2. New At MakeYourCosmetics.com!!

~ Foaming Oat Facial Cleanser, with honey and liquid Castile soap
~ Rose Goat Milk Bath, with roses and Rescue Remedy (by Bach)

I am pleased to announce a new department here at the Handmade Beauty Connection ... MakeYourCosmetics.com Book Reviews. Our new department is designed to help you evaluate the many books available on the market today that contain recipes and information for making your cosmetics.

We will continue to let you know when new recipes are added to MakeYourCosmetics.com. In the meantime, feel free to share your favorite concoctions with the world by using our convenient and interactive "Submit A Recipe" form here.

This week's MakeYourCosmetics Book Review is on "Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy," by Suzanne Catty
(Healing Arts Press, 2001)

Review Excerpt:
This wonderful new book leaves no question about hydrosols unanswered. With information ranging from how hydrosols are extracted from plant material to discussions of their use in dozens of applications (from food to the treatment of disease), the book forms a complete synergy of valuable information drawn from Ms. Catty's years of experience working with aromatic waters. ...

To read the entire book review, information about the author and recipe tests, click here.

3. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question: Last week's winner was HBN member Pamela Alyse Davis of LENA MAE SOAPS ... in New York. Pamela won a generous sample of Parijata Attar, courtesy of HBN member White Lotus Aromatics!!

Last Week's Question: According to Jeanne Rose, what are the 5 most significant factors by which to judge the quality of an essential oil?

Last Week's Answer: color, clarity, viscosity, taste, scent

This Week's Question: According to Suzanne Catty, traditional herbal tinctures and flower remedies, though valuable, can be replaced by another product made using alcohol, hydrosol and the herb of choice.

To win this week, be the first to respond with the name Ms. Catty has given to the product described above and win a personally autographed copy of Ms. Catty's new book, "Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy". To read the full book review on the book, click here.

Please read the contest rules here before submitting your entry.

While time does not permit me to respond personally to all entrants, the winner will be notified by email and their name posted at HBN's home page.

Are You Leading The Pack Or Falling Behind It?
by Donna Maria

Merriam-Webster defines the word "leader" as, among other things, a guide or conductor, and also, a person with commanding authority or influence. While the term is most often used in the context of politics and the military (to describe a president or military officer), it is no less important for small business owners to possess the leadership qualities that will help ensure the success of their business. If you own a business, you are its leader, and your staff, vendors, customers and peers look to you to lead your business in a professional manner, instilling confidence every step of the way. Here are some tips to help hone the leadership skills that will make you lead the pack rather than fall behind it, thus helping ensure the future success of your enterprise.

1. Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! Perhaps the number one reason why leaders are unsuccessful and/or unpopular is their failure to communicate effectively with others. Have you ever worked in an office where you saw your boss only on occasion, or heard from her only when she was displeased with something? If so, chances are, you did not have much respect for her and would not consider her an effective leader.

Communicating with those persons who are significant to the success of your business is vital. Your staff needs to hear from you on a regular basis. Even if they don't respond, they still need to know that you are reaching out to them to communicate those things that are significant to the business. This can be done via regularly scheduled staff meetings (either in person or by conference call), via email (this is especially helpful if your staff is located in different parts of the globe), and should also be done on a one- on-one basis with each individual person.

Your customers need to hear from you, and one of the best ways to communicate with them is through a periodic electronic newsletter. They need to be reminded of what you are doing, what's new for sale, etc. A consistent and professional newsletter provides them with this information and reminds them that you are a trusted source of products and information. If they hear from you regularly, they will buy from you regularly. If they don't, they'll go someplace else.

2. Set Consistent Company Policies. Few things can be more annoying to customers and employees than company policies that are moving targets. Everyone loves a certain amount of predictability in their work environment, and the expect it from the people they trust to provide them with products and services. When customers grace you with their buying dollar, and then return again because they want to give you another one, they can be quickly turned off if the purchasing policies keep changing over and over again. Of course, change is inevitable, and adding features that make the buying experience easier and more pleasant (like upgraded shopping carts or decreasing the number of clicks that need to be made in order to make a purchase) are always greatly appreciated. But when the changes result in a confused buying experience, or seem to be made without any rhyme or reason, it can be off-putting.

Instead of figuring those types of things out as you go, take some time to plan ahead of time. What will your policies be? Will you or will you not ship internationally? How will shipping be figured on orders? What is your return policy? Will you accept credit cards or will Pay Pal be your preferred method of payment? As for employees, what is your leave policy? How often will paychecks be distributed? Can they expect to receive period employee evaluations from you? What are the various grounds for termination? Do they have to sign an employment agreement? Sketch these policies out on paper before implementing them and make sure they make sense. This will minimize headache for both you and those with whom you do business, and they will see you as a competent leader who knows how to chart the course to success.

3. Set Company Goals With The Input Of Your Staff and Customers. Setting company goals is an ongoing process ... it never stops. But at least quarterly, it's a good idea to take some time to record your goals and share them with your staff and/or trusted advisors. Once you do this, ask them for their feedback about the most efficient and cost effective ways to meet those goals. It will become a "company project," something everyone can rally around and contribute to. This builds corporate morale, boosts individual self esteem, and ultimately ensures employee loyalty. The next quarter, when there are new goals to be met, first review progress made with respect to the old goals. Have they been met? Why or why not? Reward those who were responsible for helping meet the goals. If an important goal has not been met, figure out why and carry it over to the next quarter. Work on it until it is either accomplished or becomes unimportant for some reason.

Some of the most significant strides your company will make are a direct result of input and assistance you will receive
from employees and customers. Instill confidence in them as leader to be respected by listening to them and incorporating their suggestions wherever possible. It cuts your work in half and lets them know that, because you are leading the pack instead of falling behind it, they are too!

Rose Goat Milk Bath is the perfect way to top off a hectic day at the office or running around chasing the kids all day. When I made it, I was lucky enough to get some fresh, unpasteurized goat's milk from a natural shop that happened to have some on hand from a local farmer. If you don't have that, you can use powdered goat's milk or whole cow's milk from the grocery. The rose extracts make this a fragrant treat and the chosen Bach Flower Remedy is added to complement the other natural ingredients, the rose hydrosol in particular, and to help ease any stress or shock. You can halve this recipe if your bathtub is not a Jacuzzi sized-tub.

Ingredients
1/2 gallon milk
2 cups fresh rose petals
1 cup rose hydrosol
5 drops Rescue Remedy (the Bach Flower Remedy)

Blending Procedure
Step 1. Try to find the most fragrant, freshest roses possible. Rinse them thoroughly and set aside.
Step 2. Warm the milk slowly over a very low flame in a stainless steel or unchipped enamel pan. Watch it carefully so it does not scald. Add the rose petals to the warm milk and cover. Allow the milk and petals to simmer for about 1/2 hour.
Step 3. Remove the mixture from the low flame. Inhale the lovely aroma! Add the rose hydrosol and stir well to combine. Inhale again ... be careful not to swoon before you can get to the tub!! The aroma should be simply exquisite (if you like the fragrance of roses).
Step 4. Add 6 drops of Rescue Remedy and stir well
Step 5. Pour Rose Goat Milk Bath into a warm drawn bath. Step in and relax. If you have some, bathe with handmade soap scented with pure rose essential oil, and a soft cloth. Be sublime, enjoy the time alone and emerge with your silky smooth skin, ready for a restful night.