Karen Quinn Pocket Potions
As the stress levels rev up again, we’re enjoying these rollerballs from Karen Quinn – handbag heroes, every one. Karen describes herself as a ‘modern day alchemist, aromatherapist and perfumer’ (she creates bespoke natural perfume blends for clients, if you’re interested) – and there’s certainly a sprinkling of magic in these, if our experience is anything to go by.
As Karen puts it, she is keen 'to bring the benefit and beauty of real essential oils back to the forefront of the world of fragrance and perfume, and to help people experience the true meaning of "Aroma-Therapy" – because when created with love, skill and care for the ingredients, fragrance is not JUST fragrance...'’
There are five blends, available individually (though they make a great set). Focus Pocus is described as ‘your creativity coach’, with its blend of frankincense, pink grapefruit, French cypress, black pepper, clary sage and ylang ylang.’ Comfort Blanket is ‘the one that will get you through life’s difficult moments without needing a lecture on gratitude or a half-day recovery on the sofa,’ as Karen puts it.
Fluster Buster is the one we’ve been getting most use out of, so far – patchouli, palmarosa, geranium, petitgrain, vetiver, Roman chamomile, sweet orange, neroli and clove bud, for ‘when you need more dazzle and less frazzle, more road and less rage – when you need to stay on the same page as someone you’d really rather not be in the same building as.’
The last two blends are Awesome Sauce (to help banish doubt, with its fusion of clove, sweet orange, geranium, Atlas cedarwood, palmarosa, jasmine and cardamom), and Slumber Wonder, which calms mental chatter with Roman chamomile, lavender, myrrh, frankincense and clementine.
Roll the ball onto your palms to deliver a generous slick of oil, rub them together – and b-r-e-a-t-h-e. But they’re so beautifully constructed – truly, more like perfume blends – that they’re also perfect to wear as actual fragrances, on the neck – where you’ll enjoy being able to smell them, as you move.
£23 each for 10 ml – buy here
