Kane, Joseph
PODCASTS & POTIONS
Issue #32
Organic beauty virtuoso shares her story and her secrets
By Victoria Everman
Published: June 1st, 2007 | 12:00am
Being labeled an “expert” is becoming more of a commonality, but Andrea Kane really knows her stuff. Recognized as the “organic beauty expert,” Kane writes and produces the only major natural and organic beauty blog and podcast on the Web.
Kane is a true renaissance DIYer. She first entered the beauty business world when she created a handmade bath and body line, Marley’s Own, while stationed in the Navy. “My children are multiracial, and the market for hair care for this segment is very scarce,” she said. “I bought some pure shea, cocoa, and mango butters with some oils and started mixing in the kitchen.” That was August 2003. Six months later, she had an online store with a full body-care selection.
Due to the erratic life of a military family, Kane closed Marley’s Own in the summer of 2006, and used her newfound expertise to start the Organic Beauty Expert blog (theorganicbeautyexpert.typepad.com). Already teaching classes on the subject, she was ready to “help consumers get through all the bullshit.” Adding a podcast, titled Organic Beauty Radio, was a natural (no pun intended) step with Kane’s experience as a broadcaster while in the Navy.
In February 2007, she released her first perfume line, The Soul Collection. “I’d been doing it anyway as an aromatherapist,” she said. “I’m a sensualist at heart, and once I started mixing, I knew that I had found something that really ignites my soul. So, slowly but surely, the first black perfumer!”
As if all of this wasn’t enough, in June, Kane’s show, The Girlfriend Lounge, premieres online as a unique spin on women’s lifestyle shows. “The show features beauty and fashion, but it will also offer topics that are of use to women: how to buy art, how to buy a home, how to select dildos! I am also active in the LGBT community and want to explore that side.”
ANDREA KANE’S BASIC BODY CREAM
yields approximately 14 ounces. Approximate shelf life: 3 to 6 months
1 ounce avocado oil
1 ounce grapeseed oil
2 ounces jojoba oil
2 ounces beeswax
4 ounces shea butter
6 ounces water (3:3 water to aloe vera gel)
1/8 teaspoon borax (sodium borate)
1. Combine beeswax and shea butter in double boiler. Warm until melted.
2. Measure out base oils and pour into mixing bowl.
3. While wax and butter are heating, warm the water (can microwave.) When warm — not boiling — slowly add 1/8 teaspoon of borax into water and stir until dissolved. Add slowly (if water is too hot, mixture will combust.)
4. Once wax and butter mixture is melted, add to base oils in mixing bowl.
5. Stir mixture on low to medium speed and gradually add water/borax into bowl with waxes and oils.
6. Blend until smooth. As the mixture thickens, you will see a trace on the top (like whipping up frosting.)
7. Once the mixture has thickened and cooled, add up to 20 drops of essential oils (blend). Store in containers.
Essential oil blend suggestion: 15 drops lemongrass, 6 drops lavender
ANDREA KANE’S CHOCOLATE LOVE OIL
1 ounce grapeseed oil
1 ounce sunflower
1 ounce wheat germ oil
4 ounce jojoba oil
1. Combine oils in PET plastic bottle or an amber glass bottle
2. Add in eight drops of cocoa absolute (or chocolate fragrance), five drops of patchouli.
3. Cap bottle, rub vigorously between palms and enjoy!
4. Use as massage oil, or bath oil (add 10 drops to a full tub once inside.) Do not consume.
Resources
• For oils, waxes, and butters: fromnaturewithlove.com
• For pure essential oils: essentialoil.com
• For bottles: sunburstbottle.com
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