ritual!

L’ Offrande Body

Exfoliant Conjures 2 treatments

1 tablespoon apple-date paste
(or half of what was made with the recipe above)
½ cup coconut sugar
¼ cup almond oil
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Another potion that’s almost too simple to conjure! Take the remaining apple-date paste and combine it with the coconut sugar and almond oil. Add the cinnamon if you like—yes, it is active, though not irritating, as the ratio of soothing ingredients here is high. If you have highly sensitive skin, though, please test it first. You may wish to add more coconut sugar, making it thicker and more crumbly, depending on the texture you desire. (As is, the potion is fairly oily, but I actually love it this way! The glow on my skin after rinsing is divine.) When you’re ready to use it, apply in circular motions neck to toes, massaging and raking your fingers toward the heart. Rinse and pat dry.

Beauty Witch Secret: Adding cinnamon here is a little sorcery to rev circulation, add a sexy scent, and fortify with fire magic. Try it!

Doux Délice

Beauty Bite Conjures 12 pieces

1 cup hazelnuts
⅓ cup slivered raw almonds
¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
½ cup apple, chopped
½ tablespoon cinnamon
¼ cup maple syrup
10 pitted dates
1.5 ounces dark chocolate (optional)

Note: This recipe makes half a baking sheet; double it for a full sheet. These are madly delicious!

Combine hazelnuts, apple, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon in a food processor, and pulse until the hazelnuts are coarsely ground and the mixture holds together when pressed with your fingertips. Transfer to a mixing bowl and fold in the pumpkin seeds and almonds. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then press down the mixture with your fingers, creating
a thin, even layer. You can clean up the edges by evening them with a butter knife.

Now, this bit is up to you, but why ever not? Take 1.5 ounces of a high-quality dark chocolate bar—go for 70% pure cacao at least—and give the recipe a bit more pizzazz! Simply break the bar into small pieces, toss it into a saucepan, and melt it on a low flame until you get a syrupy ganache, or about 5 to 7 minutes. It’s important not to overcook. Just get it to a place where you can spoon it into a nice drizzle lightly over the top of the nut mixture. It will get messy, but who cares? It will taste extra amazing. (My fave chocolate bars are Lily’s and Hu, both fairly easily found and with vegan and sugar-free versions, which are delish!) At this point, you have two options: You can pop it in the freezer for a good two hours to solidify, which will keep the recipe raw, or you can bake it at 350°F for 25 minutes. I opted for the raw version, and it’s absolutely heavenly, but … fragile. It breaks. It crumbles. It flat-out refuses to pose prettily in photos.

So, your call. If you bake it, you’ll get more of a chewy-crunchy granola bar texture that may be easier to deal with. If you decide to enjoy it raw, slice it into squares or triangles after it comes out of the freezer. If you’re baking it, slice it before it goes into the oven. Both versions freeze well and will last several weeks, but I highly doubt there will be any need—this delightful, beautifying treat is just too good.

Beauty Witch Secret: Adding the chocolate here (especially a good, clean cacao bar) amps up the potency and fire power with strength, passion, and charm!

When the heat of summer casts her voluptuous spell of brilliant light, we are bathed in golden riches of outstretched solar waves, radiating with an almost ferocious intensity. But what is intrinsically a time of immense cosmic power can be received as an overpowering force— perhaps all this sunshine is too much for some, who prefer the cool and quiet dark of a late midsummer night to conjure their desires. Yet these long days are the peak of vitality, abundance, and celebration. What if, instead of wilting in the heat, we chose to see things from another perspective? Better yet, to feel from a different level, one that allows us to elevate above the clouds, entwine with the flowers, and float between the worlds?

The other “light” of summer is air, mes chérs. Though the elemental reign of fire holds court, it is the wind which carries a luscious breeze through our collective spirit. Air is ruled by Mercury, that charming chatterbox that opens doors … why not let him open our minds right now, weaving a spider’s web of thoughts through our daydreams? Dare to imagine conjuring spun-silk masterpieces, creating the architecture of your wildest desires.

My offerings to you this season are a pink chiffon facial, a

perfumed hair mist, and a whipped cream cocktail—all designed to inspire flights of fancy! I see you twirling, spinning, and dancing with soft delirium, feathery light as the gossamer wings of a creature only you can imagine.

And because day turns to night (as it should), one dazzling star shines here: the fetchingly fragrant, slightly mysterious plumeria. Plumeria, or frangipani, has long been revered as a Venusian flower of love, with an intoxicating scent that seems to effortlessly call forth beauty magic with the ample charms of its regent. Plumeria simply adores your skin! It has a unique ability to bind cells together, providing structure to them, which translates to lifting and firming the skin. It also softens, balances oil, and stimulates the oh-so-important cellular growth, all while soothing and healing a parched, sun-kissed visage. A naturally potent aphrodisiac, plumeria’s perfume also soothes, calms, and reduces stress to aid beauty sleep. When added to the cauldron for hair care, it strengthens follicles, promotes hair growth, hydrates, and provides UV protection.

Concoct and adore these under the precious new moons of summer, on any gentle Sunday, or whenever your secret stories beckon …

Rêve Crémeux Beauty Cocktail

Conjures 2 to 4 cocktails
½ cup fresh plum, chopped
½ cup fresh raspberries
¼ cup coconut milk
Squeeze of tangerine
Champagne or soda water

Pop the raspberries and plum into a high-speed blender, add the coconut milk, and blend until completely smooth and creamy. (Note that vortex-style blenders will always work best with all produce, eliminating the chunky bits and odd particles!) Pour into a cocktail shaker, add a squeeze of tangerine to taste, ice if you like, then shake until blended. Pour into gorgeous cocktail glasses, filling only halfway up. Add the champagne or soda, then top with a dollop of coconut cream. Raise your glass to all good things coming to fruition in these sun-soaked days of summer! This drink is a delight of silky, creamy, whipped delirium infused with a bright fruit flavor that’s both decadent and light. Santé!

Tangerine Fiery and protective tangerine supports collagen production and cellular renewal while bringing forth love and prosperity.

Champagne The “wine of kings” is actually quite the beauty secret—and my personal favorite libation! Loaded with antioxidants, celebratory champagne helps promote even skin tone and cleanses with natural antibacterial powers.

Beauty Witch Secret: Oh yes, it does make a smashing smoothie, too … just omit all things bubbly. You can do wonders with this: Add a cold herbal tea, a banana, a few spoonfuls of cooked quinoa, cacao nibs … the sunny, starry sky is the limit!

Mousseline Rose

Facial

Facial Conjures approximately 3 treatments
1 8-ounce can organic coconut milk, chilled
1 tablespoon rose water
3 tablespoons almond flour, finely ground
3 fresh raspberries

Plan ahead by placing t

refrigerator for about an hour. This will allow the solid cream to separate from the liquid. Spoon the cream into a large bowl, and set aside the liquid for later. In a separate bowl, combine two tablespoons only of the coconut cream with the almond flour and rose water. Drop in the raspberries. Then, using a hand mixer or immersion (or “stick”) blender, pulse until you have a fluffy, whipped consistency. Add more almond flour to reach a desired texture, if needed. Fold in the plumeria, inviting her beauty to your ritual soirée.

Massage in a circular motion onto clean skin to remove the dulling surface layer of cells, then let the masque set for 10 to 20 minutes. Breathe in the sensuous aroma and decadent touch of this blend. Rinse well with cool water, pat dry. Your skin will be glowing and your spirit uplifted!

You can spoon the remainder into an airtight jar and keep refrigerated until you are ready to use.

Coconut Ruled by the moon and water, coconut

heightens your intuition and psychic abilities as it provides beauty fats for supple skin. Its creamy, soft consistency adds sensual richness to your potions.

Rose Though the rose appears delicate, it’s actually one of the oldest symbols of strength. A flower of Venus and sacred to both Freya and Hathor, it’s been revered for its beauty magic, as well as its love, luck, divination, healing, protection, and psychic enhancement abilities. Rose is active yet soothing, targeting fine lines and wrinkles with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Raspberry Rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, raspberry prevents the destruction of skin cells, wards off premature aging, and helps maintain water balance in skin. It is healing to eczema and psoriasis, and protects against UV damage. Ruled by Venus and water, it brings forth happiness, love, and protection.

Almond Rich in calcium and vitamin E, almond milk is beautifying and strengthening, with added magic of money, luck, and healing. As a very gentle exfoliant, it sloughs away dead skin without irritation. Ruled by air, it gives potions a lightness of energy surrounding the intellect, reminding you to ease up on the kind of worrying that wreaks havoc on your face.

Beauty Witch Secret: If you have any coconut cream or milk left over, enjoy! Splash them into a warm bath, add several drops of plumeria, apply your potions, pour your cocktail … and lose yourself in a spellbound spa!

Plumes Parfumées

Scented Hair Mist Conjures approximately 2 ounces
1½ ounces rose water
3 drops raspberry seed oil
3 drops sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
6 drops plumeria essential oil

This is almost too simple! Just combine all ingredients in a glass sprayer bottle—though it must be a pretty one—and blend by shaking vigorously to blend the aloe into the potion. Give it the magic touch with a final clockwise swirl, cap it, and mist your dry or damp hair whenever you like! A light coating is all you need to detangle, hydrate, calm frizz, protect from UV damage, and impart celestial shine. This works well on all hair textures and is light enough for fine hair.

Beauty Witch Secret: This little mystical mist can refresh and illuminate sleepy strands, so do pop one in your bag for whenever you need a lift. Psst: It does double duty as a body mist!

Aloe Known as the “medicine plant,” lunar aloe carries the magic of protection and luck. It contains anti-inflammatory hormones, which have a firming, depuffing effect on the skin.

Feature Image:
Photography: OLIVIA EDVALSON @oliviarosephoto 
Model and wings: Tatiana Pimentel @teepimentel 
Corset: Nightingale Corsetry @nightingalecorsetry

Texture is everything when it comes to the beauty industry. Formulators invest a lot of time and know-how into spinning skincare from gossamer-light to rich, silky, and occlusive. As the seasons change and the weather warms, our desires naturally move toward sheerer and lighter products. We embrace the translucent and luminous, and are drawn to formulations that are airy and more ethereal. Serums shape-shift into weightlessness. We seek fragrances that are light and subtle, such as delicate florals or elusive powdery notes.

New trends in beauty this season are all about reinventing gossamer weights. Soft, silky, “cashmere” foams with mild ingredients are popular in cleansers. They are so light, they’re barely a whisper, and they are especially suitable for irritated, sensitive skin. Water balms and lightweight, oil-based moisturizers and makeup, especially lip gloss, deliver dewy-looking skin while feeling weightless. “Jellies” are a fun way to hydrate and are turning up in blendable makeup. Silky milks are trending in milk baths and sunscreens designed to soothe all skin types. Vegan versions feature oat, coconut, and soy milk, some mixed with retinols.

Going gossamer is the ultimate goal at this time of year. Like a dragonfly’s wing, iridescent, incandescent, extremely light and delicate, in a way that seems to be not of this world.

Method Dream Foam

Anyone who relies on Method’s dish detergents and home-cleaning line will want to check out its new personal care products. The skin-softening Dream Foam foaming body wash comes in four fragrances that are light as air. And the Body + Hair Mist line is perfect for adding a touch of fragrance (the jasmine-sandalwood is a personal favorite), cooling down the skin and reconstituting curls over the spring-summer season.

Acrely Farms Recovery Balm

Botanical Blend Acrely Farms is a woman-owned organic farm tucked into the mountains of Utah. Hand-harvested, its products are grown and crafted to deliver plant- and CBD-based remedies for whatever ails you: inflammation, sleepless nights, localized pain, stress, rashy skin. The Recovery Balm, with a base of coconut oil and beeswax, is a light and lovely cooling blend formulated to provide relief from pain.

RMS Beauty Cashmere Matte Eyelights

Always on the cusp of everything new, RMS Beauty, founded by celebrity makeup artist Rosemarie Swift, launched Cashmere Matte Eyelights—light, long-wearing, and delicate whispers of color for the eyelids. In eight shades, inspired by 1950s pastels, the nourishing new formula feels as soft as breath. Infused with green tea and natural peptides to nourish the sensitive skin on the eyelids, they are packaged in a 100-percent-recycled aluminum artist’s tube with a needle-nose tip for perfect application.

Leaf People Nettle & Cucumber Soothing Toner

This lightweight toner removes makeup, soap, dirt, and other impurities while gently nourishing the skin with aloe vera, rose, hyaluronic acid, green tea, and soothing cucumber. Keep it in the fridge and it will cool down overheated or inflamed skin. Put it in a spray bottle for a spritz on the go. Wild-harvested, certified organic, and formulated in the Rocky Mountains by an herbalist.

In the damp thickets of spring’s newly naked earth, a supersonic network of sorcery whispers its ancient odes, as strange and beautiful contours begin to appear—from tiny white fairy rings to wild-hued mini monoliths—and one of nature’s most powerful offerings comes out to play: the magical, mysterious mushroom.

These bewitching oddities hold us in their sway, inspiring both adoration and fear for the potency they bring. Like most magical things, they can heal as well as harm.

Tripped-out surrealistic wanderings and plant medicine aside, what role do mushrooms play in beauty? I’m so glad you asked. Get ready for the latest addition to your beauty rituals: Here come the fabulous fungi …

Adaptogen mushrooms have been pillars of the holistic world for many moons and have become trendy beauty buzzwords of late, but that’s because these treasures hold intense regenerative powers, mes amours. They’re the very essence of spring renewal, youthful vitality, and longevity, as they amplify your beauty magnetism head to toe, inside and out, by accelerating cellular turnover, managing stress, and strengthening the immune system. Whereas herbs require use in cycles to be effective, adaptogens can be taken daily and long-term, because they act in a manner similar to a thermostat: When you have too little or too much, they adjust accordingly. Internally, this translates to lowered stress and quelled anxiety (adieu, fine lines!), better beauty sleep, and a sharper (sexier) brain. And speaking of sexy, adding mmm-mm mycelium to your rituals amps up your drive and your pleasure.

Now when it comes to anointing your heavenly body with champignons charmants, the starry sky is the limit! All mushrooms contain polysaccharides, which keep skin hydrated and retain that moisture by protecting your natural skin barrier. This prevents the dryness that causes and intensifies fine lines and wrinkles. Pair that with mushrooms’ other superpowers, and you’ve got one seriously impressive new cohort.

In all my years (centuries?) of including mushrooms among my retinue of wellness advisers, I have come to simplify things out

of necessity in a madly busy life—and here I pass along one of my absolute favorite things to keep on hand: a powdered blend of medicinal, adaptogen mushrooms that hits all the notes. It takes the hassle (not to mention the expense) out of stockpiling a million different things and the tedium out of measuring minuscule bits of ingredients to create what I need. Though there are many varieties of mushroom delights and all contain potent antioxidants, I like using a combination of these rock stars:

Chaga

Chaga strengthens the immune system, stabilizes blood pressure and blood sugar, aids digestion, and boasts impressive antioxidant properties, all wrapped up in UV protection. It can prevent early signs of aging such as dullness, wrinkles, and sagging, since it repairs cells and can reduce the existing signs of damage. Plus, it helps hair growth.

Lion’s Mane

Though it’s known primarily for supporting cognitive function, brain health, and memory, it also increases collagen and elastin production. And as its name suggests, this dandy stimulates hair follicles for gorgeous growth.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps provides long-lasting, stable energy, plus increased stamina, endurance, and sexual vitality. Mushrooms in this genus also keep skin energized and glowing by stimulating blood flow and increasing hydration, collagen, and elastin production. And they soothe and heal redness and other skin irritations, nourish the scalp, and promote hair growth.

Reishi

Ravishing reishi relieves stress and promotes restful beauty sleep. Deeply hydrating and detoxifying, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits help fight against premature aging, redness, irritation, and damage. It helps your body synthesize ceramide, which makes up the protective layer of your skin, plus it promotes elasticity, fades scarring, and reduces hair loss.

Turkey Tail

This treasure gives a potent immune boost and aids gorgeousness with prebiotics and healthy digestion, resulting in a healthy glow. Turkey tail also manages stress, enhances mood, and supports emotional wellbeing.

Shiitake

These babies are prized for their ability to protect your immune system and keep you healthy. Their blend of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory magic helps prevent the breakdown of cells, protect skin from harmful bacteria, aid in recovery, reduce redness, and depuff. Shiitake promotes overall balanced, brightened, and calm skin.

For a sourcing reference, I’ve been sticking with Om Master Blend Mushroom Powder, an organic combination of ten mushroom species plus my beloved super adaptogen, ashwagandha (an evergreen shrub). It is easily found online, in health food shops, and even some groceries.

So, mignonettes, gather your goodies and prepare to conjure seductive sorcery! I love concocting these potions beneath the first brand new moon of spring to draw in the season and set the vibration high for the months ahead. Whatever you’ve been hatching over the winter now has wings … so allow your wishes to soar through the skies of the new astrological year and bring your heart’s desire straight to you. You’ll be ready—and more gorgeous and full of life than the world can even handle.

AWAKEN THE SENSES

Facial

Conjures 1 to 2 treatments

1 teaspoon mushroom blend powder (such as Om Master Blend)
2 tablespoons oat flour
¼ cup chia seed oil
¼ cup almond milk

In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until well blended, adding more almond milk as needed to reach a desired consistency. (I like it best when it’s somewhere between a mousse and melty ice cream.) Apply to a cleansed face in a circular motion, lifting away dead skin cells and revving circulation.

Apply a second layer—don’t forget the neck, décolleté, and even the backs of your hands—and allow it to set while you lounge about. Let it work its magic for 10 to 20 minutes, then remove with a warm, wet face cloth. Rinse well. Pat dry and follow with your best beauty oils and sunscreen if you’re headed outside.

This one has the most delicious scent! Its creamy texture feels entirely decadent to apply, and, oh, the results—firmed, lifted, smooth, and glowing!

Joining our marvelous mycelium, of course, are a few other divine friends:

Oat

Venusian oats contain not only her beauty magic but a generous dollop of abundance as well. Ground into flour, oats provide a gentle yet thorough manual exfoliation while soothing and calming skin. Oats are also humectant, drawing moisture into skin.

Chia

Rich in omega-3 oils, chia is a powerhouse moisturizer for even very dry and irritated skin, quenching it and healing seasonal shifts to your visage.

I love it for coming out of the cold, harsh months and reviving your whole body!

Almond

In its creamy form as a dairy alternative with a high nutrient content, almond is rich in calcium and vitamin E. Beautifying and strengthening, it carries added magic for money, luck, and healing.

Beauty Witch Secret: Speaking of best beauty oils, did you know that my Bouclier de Freya contains mushroom peptides? Oh yes. The best. And did you know that adding a few drops of her to your masque will amp up the results amazingly? Oui.

FOCUS POCUS LATTE

Beauty Brew
Conjures 2 servings

1 teaspoon loose chai tea blend
1 teaspoon mushroom blend powder 1 teaspoon raw cacao powder
1½ cups spring water
½ cup almond milk

Begin by heating the water to a near boil. While it heats, add the chai tea, mushroom blend, and cacao to a French press or heat-safe container. Add the hot water, stir, and allow the blend to steep for 3 to 5 minutes while you warm the almond milk. Press or strain the brew, then pour into the warmed milk. (Got a frother? Fantastic! Froth the milk first.)

Add a bit of non-refined sweetener if desired, such as maple syrup, stevia, pure monkfruit, or coconut nectar. Sip it slowly, drinking in the magic. Visualize and feel your desires—the fire in the blend will help you to get them out into the world.

A version of this concoction appears in my book, The Beauty Witch’s Secrets, and I love it as a creamy latte. It gives energy and mental clarity, sans the jitters of coffee … though if you wish to add coffee into the mix, feel free—you’ll need way less and you’ll still feel sated.

On its own, it has an amazing ability to balance, energize, and brighten your mood. It also staves off the mid-morning or afternoon cravings for something carbs-y and sugary, which do not do your beauty any justice whatsoever. Instead, this brew makes you feel so good, your body naturally relaxes into a feline state, and your face lights up!

Chai

Spicy chai tea in its pure form (not the commercial sugary blend) increases circulation for glowing skin, and it contains antioxidants to help prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It holds the magic of fire.

Cacao

High in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, fiery cacao is a superior beauty food blessed with the enchantments of a mood-elevating aphrodisiac. This love food increases blood flow and serotonin levels, enhancing mood and stirring sexual desire.

Beauty Witch Secret: I just adore adding seasonal treats to my brew— do try it! Cinnamon, cloves, chili pepper, lavender, rose, saffron … I could go on forever. See what you’re drawn to. Chances are, it’s what you need.

NOUVELLE PEAU

Body Oil
Conjures approximately 3 ounces 2½ ounces chia seed oil

1 teaspoon mushroom blend powder
1 teaspoon carrot seed oil or extract
6 drops jasmine oil

Fetch a stunning potion bottle, one with a good stopper, and let the conjuring begin! Carefully pour the chia seed oil into the vessel (I use a mini funnel), then add the mushroom powder. Give it a good swirl to combine. If you can get something very thin in there to mix it, like a toothpick or a straw, that will help. Next, add in the carrot seed extract and the jasmine, and give it another swirl. Let the mixture rest overnight in the energy of the new moon, then allow it to greet the first rays of morning light. I love adding a few crystals and flowers for even more beauty magic. (Here, I’ve used citrine and dried jasmine buds.) For extra potency, let your mixture steep until the full moon, then use it liberally all over your body. If you simply cannot wait, use it right away.

As long as the mushroom powder has dissolved, it will be ready to go!

Glide it along your flesh for a deliriously sensual experience of pure beauty.

Carrot Seed

Fiery carrots are lusty bringers of sexual desire. Mars-ruled, they contain active age-delay properties. The seed oil provides a natural sunscreen, is loaded with antioxidants, and amps up circulation, which gives the skin a healthy glow.

Jasmine

Called the Queen of the Night, sensual jasmine is an intoxicating aphrodisiac that knows a thing or two about beauty. Yielding a brilliant oil for reducing fine lines and strengthening skin’s elasticity, jasmine also helps fade scars and hyperpigmentation.

Beauty Witch Secret: If you can get your paws on it, carrot root oil or extract is full of vitamin A and does wonders as a natural retinol.

A ring of pale mushrooms sprang up with the morning dew, and tonight you’re going to fly and whirl in a mad fairy dance. What if you want to honor the occasion but don’t have time for a full wardrobe refresh? You could turn up in a filmy gown made from flower petals and fervent wishes, as usual, or make a statement by doubling down on fungal fashion. You can collect some fantastic accents and accessories on your way to the fling.

• The mushroom hat is a fae wardrobe staple, whether it’s a warm brown-gray or a flashier amanita red with white flecks.And you don’t have to stop at one shroom—try piling them on top of each other till one big cap is covered in dozens of tiny ones, or wear them in bands and swirls for crowns and tiaras, like the forest lovers in our “Mushroom Maidens” feature.

• For highlights to cheeks, eyes, or any feature you want to render especially fetching, rub the desired areas with a sample from your favorite bioluminescent species. We recommend Mycena pura, Britain and Ireland’s lilac bonnet, for gentle purple shades. North America’s multi-lobed bitter oyster, Panellus stipticus, is a classic for the green tones Titania favors. It’s one of the brightest of the approximately 70 to 125 species of glowing mushrooms on the planet.
• Bitter oysters and their kin also make bewitching jewels for eyebrows, fingers, and wrists. The fungi themselves are able to control the amount of light they shed using enzymes that react to oxygen.
• Your favorite skirt might already imitate a mushroom cap, with a smooth outer layer supported by a full understructure of ruffly gills. Why not experiment by adding plenty of petticoats and frilly bracket fungi (trending now: turkey tails and oysters)—some of which come in fantastic bright colors?
• Someday even the fabric a human designer uses might be made of fungus. Scientists have discovered a way to spin the chitin and chitosan in some species’ cell walls into weavable threads.
• It’s a great time to play with textures. Nothing looks more chic than a morel’s brainy whorl set as an accent at wrists and neck, and many other species make their own fungi fur. Try a shaggy ink cap (Coprinus comatus): As it matures, the “fur” on top gets longer and lusher, with smoky lowlights around the base of the white shag. You’ll need to dry it out well before use, but do save the ink to pour where you want your next colony to grow, because it carries the mushroom spores. And the Coprinus absorbs heavy metals from the soil, so it’s an extra-eco-friendly resource.
• If you misplace your hat on a bright day, pluck a wide-capped mushroom to make your own shade. We like Macrolepiota procera, appropriately known as the parasol. It starts out ethereally delicate, then matures into a big, robust fruiting body with a shaggy-barked top.
• When you’re all zhuzhed up and in the fairy ring at last, you’ll find the mushrooms around the edge also make natural seating for fairy confabs. Their cushiony flesh conforms to your flesh for a good rest after a wild dance or a long spin around the circle.
• You might even want to drape yourself and your mushroom finery over one of them for your own communion rite. Turn your face to the sky and drink in the moonlight while your friends twirl the night away. You and your finery will be gone in the morning.

Art: Mother Mushroom With Her Children (c. 1900), by Edward Okun. Image courtesy Art Renewal Center.

The Renaissance was a fertile period of European culture, celebrated for its remarkable artists, its scientific advances in anatomy and astronomy, and its flowering of literature. But it was also a pivotal era for the art of perfumery. Perfume played a prominent role in the lives of the nobility: Not only was fragrance fashionable and a sign of wealth, but it also served as personal hygiene in a time when bathing was more uncommon. Transporting and heating bathwater was far more inconvenient, but more problematic was the belief that water harbored and spread disease, which prompted a general avoidance of baths.

In fact, King Louis XIV was terrified of bathing for this reason and is said to have taken only three baths in his life. This bath aversion meant perfumes of the era had to be strong, intoxicating, and capable of masking significant odor. The Sun King and his Court (“the Perfumed Court,” it was called) indulged heavily in perfumes, applying luxuriant fragrances not only to their bodies, hair, and clothing but also to furniture, home accessories, and even to their pets. Visitors were sprayed with perfume upon entering. These perfume-loving courtiers spent more on perfume than they did on food.

Perfumed preparations of the Renaissance included scented oils and ointments, distilled waters, alcohol-based perfumes, incense, and powders. After the expeditions of Magellan and Vasco de Gama, exotic flowers and plants like vanilla, cocoa, cardamom, tobacco, and pepper could be incorporated.

Common essential oils of the Renaissance included musk, amber, jasmine, tuberose, benzoin, bergamot, lavender, rosemary, violet, chamomile, lemon, peppermint, cedar, rose, juniper, pepper, and oakmoss, diluted with skin-friendly carrier oils like almond, olive, and laurel bayberry.

With the advent of the printing press, perfumists were able to print books of recipes for perfumes and scented waters. Written mostly in Italian and French, these beloved books have passed down their innovative developments in the art of perfumery and are still used to this day. As a perfumist myself, I was inspired to re-create the recipe below, which is reminiscent of the perfumes of the French court. I blended woodsy, spicy essential oils of pepper, cedar, and patchouli with notes of uplifting woody juniper and a touch of warm, sweet vanilla— all of which were used during the Renaissance period. The cedarwood, patchouli, and vanilla comprise the base of the perfume, the juniper berry provides the middle note, and black pepper the top note, creating a well-rounded scent. It smells divine, and you can easily make it at home if you wish!

Here’s how:

Ingredients

• Essential oils of cedarwood, patchouli, pepper, juniper, and vanilla oleoresin
• 10 ml glass bottle with roller
• Skin-friendly carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil works well)
• Tiny funnel specifically for perfume making
• A small glass measuring cup dedicated for perfume making (don’t use it for food once you’ve made perfume in it)
• A stirrer (I used a metal chopstick)

Instructions

Make sure your perfume bottle, measuring cup, stirrer, and funnel are clean and dry. I like to wipe them with a cloth slightly dampened with 80 to 100 proof alcohol.

Pour a small amount of fractionated coconut oil into your measuring cup. Then, pour about 5 ml of it into your perfume bottle, filling the bottle halfway.

Place the funnel on top of the perfume bottle and add your essential oils: one drop each of cedarwood, patchouli, and vanilla oleoresin; five drops of juniper berry; and three drops of black pepper.

Fill the bottle to the top with the fractionated coconut oil, attach the roller ball, and cap your perfume. Give it a slow, gentle shake for a few moments to incorporate the essential oils, and avoid the air bubbles that fast shaking creates. Gently shake your perfume before each use.

The Renaissance was a boon time for beauty. There was a widespread belief throughout Europe that beautiful people were also the healthiest. Obviously, good health was a valuable attribute for a woman seeking a husband, because it implied that she would be successful at bearing healthy children.

But striving for the appearance of health through beauty was just as popular as trying to attain actual health because, after all, who could really tell the difference? And that’s where the use of artifice and illusion, along with lotions and potions, came in handy to help attain the idealized beauty standard (la bella donna) of the time: golden hair, peaches-and-cream skin, long wavy tresses.

In 15th century France, for example, upper-class women concocted a paste to improve their skin, a kind of face mask made of asparagus root, wild anise, and the bulbs of white lilies steeped in the milk of asses and red goats, aged in warm horse manure and filtered through felt. Also in France, not surprisingly, they washed their faces in old wine.

Catherine de’ Medici applied a mixture of crushed peach blossoms and almond oil, while rosemary boiled in white wine was also a popular skin tonic among Italian women of the time. Women in 17th century England tackled aging head-on by wearing a base of egg white or lead and vinegar—an early version of foundation, perhaps—to tighten the skin, though there was no way that could be comfortable. But makeup is where things really got creative. A trendy look in the late 1500s was known as “transparent skin,” which is not at all similar to the “glass skin” look of today. A bluish tinge to the skin was seen as a sign of an innocent heart and considered beautiful. To attain it, women would use a pencil to accentuate their veins—no kidding! When Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, she was said to have had an inch and a half of makeup on her face. In her day, washing and bathing was frowned upon and both men and women (including the Queen) used makeup to conceal smallpox scars.

Fortunately, makeup textures and palettes have come a long way. Here are a few that take inspiration from the beauties of the Renaissance.

A-England Archangels Collection

Not much is known about the use of nail polish in the Renaissance, but the A-England Archangels collection—as with the company’s past collections inspired by Burne-Jones, Edgar Allen Poe, and Virginia Woolf—certainly captures the feeling of the period. Ethereal shades with names like Gabriel (an iridescent whitish silver), Ariel (a meltingly soft lavender gray), and Raphael (a radiant green gold) evoke an otherworldly beauty. a-england.co.uk/collections

Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette

Everything in one little palette, the Mini Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette offers a lovely selection of matte shades and one shimmer shade, enough to suit your mood, change up your look, and channel your inner Renaissance woman. The Deluxe Mini Brow Wiz will enhance the brows, and a rich and luscious Lip Velvet pencil enhances but never dries the lips. anastasiabeverlyhills.com

Flower Knows Midsummer Fairy Tales Embossed Five-Color Makeup Palette

It looks like a precious jewel box inspired by a Renaissance artist with a penchant for fairies. With four matte and one pearlescent shade, the silky, waterproof eyeshadow applies smoothly and evenly for festive nights or elegant days. And the delicate compact is nothing short of divine. flowerknows.co

Honeybee Gardens Nude Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette

We love indie beauty brand Honeybee Gardens, and this palette is one of our favorites. Eight neutral shades warm up any skin tone. It’s vegan, talc-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and parabenfree. The compact is refillable, and the shadow is formulated to be especially gentle on sensitive eyes. Plus, the colors are gorgeous and you will want to wear them all (though not all at the same time, of course!). honeybeegardens.com

With winter’s fist icy breath comes a sensual exhale of stillness. Amid the swirl of sparkle that heralds the holiday season, the possibilities are endless, really, for stress to wind up tight and let loose on our heavenly bodies—if we let it. Those external lashings are always available to us, should we choose to be vulnerable … but why would we? Let’s reclaim our power now, shall we, before things get ridiculous. Remember that subtle little breath of quiet that you first felt as the skies darkened and the air turned frosty? That’s what we want. Oh, but how to get there, when the outside world is absolutely spinning round and overstimulation gets the best of us? Toss in some emotional balderdash and we’re done for, no? Not on my watch. Once again, beauty rituals to the rescue!

Thoughts of the Renaissance, for me, instantly crystalize into one sublime visual: Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. The iconic image of our beloved girly goddess forever in our hearts and minds, fresh and new, full of grace and feminine allure. You can bet she’s not concerned about all the little nonsenses that annoy others. She’s a goddess, after all. And when you really look at them, most things in the day-to-day theater of life are actually … nonsense. Let them all fall away, then. Reclaim your magic. And do it with a Mona Lisa smile.

The true beauty of winter lies in her duality: She’s a season of spirit, of rest and renewal, and yet she’s also a time of planning.

I always speak of this, but how often do we truly use these immense—albeit understated—cosmic gifts? Think Renaissance. Rebirth.

We go underground early on, the way our lovely Persephone does, to heal and hide a bit, though we do it with Venusian charms. Bathing and anointing our sacred flesh with treasures of the earth and sea, feeding our beauty from within, all in sorceress style, with love and languor—this is what gets us through the long winter and the holiday hoopla with élan, mes amis! This is what makes for some seriously potent practical magic. Put beauty rituals into practice, have potions at the ready, and you are golden, I promise.

Now, once you fully embrace your inner Aphrodite, take those Capricorn vibes by the literal horns and create a plan for your rebirth out into the world. Spring will make her entrance before you know it, so get it together now. Blend that goddess glam with action and draft focused blueprints for the future. Then you’ll have the magic combo for making them real!

And when you feel uncertain, just close your eyes and see her:

The Birth of Venus.

She never fails to inspire.

And so we arrive at our winter potions, with the divine inspiration that whispered to me. “Spiced roses,” she cooed. Mmm. Merci, ma déesse.

These delights begin with a voluptuous blending of classic winter spices with delicate petals of Venus, which then mingle with a few plant-powered classics. The result? A delicious trio of treats to restore and beautify you inside and out. (Oh, and the gifts of clove will help guide you through that Jupiter retrograde this winter!)

Huile D’Amour
Body Oil

Conjures approximately three ounces
2½ ounces pure avocado oil
2 heaping tablespoons fresh or dried rose petals
1 slice persimmon, fresh or dried
3 strawberries
1 stick cinnamon
6 whole cloves
2 cardamom pods
6 drops rose absolute

At the new moon, place the fruits and spices in a gorgeous bottle. Gently pour the oil into the bottle, covering the mixture. Add the rose absolute. Place the stopper on the bottle, and allow the magic to happen overnight. The next day or evening, inhale the scent and massage liberally onto your skin. You can strain the potion if you like, of course. I prefer to keep it as is, simply for the beauty and intensity. If you’re using fresh fruit, you may wish to remove the pieces after a few days—the oil should preserve it, but it’s best to check on it to ensure it all stays fresh. If you have sensitive skin, test first, but the whole spices are actually quite gentle and not intense like an essential oil would be, so you receive all the benefits and magic without irritation.

Avocado
Rich and sensual, avocado oil has long been associated with beauty and love magic. Ripe with good fats, this Venusian gem is an excellent moisturizer high in vitamin E, fighting the signs of aging and feeding your skin while soothing inflammation and breakouts. It’s also a noted aphrodisiac.

Rose
Though the rose appears delicate, it’s actually one of the oldest symbols of strength. A flower of Venus and sacred to both Freya and Hathor, it’s been revered for its beauty magic, as well as its love, luck, divination, healing, protection, and psychic enhancement abilities. Rose is active yet soothing, targeting fine lines and wrinkles with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Rosehip
Rosehips contain high levels of vitamin C, stimulating new collagen and repairing skin while protecting against UV damage, making them a fabulous choice for elixirs as well as skin care. They possess all the magic of the rose itself but have a little extra charge of sexuality.

Persimmon
Venus-ruled, these plump fruits increase collagen and elastin production, ease fine lines, tighten, brighten, and give a spellbinding glow. They’re ruled by water and carry enhanced protection magic as well as that radiant energy of happiness.

Strawberry
This gorgeous offering of Venus brings you glowing skin! It balances, nourishes, and fortifies with abundant vitamin C, well known for its collagen production prowess. And strawberries are pure pleasure in every way, including the love and beauty magic they’re known for.

Cinnamon
Amorous cinnamon ignites the fires of both love and money, while cleansing and increasing circulation to both your skin and scalp. The increased blood flow brings life to the skin for a glowing radiance; for hair, it stimulates new growth. Cinnamon also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, blood-sugar-lowering, and warming properties to strengthen and beautify from the inside out.

Clove
Decadently spicy, Jupiter-ruled clove oil kills bacteria and clarifies skin while conjuring love, money, and protection magic.

Cardamom
Sensual and warm, zesty cardamom boosts circulation, contains potent antioxidants, helps with weight loss and maintenance, quells anxiety, fights disease, treats skin allergies, and improves the complexion. It’s a gift of Venus, infused with the magic of love, lust, beauty, and protection.

Beauty Witch Secret: Add a splash of Huile d’amour into your bath for an even more indulgent ritual.

Bain d’Venus
Bath & Exfoliant

Conjures 2 treatments
1 cup pure sea salt (Celtic or Sel La Mer are the best; look for the gray color) ¼ to ⅓ cup Huile d’amour body oil
1 teaspoon dried rose petals (optional)

This could not be easier. Mix your divine body oil into the salt, give it a good clockwise stir, and you’re ready to go. Massage onto damp skin using circular motions then sweeping strokes toward the heart. Rinse and pat dry. Even better? Sink down into a bath and relax. Your skin will be soft and slinky, so no need for additional moisture … however, another light stroke of Huile d’amour never hurt anyone…

Beauty Witch Secret: Add a pinch of sel la fleur, a decadent salt with an indulgent, violet flavor used in cooking. Here, it’s a little extra sprinkle of magic, as violets are ruled by Venus. It’s said that if you pick the first violet of spring, your wish will be granted. So add that to your plans, yes?

Spiced Roses
Brew Conjures two servings

1½ cups water
1 teaspoon rose petals
1 teaspoon rose hips
3 cardamom pods
3 strawberries
3 slices fresh persimmon Another delightfully simple concoction!

In a small cauldron (also known as a saucepan) place all ingredients together. Heat on a low flame, allowing the brew to simmer for 30 minutes. Turn off heat, and let the brew rest for 5 minutes. Strain and sip. It is absolutely delish! The fruits impart a gorgeous sweetness alone, but feel free to add sweetener if you desire—just use a low-glycemic variety. I like raw coconut nectar paired with fruit the best, as it has a lovely taste and is mineral rich. Drink your magic!

Beauty Witch Secret: This brew is fabulous on its own, warm or cold. It’s a sexy yet restorative blend that literally brings you back to life … but … you could also create a foxy cocktail by adding wine—red for solar power, white for lunar. Better yet, try a blend, no? Make a magical rosé!