Professional Beauty chats to Greg Trevena, a self-taught botanist, essential oil specialist and founder of Essentially Australia.
Briefly describe your career to date
I have always been interested in Australian native plants and what natural produce they can provide. My natural interest led me to create a business using only Australian native plants for consumers and salon professionals to use in many easy ways.
How did you get into aromatherapy and essential oils
I learnt about tea tree 20 years ago through a desire to avoid chemicals, personal use and understanding it newness and Australian-ness, then oddly one of the family members credited with pioneering tea tree oil around the world, (the Dean family & its company Thursday Plantation) invested in my lemon myrtle oil and body products business in 2008. I later sold this business and then after a small break, researched and delved into records, accounts, etc on anything about Australian essential oils, from the ancient past and also the recent past.
What trends have you seen lately that involves essential oils?
I have seen a trend away from chemicals with side effects/chemical sensitivities to more natural ingredients – essential oils work well for this trend. Pure essential oils in product formations enhance the quality perception of natural hair care products.
As a wholesaler, what are some main ways your products can benefit the salon?
Initially for a salon, essential oils can create a beautiful atmosphere to walk into, it can be uplifting and fresh. Essential oils can be used in a more direct and personal sense for clients also, e.g. some can be used for individuals to be uplifting, some are calming, some for anxiety, stress, depression – through essential oil diffusers or oil burners. Additionally a salon can be a more hygienic place with the use of essential oils, there can be a reduction in the spread of germs and colds.
Why is aromatherapy important in the professional salon trade?
Essential oils can enhance the overall experience and care of the salon’s clients – an emotional enhancement.
What are the top essential oils? What are their benefits?
- Fragonia–de-stressing, calming
- Lemon Myrtle – uplifting, anti-depressive
- Honey Myrtle – uplifting, anti-depressive
- Rosalina or Lavender Tea Tree – calming, reduce anxiety
- Lemon Ironbark – calming
- Sandalwood – calming, decrease stress
- Eucalyptus Australiana – a wonderful, little known
- Eucalyptus, fresh, fruity, very pleasant – great for colds and flus in winter
- Niaouli or Lemon Myrtle is a good essential oil to add to water and clean basins and bench tops
Some essential oil tips for salons?
Don’t apply lemon type essential oils to the skin, as they can cause skin sensitisation (burning). Ask how a client is feeling, then use the right essential oil for that emotion on that date.
Creative ways salons can integrate essential oils/aromatherapy into their services?
Use diffusers (instead of oil burners – as this takes away the concern of having a naked flame risking the salon) to enhance the atmosphere of a salon, people often comment on the lovely aroma of a salon immediately upon walking into a salon, making the salon a pleasant place to visit and enhancing the salon experience. Some essential oils can be a lovely aromatic addition to an off -the-shelf hair formulation, only a few drops per bottle are usually necessary.
For more information visit https://essentiallyaustralia.com.au/