I make a living as a plant stylist; my home and studio are meccas of botanical findings. No matter which way you turn, you’re going to run into moss, dried flowers, dirt, and of course, my collection of succulents. So it certainly isn’t surprising that my wellness regime is heavily plant based- how could it not be? And while there are numerous brands and products containing all sorts of botanicals, there is one plant extract that has made quite a name for itself over the last couple of years: CBD.
As long as you haven’t been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with cannabidiol, or CBD, as it’s commonly referred to. It’s one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids, which can be extracted from cannabis plants. The two most well-known of these cannabinoids are CBD, which does not have any psychoactive effects, and THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, which does. In simple terms, the use of CBD products will not give us the intoxicating high that’s associated with cannabis use. Why then, all the fuss over CBD products, you might ask? As such, I had to find out for myself.
Fortunately, my friend Julie Dwyer (and fellow Western Springs resident) was kind enough to help me out. As part of the Fleur Marché team, Julie works to promote their mission to remove the stigma of cannabis and rebrand it as wellness. Founded by two former directors of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, Fleur Marché has created an upscale marketplace entirely dedicated to this chic cannabis compound. She assured me that CBD products would not cause me to experience a marijuana high…but she also assured me that when I sampled one of their CBD products, I would experience an overall sense of calm. Immediately, I was intrigued. So, Julie let me start with the Kana Lavender Sleeping Mask…because sleep often alludes me.
Touted as a Korean beauty essential with anti-inflammatory properties, this lavender scented, CBD infused, overnight mask is nothing short of perfection. I’m beholden to trying out many a product in hopes of a small miracle. And while I’ve come across some wonderful potions, I don’t know that anything has ever fully lived up to its hype. Kana Lavender Sleep Mask, for me, might just be the first. Soothing- check. Relaxing- double check. Is my skin glowing after spending a few nights with this sleeping beauty? Triple check. My skin feels as though it’s been on its own wellness retreat; pure luxury in a jar. This is a keeper in my small, but soon-to-be growing collection of CBD products.
For anyone with concerns regarding products containing CBD’s, Fleur Marché is adamant about transparency. Their products are put through a vetting process like no other, and their website is an abundance of information in regards to CBD and cannabis. As with any new trend, it’s been easy for companies to jump on the CBD bandwagon, but I certainly had peace of mind in knowing where ingredients are sourced from, along with expert recommendations and guidance for everyone from novice, like myself, to experienced CBD customers.
Be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming Vagabond Botanical + CBD events!