An interview with Jessica of Angel Face Botanicals
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Could we love Angel Face Botanicals and it’s owner Jessica Ress any more? Indie seller: check. Maker of smelly goods (fab ones, at that): check. Rather cool chick: so cool you should check it twice! We were grateful to interview her to learn about the line firsthand and delve into how it got it’s start (here’s a hint, passion and dedication go a long way when starting a business.) Stay tuned, we have a review of her products coming very soon. But until then, let’s hear from Jessica herself…
wht: You are a believer in the “incredible healing powers of essential oils”. How did you become interested in Aromatherapy?
Jessica: Essential oils are truly magic. I first started working with essential oils in the early 1990’s, as I was dabbling around with making bath salts & scented lotions for gifts for friends and family. It was in 2004 when I really discovered my knack for working with them. I was researching herbs for skincare, and naturally, this research led me to essential oils. When I rediscovered them, it was like I had hit the jackpot. I just couldn’t get enough. I had found my calling. I voraciously studied, took classes, and quickly amassed a huge library of books & a cabinet full of scented bottles with botanical names & intriguing fragrances.
Besides your own site, you are also an Etsy superstar under the moniker SpaGoddess. Which came first and how did Angel Face Botanicals get its start?
First came lots of Spring fairs & holiday shows. I was testing the market, making sure people wanted what I was making. Sure enough, they did. Then came the Angel Face Botanicals website which I crafted myself, but would have been a big flop without amazing photography. I am so fortunate to have a few very generous girlfriends who believed in Angel Face Botanicals; a photographer, a stylist and a retoucher. My main website had been up and running for a year and a half before I started my SpaGoddess Etsy shop. Starting my Etsy shop turned out to be the best thing I could have done for my little eco-biz. Etsy really personalizes the web buying experience and I have loads of great relationships with customers all over the world. It’s really fun and personally rewarding, I love it. Etsy taught me that it was ok for me to be personally involved with my brand. Now I communicate to my customers as SpaGoddess. It’s funny, because I started that username as a buyer on Etsy, as kind of a joke to myself. At the time, I didn’t even consider that a couple years later SpaGoddess would become sort of an entity with a little cult-like following.
We just read your article in one of the best Do-It Yourself magazines ever, ReadyMade. Are you a DIY sort of girl around your house?
I’m totally a do-it-your-selfer. My whole family is pretty crafty and artistic. I’m kind of a Mrs. McGuyver. I once fixed my car (1980 Honda civic, white w/orange interior) with a hairclip & a panty liner! My sister & I drove 200 miles home from a camp trip with that rig.
We love your homemade Lavender Honey Salt Scrub recipe you shared in the article. Do you have any homemade organic beauty remedies you could share with wht readers?
Hee! There are tons. You can use leftover oatmeal cereal as a moisturizing, conditioning facial mask by leaving it on for 10-20 minutes. In a pinch, use olive oil for a moisturizer for your hands, body & even your face. You can put toothpaste on a pimple and let it set overnight as a spot treatment. Put cucumber slices, pure chamomile or pure green tea bags (it’s better to stick to pure tea rather than tea blends) over your eyes if you’re feeling puffy. Of course, organic & fresh is always best when using ingredients from your kitchen in order to maximize the phyto-nourishment for your skin.
What else have you done in your personal life to live a more green existence? Do you have any tips to pass on to our readers?
I feel fortunate to have grown up with greener ideals such as eating home grown & organic foods, recycling, reducing waste & minimizing chemicals in the home. Beyond that, I’ve switched to compact fluorescent light bulbs. I minimize my driving. I also source my raw materials & packaging from local vendors. I use recycled paper to print on. Then I shred it for packing materials.
Which is your current favorite product or scent from your collection?
My favorite product of all time would have to be the Chamomile Crème. It is a light-weight cream which is packed with antioxidants and the ultra-calming, healing, restorative essential oils of Chamomile, Blue Chamomile, Calendula & Helichrysum. It is the perfect weight for my skin, it calms redness (I’m fair skinned) & promotes a smooth healthy glow in my skin.
My favorite scent & essential oil is Lavender, the universal healing scent. My favorite Lavender products are the Exquisite Lavender Cuvée, Double Love Scrub, Lavender Facial Mist and the Lovely Lavender & Vanilla Fizzing Milk Bath—positively divine!
Can you tell us about any new products coming soon from Angel Face Botanicals?
I have 4-5 powdered Organic Facial Masks I’ve been working on for quite some time. I am also going to make some new scents of Angel’s Balm. It has become a top seller since I introduced it last summer and I’ve been getting tons of special requests for more scents. It’s another of my favorite products, so I am happy to oblige. Soon, I promise!
What do you dream for Angel Face Botanicals over the next five years?
Over the next five years, I would like to have an Angel Face Botanicals Day Spa & Wellness Center with a Boutique storefront. I would like to be Certified Organic (currently I use certified organic ingredients, but my products do not carry the official certification). I would also like to have a few, really good employees who are invested in upholding the quality & hand craftsmanship of Angel Face Botanicals. I say on my ingredients labels that the products are made with lots of love. This will always be true in every sense.
Photo of Jessica: Doug Hoeschler for ReadyMade
And no wht interview is complete without a reach in our potluck question vault…
Me in a nutshell: happy, hipster, homebody, artist, activist, music lover, Californian/Oregonian, naturalist, hippie, writer, aromatherapy mixologist, art collector, rock hound, reiki practitioner, eco-enthusiast, child at heart, chef, green thumb, goofy creative type who geeks out on natural skincare formulations –hee!
I heart: kitties, sunshine, fresh air, positive energy, really good friends, inspiration, working hard at something I believe in.
What’s the one thing always in your bag? Rose Garden or Lavender Shea Butter.
What are your three make-up must haves? Loose mineral powder, mascara & lipgloss.
Tell us some your guilty pleasures: Cheesy reality TV, Glutino Cookies–specifically Lemon Wafer and Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich, going totally overboard using every product I can get my hands on in my home spa facials & decadent baths.
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It’s great to see an indie line grow, but still stay true to it’s roots. I love that Jessica keeps her Etsy store going even after her website has taken off. I would have thought that maybe they’d compete with each other. But considering the connection you can make with buyers on Etsy, it makes sense. And, just another way to get your line/brand out there.
Oh, and Tahitian Glow? Gardenia & Coconut scrub, you will be mine!
Oh man these look incredible – I love the packaging, I love the names – I want the two you mentioned Stef, as well as the Lovely Vanilla and Lavender fizzing milk bath, Fair Maiden, Double Love Scrub, Pure Fresh…I’ll just take the whole line!
Agreed @stef – I love that Jessica stays involved with the Etsy community while running a successful indie biz. And her story is a great inspiration for other crafty/indie types – you can do it too.
jessica seems like so much fun and I love that she can handle a power tool and DIY projects herself – how cool to be featured in ReadyMade! I love that mag (just for reading, I never actually get to the projects – heh).
Can’t wait to get a look at the Angel Face products – so far I love the philosophy and design. And how awesome do the Shower Steamers sound?
“Shower Steamers™ are a special treat that turns your shower into a pleasurably unique Aromatherapy experience. Upon activation, Essential Oils are released into your shower steam & absorbed into the body through the respiratory system.”
http://www.angelfacebotanicals.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=39&osCsid=5fab72285aea9f06fc9f2b62708c72bd
I must try them!
What a great interview! I am very excited to learn about such a unique company. I am now absolutely dying to give them a try! Right now I feel like garbage-skin and body. So I think that I will take a look at the Rock Star Detox. Sounds awesome!!!!!
Happy, Hipster, Homebody – I can so appreciate that!
I’ve ordered Angel Face Botanicals (actually, Spa Goddess!) from Etsy before. @kellie76 – I’ve tried the Rock Star Detox and it’s incredible! It smells like herbs and honey and you’ll want to slather it on every inch of your bod.
I think their stuff is really high quality, and very reasonably priced. I’ve always been very impressed.
Can’t wait to see what everyone thinks in the upcoming review!
Love this interview! I’ve been fascinated by essential oils for years. In fact, I think I sleep better with a little lavender oil spritz each night. I’ve favorited this Etsy shop and I’m sure will be making some purchases in the near future. Thanks for the info!
XO Piper
Great interview @stef! I love love love essential oils and use them daily in our home.. My little (huge) hands cannot wait to get around a jug of this! Thanks soooooooo much for the great write up too.. :)
Thanks for the great comments ladies!
Become a VIP Angel by signing up for my SpaGoddess Newsletter and you’ll get an email with a 10% off code for your next purchase at http://angelfacebotanicals.com
xoxo
SpaGoddess
aka Jessica:)
Hi,
Someone just referred me today to the Angel Face site. I am looking to change my skin care and facial product routine. I am using 100% Pure products but as I age, it isn’t doing what it used to.
My face is normal with an occasional oily T-Zone but, I have noticed that “NORMAL” is transitioning to dryer. NOT really dry but going there. I am 47 years old and this may be ONE contributing factor. What is getting really bad is on my right hand, the cuticle finger area is drying out and peeling.
Can anyone suggest BUY 1-5 products to get me started on a inclusive and comprehensive facial/skin care package?
Thank You!
~Mo P.S. I was looking for a way to try and contact Jessica Ress, aka SpaGoddess, but cannot find contact info to ask her these questions and what she would suggest. Does she Facebook?
Mo, they are on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AngelFaceBotanicals
You can message them there. They’d be the best to give recommendations.
Hope you find something you love!
Thanks Steph,
I did find Jessica’s website on FB earlier today, after posting here, and I sent her a message asking questions. I have yet to hear back from her. Thanks for responding. I have not heard back from anyone yet. Mo