As well as having medicinal uses, the beautiful, aromatic Apothecary's Rose (Rosa Gallica) and other scented rose hybrids, have long been associated with beauty and romance.

Rose scented cosmetics are very popular right now, but they are surprisingly simple to make, and their greatest value is that the aromatherapy qualities keep you feeling fresh and calm through the day.

If you have an abundance of roses in your garden, or a supply of Rose Essential oil on your shelf, you can create a range of ravishing rose products to pamper yourself with.

If you are using fresh or dried rose petals you will need to infuse them in oil and witch hazel or pure alcohol, and set them in a warm place (but not in direct sunlight) for a few days. Keep testing the product to see how the aroma is doing by dipping a fresh cotton wool bud into the liquid.

If you need more aroma after about a week, strain off the petals through muslin and add more fresh petals.

Or you can just use the essential or "craft oil" (that is essential oil mixed with a carrier oil like Almond, quite aromatic enough for our purposes).

Rose Scented Skin Cleanser

A good skin cleanser is a must. Cream skin cleanser is gentle and good for most skin types. Start with plain old Sorbolene cream, available from any Chemist or herbal supply store. It's a plain white unscented cream, which can be used as a base for almost any cream preparation. To make the basic skin cleanser, add a few drops of rose oil, and the contents of three or four Vitamin E oil capsules to a small jar of sorbolene cream. Blend well together.

Honey and Roses Cleansing Cream

To one-quarter cup of sorbolene cream, add 1 tsp Almond Oil (for the Vitamin E), a dessertspoon of warmed honey, and as much Rose oil as will give an aromatic scent. With a wooden spatula, whip the ingredients together. Put the combined cream and oils into a dark glass jar, seal and keep in a cool place.

To use, smooth some of the cream over your face and gently remove with tissues.

After cleansing your skin, you will need to use a soothing toner that will not irritate or inflame sensitive skin. This is mild and effective.

Rose Toner

Mix equal parts of witch hazel and distilled water (about 1 or two cups, depending on the capacity of the container). Add to this one-tablespoon of cider vinegar and as much Rose Oil as you desire.
Store in a cool place and apply to the skin with cotton wool pads.

A gentle soothing moisturizer should be applied after the toning, to calm the skin and keep its natural oils and moisture locked in.

Rose and Oatmeal Moisturiser

Soak a half a cup of oatmeal in half a cup of distilled or spring water. Strain the oatmeal through muslin, squeezing hard to extract the milky liquid and add a tablespoon of warmed honey, and mix well. Soak rose petals in the liquid in the fridge for a day or two or just add enough rose oil scent the mixture. Apply with a piece of cotton wool.

Before you go out, don't forget to carry the scent of roses with you.

Rose Spritzer

Steep rose petals in a cup of witch hazel or pure alcohol (you can use Vodka) for about a week, or until the aroma has permeated the liquid. Alternatively, for a quicker result, you can add a few drops of rose oil to the liquid, and go on to the next step straight away.

Add one cup distilled or spring water, and a tablespoon of aloe vera gel (you can extract it from a stem of the plant) put in a bottle, cap tightly and shake well. Keep in a very cool place, (the fridge is fine) in a bottle with a spray attachment. You can float a few rose petals in the bottle for a pretty look.

Spray on as a cooling spritzer cologne any time.

Rose scented body powder

Soak several cotton make up remover pads in rose oil and allow to dry. Use the pads to line the bottom of small lidded container like a talc box. Mix half a cup of cornstarch with half a cup of bicarbonate of soda and tip over the cotton wool pads. The powder will take up the scent, but you may have to stir or shake it now and again. Use as regular talc. The bicarb acts as a deodorant.

About the Author: From the book The Apothecary's Kitrchen by Gail Kavanagh, available at http://www.lulu.com/kavanaghsattic

Source: www.isnare.com