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A bottle of wine is a no-brainer when you’ve got a holiday party on the horizon and have T-minus one day to get your hostess a present. But if you’re tired of always giving your friends booze, we’ve got another idea for you: essential oils. This Cyber Monday, more than 4 million Amazon customers purchased beauty products, according to a press release from the company. One of those best-sellers was the Lagunamoon Essential Oils Set. And dare we—and the over 5,000-plus customers who reviewed it—say, it’s the perfect gift.
The $8 steal features six bottles (lemongrass, peppermint, orange, lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree) and has a nearly five-star rating. One user raved that “just opening the package smelled nice,” but the benefits surpass aroma: Essential oils have been shown to relieve stress, promote sleep, and even boost the immune system. Of course, the most obvious thing to do with them is to add them to a diffuser, but even if your giftee doesn’t have one, there are plenty of ways to put essential oils to work. In her new book, Essential Well Being, Sara Panton, founder of the cool girl’s essential oil brand Vitruvi, breaks down all the different ways to make the most of oils. Here are just four unexpected tips.
Clean the Counters
Tea tree oil is a must-have in the kitchen, according to Panton. Add a few drops of it to a dishcloth and wipe down the counters before and after food prep. It acts as a natural disinfectant, thanks to its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Freshen Up the Fridge
Produce and leftovers can stink up the fridge fast. In a Mason jar, add one cup of baking soda and a blend of peppermint, tea tree, and orange essential oils. Stash the natural deodorizer in the back or in the door, and replace it every two to four weeks.
Wipe Down the Shower
In order to save cleaning time down the road, Panton sprays down her shower daily by filling a 16-ounce bottle with a simple mixture of water and white vinegar, then she adds tea tree, peppermint, grapefruit, and eucalyptus oils. Give shower walls a good mist after you bathe to prevent scum from building up.
Ramp Up Your Beauty Routine
If you have an everyday hair oil you swear by, give it a boost by adding a few drops of lavender (this will keep the follicles clear of bacteria) and rosemary (for improving cellular metabolism and stimulating growth). Diffuser who?
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