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Best of Chicago: Soothe Your Senses

October 14, 2004 — Start preparing your skin for the long winter with products to soothe your skin and your senses.

Chicago Magazine Shops Quote:
"Gretchen Halpin is reaching for soul-deep beauty with Soothe Your Senses, an array of bath products based on recipes from her mother's holistic day spa in Louisiana and her grandfather's old-world traiteur complex potions. Bath salts and teas, sugar scrubs, massage oils and bath and body oils come in four formulations: Calming with Lavender; Rejuvenating, with Eucalyptus and Juniper; Sensual with Rose Petals and Jasmine; and Therapeutic with Rosemary, Lavender and Juniper."

Gretchen manufactures the entire line in Chicago and then distribute them nationally. Several retail boutiques and spas carry their line. They will be opening a Soothe Your Senses Day Spa next Spring.

Soothe Your Senses offers 4 complex aromas in Calming, Therapeutic, Sensual and Rejuvenation.

CANE SUGAR SCRUB (Body; Elbows, Knees, Heels and Hands)
This product can be used anywhere on your body with a focus on rough areas - your elbows, knees, heels, hands (although not recommended for the face.)

Using a sugar scrub that has ample oil content is the best approach to exfoliation and moisturize in one easy step. It can be used in the bath or shower. Simply scoop some into your hand and rub in a circular motion for one minute. The sugar produces a natural glycolic acid to aid in exfoliation and oils repair dry skin and keeps it moisturized and protected.
Gretchen keeps her sugar scrub in the kitchen next to the sink and treat my hands after cleaning or doing dishes. This method of skin respect is perfect for the person on the go, the person who doesn't have time for multiple steps, or who doesn't want to think about multiple steps for body care.

HERBAL TEAS - (Face, Eyes, Hair and Body)
Herbal teas are normally thought to be a hot drink to warm our bodies. And although this is a great use, there are several other uses. For instance, these teas can be simply thrown into a hot bath to help relax or rejuvenate through aromatherapy. Tub teas have been traditionally used for restorative purposes. Tub teas help maintain and improve healthy skin and hair, relieve pain and reverse exhaustion, help to resist cold and flu. Herbal soaks are safe and helpful remedies against stress, anxiety, insomnia; they also help reverse fatigue and loss of energy, improve alertness and performance.

Another great use for herbal teas is as a mini home facial steam. Simply putting hot water into a bowl with an herbal potion covering the bowl with a towel - letting it steep and then once comfortable, lifting the towel and lowering your head near the steam from the water. This would open your pores and refresh your skin. After you're finished with steaming your face you may also use the steeped tea as a hair rinse. Soothe Your Senses also uses complex blends of herbal teas for their unique eye teas. Our cotton bag is shaped to fit nicely across the bridge of your nose to maximize the aromatherapy effect while soothing tired, overworked eyes.

BATH AND SHOWER SALTS (Body)
Don't just take a bath... create a ritual! Salts are the most common and ancient method to relieve tired muscles and comfort your body. Using these salts is detoxifying and aromatic. Bathing in herbs returns you to the source of body and spirit. Treat your needs…whether it's relaxing, soothing sore muscles, needing a boost of energy, or putting you in a sensual state. When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces.

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