Trance Essence ~ Natural Perfumes From Ojai
An Interview with Plant Whisperer Janna Sheehan
Serendipity plays it’s hand and things align when we are listening. Some months back, my sweet friend Jaclyn behind the beautiful line Awave/Awake, mentioned that I should meet a woman she heard about who creates natural perfumes from plants that she gathers in Ojai. This true artisan actually harvests the plants, distills the essences, and then creates the alchemical combinations into perfumes . Of course I was intrigued and couldn’t wait to meet this mystery woman. As it happened, one afternoon while Jaclyn and Gian Prem and I were playing hookie at our favorite Ojai place The Farmer and the Cook , we happened to strike a conversation with an Ojai native who invited us back to her house/studio to smell her natural perfumes. Yes that woman was Janna Sheehan the woman I had been dreaming of meeting. A few weeks later, she invited us to come visit it her at the bucolic Mano Farms in Ojai where she was gathering inspiration for some Spring tinctures. This was another dream come true! I am so activated and turned on by natural scents, and the one that blasted my nose and heart at Mano that day was the budding neroli from all the citrus. There was also Grandmother Elder (shown below), powerful white sage bushes, lavender, jasmine, pink pepper and more.
For more on my all-natural beauty regimen see The Local Rose.
I have so much respect for this hand made process. It seems like a way to pay respect to the plants that are being harvested. I felt like that magical day we were surrounded by singing flora and fauna. Women like Janna are keeping these techniques alive with their dedication and passion to the land. Interview with the plant whisperer below! Another serendipitous outcome ~ Today happens to also be this beautiful woman’s birthday. Happy Birthday Janna!
1) What makes your heart sing?
The discovery of something wonderful that you knew existed but maybe thought you wouldn’t experience in your lifetime. Like a déjà vu that becomes real.
2) You have been living in Ojai Valley before it became such a popular destination. Why do you think Ojai speaks to so many souls these days?
Well, with press comes popularity. All the hype has made people curious. They come here and see that Ojai is actually a safe sanctuary of peace and quiet that holds a beautiful undisturbed magic. It’s in such contrast to all the madness everywhere else within 90 miles. People can’t help themselves.
3) What do you gather in the Ojai area for your essences?
We have permission from a few people to harvest wild Artemisia, Pink Peppercorn and Orange Blossom. We work with a few farmers who grow organic botanicals and a few other goodies for us.
4) What are some powerful beautifying flowers or plants?
Yarrow is a big love, with its tiny little clusters of daisy like flowers. It works beautifully on the inside and out and smells amazing in a bitter, warming and sweet buttery way –– a little like chamomile. It’s a lovely fragrance paired with rose and citrus or mint, making it bright and grounding. As a skin care product it’s amazing for healing rashes and reducing inflammation. It’s also a stress reliever and sleep promoter.
Marshmallow root is a favorite. I use it in our Ojai Wild White Sage Leaves body balm. It has penetrating, super emollient healing properties that moisturize and revive the skin. I love the scent because it’s unaccommodating; it makes you wait. It has an earthy, velvety, dirty mushroom odor –– pungent with a high odor intensity. Meticulous pairing is required. The white sage leaves are perfect with it.
5) Making artisanal perfumes and scents in the old traditions seem to be vanishing. How did you learn this art form?
Actually, there is a revival going on with a growing artisan perfumer community. I am mostly self-taught but have been mentored and shadowed by a few significant people in the fragrance and beauty industry: other perfumers and formulators. Collaborating has also been a great teacher. The learning is abundant and never ending as long as I’m curious and inspired.
My newest interest is my direct relationship to the botanicals and the process of the tincturing. I was looking for a gorgeous, authentic way to get a concentrated perfume extract, with the absence of water. Tincturing, which has been around since the 17th century is it and is the platform for our newest Ojai Wild fragrances and balms.
6) What is favorite scent these days?
I am loving the two Ojai Wild fragrances: White Sage Leaves and Juniper Berry.
7) Are you a forest fairy or a mermaid?
FOREST FAIRY…love the wild, magic and danger.
8) Do you have a motto or creed you live by?
I would like to say Love is always the answer, but it also destroys people.
So…I would say if you live your life in truth you can move forward without looking back. Strive to do what is not always easy.
9) Where can we find your scents?
www.beautyhabit.com and CO Bigelow NYC
