Our Journal
From thoughtful tips on fragrance and home living, you’ll find guides on how to enjoy our products, the stories behind our fragrances, and glimpses of life on our island home. Our journal is where we introduce you to the team behind Essence of Harris and share the inspiration that shapes everything we create.
Journal
Natural products that will leave your skin glowing? We've got you
Let’s be honest, our skin can often get forgotten about. In the midst of life’s everyday chaos, it can be difficult to uphold a skincare routine and remember your various oils, toners, cleansers and serums- and the list of instructions that often come with them. We get it! And so when designing our bath & body range, we wanted products that we could pick up at the end of a long day and just let the relaxation soak in. No frills, no fuss- just soothing, natural products which would leave our skin glowing. That ethos led to our ever popular range of hand & body lotions, hand washes and bath & shower gels, which you can enjoy in the scents of Seilebost (Black Pomegranate), Losgaintir (Bergamot, Coconut & Vanilla), Horgabost (Lemongrass & Ginger) and now our NEW addition, Huisinis (Pink Pomelo). - But, sometimes it can be reassuring to hear from other, like minded people when choosing your go-to products. So have a read of what other Essence of Harris customers have to say about our bath & body collection: - “I have sensitive skin but it doesn’t react at all and it’s absorbed so fast and lasts for hours and hours.” Sarah, Seilebost Hand & Body Wash “Absorbed beautifully and the scent lasted for hours. Gorgeous scent. I kept smelling my hands!” Linda, Losgaintir Hand & Body Lotion “..the fragrance lingers it is strong without being overpowering. I will be buying this again. I have sensitive skin, I have had no problems with this.” Isobel, Horgabost Hand & Body Wash “the wash feels lovely on the skin and doesn’t leave it dry.” Fiona, Seilebost Hand & Body Wash “It’s the best lotion I’ve purchased in a long time and I use it everyday! I absolutely love the fresh Lemongrass Ginger scent- it’s the best thing I brought home from my trip to Scotland!” Ruthie, Horgabost Hand & Body Lotion - - AND with our recent launch, you can now try the ever popular Huisinis fragrance in the form of hand wash, lotion and bath & shower gel- letting your skin absorb the beautifully sweet scent of Pink Pomelo and allowing your mind to relax with it’s calming qualities. - - So if you want to give your skin some well-deserved attention, why not try any of our bath & body products; they’re all hand poured here on Harris, using natural ingredients, and have been designed to leave your skin glowing!
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We are in this together
The world has started to slowly open back up again; some of us have headed back to work, have dropped our children back at the school gates again, have started eating out at restaurants or have ventured out to see friends and family. And as lovely as it is for some of the routines of our pre-lockdown lives to resurface, it can be a difficult move to jump back fully into our “old” way of life. We completely understand that. It can be scary to face a world where so much of what we knew was closed off to the public for such a long time, and it can take time to adjust to some of the new guidelines and practices in place. We want to reassure you that we are here to help, and we want to try and make things as easy, relaxing and safe for you all as possible. - - If you visit either our Glasgow or Tarbert stores, you will find our team on hand to help- they are all wearing protective face coverings, and will talk through any queries or questions you have whilst remaining a safe 2m distance from you. Directional markers are on the floors of both shops to ensure that anyone visiting our store remains at a safe social distance. Additionally, our hand sanitiser is available throughout the shops to use and can be purchased should you wish to take one home with you, for use when you’re out and about. - Alternatively, if you don’t feel comfortable about heading in to see us in person just yet, we are now offering free one to one virtual consultations, so you can explore our Princes Square shop virtually, and from the comfort of your own home. You can take part in this consultation via Zoom, Facetime or a simple phonecall, and one of our brilliant team members will happily chat through any questions, comments or queries you have. - Creating calming experiences is what we love to do, and whether that experience is instore or virtually, we hope it will allow you to enjoy a moment of tranquillity amongst the hustle and bustle of this new way of life. - Sending our best wishes out to you all, from our island home to yours.
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Why are we drawn to the sea?
This month we have placed a focus on the oceans that surround us, inspire us and connect us here at Essence of Harris. We turned to adventure blogger Iona (@tentstreesandbumblebees) to tell us what the ocean means to her. She asks why so many of us are lured to the beauty and power of the sea- what does the ocean mean to you? - Being by the sea is always my happy place. I can be found exploring in my kayak or swimming with friends; other times I need to clear my head on a walk, paddling my toes in the water. The sea lures so many of us in, from all corners of the world, so I often wonder: Why are we drawn to the sea? - Peace Ever wondered why the sound of waves is so soothing? The ebb and flow of the water has a rhythm that mimics our breathing. You can try it yourself: Breathe in, as the wave rushes to the shore. And breathe out, as it quietens and flows back out. It is a calming and mindful sound, reminding us to slow down and be in the moment. It’s no wonder I often fall asleep listening to a soundtrack of wave sounds! - Connections We can connect to nature in so many ways: from smelling the flowers in a garden to hiking through a remote mountain range. But being in the sea has a deeper connection than anything else. When I'm in the sea, I am completely immersed it. Sharing a space with incredible wildlife and moving in time with the waves and tide. The salt in my hair and the sand in my toes is exhilarating and relaxing all at once. You can almost feel part of the sea itself. There is also the amazing thought that, at the other side of this huge landscape, there is probably someone else, just like you, embracing the sea. The seas and oceans of the world connect all humans, land masses and natural wonders, which is such a fascinating thought! - - Freedom The sea has a profound sense of freedom, don't you think? Firstly, there are very few rules on the ocean. Whether you're swimming, surfing, or kayaking, you have the freedom to choose your route, to try new things and to explore new places. Even on the long sandy beaches that lead us to the waves, you feel like you could walk for miles and nothing could get in the way. Just following the sand and the breeze to your hearts content. Second, the sea itself has freedom of movement in all directions. It flows out to the depths, creating shallow waters on the shores. It can also be wild and untamed, throwing powerful waves as high as skyscrapers. Other times it is silently still and glass-like. The sea has the freedom to be whatever it wants to be and feel however it wants to feel. It’s almost like it has human emotions, and I think that resonates in all of us. - - While currently indoors more than usual, I'm always looking to connect to those emotions the sea gives me. Every evening, I light my beautiful Mara candle, bringing fresh sea scents straight into my home. Closing my eyes, the smells of sea salt, driftwood and earthy seaweed fill the air, and once again I am transported to my happy place. - The sea is one of the many playgrounds for the adventures I get up to! If you love adventure and connecting with the outdoors, do come say hello over on my blog and Instagram. - At Essence of Harris, we've been raising funds for the RNLI this month, an organisation made up by volunteers which protects our coastlines here in the UK. We added a "donation" section to our checkout so if you'd like to you can donate too- we will match ALL donations made via our website and donate the full sum to the RNLI at the end of the month. If you'd like to browse the ranges and donate, find our collections here: https://essenceofharris.co.uk/collections/home-fragrance
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Staying positive in lockdown- Guest Blog
Rachel-Jayne Murray (@mumma.murray) kicks off our guest blog series this month with a wonderfully honest and informative piece about lockdown. She discusses what has kept her and her family happy, parenthood and 'exhausted pigeons'- give it a read and let us know what you think. Our next guest blog will be released Thursday, 14th May. - I read a quote today which said “We are not all in the same boat, but we are all facing the same storm” and it really hit home for me. We all have our own situations and deal with lockdown differently. I am sure, like me, life has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride recently - some up days and down days and quite frankly, some twisty-turny-all-over-the-place days! As a wife and mum of one energetic, fun loving two and a half year old, I wanted to share with you just some ways in which I have been dealing with lockdown. - Lists I keep a journal. I find it helps clear my head and helps me organise my thoughts and so by writing down even the most mundane of tasks, getting it done and ticking it off gives me a sense of achievement. During lockdown, our task list has shrunk significantly so spread the household chores over a few days and keep yourself busy, organise that cupboard you keep putting off or rearrange and organise your wardrobe perhaps. - Cooking and Baking I have always had a passion for the kitchen, particularly baking and now is the perfect time to give it a go! Maybe there was a meal you had on holiday before and you’ve been dying to recreate it but just haven’t had the time? Well what are you waiting for? I know a lot of people say they “can’t bake” – nonsense I say! You absolutely can! Don’t be scared of it, read the recipe and have fun. Get the kids involved and have fun with it and remember, licking the spoon is the best bit anyway! - Take 5 Being neither an early bird nor a night owl (but some kind of exhausted pigeon!) I struggle to find even 5 minutes in my day to put myself first. I will be the first to admit that this has been low down in my priorities but when I do make the effort, I feel like a new woman. When Georgia goes down to bed, I like to lie on top of my bed and practice 5 minutes of gratitude to just sit and be with my thoughts – think about what I have been grateful for throughout the day. Some days I am grateful for the fun and laughter, other days I am just grateful I have a roof above my head and that is ok. - Pamper This is a big one for me. As a beauty therapist myself, I understand the importance of looking and feeling good. For me it isn’t vanity – if I feel good outside, my mind feels good inside. Granted, I haven’t been wearing make up during lockdown but just getting up and blow drying my hair in the morning helps me feel like I have everything in order. Taking a bath with my favourite Essence of Harris candle burning and a relaxing playlist on whilst reading a book for me is a little oasis of calm that I suggest everyone tries. - That One Walk The government has advised we have only one walk per day and for us we have been alternating how we do our walk, depending on our moods that day. Generally we go out as a family around the block once my husband finishes work however some days are a struggle and so Martyn will take 30 mins out of work where possible and let me go outdoors and get some fresh air on my own, to clear my head and listen to nature. If you are out with the kids, why not make it fun and have a nature scavenger hunt? Write down or draw a few common sights: twigs, dandelion, butterfly, log etc and see how many you can find. - I hope you find some inspiration from these little pointers. Stay safe and be kind to yourself – some days will be tough but just remember tomorrow is a new day and one day closer to normality.
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Welcome to the Isle of Harris
As many of us face the realisation that our spring/summer trips might have to be postponed while the world responds to the COVID-19 situation, we thought we’d provide some much-needed escapism for you all (and us too!). Every week we continue to post images of our island home, providing a little ‘virtual tour’ of the Hebrides for those of you who can’t make it over to Harris at the moment, and even for us here on the island, who currently can’t venture out to some of our favourite spots. - Our Classics Collection- Losgaintir, Huisinis, Seilebost, Sgarasta and Horgabost are all named after beaches on Harris, so for those of you who’ve missed some of our posts so far, here’s a little sneak peak as we visit those 5 beautiful beaches which inspired our original range of candles.. Seilebost (She-le-bost) Seilebost beach is one of the most popular spots on the Isle of Harris, found along the west side of the island. With beautiful white sand that stretches into crystal clear water it's not hard to see why it's many people's favourite spot. The beach also inspired our Seilebost collection. - Horgabost (Horg-a-bost) Horgabost beach comes alive when the machair flowers bloom in the spring/summer seasons. With a picturesque campsite overlooking the beach, it's the perfect spot to pitch your tent and soak in those beautiful Hebridean views. - Losgaintir (Lus-ken-tyre) Losgaintir is one of the largest and most well-known beaches on Harris, and it's clear to see why it's such a hot spot. It was named one of the UK’s best beaches in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards with it's amazing sand dunes, beautiful green/blue water and spectacular views. - Huisinis (Hoo-shin-ish) Huisinis can be found along a long and winding drive through North Harris. You'll pass both the idyllic Bunavoneader tennis court and the beautiful Amhuinnsuidhe Castle before reaching the white sands of Huisinis. Did you know it was on Huisinis beach that the idea of Essence of Harris came to life? - If you want to see more of our island- head over to our Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (@essenceofharris) and join us on a little virtual tour! Let us know if you’ve been to the places we’re posting, or if they’re on your bucket list. And if you have any photos of your time in the Hebrides feel free to share them with us by tagging @essenceofharris- let’s go on this virtual adventure together!
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Working from home? We got you!
Many of us have started to move our work and lives indoors these days, and it feels like everyone is trying their best to adapt to this new way of living, coping with a situation which has, temporarily, become the norm. For some, working from home is a dream- endless cups of coffee, the choice of staying in our pj’s all day, and no lengthy commutes to work. For others, it’s a difficult transition. We thought we’d compose a list that will hopefully make that transition a little bit easier for some of you- tips and tricks that the team at Essence of Harris have found beneficial when they’ve been working from home. Creating a work space We know how simple it can be to work from your bed- it’s warm, cosy and comforting. However, when you work from home, it’s important to create a work/life balance that benefits you, separating spaces in your home for work and others for relaxation and downtime. It can make a real difference to your productivity. Try to find a practical, quiet space within your home to set up your own work station. Make sure you’re comfortable, and try to let in as much natural light as you can. For those days when you're feeling a little de-motivated, try lighting our Horgabost candle on your desk- with scents of Lemon Grass and Ginger it's sure to give you that energy boost you need. Routines This is an important one! Creating routines, or sticking to routines you had been practising before, can be SO helpful in keeping us motivated. Get up at the same time each day, shower and get dressed; a simple routine you’d practice if you were heading into work as normal, so why forget about it when you’re at home? Keeping that routine going can help your brain switch into ‘work mode’ and allow you to feel more energised when tackling the day ahead. A lot of the Essence of Harris team noted how making a To Do list at the start of their day helps them stick to a routine- ticking off tasks as they go throughout the day and helping them to focus on a plan ahead. Downtime Remember that work/life balance we talked about? When you’re working from home it can be hard to ‘switch off’ from work when you’re not ever technically leaving the office, but allow time in your day to unwind- our minds and bodies need it. Whether it’s reading a book or magazine, taking a relaxing bath, doing a home work-out session or baking a cake; find what brings you comfort and relaxation and make it a priority for the relaxation period of your day. If you’re an advanced yogi, or simply like the idea of trying some yoga at home, why not follow along with our Youtube Channel where ourselves and Rachel from Eden Hot Yoga upload a free, accessible yoga session each Friday at 8pm. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI8E5TJFqOnB6CigyV2fmpA Communication This one is so important to us; social isolation doesn’t need to feel isolating. It is a real adjustment for a lot us not being able to see our friends, family and co-workers every day but with the wonders of technology we can try to keep communicating as much as possible; join online classes, skype call your coworkers who are also working from home and call friends and family. Keeping up communication can help tackle some of the anxiety you may feel building up about being isolated. If you need anything from us, have any questions or comments, or simply just want to chat, you can use the ‘messenger’ icon on the bottom right hand side of our website and one of the team will be on hand to help. - We hope this has been helpful for a few of you, and do let us know if you have any more WFH tips- we'd love to hear them!
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