As a former corporate professional and busy mother myself, I understand the guilt that comes with taking time for yourself. Those precious minutes between meetings, school runs, and family responsibilities can feel impossible to claim. But as my Jamaican grandmother always said, "You must know how to put yourself first."
Why Your Five Minutes Matter
In Jamaica, self-care isn't a luxury—it's woven into daily life through small, intentional moments. My grandmother would never rush through applying her coconut oil or olive oil. Taking a slow care bath over a speedy shower .Even with endless tasks awaiting her, she understood that these moments of connection were vital for wellbeing.
When we rush through our skincare routine, slapping on products between checking emails or while mentally planning tomorrow's schedule, we miss an opportunity for deeper healing. Your skin responds not just to what you put on it, but how you apply it. Stress shows up on our skin in the form of breakouts, eczema flares, and dull complexion—something I learned first hand during my corporate days.
The Power of Touch: Wild and Rooted Body Butters
There's something magical about the moment you first dip your fingers into our Wild and Rooted Body Butter. This recipe, inspired by generations of Jamaican wisdom, transforms your daily moisturizing into a healing ritual.
Here's how to turn your brief skincare routine into a ritual of self-connection, inspired by traditional Caribbean practices:
Morning Ritual (2-3 minutes):
- Before touching your products, take three deep breaths
- Feel your feet on the ground (a practice my grandmother called "rooting")
- Apply your facial oil or moisturizer in gentle upward circles
- Rather than rushing, use this time to set an intention for your day
- End with a moment of gratitude for your skin's daily healing work
Evening Ritual with Body Butter (5-7 minutes):
- Begin with your cleansing ritual
- While skin is slightly damp, scoop a small amount of body butter
- Warm it between your palms, taking a moment to inhale its natural aroma
- Start with your feet (as my grandmother taught me, "to ground your energy")
- Work upwards in circular motions, paying special attention to dry areas
- Use this time to scan your body for areas of tension
- When you reach your shoulders and neck, give extra attention to any knots
- End with gentle strokes down your arms to your fingertips.
I wrote a blog about how you can make your own homemade body butters or if you are not feeling as adventurous you can try own blends here at Wild and Rooted.
Why Our Body Butters Are Different
Our Sacred Blends
Wild Lavender: A Night-Time Ritual our Wild Lavender Body Butter, infused with lavender and neroli, is your perfect evening companion. This blend honours the traditional Jamaican practice of using calming botanicals for restful nights.
- Lavender: Known for its ability to soothe both mind and skin
- Neroli: A precious oil that helps reduce stress and nurtures delicate skin
- Perfect for: Your evening wind-down ritual, helping signal to your body that it's time to rest
- Application tip: Pay special attention to pulse points to maximize the calming aromatherapy benefits
Wild Citrus: A Morning Awakening Our Wild Citrus Body Butter combines sweet orange, frankincense, and rose geranium—a blend that embodies the vibrant energy of a Jamaican morning.
- Sweet Orange: Uplifting and brightening for both skin and spirit
- Frankincense: An ancient oil revered for its skin-rejuvenating properties
- Rose Geranium: Balancing and nurturing, helping to centre you for the day ahead
- Perfect for: Your morning ritual, awakening your senses and preparing you to face the day
- Application tip: Use upward strokes to stimulate circulation and enhance the energizing effects
Creating Your Ritual Based on Time of Day
Morning Magic (with Wild Citrus):
Evening Essence (with Wild Lavender):
- Begin your wind-down ritual with gentle application
- Use slow, mindful strokes moving from extremities toward your heart
- Focus on inhaling the calming lavender and neroli
- Release the day's tension as you massage each area
- Ideal for creating a peaceful transition to sleep
Quick Application for Busy Moments: Whether you choose Wild Lavender or Wild Citrus, even a swift application can offer benefits:
- Focus on dry areas and pulse points
- Take just one mindful breath of the aroma
- Use firm, efficient strokes to aid absorption
- Remember: even a 60-second ritual has value
Choosing Your Blend:
- Wild Lavender: Choose for evening use, stress relief, or when seeking calm
- Wild Citrus: Perfect for morning vitality, mood lifting, or emotional balance
A Personal Note on These Blends
These formulations aren't just products—they're stories in a jar. The Wild Lavender blend recalls nights in Jamaica when the air was heavy with floral scents, while Wild Citrus captures the essence of morning walks through my grandparents' garden. Each was created to not just moisturize, but to transport you to a moment of peace, wherever you are.
The Deeper Healing
What I've learned from blending my Jamaican heritage with modern life is that skincare isn't just about the products—it's about the ritual of self-care. When we take even five minutes to truly be present with ourselves, we begin a deeper healing that affects both skin and spirit. Also as winter is already here its important to pay special attention to how we nourish ourselves, mind body and spirit during this time
In Jamaica, there's a saying: "Time waits on no one, but healing needs its moment." Give yourself permission to take those moments, however brief. Your skin—and your wellbeing—will thank you.
Remember: You're not "just" doing skincare. You're continuing a lineage of women who understood that self-care is a form of self-respect. Those five minutes aren't stolen time—they're sacred time you deserve.