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Ahh, summer. Long, golden days brimming with al fresco fun, good times spent with family and friends, and replenishing out-of-office rest and relaxation.

However, along with the many radiant positives that come with our brightest season are some less-desirable challenges as well. Most common to us all, we’re talking sunburn, insect bites and that sluggish summer listlessness that can weigh you down when that mercury spikes and stays up, up, up.

Fortunately, Mother Nature has the answer (doesn’t she always?). The gentle practice of aromatherapy - using pure essential oils extracted from the fruits, leaves, flowers, bark and stems of plants - can positively boost comfort and wellbeing. With their inherent cooling, soothing, insect repelling properties, specific essential oils like Peppermint, Lavender, Tea Tree, and Eucalyptus can be used in skin mists and compresses to naturally soothe your summer struggles.

Plus, uplifting floral, citrus and herbal essential oils are simply perfect for boosting the mood and promoting an atmosphere as optimistic and sunny as the summer day outside. Floral Geranium and Lavender, sweet juicy Orange and zesty Lemon, Lemongrass and Lemon Myrtle - to name just a few -  can be diffused alone or in bespoke combinations for a scent that resonates with and refreshes you.

Below, take a look at some (easy and accessible) aromatherapy solutions to help you stay cool, calm and comfortable.

Cooling Compress

Use essential oil in a cold compress to cool off on hot days. 

Place 1 x drop of Lavender and 1 x drop of Peppermint essential oil onto a cloth and soak in a small bowl of cool water. Wring out the cloth and gently press to the back of the neck, forehead and wrists for soothing, cooling relief. Dip, wring and repeat until the face cloth becomes warm. Cloth can be returned to the fridge for re-use throughout the day.

TIP: For extra cooling, pop the cloth in the fridge or even freezer prior to use.

Soothing Sunburn Body Mist

Sometimes, despite our best intentions and slip, sop, slap practice, skin can receive an accidental scorching from the sun. To help soothe sunburnt skin - or even as a refreshing after-sun treatment for skin that’s not burnt but feeling hot and uncomfortable - an aromatherapy skin mist is wonderful. Simply add 3 x drops of Lavender, 2 x drops Tea Tree and 1 x drop Peppermint essential oil to 100ml of cool water in a clean spray bottle. Shake well and spray onto body. Keep in the fridge to keep the solution fresh and cool, and use throughout the day as required.

TIP: For extra soothing and hydration, add 1 x tablespoon of Aloe Vera Gel (commonly found in health food stores and pharmacies) to your solution.

Note: Omit Peppermint from the recipe if you intend to use mist on the face.

Natural Insect Repellant

Essential oils can also help to repel bugs without the potentially toxic chemicals of non-natural insect repellants. The likes of Peppermint, Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lemon Myrtle and Lavender can help keep summer pests from biting. To make your own natural insect repellant spray, add a mix of up to 10 drops of the aforementioned essential oils to 250ml water in a clean spray bottle. Ideally, a mix of up to 3 unique oils is best. Spray onto skin and surfaces as needed and keep in the fridge for use throughout the day. Note: Avoid spraying directly into the face.

TIP: For a simpler alternative, use up to 10 x drops of Natio Focus on Defence Pure Essential Oil Blend, which offers a pre-blended mix of excellent repellant oils.]

Indoors, these oils can be vaporised or diffused (depending on the equipment you have available). Simply add up to 6 drops of essential oil to your vaporiser or diffuser to help keep flies and mozzies at bay.

Note: Pets can be more sensitive to Essential Oils than people, with many Essential Oils best avoided altogether for their comfort and safety. Always consult your vet prior to use and follow label instructions.

TIP: again, an essential oil blend such as Natio Focus on Defence Pure Essential Oil Blend offers an easy, pre-mix of essential oils reputed for effective insect repellency.

Calming Insect Bite Relief

To help reduce inflammation, apply 1 x drop of Lavender neat to the bite.

To help relieve itch, dilute 1 x drop of Peppermint in 10mls carrier oil and gently dab onto the bite.

Positive Mood Booster

Vaporised or diffused, cooling, energising and uplifting essential oils can offer refreshing relief from summer sluggishness, helping to revive the spirit and create an atmosphere of positive energy. Cooling mint, zesty citrus, cheerful florals and sweet woods are especially nice during the warmer months, and can be combined per your personal preference. Blend your own or sweeten your summer with some of the below essential oil combinations:

- Lemongrass, Orange & Peppermint 

- Geranium, Lavender & Lemon

- Lavender, Peppermint & Lemon 

TIP: Refreshing, revitalising essential oils are great for road trips! No need for equipment, you can simply apply a few drops of aromatic essential oil to a tissue and tuck into your car’s fan vents or console storage to support alertness and/or promote freshness and optimism as you travel.

Always follow the dosage instructions on the bottle, and instructions for your vaporiser/diffuser. And again, remember that pets can be more sensitive to Essential Oils than people, with many Essential Oils best avoided altogether for their comfort and safety. Always consult your vet prior to use.

That's just a handful ideas and recipes to get you started and support a super summer, naturally. Once you get started, the sky’s the limit, so take your aromatherapy alchemy as far as you’d like. Or if you like your essential oil elixirs readymade, Natio can support you there too. Take a look at our Home Happiness range of pure essential oils, blends, roll-ons, carrier oils and accessories.

Wishing you a safe and scent-sational summer!

A bold or shimmering eyeshadow can completely alter a makeup look but can often be difficult or time consuming to execute. With the launch of our new Glide On Eyeshadow Sticks, Natio is making a statement eye more achievable than ever before. Here are some tips to perfect that long-lasting look ahead of your holiday festivities. 

Primed for perfection 

For a flawless finish, it’s crucial to build a strong base under any makeup products – regardless of the look you are trying to achieve. For a silky-smooth appearance, we recommend applying a fine layer of primer to ensure all your cosmetics stick, last longer and avoid any potential pilling or balling.  
For a smooth, radiant base that will help makeup last longer, try the Ageless Illuminating Face Primer. Enriched with Rosehip Oil and Vitamin C, this step will completely up your game, allowing your makeup look to last from morning well into the evening. 

The eyes have it

Our new Glide On Eyeshadow Sticks are a one-step solution to luminous eyes. Available in six shades, they can be used for a single-colour statement, or blended together for a smoky eye.  
These eyeshadows are intended for long-wear, so they do dry quickly. We recommend applying the pigment to one eye at a time and blending out with either a dense eyeshadow brush or with clean fingertips. Alternatively, you can apply the product directly to your brush and press to your lid to get an even distribution of colour.   
If you like using products for multiple purposes, then the Halo Glide On Eyeshadow Stick is for you! This creamy, pearlescent shade is perfect for doubling as a highlight. Gently pat onto your cheekbones for a fresh glowy effect.

Luscious Lashes 

No shimmery eyeshadow look is complete without a lick of mascara. For lashes as long lasting as your eyeshadow, try our Waterproof Lengthening Mascara. Formulated to defy sweat, water and humidity, this mascara is perfect for a long day’s work, through to a turn around the dance floor this holiday season - just make sure you remember to remove it before you go to bed! 

Get set and glow! 

Spritz some Makeup Setting Spray on your way out the door to ensure all your products last as long as your eyeshadow. Enjoy a long-lasting glow all the way from Sunrise to Nightfall. 

This Christmas, many of us are approaching the Christmas festivities more sustainably. From giving gifts to what we eat, we are all playing a part in cherishing memories and moments with loved ones, whilst also being kind to Mother Earth. Here are some tried and tested ways to enjoy this season with friends and family without costing our planet.

Quality not Quantity

It’s a simple start, but when buying gifts, think “less is better” and focus on quality that will last, or offer a solution to the giver. With this in mind all Natio gift sets are made in Australia to reduce our carbon footprint and minimise shipping. Pick a gift that the receiver will love and use, and reduce the chances of gifts going to waste. Why not spoil loved ones with the gift of glowing skin and gift the Blossoming Beauty gift set with the Natio signature Aromatherapy 1-2-3 skincare routine.

Think about materials

World Wildlife Fund advises that we look at materials that gifts are made from to keep sustainability front of mind. Paper gifts and boxes can be made from recycled materials, or Forest Stewardship Certified (FSC) materials are a good sustainable choice. Avoid single use plastics items that cannot be recycled. The Forest Mist Natio for Men Gift set is a great option as it is presented in a recycled, locally made presentation box which can easily be recycled in your curbside recycling. The set includes a Daily Face Wash and 100% biodegradable konjac sponge which can be composted with your veggie, fruit and plant remains once you have finished using it!

Reduced packaging

You can also reduce waste by buying gifts that come in little to no packaging. Avoid plastic where possible and use reusable bags to carry your shopping home or choose online retailers who ship products to you in sustainable packaging options - like recycled paper or cornstarch beads in place of plastic bubble wrap. The Natio x Lamai Anne Christmas collection offers lovingly created gifts that include recycled or reusable components, and packaging to help you feel good about gifting to loved ones. Perhaps try Graceful Gum from the Natio Spirit range which features 3 full sized bath and body treats as well as a sisal exfoliating sponge in a reusable cosmetic bag.

Celebrating with food

When it comes to food waste in Australia on average, we annually waste close to 312kg of food per person, this has an impact not only on our environment but also our spending. Try to cut any waste by planning ahead – be realistic about how much food you need and plan ways to use up leftovers. If you can focus on seasonally available fresh foods, not only will this be a great way to minimise spending, but the food will be the freshest – also consider shipping and the environmental impacts of importing foods that aren’t in season locally.

Considered Decorating

Use the ethos of “quality not quantity.” Use, create and upcycle as many decorations as possible. Reusing ornaments is not only positive for the environment but also offer yearly family traditions that can be cherished. Try and avoid any single use plastics, focus instead on materials that can be reused season on season. And don’t forget to think about your Christmas lights! Using LED lights on your Christmas tree uses less energy, lasts longer, and looks just as effective as traditional lights.

We hope you can see how easy it is to make some simple swaps for a happy, and more sustainable Christmas this year. Wishing you and your family a peaceful and joy filled festive season.

It’s the latest look for many Australian men... there’s no denying that beards are back and naturally, now maintenance is key.  

Natio’s Wild Ranges collection includes everything a man would need to keep his facial hair, and the skin beneath in good shape. 

The Vegan Friendly beard oil helps nourish and repair hair with just 3 –5 drops a day. Packed with botanical oils, not only does it smell fresh, but will help moisturise and condition facial hair and make it easier to style. Beard oil will help reduce any irritation that might be caused by the facial hair, as well as keep the beard looking fresh and smelling sensational.  

It’s simple to apply: 

1. Apply 3 – 5 drops of the oil into the palms of your hands and rub together. It can help if the beard is still a little damp, not totally dry. Perhaps after a shower is a good time to get the process started. 
2. Massage into the skin and hairs, getting deep into the roots and infusing the skin beneath with moisture rich serum. You can brush your hands as if you are shaving, using repeated downward motions. 
3. Comb to finish – either using your fingtertips or a comb to finish the job. This will help distribute the oil evenly and complete the look. 

 There are plenty of great new products for men in Natio’s wild ranges collection. Perfect for the man on the go, they’re packed with soothing natural ingredients.  

You might also like to try: 

• Wild Ranges Shave Gel 
• Wild Ranges Aftershave Balm 
• Wild Ranges Face and Body Exfoliating Bar 
• Wild Ranges Hair And Body Shower Gel 

A change of the seasons brings shorter days and a drop in the temperature. This may seem like an opportunity for your skin regimen to rest after the warm weather, but in fact, the dry, low humidity can cause skin to turn dry and dull in the cold. Here are a few tips to stay fresh this season:

Keep hydrated

Just because you’re indoors more, doesn’t mean you can skip out on hydration. Colder weather means drier air, and our skin notices the change. To avoid dry, flaky and thirsty skin through the cooler months, ensure you have at least one moisturising product in your daily skincare regimen. If you’re sitting in a warm, air-conditioned space like an office, your skin might also need a bit of extra love throughout the day. The occasional spritz of Rosewater Drench Mineral Face Mist offers immediate relief and can keep your thirst quenched between morning and night routines. 

Don’t overheat

In the cooler months, it can be tempting to turn the shower to piping hot. It’s nice to warm up after a chilly day out but be careful! Although it feels comforting, hot water actually dries out the skin and it’s protective barriers, which can exacerbate existing skin issues, like eczema and inflammation.

In the bath or shower keep the water temperature warm to avoid leaving your skin high and dry. It may not be as soothing, but your skin will thank you for it in the long run. Instead of a steamy soak, recreate your favourite spa treatments at home with the help of essential oils. Diffusing an essential oil blend like the Calm Essential Oil Blend evokes the perfect home-spa atmosphere, combining the calming properties of mandarin, lavender, and bergamot.

Pro tip: Moisturise your body within three minutes of getting out of the shower for the best absorption of your moisturiser or body oil.

Stay sun safe

While there may be far less sunlight than the warmer months, now is not the time to get stingy with your SPF routine. Our skin is still exposed to UVA and UVB rays regardless of the season, so anytime spent outdoors can run the risk of sun damage. Ensuring sunscreen remains part of your routine year-round can protect your skin from the elements and fight signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines. Rosewater Hydration Moisture Balance Day Cream SPF 50+ doubles as a moisturiser and a highly protective barrier from both UVA and UVB exposure, while antioxidant-rich rosewater and aloe soothes the skin. This cream is super light and non-greasy, so it’s perfect under your makeup any time of the year.

Layer up for bed

Curling up under some cosy covers is the best part of a chilly evening. Before you head to bed, perfect your night-time routine to make waking up on a cold, dreary morning that little bit less painful for yourself and your skin! Layer up your favourite comfy quilts and fleecy sheets, and don’t forget to layer up your skincare.

Rest and rejuvenate by warming some Regenerative Face Oil between your hands and massaging onto your face. The combination of jojoba, rosehip and hazelnut is perfect for winding down after a long day in the cold. For an extra surge of hydration, layer up the Hydration Moisture Gel Sleeping Mask to get your skin through the night and ready for another day feeling fresh.

Take care everywhere

Wintery weather impacts us from head to toe. Other symptoms of winter dehydration can include dried or cracked knuckles and chapped lips. Nourish your whole self by applying moisture-enriching products to any affected areas to stay cool, but never scaley.

Treat your hands to an ultra hydrating cream to avoid cracked skin, particularly around tougher areas like your knuckles. Rosewater Hydration Moisture Rich Hand & Nail Cream absorbs fast and harnesses the rejuvenating properties of rosewater and carrot seed, leaving your skin and nailbeds soothed and softened.

A lip balm or oil is the perfect barrier to protect lips from harsh whipping winds. Keep Paw Paw Lip Balm on hand to avoid chapping or painful cracking. Natural ingredients like paw paw and honey provide a long-lasting salve for irritation and seasonal dehydration.  

Tuesday, 21 June marks the Winter Solstice for 2022. During the Winter Solstice, the sun travels the shortest path through the sky resulting in the day of the year with the least sunlight and therefore, the longest night.

While this might mean longer dark hours, don’t fret! This is the perfect opportunity to settle in and hibernate at home. There are many ways to turn your home into a cosy sanctuary, whether it’s filling your space with dreamy aromas, running a steamy bath to wind down or treating yourself to a home spa day, here are a few ways to mark the occasion and indulge yourself.

Home spa night

Research shows that our brains are impacted by the level of sun exposure we get. In winter, and particularly around the darkest periods like the Solstice, our serotonin levels are more likely to drop due to less time basking in the sun. Treat your body and soul to a much-needed recharge with a home spa night this Winter Solstice.

If you are lucky enough to have a bath in your home, now is the time to make the most of it. A restful dip in warm water is just the thing to pass the time. Spa Relaxing Magnesium & Mineral Bath Salts not only provides soothing aromatics, but the salts also work to ease tension and loosen the muscles after a long day.

To provide further aromatherapy comfort, try diffusing some key essential oils to spread the spa beyond the bathroom.

Aromatic evening

The Ambient Essential Oil Diffuser is the perfect way evoke a sense of calm, with the gentle mist spreading your scent of choice throughout the home for up to eight hours – that’s plenty of time to reset and relax. With just a few drops of Essential Oils, feel your tension melt away. Mandarin, Bergamot and Lavender come together in our Calm Blend, which as the name suggests, is sure to provide fast relief from any mid-week stressors.

Skin solstice

Take this downtime as an opportunity to mask up and detoxify your skin. In the hustle and bustle of the work week it can be hard to find time for yourself. Make the most of the Solstice dark hours to apply a clay mask, like our Spirit Green Clay & Manuka Honey Purifying Face Mask. The Green Clay draws out congestion while honey works to heal and hydrate. Leave this on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Finish up your evening with an Overnight Repair Sleep Mask, to start your post-solstice day refreshed and completely regenerated. Hopefully between this luxurious evening routine, and plenty of dark hours for a restful sleep, you’ll feel brand new.

Sure, nothing beats the feeling of skin that’s been freshly massaged with our Ageless Antioxidant Rosehip Oil, but here at Natio we believe that beauty is more than skin deep.

It’s spending time with friends and family earning those well deserved smile lines. It’s creating a home that you love coming home to and taking good care of your body. It’s taking a moment to meditate when life gets too much and reaching out for a chat when you need it. 

To us, taking care of your insides is just as important as taking care of your outsides, so here are some quick tips to create a home and environment that’s happy and trust us your skin will thank you. 

Get your beauty sleep.

It turns out that getting your beauty sleep isn't just reserved for Disney Princesses.  It's a must do for your body, mind, spirit – and skin. Adequate sleep has been linked to improving blood sugar, regulating cortisol and helping your body repair itself on a cellular level. Not to mention linked to having a brighter, more glowing complexion. 

 So how can you create a home atmosphere that makes catching those Z’s easy? 

• Reduce screen time 2 hours before bed. Around dinner time you can start to turn your electronics off and have dinner with family or friends and catch up. 
• Invest in quality bed linen and a mattress that supports your back. 
• Indulge in heavenly, relaxing scents from our Home Happiness range of oils and diffusers to calm your mind and get your body ready for bed 

Actively manage your stress. 

After living through a once in a lifetime pandemic, it’s safe to say that most of us reading this can relate to feeling stressed! Whila a little bit of stress in life is unavoidable, we can do little things to destress throughout the day and take dedicated self care time to make sure we’re bringing the best we can to every day. 

Plus, when we feel stressed, we’re more likely to opt for sugary or oily food that causes breakouts, skip our skincare routines or suffer from insomnia. Here are some of our favourite ways to bring peace back into our days and create more balance. 

• Set 10 minutes aside to breathe deeply before you start work. This helps to refocus your mindset and clear any annoying thoughts. 
• Try to make lunch 2-3 times a week if you’re notorious for being the office UberEats instigator. This will help to ensure you’re being mindful about what you eat, but still giving yourself the opportunity to treat yourself! 
• Apply some of our focus on wellbeing range to your wrists to bring your focus back to the present on particularly busy days. Our "focus on stress" roll on is our favourite! 

Create your own ritual.

Whether it’s a cooking ritual or a skincare one, finding your own routine is key to bring happiness into your day. Having something to look forward to can do wonders in improving your mood, grounding you and also helping to soothe your mind and body. While there’s no right or wrong way to create a ritual, it’s important that it’s something that brings you joy and relaxes you. You can share it with someone else, such as a weekly group yoga class, or go solo such as nightly bath.

Here are some of our suggestions if you’d like to create your own ritual at home.

• Create a skincare routine to fake your glow on the weeks that are just harder than others! Start with a face wash and toner to cleanse your skin, before infusing it with natural plant based serums to rehydrate and brighten, before sealing it all with a nourishing night cream. Try our skincare finder to create your perfect routine 
• Why not get family or friends involved in a weekly cooking extravaganza!? Each week, choose a recipe that’s simple but tasty and have everyone involved in some way; from chopping to frying to plating. It’s a great way to spend some time offline and connecting with your loved ones. 
• With so many resources on the internet, it’s a great time to learn a new skill or hobby! As the weather gets colder, we have been loving experimenting with our own essential oil blends. If you’d like to try, we have put together our best tips here.

After a long week, a pampering facial can help refresh your skin, remove impurities, and improve your mental health. For many of us, however, getting to appointments at our favourite salon is difficult. By taking beauty into your own hands (literally), you'll feel fabulous and your wallet will thank you.  

Let's get your 'me time' ritual started this weekend with our recommendations.  

Start with a cleansing oil  

When using a cleanser, your skin should feel clean, comfortable, and never tight or dry. Natio's Gentle Facial Cleansing Oil is the perfect solution. This product removes makeup, leaves skin smooth and supple, and works on all skin types. 

For a deeper clean and more concentrated nourishment, we recommend double-cleansing. 

Exfoliation  

Next, let's look at Treatments Radiant Skin Exfoliating Wipes. These pre-soaked, ready-to-use biodegradable wipes work to gently dissolve away dead skin cells without abrasion. The result is a smoother skin texture and a healthy, radiant, glowing complexion. 

Mist 

When applying masks, a face mist is helpful. We love using the Rosewater Hydration Drench Mineral Face Mist at this step. It's infused with natural essential oils to help product penetration and effectiveness before masks. 
 

Clay mask 

You can experience smoother, calmer, and more balanced skin with a deep charcoal mask like the Clear Deep Detox Charcoal Mask. Its Kaolin Clay-based formula effectively removes congestion and excess oils. While Hemp Seeds balance oil production and Aloe calms redness. Let it on the skin for 10 minutes or less if your skin is sensitive. Rinse well and wipe your face with a clean cloth.  

Nourishing mask 

For those of you hoping for a five-star facial, this added step is for you. We recommend adding another mask, yes you read correctly. By adding a thick nourishing repair mask, you can add moisture back into the skin it might have lost by detoxifying with clay. Our Marine Mineral Overnight Repair Sleep Mask is an intensive mask formulated with vitamin and mineral-rich plant extracts from both land and sea, along with hydrating Hyaluronate for brighter, firmer and more refreshed skin. 

Face Oil and Cream    

Our recommendation is to apply a thick moisturiser after the above treatments, such as the Ageless Extra Firming Night Cream. 
 
Application tip: Mix 1-2 drops of our face oils face oil into your moisturiser before applying to ensure greater slip and effectiveness. The suite of face oils from face oils are vegan-friendly, made in Australia, and each one is made with natural plant oils, extracts and essential oils.  

Final step  

Don’t forget to treat and nurture your lips with a nutrient-rich lip balm. Lip balms like Paw Paw Lip Balm are perfect as they provide a silky barrier against moisture loss. 

Let us know on social media what DIY facials you do! 

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One of the decades trending lifestyle shifts has been the push to use more vegan based products. Nowadays, more and more people are making conscious decisions about what they consume and the products they use in their daily lives and of course, on their skin. 

Firstly, it’s important to recognise the difference between vegan and cruelty free. A product that is vegan does not contain any animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients. This includes ingredients such as, beeswax, lanolin, carmine, gelatin and more.  

The term cruelty free in cosmetics and skincare refers to a company’s stance whether they or a third party test their products on animals.  

What is Natio’s position on cruelty free?  

Natio is proudly cruelty free. We have never tested on animals and we never will. In 1996 we gained accreditation with Choose Cruelty Free. We believe in the ethical development of our products, ensuring no furry friends are put in harm's way.

choosecrueltyfree.org.au

Why is it important to Natio to have vegan products in the range?  

Natio has always been conscious about the ingredients selected in the product range. The ingredients for every product are carefully curated to ensure not only performance but ingredients that are natural and kind to your skin and the environment.  Whist once a niche category, the gaining popularity and demand for vegan products has provided a great opportunity to offer more products with great performance and vegan ingredients.  

Shop our vegan products here 

Get a fresh summer skin look that's all vegan  

1. After applying your Natio suncare, apply Natio Precision Tubing Mascara to lashes.  
2. For a light flush to the cheeks, using the Natio Blusher Brush apply the blush from the Natio Blush and Bronze Palette in Sunkissed focusing on the apples of the cheeks.  
3. Finish your look by applying the Antioxidant Lip Shine in Bliss to your lips for a subtle colour.  
4. Let’s not forgot your nails, apply 1-2 coats of the Nail Colour in Peony to your nails and toes and you’re ready for an Aussie summer bbq!