This is our first Product Feature Blog Post! Let us know what you think of these and if you want us to continue with them!

    If you haven’t heard of these magical balls (yes, I said it), then you are certainly missing out! Not only are they multi-purpose, reusable, and natural, you can add scent to them if you want. Seriously. They are so good. (and there may be a little treat at the end, so it’s definitely worth the read!)

   Our dryer balls are made of pure wool roving. We triple felt them, making them a solid ball of wool. This makes them last a long time. So many people ask me how long they last. I cannot even tell you from my own experience. I still use some of the first balls I made when I was experimenting with them before I released them (which has been quite a few years now). Commercial makers of them say they last 1000 loads. That is definitely true for our dryer balls and more, making them a highly reusable item to have in your home. They help reduce waste and decrease your impact on the planet.      
    If you still use dryer sheets, get up right now, go in your laundry room, and throw those in the garbage. Seriously. Not only are they filled with chemicals that are toxic to you and your family in many ways, they are also unnecessary when you have dryer balls. You actually don’t need your fabric softener either. Just sayin’. Dryer balls can really replace both of those widely-used chemical-laden products from your laundry routine.
   So, how do they work you ask? The balls tumble throughout your dryer, creating more air circulation, which dries your clothes more evenly, which means quicker. Because they are pure wool, they act as a mild softener and can help with static cling and wrinkles. If/when you add essential oils, because they brush against your clothing, they add a mild scent, which is natural and plant based.

         So, let’s recap what benefits our Dryer Balls have. They:
-are highly reusable (cost less then $0.01 per load)
-reduce dry time
-reduce static and wrinkles
-naturally softens clothing
-hypoallergenic
-add a natural scent to your clothes by adding essential oils to the balls

And they are affordable!

  Some Dryer Ball FAQ’s:
-How many balls do I need per load? The set of 3 works best for any standard sized load. If you run alot of larger loads, I suggest using 2 sets. You can’t really use too many balls at a time.

-How much essential oil should I use? It’s really up to you, but I suggest trying an oil like lavender, orange, or lemongrass to start. Put 2-3 drops per ball, every other load. Then go from there. If you want more, try more or add some every load. It is up to you. I suggest using lighter colored oils, especially with lighter colored clothing, but I have never had a problem with any oils on any clothing. But I suggest to just be aware of that.

-What are they made of? We only use 100% wool roving. We don’t add any synthetic fibers as fillers. Just the good stuff. And as far as scent, our Dryer Balls always come unscented.

-Why wool and not a tennis ball or a plastic ball? Even though wool is an animal product, we love it because then the wool is being put to good use (as the sheep need to get sheared) and it has a positive impact on our earth and lives in other ways. As we are all trying to reduce our use of plastics, while still reusable, we like to eliminate the need for plastics if possible. A tennis ball would work, but I am unsure of what they are generally made of and they as they tumble, they can be quite loud in the dryer. Our customers who have tried the tennis balls have said they much prefer our Dryer Balls over them. So, there’s that as well.

-Do they snag? I have never had an issue with this. And I don’t always zip all the zippers, snap the snaps, etc. They are pretty solid and smooth, so I can’t see this being an issue.

-My clothes become static-y when i use them. Why? Your dryer settings are most likely too hot. Try to turn the temp down and see if that helps. I have heard people using a ball of aluminum foil a few times to help, but have never tried this.

​-What if I don’t want any scent? Then simply don’t add any oils. That is perfectly fine. The balls also come unscented, so you can leave them that way if you prefer.

-Where do i store them? I tend to keep mine right in the dryer. Some do escape to the laundry basket and get cycled through however. You are welcome to store them however you’d like! They come in a lovely kraft bag with a tie tin top, so you can easily store them in there or in a basket, totally depends on your space and style. 

With this blog also comes a release of a new product, our Dryer Ball Oil! While you can use any pure essential oil, we wanted to create a blend that is perfect for any laundry routine! Read more in the listing, linked below! {note: this is the only place to get it right now, and you're the first to hear about it!}


I hope you enjoyed this product spotlight blog post. Let us know if you would like to see more of them! And I hope you learned a bit about our Dryer Balls! They are such an amazing product so I hope you try them out for yourself!

We appreciate you reading our blog and following us! To say thank you, shop our Dryer Balls and newly released Dryer Ball Oil from the link below to save! Shop here before March 8th to save!

https://www.herbesque.com/store/p248/dryerball-blogdeal.html

Until next time,
Nicole

We are honored to have Alex, a Licensed Massage Therapist and owner of Massage Oasis on the blog today, chatting about self care and giving us some great techniques for massage, whether you have a partner or not! Massage is such an amazing and truly beneficial way to practice self care. 

Here is what Alex has to say!

     What is self-care?  Self-care is anything that we do to take care of ourselves in order to preserve or improve our own health and mental well-being.  While the details of what this looks like are different to everyone, one thing that stays consistent is that is important for all of us.  Self-care plays a large role in reducing overall stress and increasing happiness. Too often we think about everyone else in our lives and forget about ourselves, but the key thing to remember is that self-care is not selfish.  After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup!
    One way you can show your body some love is through massage techniques that can be performed either on yourself or a partner.  I personally enjoy using Herbesque’s Massage oils. They are high quality and handcrafted with no artificial fragrances. My favorite is the lavender which helps to relax and calm the mind.
    #1 Massaging the feet is a great way to not only relax but also reward your body. Each foot has nineteen muscles and up to 200,000 nerve endings.  Those muscles and receptors are in charge of making continuous adjustments so that the body can stay balanced. Keeping the feet in good condition is one great way to help keep your entire body feeling good.  
    Using your thumb, try starting at the base of the big toe and running your thumb down the arch towards the heel.  Repeat this motion separating the sole of the foot into three segments. An alternative way of doing this would be to use a tennis ball while seated or standing apply tolerable pressure and slowly rolling the foot forward and backwards over the ball.   With this motion we are targeting the plantar fascia. By repeating this exercise daily not only can it improve how the feet feel, but also help to release tension through the calves and hamstrings.
   #2 Taking care of our hands is not something we often consider however, we SHOULD!  There are 34 muscles that contribute to the movement of our fingers and thumb. Who would have thought!  So try this.
    Use your thumbs, to trace heart onto the palm of your partners hand.  Repeat this motion 3-5 times. From there use your thumb and index finger and wrap them around the base of one of your partners fingers using a moderate amount of pressure, and pull away from the body.  Repeat this until you have done each finger. You can easily do these two techniques on yourself, repeat all of the steps just using one hand.
     Receiving professional massage on a regular basis can be beneficial for most people.  Through various massage techniques, therapists are able to customize a session specifically to the needs of each client.   Your therapist will be able to help you decide how often you should come in for a professional massage session based on your body’s specific needs.  Talking to your therapist about what your main areas of concern are and how you are feeling both before and after your massage will help determine what would work best for you.  Benefits of regular massage include reduced stress, improved range of motion, better sleep, increased circulation and many more.

If you have any questions for Alex or want to book an appointment (she's amazing!) visit her website or check her out on Facebook! 

Thank you SO much for these amazing tips! I hope you all enjoyed this! Let us know if you want to see more blogs like this. Email us here with your thoughts and ideas! 

If you want to check out our line of natural Massage Oils, those are available here. Just in time for Valentine's Day. ;) 

Also, be on the lookout on our Facebook page as we will be giving away a massage treatment by Alex and some Herbesque goodies as well. Worth over $100! 

Until next time!
Nicole

Let's talk about Clay for a minute. No, not Clay Matthews. (I know my local friends too well...) Clay, you know, the stuff that is found in our beautiful earth. 

You will find clay in a few of my products, and for a good reason. The skin loves it! Not only is it detoxifying, it can also smooth skin and replenish it with several key nutrients the skin and our bodies may be lacking. 

There are several varieties of clay. I use mainly kaolin, bentonite, rose or red, and french green. They have key differences, but are also very similar to each other. 

From a skin care standpoint, clay is safe for most skin types. It isn't an irritant, making it safe for even sensitive skin. Some clays aid in moisture retention, and some absorb excess oil, making it amazing for oily skin. Using a clay masque, for example, draws toxins out from the skin, which in the long run, is what is best for our skin and bodies. Our clay masques are also smoothing and soothing for the skin. They are a great addition to your weekly routine. 

Some nutrients found in clay are magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, and other minerals. 

If you are going to buy clay yourself, please be mindful and research the companies you are purchasing from. Some clays are not safe or contain unwanted ingredients that simply aren't needed or can be toxic. Here at Herbesque, we always, always look into the companies we purchase from and try to buy as direct as possible. So you can trust and know what is in your products! This is important to us. 

If you have any questions on our clay products or want to know which facial masque is best for you, send us an email! I can't wait to chat with you! 

Until next time, 
Nicole

          As I was sitting on my patio doing some work this morning and drinking my morning coffee, I was enjoying the freshly cut grass and noticed the little yellow blossoms that had popped back up overnight. The grass was cut just the night before, it had been just over 12 hours later, and they were all standing high in the lawn once again. And I couldn't help but think, why cant we be as determined and steadfast, trustworthy or stubborn even, as the spring dandelions? We cut them down and they were right back up again, like nothing happened.
​          What is something you are struggling with in your life and it's just kicking your butt? Physically or emotionally? We tend to mull over things that really don't need mulling. We focus on the negative or the small things. How can we put a positive spin on it? Being positive, even in the toughest of times, really makes so much difference. What is your favorite or most trusted way to remain positive or to bring more positivity in your life? We all have rough days, but if we practice having a positive mindset, the rough days won't last as long and they won't be as miserable as they could be. I'm always looking for new techniques or methods, inspirational quotes or music, or just ways to be happier in life. I'd love to hear your ideas or methods! 

​            I don't know about you, but I need these reminders more often then not. We let the craziness of life take over some days. And the fresh dandelions re-popping up, bright and early in the morning during my coffee time, gave me just the reminder I needed for the day. 

Until next time, 
​Nicole

I don't really want to promote actual product here much, but I wanted you to know about our huge giveaway going on right now! It is definitely worth a look, especially if you love our aromatherapy products! It is worth over $100! So feel free to enter now below, and share with anyone who would want to enter! Super simple too, as simple as signing up for our Newsletter or commenting on this blog post! So, enjoy! (Giveaway will be open until May 15th)

And I hope you are having a lovely day! 

Till next time,
Nicole