Mother’s Day, VIM & VIGR Style

In honor of Mother’s Day and the leading ladies in our lives, VIM & VIGR teamed up with Molly Muriel Apothecary to create a bundle of wellness goodies just for mom! This bundle includes a pair of Queen’s Floral VIM & VIGR compression socks, as well as a 4 oz bottle of Vim & Vigor Circulation Bath & Body Oil, a 100% vegan and cruelty-free herbal blend. This combo of compression and oil promotes all around healthy circulation, and what better way to show your mom you love her than to send a gift that keeps her happy and healthy?

We chatted with Branda Tiffany, the founder of Molly Muriel, to learn more about her oils and the benefits of natural ingredients – check it out! 

How did you get started with Molly Muriel?

Back in 1994 I was living in Seattle, going to college, and decided on a whim to take a candle making class. I loved it from the get-go. Over the next year or so I made every kind of candle imaginable. I then decided that I wanted to try some other products, so bought a great soap-making book, and that's where that began. Soon I was making salves, bath bombs, lip balms, bath salts, and many other things. It was an expensive hobby for the next 8 years, and then in 2002 I realized that I wanted to take it to a new level and start a real business. It began with soap, and has evolved over the years to include lotions, bath and body oils, lip balms, bath salts, candles, and a line of pure essential oils.

How do you develop your recipes?

I begin with research. I do a lot of that. And I have 23 years of working with a huge number of raw ingredients, so I combine all of these things and make trial after trial until I get the perfect recipe.

Are there benefits to using products with natural ingredients versus store-bought bath and beauty products?

The benefits of using natural products versus chemical-based products are endless. When we use natural products, we are not putting potentially harmful ingredients on our skin. Additionally, we are not adding them to our water systems when they get washed down the drain, either. My philosophy is that we need protect our environment as much as ourselves, and this is truly the way to do it. Not to mention, those harsh chemical products that "make us look younger" or "have a silky feel" can be toxic and damaging to our skin. Why would we want that? Over time, these products can do more damage than good. But with natural, it's just that, natural! You can't go wrong.

What’s your favorite product to create?

I don't know that I have a product that is my favorite to create, I really love them all. I really like making many products so that I can switch it up and keep it interesting!

What’s been your most popular product since you started?

The soap was our first line, and they have always been very popular across the board. However, it really depends on the market. Some stores just sell our lotions and oils, and some just want lip balm. Seasonally they can vary as well. We sell many more candles in the winter months

How does the Vim & Vigor Oil help with circulation?

The Vim & Vigor Oil was created to aid circulation and warm up cold hands and feet. We do a 30 day solar infusion of organic herbs in all of our bath & body oils, and Vim & Vigor contains safflower, ginger, and cayenne, which are all excellent blood movers. We also use a blend of essential oils that assists with circulation as well, so it's like getting a double treatment when you use this product.

How do you recommend using the bath and body oils?

We call it "bath & body oil" for a reason – it is versatile and can be poured into a bath or rubbed directly on the skin. These oils were originally created for my massage practice (which no longer exists), so I would use this one on my clients who tended to have a cold constitution, or just needed a little warming up. Self massage is a great use of the oil!

Combining these circulation-enhancing oils with a pair of VIM & VIGR’s beneficial graduated compression socks will keep mom feeing healthy, invigorated and fashionable. Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!