Editor Spotlight: Natalie Way and her Rose Water Spray
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Today’s post is by Editor Natalie Way. She shares her wonderful recipe for rose water spray and describes her experience working on homemade bath and body products for Willow and Sage.
Like many of us, I’m the kind of person who will jump with both feet into anything that interests me: After seeing a movie, reading an article, or hearing a story that grabs my attention, I will research it to no end. I recently watched the movie “Casablanca” for the first time, (yes, for the first time!) and spent about an hour pouring through facts about the cast and the making of this classic movie.
After managing my first issue of Willow and Sage, our Autumn 2015 Issue, I have realized that this desire to know the ins and outs of things is a handy trait. I have become enamored with learning about natural ingredients — how and why they work — in skincare, bath, and beauty recipes. On most days you will find me reading articles about the benefits of jojoba oil, cleansing with Manuka honey, soaking in a tub of Epsom salt, or using coffee as an exfoliant.
One of my favorite articles in the current issue discusses aloe vera: Did you know that this miracle succulent can be used to treat psoriasis, increase moisture and circulation in the skin, and even tackle bad breath? Learning about the punch that many of these ingredients pack has opened my eyes to the advantages of having a collection of stripped-down bath and beauty products. 
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In an effort to fill my own skincare routine with products that have minimal ingredients, and in the name of creative investigation, I decided to try my hand at creating a face mist. The summer heat tends to dry out my skin so adding a dose of moisture made sense. Rose was one of those popular ingredients that I had been hearing about more and more — specifically rose essential oil, rose petals, and rose water — so I decided to use it as the base of my mist.
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Our tutorial for homemade rose water in the Summer 2015 Issue served as an excellent guide. My local farmers’ market sells an abundance of rose bouquets, and just three blooms were all that were needed to concoct this simple recipe on a Saturday afternoon. From simmering the petals to funneling the rose water into a spray bottle, the whole process only took about 20 minutes. I also added several drops of tea tree oil to keep blemishes at bay. I had never really considered the necessity of a face mist, let alone one as gentle as this, but after using my rose water spray for about two months, it has become a staple. 
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When it comes to my own skincare regimen, I have recently had much more success using gentle products that won’t affect the natural pH of my skin or strip it of natural oils. Morning and night I wash my face, apply a willow bark-based toner, and then spray the face mist to rehydrate my skin before applying moisturizer. Spraying rose water is a super important step that I didn’t think was essential to my skin, but man, do I see a difference when I wake up in the morning! That’s not to say that blemishes and dryness don’t show up from time to time; it happens. But waking up with a pampered and even complexion is definitely something to smile about!
If you’ve ever been curious about making bath and body products from scratch or minimizing the ingredients in your regimen, I encourage you to take a peek at Willow and Sage. It has been thrilling to hear how many of you are inspired by the recipes we feature, and we’re so appreciative that you have taken this journey with us. If you attempt a recipe at home or create something totally new, we’d love to see; share with us at willowandsage@stampington.com!
To creativity and curious minds,
Natalie
Natalie Way is a managing editor at Stampington & Company for Willow and Sage, Jewelry Affaire, Belle Armoire Jewelry, and Sew Somerset. Somerset Place would like to send a special thank you to her for providing this amazing post.
Posted: Friday, September 4th, 2015 @ 9:46 am
Categories: Homemade Bath and Body, How-To Project Tutorials.
Tags: DIY, editor spotlight, How-To, natalie way, rose water spray, willow and sage.
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The link in the email said recipe for rosewater. Where is the recipe?
Place petals from three rose blooms into a saucepan and add just enough distilled water to cover the blooms. Cover with a lid and simmer until the petals lose their color (about 20 minutes). Funnel the rose water into a spray bottle or jar.
This spray sounds so refreshing. I used to use a spray water called Evian and recall what a refreshing habit it was. This recipe sounds so much better and much less expensive for sure. Great for hot summer months to have on hand to use and feel as though you have splashed in water to cool off.
Hi I love the advice
Would I be able to see the recipe to make some at home. I cannot get hold of your magazine because I am in the UK and it is very difficult.
Kind regards. Andrea
Thank-you, Natalie~ Such a great idea as summer’s roses graceful nod and bid us adieu.
I get the Willow and Sage magazine. I cannot see to get an answer on the shelf life of the face mist on page 42 of the last issue. Can you help me.
Does it matter what kind of roses you use? I have Carpet roses