hairdressing hands

I love talking with hairdressers about using dollop TM.

They adore it. It doesn't need to be scoured from their hands after they apply it to clients' hair: many of them rub it in as a conditioning hand and nail balm.

So dollop is good for them as well as their customers.

A revelation.

prettyprettypretty cool

The spiffing and switched-on team at prettyprettypretty invited guest commentator and rugby / hair afficionado Hadyn Green to review our product.

We think his review is fair, but glowing... just the way we like it!

A 'reformed Dapper Dan man' who says that "dollop’s spicy ginger fragrance is incredibly nice".

Hey Hadyn... nice hair bro.

PART ONE careful career choices

It has been suggested that my profession is one of glamour and intrigue, steeped as I am in herbal water and surrounded by exotic unguents. It is true that 'smelling the roses' is indeed part of my job. But there are downsides that the wistful observer may not consider (reading the 'Fennel Bibliography' at bed time could be considered one of them).

So today's post will consider: Are you cut out to be an Aromatologist?

The most irritating career hazard you will repeatedly face is the question "Does it work?"

The question is perplexing, as there are a squillion ways to respond. Do they mean "does manuka oil reduce infection on a scratch?" OR "does my negative karma waft away when i bathe in patchouli?"

As an aromatologist, you owe each person a decent answer, but find out what level they want it on. Have they really thought about the question? You must realize the motive of the questioner.

Some people smugly ask because they associate aromatherapy with quackery: they haven't applied thought to what it actually is, and its potential. Some people get a thrill thinking they may have an opportunity to show off general knowledge, or share conspiracy theories, or scoff pseudo science. Some people may on occasion be genuinely curious.

Define the motive, and you can pitch your answer most helpfully. What you must do next is answer a question with a question. "What do you believe aromatherapy can do?"

I have heard of 'scientific' studies that debunk aromatherapy on the basis that someone's hand is submerged painfully in icy cold water, and yet their pain is not reduced when they are given lemon oil to sniff.

This type of ludicrous test would be hilarious if it wasn't exasperating. I am a trained aromatherapist and through all my years of work with aromatics, I have never heard an aromatherapist even claim that sniffing lemon oil reduces the pain of icy cold water immersion. I would not give someone a snort of citrus as they suffered, and called it a good day's work. (I could have made a fortune flogging smelling salts at Lyall Bay beach.)

This sort of study is a sham, run by 'scientists' who seem to deliberately not work in a serious, considered manner to find out about aromatics. They do us all a disservice. There is a perception that aromatherapy is new age nonsense, snake oil for deluded hippies who burn fairydust-flavoured incense cones and sleep with smoky quartz under the pillow. These scientists milk this perception by presenting tests based on irrelevant and ridiculous expectations. This creates more deep-seated skepticism of credible aromatic science. Tut, tut!

Aromatics have fascinating chemical properties, with real effects on humans, bacteria, animals and atmospheres.

During your studies you will be well placed to answer the "does it work" question. But play smart. Find out why the person wants to know: where did they get their expectations? On the back of a WeetBix box? What did that womens magazine promise them? Did they read a scaremongering article on the internet? Did they use mineral oil with synthetic smells in it, and become hard-hearted when their scars did not evaporate?

If you probe, and ascertain the doubts / fears / ignorance / skepticism of your questioner, and answer from your wealth of serious aromatic knowledge, then before you know it, your cynic will be cured.

dollop D1 DominionPost

blurring blasphemy

"The use of perfumes from time immemorial has been a conscious or an unconscious attempt to stimulate lecherous thoughts, and in times of moral decay, women have, unfortunately, not been the only offenders." Virginius Dabney, 1913

"God has annointed you with the Oil of Gladness above your fellows. Your clothes smell of myrrh, aloes and cassia, and it makes you happy." Psalms 45:7-8

Aromatics always have a righteous answer for the fear mongering puritans.

oyster oyster oyster oi oi oi

Clever Oyster magazine, Australia's publication that 'stands out in the myriad of sameness', has cottoned on to dollop TM.

Clever Oyster, clever Aussies.

There... I said it.

destinations pt.2

More visionary outlets have signed up to the "future is bleak without dollop" cause.

They are the fabulous Starfish: the Wellington Store at 128 Willis Street, and the Christchurch Store at 113 Manchester Street.

Also Commonsense Organics in Kilbirnie, 8 Bay Road, is now a proud dollop retailer.

Wellingtonians: make the most of your good fortune. Fill your stockings with dollop TM, purchased from these convenient stores.

Everyone else is encouraged to keep purchasing through www.dollop.co.nz

More retailers to come... watch this space!