Newbie with LONG list of Silly Questions!!

[Hyacinth]

Newbie with LONG list of Silly Questions!!  ;DHey Everyone... this is my first visit to ya'lls forum (GREAT forum by the way) and was SO happy to fine helpful advice!  First off I am a hobbyist at this, I only massage my wife.  We bought our own table (Life Gear) and my latest project is finding the right Lotion/Oil.  I have always use Victoria's Secert line of lotions which work the best of the things I have tried but after an hour massage my hands stay that color for a few days, lol.  I have never liked Oils but now I am sure it is because I never tried a good one, just the goofy gimick ones.  I bought a Body Wax Massage Candle (I know its another gimick product but I love candles) and that was "the best damn massage in a long time", or so I was told  ;DSO... after that WAY to long of a lead in my question is this~She said it was a combo of the feel of the oil and the heat that made it so good... What is the BEST Oil/Oil line to use and what is the best way to heat it up?I have read over the other threads but read so much I got confused ??? I am sure that my answer is on here somewere so I'm sorry for starting another thread about it.Thanks for any advice and if there are any other type of products that would put a smile on my wifes face please let me know!!  She is the boss and when the boss is happy, Big Daddy is happy Steve RuleChapin SC

 

[Lucky 7]

Newbie with LONG list of Silly Questions!!

Steve,Try going to your local GNC or Health Food Store. They usually have a shelf or two devoted to aromatherapy oils, some pre-packaged massage oils, etc. Since you won't go through the volumes that we do, buying an 8 ounce bottle of something nice (muscle relax blend, etc) should do it. You can purchase a cheap Conair Hot Lotion dispenser from Walgreens or Eckerds, etc (don't know which drug store franchises are big in your area). It will say "not to be used to heat oils", but I do it all the time. ha. Sometimes its nice to mix a little oil and lotion together (absorbs into the skin more readily, but still gives you the slip needed for the massage work).I'd be remiss in my duties if I didn't suggest that BOTH of you get a professional, licensed massage for your health & well being at least a couple of times a year (even as a treat). It will inspire you, and assist your body in resetting many healthy thermostats so that your bodies and minds can work on many levels more optimally.I think you two should invest in a couple's massage class. Its a great bonding experience & you'll learn a professional technique or two! Call around to therapists in your area & you should find some good leads.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Jessy]

Newbie with LONG list of Silly Questions!!

Steve, also consider: as soon as you put the lotion/oil into your cupped hands, rub your hands together, and place your hands palm down on your wife's back (or shoulder, etc.), the lotion/oil begins to be heated naturally. There's also the benefit of being able to assess the areas of her body for tenseness and tightness and gives you a better idea of where to work.

 

[Spike]

USe a bowl of hot water and put the oil bottle in there to warm the oil/lotion. This is cheap and easy. Since you are buying a small quantity, jojoba oil is really nice. Its very light and smooth and not greasy. Jill is right about the health food store route. If you have a Whole Foods, I know they definately have good stuff. Just talk to the folks who work in the dept. They might even be able to help you blend up a really nice oil with some aromatherapy.  One way to learn massage is to receive massage from others, but taking a couples class would definately be the best.

 

[kicksd]

Firstly Steve, Congrats on wanting to do such a wonderful thing for your wife.  Does she reciprocate?Any oil/lotion you see at the store should be fine for home use.  There are also some massage supply stores you can visit online.  They all have a single bottle for sale of the various lotions. massagewarehouse.comTo warm, I would use the suggestion above:heat it in a bowl of hot/warm water.I also agree that you and your wife should get a professional massage and ask your therapist for some pointers.There are a few areas of the body you should avoid: directly on the spine, the shallow at the back of the knee, front of the throat, area of the back just under the ribs(just light pressure).Robyn

 

[Dreamer4ever]

Newbie with LONG list of Silly Questions!!

Oh, and the only silly question is the one unasked.Robyn

 

[Petals B]

Hi Steve, your wife is a lucky lady.  If you like solid massage bars, the best I've found are from http://www.lush.com.  As for oils, I always avoid anything that is petroleum-based (such as baby oil) and anything that has an ingredient I don't understand.  I prefer something organic and purely plant-based - ideally only with a single ingredient - the pure oil itself.  Jojoba is said to be very good for the skin, grapeseed is very light and moisturising and easily absorbed, and almond is a good everyday oil.  As someone said, the health stores will usually have these nice plant oils mixed with a little fragrant essential oil (distilled from plants again).  Lavender is said to be relaxing, citrus is refreshing, and ylang ylang is sensuous.  It's best not to try mixing these yourself, unless you're trained, as they are potent, but the health food store, or the Body Shop will have some nice mixes.  Enjoy!!

 

[ghostwriter]

I wouldn't recommend that "candle" as a moisturizer.  I make candles, and as a candlemaker I would NEVER want the liability that would come with using hot wax as a moisturizer.  I am assuming the candle you have is soy.  Not all soy waxes are cosmetic grade.  Not all fragrance oils are safe for body products.  Even if they were, the amounts you find IN a candle are WAY over what is considered "skin-safe".  I hope that the candle you have has a label that lists ALL ingredients with the amounts and and weight of the product.Sorry, I just really don't like the idea of people using the "melted soy wax as lotion" concept to sell their products.  No good.  But, since soy and soy candles are such hot items lately, they have to find a way to give consumers a 'perk' to buy their products.

 

[red dye #2]

WHere did your find that candle bigdaddy?  I saw an add recently somewhere....dont know where though.  If I understood the add -- they mix wax and massage oil (I know - I said "What the heck?" too)  they are tapered I believe - so they are not soy.  Pure soy is too soft for tapers.  I make soy candles, and love that they do double time as a moisterizer.  Pure soy melts warm, so it doesnt burn to dab your fingertips into the wax - just warm and lovely.  i wouldnt advise anybody to pour it on by any means, but just a dab works wonders on dry spots.  It is crazy though - i have seen soy 'body candles' at some craft shows or whathave you, they are the same soy candles sold for $15 but minus the scent so all of a sudden the are 'body candles' and cost $40 or more.  yikes!  You wife is a very lucky woman!   Glad you like the site!

 

[lois r]

Newbie with LONG list of Silly Questions!!

Dori, I'll ask this elsewhere on a new thread too, but can you do soy wax dips (instead of paraffin)? I had been wondering for a while.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[kld726]

Newbie with LONG list of Silly Questions!!

please try to avoid microwaving your lubricants.(you're such a good husband! ;D)

 

[Kaidell]

I'll put in another good word for jojoba.  It is expensive, but you don't need as much.  I use a little over a tablespoon for a full body.  Other oils you need at least twice that, if not more.  Another good thing about jojoba is it is almost the same make up as the skin's own sebum - this means it is absorbed well, you don't get an oil slick, but the best thing is it washes out easily with domestic laundry detergent.  Lots of vegetable oils can make your towels/ sheets begin to smell like a fast food joint after a while if you don't get all the oil out, particularly if they go through a clothes dryer.For an even less oily option, massage powder! Not talc, but a mixture of white clay and cornstarch with some essential oils can give a really nice silky smooth feeling to the skin, and can actually be a good alternative if it is really hot and/or humid.  Again, easy to wash out, no fast food smell later

 

[crunchy momma]

Hi Newbie,Don't forget the music.  It really adds to the experience.  Just make sure that it is uplifting and she enjoys it.  Andre Boccelli, Yanni and Andre Rieu are unbelievable when applied as part of a massage.  They are the most requested cd's I use in my practice.  When you think you are ready to step up to a table that plays the music through the body, let me know at amt@wispwest.net and have a blessed day.  It sounds like you really know how to nurture a relationship.

 

[Navy ACC]

*whispers throught the thread to jill/sagetherapist....*hmmmmm, I don't know - I havent thought of it!  I suppose you could.  I havent used a paraffin unit before but I dont see why not.   Give it a shot on a ginea pig and see how they like it!