Paper Airplanes - An easy way for everyone to have some fun!

During the off season from the OOAK show I decided to put together a little website dedicated to Paper Airplanes.

Now, as some of you may know, I have a background in marketing. One day I stumbled on the fact that term: "How to make a paper airplane" was a very popular search term on Google. So I decided to put my skills to the test and see if I could rank my website, Pro Paper Airplanes, to the top of Google for this search word. 

This website is just a little hobby of mine. It has grown over the last couple of weeks and I hope some day it will reach the top of Google. This would prove to any future clients at Netlink Studio that I have some pretty stellar marketing skills. 

I hope you enjoy the website! 

Stephen

Olive Squalane - Facelift in a Bottle!

Source: About.com

Squalane has played an important role in high end cosmetics as an amazing resource for maintaining young and healthy looking skin. Initially, squalane was derived from shark's liver, however, with advancements in plant based extractions this is no longer the norm. 

Our own body creates squalane up until peak production at age 23. After this point in time it is essential for us to replenish our skin to be able to take advantage of the miraculous benefits this oil has to offer. 

One type of plant based squalane is derived from olive oil. Its molecular structure is similar in nature to that of human lipids produced by the sebaceous glands. Due to this similarity, this natural resource is compatible with all skin types. The oil itself is non greasy and has a very rapid absorption time. 

Some of the benefits of squalane include; the boost of new cell production, protection against sun damage caused by radiation, relieves dry and sensitive skin, restores and enhances the skin's suppleness and flexibility, enhancement of the skin's elasticity and moisture retention. This amazing oil also has the ability to help people with skin problems due to eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and cracked skin. 

The Power of Antioxidants

Source: Thelivingwine.com

There has been overwhelming publicity over the last few years concerning the power of antioxidants. This has been particularly true in the skincare and spa industry. 

What They Are

Antioxidants are substances that can protect your cells from the negative effects of free radicals. What are free radicals? They are damaging molecules that we are exposed to on a daily basis within our environment. These molecules can stem from air pollutants caused by tobacco smoke and the emissions from burning fossil fuel to name a few. These free radicals can lead to cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. The use of antioxidants has been clinically proven to slow or even prevent the development of cancer.

Sources of Antioxidants

Antioxidants can be found in a wide range of foods, minerals and vitamins. The most commonly talked about source is flavanoids, which can be found in wine, tea, citrus fruits and apples. By having a well balanced diet high in antioxidants, one can help prevent diseases brought on by cell degeneration.  

The Official Online Launch of New Facial Line!

Last December at the One Of A Kind Show we tested out our new facial line. Since then we have received a great deal of feedback from our customers asking us when the new products will be available. Well today is finally that day!

Personally, I have been using these products for about a year, I refuse  to use anything else on my face mainly due to my skin's sensitivity.

I decided I would complement the launch with a blog posting detailing the overview of the product line as well as an explanation into the way I use these products. 

Overview

As mentioned in some of our previous blog postings, antioxidants play an important role in maintaining good health.  Our new line of products has been created with antioxidants at its core. Each product contains natural grape seed oil, rich in antioxidants. The oil itself is extremely light weight in nature, allowing for quick absorption.

A second key ingredient that is carried throughout all our products is Olive. For our facial moisturizer, facial serum and lip moisturizer we have used Olive Squalane which is mentioned in earlier blogs. For our facial mask we have incorporated ground up Olive leaves for an added dose of antioxidants.

Premium Facial Soap

This soap is by far the gentlest soap we have created to date. It has a rich and creamy texture and leaves the skin feeling soft and revitalized. An excellent start to any cleaning routine. 

The soap itself is created with grape seed and apricot kernel oil and is enriched with creamy cocoa butter. 

Facial Mask

I use this product after cleansing with the soap. This product is best used at the end of the day as the clay draws oil and debris buildup from deep within the skin. Following the use of this product I recommend the facial serum or facial moisturizer.

Simply add a teaspoon into the palm of your hands and mix with water until a paste forms. Apply a thin layer to face and wait until completely dry. Wash away and moisturize!

Facial Moisturizer

This moisturizer is a great way to start your day. Simply apply to face and enjoy the results. This product can be used with makeup ,however, allow the product to get absorbed before applying makeup. The amount of beeswax in our moisturizer has been carefully balanced to form a protective layer while at the same time allowing the skin to breath.

Facial Serum

Hands down my favorite product of all. This exquisite blend of natural plant and essential oils were selected based on their nourishing and regenerative properties in order to improve skins tone and texture. In my opinion, this product is best used before bed as the protective layer of beeswax from our daily moisturizer is unnecessary at night. I also highly recommend using this after shaving. 

Apply a few drops in the palm of your hand and lightly apply over face and neck with sweeping motions.

Lip Moisturizer

Similar to our original lip balm, this lip moisturizer has been crafted with creaminess at its core. Unlike petroleum based lip balms, this beeswax based moisturizer is rich and creamy. Not only is this product in a sleek container but this product has been produced with a punch of antioxidants. Unscented and velvety in texture, this product is a must have! 

Please feel free to email me directly at stephen@oliveauthentique.com if you have any questions or concerns regarding this product line. We are always interested in hearing your feedback so please comment below! 

Summer in Spain - Olive Trees

For the past month and a half I have been traveling throughout Europe. My main hub of operation is in the north of Spain, just west of Barcelona. Since my arrival I have seen a large variety of vegetation ranging from wild Thyme to the ancient Olive trees that speckle this wonderful country side. I figured that it would be a good opportunity to inform our followers about various ingredients we use that are native of the Mediterranean. This posting is dedicated to the Olive tree.

Basic Information

Olive trees have been grown domestically for over 10,000 years. This tree is found predominantly in the eastern Mediterranean countries and has been recently cultivated in similar climates in the Americas.

Botany

Olive trees are one of the most bizarre looking trees I have ever seen. A lot of the wild olive trees look more like pieces of drift-wood-art than a tree. This tree is part of the Evergreen species and typically grows to an approximate height of 10 meters. The leaves are quite small and have a leathery and greasy feel to them while the underside of the leaves are riddled with tiny white hairs. The olive fruit ripens towards the end of August - something I learned the hard way as I unsuspectingly and eagerly bit into an unripened olive (BITTER!!).

The Oil

The Oil derived from the fruit principally comes from the pulp and is extracted using a process known as cold press. The first runoff from the cold press is the purest and is referred to as ‘Virgin’ Olive Oil. Similarly to wine, there is a wide variety in the color, aromas and tastes of different oils depending on the region, climate, soil and irrigation methods used to cultivating this ancient looking tree.

Purpose In Skin Care

Olive oil used in natural skin care products can be rather beneficial and have been used in medicine for centuries. This oil is very rich in a variety of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins A and E, as well as Omega 3. Olive Oil also carries some Polypheols which are known to help cell regeneration and fight aging. A key benefit of this oil is its natural moisturizer, Squalene. Squalene helps regulate your body’s natural secretion of Sebum and helps in overall maintenance of your skin’s appearance, health, and feel. This wonderful oil is great for the body and its benefits can be enjoyed either through topical or oral application. It is for these reasons that our company is proud to use high grade olive oil as a base for all of our soaps and moisturizers. The result is a high quality, long lasting product.

Additional information on Olive Oil

A Few of our Olive Oil Products

References:

The New Oxford Book of Food Plants.

National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge

Summer in Spain - Grapes!

During my great adventure in Spain I had spent a lot of my time in the small town of Saint Pere Des Ribes. (Pronounced Saint-Pera-Des-Rivas) This small town was located roughly 10 minutes north of the Mediterranean sea and was nestled in the heart of wine country. On any given day, when traveling either to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the beach, or even going for a hike up the hill, your field of vision would be overwhelmed with the landscape of never ending vineyards. The result of all these neighboring vineyards gave way to an endless supply of fresh grapes and wine (with a few head aches thrown in!).

The types of grapes cultivated in this region differed depending on the elevation, soil type, and their micro-sites (fancy wording for a plant home). I learnt much about what I know of grapes from a tour I did at the world renowned vineyard of Torres Spain. During this elaborate tour we were introduced to the concepts of grape cultivation, wine making, and learned much about what this delicate plant has to offer. Not only was I inspired by their state of the art production facility, which won the award for Number One Winery on the Green List but I was also inspired by the properties of the grape and its seed.

I learned that grape seed in its raw or oil form contain high levels of anti-oxidants which are combatants against cellular stress and age related macular degeneration. This fascinating (NATURAL) resource has also been proven to possess adaptogenic properties which serve as a line of defense against negative environmental toxins such as smoke and chemicals leading to stress and trauma to the body.

This tour, which first began as a leisure activity, soon got me thinking of ways to apply my new found knowledge into an application for our line of work. Over the past couple of month we have developed a line of products that incorporates grape seed and olive squalane into five different products; a premium bar of soap, a moisturizer, a face mask, a lip gloss and a facial serum.

We plan on launching this line of premium products for the first time, exclusively at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto (quantities are limited). We also plan on offering this product to all our customers across Canada in the following months.

Pamela Caron

Back in the summer of 1999 a dear friend of mine had began experimenting with the process of making soap. I had taken several chemistry courses during my years at Concordia and was fascinated by the process. Together in my kitchen, we created a few small batches of unscented, pure, olive oil soaps.

After six weeks of curing, we had ourselves a nice supply of rare, high quality soaps. I soon realized that we had more than our family could ever use and decided to try and sell the excess at a small Christmas Bazaar. To my astonishment we sold all of our unscented soaps and realized that there was a demand for this sort of product. In the weeks to follow my husband and I created a company called Bare Basic Soap Company and began experimenting with the soap making process to further prefect the art of soap making. We began selling our soaps on a regular basis at small bazaars, flea markets and private events.

Over the years our line of products has grown to include naturally scented soaps, bath, spa and beauty products. We renamed our company Olive Authentique which now employs my husband and I, along with my three sons. As they say, the rest is history. I would like to thank all our devoted customers for standing by our sides and help shape the company to what it is today. Thank you!