10-ways-to-use-rosewater-perfume-beauty-food

Some of the best rosewaters are made by Iranian companies, where the rosewater production is a well-established business. If your Iranian rosewater is made in Kashan (it would say so on the label), you’re in for a special treat. Kashan roses smell like warm honey and berries.

Lebanese rosewaters are also excellent. Mymouné is my top choice for genuine rosewater. It is produced according to traditional methods by a women’s cooperative in Lebanon. Cortas is another recommended Lebanese brand, and their product is made out of distilled rose petals, with no additives. The perfume is more citrusy and metallic than Mymouné’s, but for body treatments and cooking preparations that require heating it’s ideal.

1. Light Fragrance
Rosewater smells exactly like fresh petals, and what it lacks in longevity–10 minutes is all you get, it makes up for with its sunlit charm. On days when you’re traveling or don’t want to have a perfumed presence, it’s ideal. It feels refreshing and uplifting.

2. Face Toner
An important ingredient in many skin care preparations, rosewater is likely to be already featured in your toners, lotions and creams. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it soothing for dry skin. In Morocco, it’s frequently mixed with argan oil for a homemade makeup remover. I add a tablespoon of rosewater to one cup of distilled H2O for a softening toner. As with any new skin care treatment, be sure to do a patch test before you start using it on regular basis.

3. Hair Rinse
Another way I incorporate rosewater into my beauty regimen is to use it as a hair rinse (2 Tablespoons per 1 cup of water). After I shampoo and condition my hair, I thoroughly rinse and then follow up with the rosewater mix. It’s excellent for skin and leaves a very delicate scent in my locks.

4. Body Treatments
Rose’s many benefits for skin care make it an interesting addition to homemade body treatments. I use it in my Rose and Vanilla Almond Oil, or if I’m pressed for time, I mix rosewater and my regular body cream. You can also add it to scrubs and directly into bath water. A rose scented bath at the end of a long day is the best antidote to stress.

5. Scented Bedsheets
A recipe for sweet dreams and more! I add 3 Tablespoons of rosewater for every 1/2 cup of water and pour it into a spray bottle. Before getting into bed, lightly mist the sheets with scented water.

6. Yogurt and Custards
Almost anything milk based works perfectly with rose: cream, yogurt, fresh cheese. Delicate and light, rice pudding is one of my favorite desserts falling into the comfort food category. Just substitute rose water for orange blossom water in my recipe. Or stir a dash of rosewater into pannacotta. Be careful not to add too much, because the rose flavor can be very strong. Another interesting recipe to try is Indian Yogurt Mousse with Rose and Saffron.

7. Lemonade and Tea
I love starting my day with a cup of rose scented tea, thanks to the fantastic recipe developed by Andy, our resident tea expert. The marriage of lush rose and bitter tea is irresistible.

Since rose and lemon share some flavor components, it’s only natural to try blending them. Start by adding a teaspoon of rosewater to your favorite lemonade recipe and notice how the floral nuance of lemon grows stronger.

8. Cakes and Cookies
Old Russian pastry recipes often include rosewater as one of the optional aromas, along with vanilla, cardamom, lemon peel and cognac. Added to the cake batter or the dough for butter cookies, rosewater will not make them taste perfumey, but it gives more depth and complexity. A tablespoon per each cup of flour is my favorite ratio (be sure to adjust the amount of liquid used in the recipe).

9. Berry and Fruit Salads
Rose and lychee is one of the most beloved pairings in perfumery, from Chloé to Serge Lutens Sa Majesté la Rose–these notes complement each other perfectly. Raspberries, strawberries and even apples take well to rose. One of my favorite winter fruit salads involves julienned apples and pears sprinkled with lemon juice, rosewater and sugar. Macerate for 15 to 30 minutes and serve with lady fingers to soak up the delicious juices.

In the summer, I give raspberries a boost with rosewater, sugar and a pinch of thyme. The flavor is magnified tenfold.

10. Almonds and Pistachios
If you have a recipe in which you use almonds or pistachios, you can be certain that rosewater will fit in perfectly. The milky sweetness of these nuts blends so seamlessly with rose that you will wonder why you haven’t tried this pairing sooner. Most traditional Indian and Middle Eastern sweets usually rely on this flavor combination–a classic!

Idea:
Mix rosewater drink with lotions or coconut oil to make perfume



DIY Natural Rose Perfume
¾ cup fresh rose petals The petals can be any color. If you prefer, you can also use lavender flowers.
1/2 cup 80- or 100-proof vodka It doesn’t matter what kind. I always go with whatever’s on sale, which was Ketel One in this case.
2 1/2 cups distilled water You can get this by the gallon at a drugstore; pour any leftover into your humidifier.
big glass jar or bowl with a lid You want to make sure that it’s large enough to hold at least five cups of liquid.
empty glass perfume bottle