Elven Beauty

It was in the Northern Lands of old, where a change of light can shift perception, that starlight and sea first awakened the world of the elves and their immortal beauty. The magnificent enchantment of spring brings a similar shift. As you shed the cloak of winter, preparing to greet the season of awakening with sleepy eyes and a languid stretch, you begin to come alive. The flutter of wings has roused you from slumber! The first, tiniest buds open to great new adventures, embracing the sun, the misty rains, and the scented moss, activating the dreams you’ve carefully woven during the cold months.

Tolo, govano ven! Come, join us!

THRANDUIL’S ELIXIR

His name means “vigorous Spring,” and though the elf king can appear steely, he is the very essence of strength and endurance. This fresh, vibrant, tart-sweet blend imparts energy and vitality, and will keep you satiated while still feeling as light and swift as an elven archer!

¼ cup chia seeds
2 cups spring water
1 tbsp. rose hips
1 cup raspberries
1 cup kale, chopped
1 tsp. pure maple syrup

First, make the chia into a hydrating gel: Combine the chia seeds with one cup of spring water and stir well. Let it sit a few minutes, then stir again. (This will help prevent clumping.) Allow the mixture to sit for at least 15 minutes while you make the rose-hip tea. For the tea, bring one cup of spring water just to a boil, then place the rose hips in the cauldron and allow them to steep for 20 minutes. Strain, and let the mixture cool. When it is ready, pour the rose-hip tea into a high-speed blender. Add in the kale, raspberries, 2 tbsp. of the chia-seed gel, and maple syrup. (You can use the rest of the chia in smoothies later—it will keep refrigerated for several days.) Blend well. Sip it slowly. Now there’s some elvish medicine!

*Note: If you desire additional sweetness, add stevia to taste. If you are sensitive to natural sugars, please substitute the maple syrup for stevia, which has a zero glycemic index score.

Superfood kale wears the king’s crown here, as it is one of the most nutrient-dense plant foods in existence. With immense levels of both vitamins A and C, it is a superior immune booster, antioxidant, and beautifier, fighting disease and the signs of aging with the finely crafted sword of well-being.

Venusian raspberries appear granting love, happiness, protection, and another powerful dose of vitamin C and antioxidants, along with the ability to boost brain power. Every king needs his queen, after all.

Rose hips are also gifts from the goddess of love and beauty, empowered with anti-aging benefits, which further fortify this most divine blend. Protein-rich chia seed is blessed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and essential fatty acids, and is surprisingly filling. Expansive Jupiter rules the maple tree, which gives us its nectar in the form of a delicious anti-inflammatory full of vitamins and minerals. I especially like maple syrup for new-to-full-moon magic. (In case you were wondering, maple wood is also an excellent choice for wand-making.)

BEAUTY WITCH SECRET Fluorite crystal, native to the northern lands, should be present while you concoct these potions, not only for its illuminated beauty but for its energizing powers and the ability to help you gain mental clarity and focus, so your visions can begin to take form.

LADY OF THE GOLDEN WOOD HAIR MASQUE

Named for the Lady Galadriel and her glorious, glimmering tresses, this potion treats your hair to rich, nutritive oils, which deeply moisturize and strengthen your mane. Use this to restore hair any time you like. It is particularly effective at the new moon.

½ banana, very ripe
1 tbsp. grape-seed oil
6 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
4 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Mash the banana in a bowl until it becomes very smooth and creamy. Ideally, use a mortar and pestle to really get it soft and silky, but if you don’t have one, a fork or potato masher will do. Add in the grape-seed oil, and whisk it together until the mixture gets fluffy. Drop the essential oils in one at a time and blend slowly in a clockwise direction. Massage first into your scalp joyously, with visions of full, lustrous new hair growing, then work the potion through the ends of your hair, paying special attention to dry tips. Pile hair loosely on top of your head, and place beneath a plastic shower cap.

Leave the cap on for 20 minutes. Remove the cap and give your head another slow, sensual massage. Step into the shower, and wash with a gentle botanical shampoo. Rinse well. You can add a drop of your favorite natural conditioner here as a sealant and rinse again with cool water.

The humble banana is actually an ancient sacred food in the East, closely tied to spirituality. It is said to bring luck and heighten feelings of love. Bananas also make a wonderfully rich hair treatment for their combination of high water content and natural moisturizing oils, which help repair damaged strands and increase elasticity. Mineral-rich grape-seed oil feeds the scalp with proteins and vitamin E but is light enough to impart shine on all types of hair without feeling greasy. Lovely lavender, also known as “elf leaf,” protects hair from thinning and loss while simultaneously aiding in new growth. It holds powers of love, peacefulness, protection, and longevity—not surprising given its namesake!

Interestingly, lusty rosemary is also known as “elf leaf,” bearing love, healing, intellect, and youth. It arrives here for these palpable gifts but also for its ability to increase cellular metabolism in the scalp, stimulating not only mystical prowess but bountiful, healthy hair growth. The fragrant, sweet dew of the ylang ylang star flower is a beautiful natural conditioner that strengthens hair and assists new growth.

EVENING STAR FACE MASQUE

The first thing elves laid newly awakened eyes upon were the stars, as the sun and moon were not yet created. Enjoy this facial exfoliant masque in the spirit of eternal love to bring pure celestial shimmer to your skin.

8 fresh raspberries
¼ tsp. grape-seed oil
1 tbsp. hazelnut flour
6 drops carrot-seed essential oil

Using the same method as with the banana, mash the raspberries into a bowl, making sure to get the berries as smooth as possible. Whisk in the grape-seed oil, which will help it blend. Now mix in the hazelnut flour until a paste is formed. Drop in the carrot-seed oil and blend.

Massage into a freshly cleansed face in small circular motions, paying particular attention to dry or clogged areas. As this masque has a bit of texture, you may wish to press a second layer into your skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes while you relax, perhaps in a warm bath. Remove gently with a warm cloth, then rinse thoroughly with cool water. Pat dry with a clean towel, then follow with your favorite natural toning mist, serums, and moisturizer.

Raspberries can be used topically to soften fine lines, fade sunspots, and give an instant firming lift to tired skin. Eight are chosen to symbolize eternal beauty. Grape-seed oil is a fabulous, lightweight firming oil that also helps unclog pores, while carrot-seed oil appears as a sorceress with the power to lessen existing wrinkles and keep new ones at bay. Hazelnut flour, though a bit pricey, is an amazing nutritive exfoliant that brings wisdom along with the ability to use it. It also makes a wonderful gluten-free baking flour, so its dual design makes it worth the investment.

Treat your skin to this glowing potion at a full moon, and whenever you need to shine!

*Note: Carrot-seed oil is highly active, which adds to its efficacy, but it can irritate sensitive skin. If you are sensitive, try experimenting with one or two drops first. If you find that your skin tolerates it well, you can try increasing the amount next time. If it’s too much, eliminate it altogether. The masque will still benefit you greatly.

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