by C Sawyer
Lavender, a fragrant and versatile herb, has been cherished for millennia. Its history can be traced back to ancient civilizations across the Mediterranean basin and beyond.
Ancient Origins
- Egyptians: The Egyptians were among the earliest known cultivators of lavender. They used it in perfumes, cosmetics, and even in the mummification process.
- Romans: The Romans were also great admirers of lavender. They used it in their public baths, as a fragrance, and for medicinal purposes. The Latin word “lavare” means “to wash,” which is believed to be the origin of the name “lavender.“
- Greeks: The ancient Greeks used lavender in their medicine and as a perfume. They also believed it had calming and healing properties.
Medieval and Renaissance Europe
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, lavender continued to be highly valued. It was used as a disinfectant, insect repellent, and for its medicinal properties. Lavender was also a popular ingredient in potpourris and sachets.
Modern Times
In recent centuries, lavender has gained even greater popularity as a fragrant and therapeutic plant. Lavender oil is widely used in aromatherapy for its calming and relaxing effects. It is also a common ingredient in many skincare and beauty products.
Today, lavender is cultivated in many parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Australia. Its versatility and enduring appeal have ensured its place in gardens, homes, and spas around the globe.
by C Sawyer
Yes, I am familiar with Belvedere Lavender skin care.
It’s a Canadian brand based in Woodstock, Ontario, known for its high-quality, natural skincare products infused with lavender. Used for healthy skin and great calming acne and anti-aging properties. They offer a range of luxury skincare products including:
- Facial Mist: A refreshing mist that cleanses, tones, and hydrates the skin.
- Face & Eye Cream: A nourishing cream that moisturizes and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- Anti-Aging Serum: A concentrated serum that targets signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
- Hand & Body Lotion: A hydrating lotion that softens and protects the skin.
Belvedere Lavender’s products are made with natural ingredients, including lavender, and are free from harsh chemicals. They are known for their calming and soothing properties, making them a popular choice for those seeking natural and effective skincare.
Calming, Natural, Organic, Holistic, Luxury, Skincare.
by C Sawyer
Recently we introduced a brand new product to Belvedere Lavender customers – Hydrosol. But what is this product, how can you use it around your home and most importantly, why should you?
Let’s dive in!
What’s Hydrosol?
When we extract essential oil from lavender, the process creates the essential lavender oil – which we bottle and sell, and the hydrosol. This hydrosol is the floral water, containing essence of lavender and water. Hydrosols are a gentle scent and less concentrated while essential oils are a heavier smell, and more concentrated.
Hydrosol has so many uses and purposes! While new in popularity, you’ll find a rich history of using floral water in various forms. These include: Perfumes, Skin toners, Aromatherapy, Makeup products, Skin care products, and Natural Health Products.
We’ll focus our attention on lavender. When we make essential lavender oil, using our copper still, we end up with 2 different products – the essential oil and the hydrosol. After these mixtures are separated and cooled, they’re bottled separately and dated. At each step we control the manufacturing process to ensure quality. Using both liquids from this manufacturing process is a smart, environmental move. We hate waste!
What do you use hydrosol for?
Now that we know what hydrosol is, what is its purpose? What can the floral water be used for, during or with? This is an excellent question. As we use all natural, organic products in our work and home lives, using hydrosol in our homes is the perfect addition to going green and using sustainable products.
Room deodorizer
You can use hydrosol for many purposes, including in place of room deodorizers. Looking to add a light, gentle scent to your room? Give hydrosol a try. You can add this light scent, without using products full of chemicals.
Ironing
Looking to iron a shirt or pair of pants, or whatever you iron? Use hydrosol in place of regular water. Be careful when ironing – cotton, linen clothing work well with hydrosol. But stay clear of using hydrosol on all silk items.
Cleaning Products
If you’re looking to kick your cleaning products to the curb because they’re made with too many chemicals for your liking, try making your own. We suggest a mixture of distilled water, white vinegar and lavender hydrosol. This cleaning mixture can also be used on windows and glass. If you’re cleaning greasy items, add a little dish soap into the mixture.
Rinsing Clothing
Adding lavender hydrosol to the final rinse of your washing machine is a great way to add softness and a light lavender scent to clothing. Consider swapping out fabric softener.
Makeup Remover
So many makeup removers are full of chemicals and dry out your skin. Instead of using these products, switch to a lavender hydrosol. You can add a little hydrosol to a cotton makeup pad and remove your makeup. The addition of lavender hydrosol adds moisture back to your skin and helps condition and tone it.
These 5 uses for hydrosol begin to demonstrate how useful and how versatile this product is. As we and many others continue to incorporate using all natural ingredients and products in our homes, we’ve begun to use our Lavender Hydrosol in place of many household products. We don’t miss the chemicals, but love the all natural scents.
You can find our all-natural, organic, Hydrosol on our shop, along with our luxurious hand processed organic skin care products.
by C Sawyer
When Belvedere Lavender began, we had a vision of revolutionizing the health and beauty industry by creating environmentally conscious skincare products that were spa-quality, but priced for everyone.
Let’s repeat that. We wanted to craft skincare that is spa-quality, but priced for everyone. Seems like a really lofty idea. But we did it! We craft European-style skincare products that work for everyone.
Everyone.
Everyone has skin.
We’re going to unpack some truths and false misconceptions about what skincare and what makes our customers and Belvedere Lavender products a good fit.
Truth 1: Skincare is tailored to each skin type
True.
Even with the various skin types, some basics ring true. You shouldn’t pay an arm and a leg for incredible skin. You deserve a skincare product that is all natural, organic and environmentally sustainable, regardless of your skin type.
Have dry skin? Check out our Body Oil for post-bath or shower bliss.
Have oily skin? Check out our Salt Body Scrub or Goat’s Milk Bath for use in the bath or shower.
Have combination skin? Check out our Face & Eye Cream for a balanced approach.
Have normal skin? Check out our Hand & Body Lotion to maintain great skin. Whatever skin type you have, you’ll find a Belvedere Lavender skincare product that meets your skin’s needs.
Did you know that our product containers are recyclable? Check out your local municipality to see how you can recycle the container. We believe in the power of sustainability and making good decisions for the planet.
Truth 2: Skincare is for women
False.
Each person on the planet, regardless of gender, has skin. Men, nonbinary people, women and kids have skin. Sometimes how you care for your skin depends on your gender and the products available. We don’t believe in different products for different genders – with one exception – For Him kit. Even this kit can be used by anyone.
Everyone has skin. Everyone deserves a quality skincare product that does actually what it should, like moisturize, exfoliate or softens the skin. Gender doesn’t decide what skincare products you use. You do. Feel good about the skincare products you use.
Truth 3: Skincare is for straight people
False.
Each person on the planet, regardless of sexuality, has skin. Regardless of your sexuality, you have skin that needs attention. Looking for a moisturizer? We have you covered. We don’t care who you sleep with. Belvedere Lavender is part of the queer community and supports all sexualities. We’ve been here and queer longer than many imagine. We also know firsthand the confidence incredible skin can bring.
Truth 4: Skincare is for white people.
False.
Each person on the planet, regardless of race and ethnicity, has skin. Who says skincare is only for white people? Since the dawn of time, people have been taking care of their skin in a variety of ways. Ancient Egyptians used to use perfumes, precious metals and cosmetics as part of their skincare routines. Ancient Greeks used all natural ingredients, like olive oil as part of their skincare routine. As well, Ancient Greeks used milk and honey as anti-aging agents. Throughout history all ethnicities have gravitated towards using all natural ingredients. Most of these ingredients were grown or found locally.
Want to learn more about a brief history of skincare? Visit a Brief History of Skincare.
Truth 5: Skincare is just for Canadians
False.
Each person on the planet, regardless of your country of birth, has skin. A quote making the rounds on social media resonates with us:
“Canadians are born all over the world. It just takes some a bit of time to get here.”
It’s true. Sometimes it takes time for people to find their way to Canada. If you’re new, welcome. If you’ve been here for a while, we see you. Skincare is for everyone.
Truth 6: Skincare is just self care.
False.
While skincare and self care are similar, we argue that you can’t have selfcare without skincare. Taking care of your skin is the way some people care for themselves. Sometimes sinking into a hot bath is the best way to wash away a difficult day. Sometimes spending a few moments applying our Anti-aging Serum is how we end our day. We spend 5 minutes breathing deep. That’s what self care looks like to us.
What’s your favourite way to practice self care?
Regardless of your skin type, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, race or other intersectionality, you have skin. Sometimes your skin needs attention and support, especially during stressful times. We all agree that especially during the winter and changes in seasons, our skin can use some love. You can feel good about taking care of yourself.
Whatever intersectionality’s you experience, skincare – It’s all about feeling good!