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Ingredients

Not Your Typical Orange

November 13, 2017

Thanks to its high content of vitamins and antioxidants, blood orange is a go-to ingredient in skincare products.

Benefits of Blood Orange

Blood orange contains a large amount of vitamin C, folic acids, and anthocyanins. Vitamin C protects your skin and helps to re-energize collagen production. Folic acid helps protect your skin against sun damage and reduces signs of aging. Anthocyanins AKA “super antioxidants” are effective at fighting against free radicals and slow down collagen breakdown.

Blood Orange has natural anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, all of which make it effective at eliminating germs and bacteria. It’s also great at stimulating blood circulation.

Which milk + honey products feature blood orange?

 Hand Soap No. 35

 

 Lip Polish No. 35

 

Cream Deodorant No. 52

 

{Photo Credit: 52Kitchen Adventures}

Body

Squeaky Clean Hands

November 13, 2017

Dirty hands are no match for milk + honey Hand Soap No. 35. This gentle hand soap not only cleanses your hands effectively but also leaves them feeling soft and hydrated.

What Makes milk + honey Hand Soap No. 35 Different?

Many liquid hand soaps on the market contain sulfates, parabens, and harsh detergents. These ingredients can strip the oils from your skin, leaving it cracked and dry. milk + honey Hand Soap cleanses and moisturizes your skin with plant-based ingredients and a citrusy blend of organic blood orange, ginger, and lemongrass essential oils. Blood orange and lemongrass have natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties that keep your hands clean. Ginger oil has natural stimulating properties that soothe inflammation and leave your hands healthy and moisturized.

milk + honey Hand Soap No. 35 is gentle enough for the whole family to use — even those with sensitive skin.

Shop milk + honey Hand Soap No. 35

Ingredients

Sunflower Seed Oil

November 13, 2017

Sunflower seed oil is a core component of many milk + honey bath and body care products. Today, we’re shining a brighter light on what makes sunflower seed oil an essential ingredient.

Photo credit: torange.biz

What Is Sunflower Seed Oil?

Compressed from sunflower seeds, it’s a fast-absorbing and moisturizing oil that’s rich in linoleic acid, an Omega-6 essential fatty acid, and oleic acid, an Omega-9 fatty acid. Sunflower seed oil is used as an emollient and helps to keep skin soft, balanced, and healthy.

Benefits of Sunflower Seed Oil

Given the high content of fatty acids, sunflower seed oil is packed with natural antioxidants and vitamin E, which maintain the skin’s health and minimize a range of health conditions. Among these benefits? Sunflower seed oil improves heart health, boosts energy, regenerates skin cells, strengthens the immune system, lowers cholesterol, and reduces inflammation. With time and regular usage, many see a reduction in scars, quicker wound healing, and glowing skin. In a sense, this oil is a miracle worker!

Which milk + honey Products Feature Sunflower Seed Oil?

Not so surprisingly, sunflower seed oil can be found in some of our most nourishing, healing products, including the milk + honey Arnica Balm and all three Bath & Body Oil blends. Shop these sunflower seed oil-infused products now:

Arnica Balm (in our new 1 oz. size!)

Bath & Body Oil No. 14

Bath & Body Oil No. 18

Bath & Body Oil No. 22

Body

How Do You Moisturize?

November 13, 2017

Consider milk + honey Bath & Body Oils your new beauty cure-all. These luxurious and nourishing oils will condition and protect your skin, leaving it smooth, soft, and supple.

All About Our Bath & Body Oils

Organic sunflower, avocado, and jojoba essential oils create the foundation of our Bath & Body Oils. Sunflower oil quickly absorbs into the deepest layer of your skin, while avocado oil — rich in proteins and vitamins — soothes skin irritation. Jojoba oil creates a protective layer on your skin that seals in water, nutrients, and vitamins from the other essential oils to keep it moisturized all day long.

Each of our Bath & Body Oils is formulated with chia seed extract and organic sea buckthorn berry fruit extract to restore dry, damaged skin. Vitamin E softens and revives dull skin. Organic pomegranate seed extract, which is packed with lipids and natural free-radical fighters, helps to prevent wrinkles.

Shop milk + honey Bath & Body Oils

Gentle enough for babies and adults with sensitive skin, Bath & Body Oil No. 14‘s calming lavender aroma will lull you to sleep.

Arnica-infused Bath & Body Oil No. 18 calms dry skin and heals aches, pains, and bruises.

Hydrate your body from head-to-toe with the blend of ylang ylang, rose geranium, and petitgrain essential oils in Bath & Body Oil No. 22.

Body, Massage, Uncategorized, Wellness

4 Steps to a Top-Notch Massage

October 26, 2017

We know what you’re thinking. What could possibly make a massage even better? We have the answer: a massage with enhancements. Each enhancement will take your massage to the next level by addressing a specific intention.

 

If you’re on the go:

Our back scrub or foot scrub doesn’t add much time to your reservation, but it makes the experience extra special. The added exfoliation is also great for circulation and removing dead skin.

If you’re feeling adventurous:

We recommend giving Body Brushing a try. It feels interesting and invigorating. The process helps to prevent cellulite, stimulate circulation, and lymphatic drainage. The best part? You keep the brush and take it home with you. Dry brushing at home can become a simulating ritual, similar to drinking a cup of coffee in the morning.

If you’re trying to beat the cold, winter months:

Our Warm Oil Scalp and Neck massage is the perfect wintertime treat. This enhancement adds an extra 15 minutes to your experience, as your therapist drizzles warm oil down your head and neck before performing a scalp massage.  Make sure you have time to enjoy the steam shower after this enhancement. This icing on the cake with this enhancement: the oils are incredibly hydrating for your hair.

If you want the ultimate “treat yourself” experience:

The Ultimate Massage package includes full body brushing, a 90-minute massage, as well as the Warm Oil Scalp and Neck massage. It’s just as luxurious as it sounds–we promise.

 

Still curious about our enhancements?

Check out the full list here.

 

Body, Uncategorized

Style Guide: 5 Styles Explained

October 25, 2017

Our team of licensed massage therapists is incredibly talented and well-rounded. We always recommend asking your therapist what they specialize in–you never know what interesting skills they bring to the table. When it comes to massage styles, it can be intimidating to know where to start. That’s why we’re starting with the basics. Read on for five common styles explained, debunked, and broken down.

 

Signature (Swedish)

Let’s start with the basics. Swedish massages are relaxation-based and focus on tension relief. Think flowy, longer stokes. This style will also be customized to your pressure preferences. The goal of Swedish massage is to set your body to homeostasis a.k.a. your body’s center, home base.

 

Deep Tissue

For more focused, therapeutic work, ask your therapist about Deep Tissue. You might benefit from this style if you have concentrated, specific issues you’d like to remedy. A common misconception about Deep Tissue is that the style must be very firm and intense. In fact, our therapists can use the therapeutic benefits of Deep Tissue without using hard or firm pressure.

 

Reiki

Have you ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed? Ever walk away from a situation just feeling kinda bleh?  Do you ever feel an ominous weirdness you just can’t shake? That’s how you know it’s time to try Reiki. It’s a type of subtle therapy using light touch that can help with insomnia, anxiety, digestive issues, relaxation, and even PTSD. It activates your chakras (or energy centers) to help calibrate your energetic field. Science has shown we all have electromagnetic fields around us, and a Reiki therapist can help realign your said field.

At milk + honey, there is still massage incorporated – its partially Signature Massage and partially Reiki. You can even customize the ratio to your preference.

Note that only select therapists offer Reiki. Please call ahead or email [email protected] for more info.

 

Pre-Natal

At milk + honey, we only offer Pre-Natal Massage after your first trimester. We offer a unique bolstering system that can be adjusted to your baby bump to allow the prone position (lying on your stomach.) Of course, you can always lie on your side if that better suits your comfort level. We offer a cold pack during the massage and touching of the abdomen is optional.

Sports Massage

Ready to stretch? Sports Massages lengthen tissues and change fascia. They’re great for pre or post-workout, of course. If you’re active, training for a marathon or 5k, or working through a sports injury, this is your go-to. Don’t be fooled, though — this massage is really for anyone looking to increase flexibility. If you sit at a desk all day, this style would also be helpful for you.

 

Take it home:

Looking to relieve and relax your muscles, but can’t make it into the spa? Here are two at-home steps you can take. First, try our Muscle Soak, formulated with Eucalyptus, Arnica, Rosemary, Sweet Marjoram to soothe aches and pains. Next, follow up with a small amount of our powerful Arnica Balm to soothe targeted muscles and joints. Not as good as a massage, but a close second best.

Shop Muscle Soak

Shop Arnica Balm

 

Still unsure? That’s okay. 

“milk + honey is unique because the consultation process allows us to identify what the you need. Book the time and know that your therapist is going to guide you.”

-LaLa, Licensed Massage Therapist, milk + honey 2nd Street District

 

Check massage availability.

Massage, Wellness

5 Lesser Known Benefits of Massage

October 24, 2017

As we enter National Massage Week, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of a revolution. From wellness blogs to countless Instagram experts, we’re being encouraged to prioritize ourselves more than ever. Without a doubt, massage is one key piece to a well-rounded wellness puzzle. In fact, massage has many lesser known benefits. Scroll on to learn a handful of massage benefits.

Mood Booster

It’s no secret that massages are a stress reliever, but there’s actual science to prove it. In fact, studies show that massage boosts your serotonin by as much as 30 percent. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that reduces depression and regulates anxiety.

Improves Balance

Emotional balance, check. Physical balance, also check. Massage can help improve stability and balance — especially for older folks. A study suggests massage may produce physiological changes that contribute to improved balance.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Yep, seriously. Lowered blood pressure results have been reported lasting up to 72 hours after massage therapy. This particular test was conducted using Swedish style massage.

Regulates Sleep

Okay, yes — it’s common for some to fall asleep on the massage table. But even outside of the spa, there is research that indicates massage improves sleep for adults.

Keeps You Active

Sports Massages are wonderful for increasing range of motion and speeding recovery in athletic-related injuries.

 

 

Ready for your next massage?

View open reservations.

Austin, BEES, Green, Ingredients, Living, News, Products

Honey, We’ve Got BEES by milk + honey!

September 28, 2017

apiary montage copy

The U.S. honeybee population has been dying off in droves and the impact of this has a rippling effect on both our economy and on the global food supply. At the commercial beekeeping level, beekeepers are experiencing 30 to 50 percent hive loss (on average!) due to the not-so-mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder. Additionally, there have been major declines in native bee populations, which hold serious consequences for our native landscapes.

Let’s put it in everyday life perspective. Here’s what a meal without honeybees might look like, pictured below.

picnic without bees copyConsider that 90 percent of the wild plants you see around your neighborhood and 35 percent of the produce section in your local grocery store require bees to survive. Without bees, there will be a significant reduction in the quality and length of our planet’s health and human existence. Scary, right?

This is where our own story began in June 2015.

Alissa Bayer, milk + honey founder and owner, wanted to find a way to help the bees in the most direct way possible. So, in the winter of 2014, she reached out to Anna Gieselman. You may recognize Anna’s name from her gorgeous bee-inspired jewelry line, Bee Amour, which we sell in most of our locations. Or perhaps you know Anna as one of our original massage therapists. She has been a part of the milk + honey since our earliest days in 2006 and she also happens to be an experienced beekeeper.

Together, they partnered up to create an urban apiary, BEES by milk + honey.

Under milk + honey’s sponsorship, Alissa and Anna sourced bees from fourth-generation beekeepers at Bee Weaver, who have been raising bees without the use of chemical interventions for more than 15 years. Our small, but growing, urban apiary started as 10 hives in total — six were hosted on some beautiful land off of Bee Cave Road and four hives are located on a rooftop near 5th Street and I-35 (the old Progress Coffee spot!) — and today, we have more than a dozen thriving hives located in East Austin.

At our apiary, we practice “organic” beekeeping, meaning we choose not to use chemicals to treat the bees for pests. We raise our bees with the intention of supporting them through non-aggressive beekeeping techniques and with the goal of raising healthy strong hives for our environment. We have also started a beekeeping apprenticeship program for milk + honey employees, in the hopes of educating even more people about the importance of bees.

IMG_4095 copy

Ultimately, we hope to see the apiary continue to thrive and expand in the coming years, as well as use the bees as a tool to keep the conversation going about the role humans must play in cultivating a healthy ecosystem.

Wondering how you can help, too?  Here are a few tips on how to start:

  1. Make a commitment to buy only organic produce and nuts when available and possible. By shopping at the numerous local farmers’ markets, you support organic growers and beekeepers in town. {FYI, this is a comprehensive list of food that requires pollinators.}
  2. Plant bee-supportive plants and do not use pesticides on those plants.
  3. Make a DIY solitary bee house.
  4. Petition Congress and local government officials to create and support bee-friendly agricultural policies and laws.

You can follow milk + honey and Anna’s beekeeping adventures on our Instagram as well as on Anna’s Instagram and Facebook page. Plus, stay tuned for more blog posts about what we are up to right here!

Body, News

Warm Up With Our New Seasonal Scrub: Pumpkin Spice

September 22, 2017

Chef Name: Food Network Kitchen Full Recipe Name: Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole, Pumpkin Spice-Cranberry Muffins, Pumpkin Spice Buns, Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Talent Recipe: FNK Recipe: Food Networks Kitchen’s Pumpkin Spice Latte, as seen on Foodnetwork.com, Food Networks Kitchen’s Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole, as seen on Foodnetwork.com, Food Networks Kitchen’s Pumpkin Spice-Cranberry Muffins, as seen on Foodnetwork.com, Food Networks Kitchen’s Pumpkin Spice Buns, as seen on Foodnetwork.com, Food Networks Kitchen’s Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal, as seen on Foodnetwork.com Project: Foodnetwork.com, FN Essentials/Weeknights/Fall/Holidays Show Name: Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

Pumpkins, brown leaves, and crisp cool air are all signs that fall is officially here (even if we won’t feel that crisp air here in Texas any time soon!). Starting today, we’re offering our new seasonal scrub, Pumpkin Spice. Filled with warm, earthy notes of pumpkin seed, nutmeg, and ginger, this invigorating blend will nourish your body and calm the senses. The scrub is made with organic raw sugar, which gently buffs away dry, dead cells to reveal fresh, soft new skin. Ground cinnamon, clove, and ginger work together to plump your skin, improve evenness and elasticity, and provide antioxidant protection against harmful free-radicals. Lastly, ground pumpkin seed, which is packed with vitamins A and E, promotes cell rejuvenation, providing a barrier against skin-damaging external pollutants.

What treatments feature our Pumpkin Spice Scrub?

Pumpkin Spice Scrub + Steam + Massage

Renew and refresh your skin with this invigorating treatment. First, our seasonal scrub gently exfoliates dead skin cells to give brighter, softer, and more nourished skin. A relaxing steam, followed by a 45-minute Signature Massage, completes this treatment and leaves your mind and body feeling soothed.

Pumpkin Spice Scrub + Manicure and Pedicure

The scrub purifies the skin while nutmeg and clove oil provide anti-aging antioxidants. This treatment includes the same care as our Lux Combo.

 

Photo Credit: Food Network

Ingredients, Living, Wellness

10 Feel-Good Benefits of Honey

August 17, 2017

We’re big fans of honey bees at milk + honey. Case in point: to bring awareness to the decline in the honey bee population and do our part to help save them, we created an urban apiary called BEES by milk + honey in 2015. Today, we have more than a dozen thriving hives in Austin, TX, all of which utilize organic, sustainable beekeeping practices.

In honor of National Honey Bee Appreciation Day, we’re sharing the top 10 reasons honey is good for you.

10 Reasons Why Honey is Good For You

  1. Antioxidant-rich. Honey contains phenols, enzymes, flavonoids, and organic acids — all of which play a crucial role in honey’s laundry list of health-positive benefits.
  2. Reduces the risk of heart-related ailments. Thanks to its antioxidant-rich properties, honey reduces the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. But that’s not all! It also works overtime to regulate blood sugar levels and promote eye health. A better question might be: is there anything honey can’t do?
  3. Improves cholesterol levels. In addition to honey’s happy-heart ways, it also has been proven to lower LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides. Win-win.
  4. Acts as a natural cough suppressant. For children one year and older, honey is a great alternative to traditional cough medicine. It acts as a natural and safe cough suppressant that is as effective as a single dose of dextromethorphan.
  5. Moisturizing and nourishing. You can use honey in your homemade face scrubs and washes. It emulsifies easily with water (surprisingly, no stickiness!) and can help to moisturize and further nourish dry skin.
  6. Reduces allergies. Not only is honey anti-inflammatory, it also contains small amounts of pollen, which can actually help your immune system stave off local allergies.
  7. Promotes burn and wound healing. Honey is packed with antibacterial and antifungal properties. When it comes to applying a natural salve to minor wounds, cuts, and burns, honey is your go-to.
  8. Consider it “brain food.” Honey can naturally assist the brain to prevent metabolic stress, which in turn, helps one to achieve truly restful sleep. And you know what happens after a good night’s sleep? Our cognitive and memory enhancement is on point. 
  9. Helps with an itchy scalp and dandruff. When diffused with water and applied to an itchy, dry scalp, honey’s natural humectant properties help to heal and moisturize.
  10. Increases athletic performance. Honey maintains glycogen levels and improves recovery time post-workout. In a nutshell? Athletes shouldn’t skip a daily spoonful of honey!

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