Beauty Picks and Tricks // Free Flow Botanicals
These past months have been a whirlwind of stress. From wedding preparations & planning, to trying to figure out my career to random spurts of hives, it’s safe to say my skin has been through A LOT. I found myself looking to other products aside from my favorites as I thought more natural ingredients would help ease the chaos that is my skin.
I came across Free Flow Botanicals, a wellness beauty brand created by Herbalist Extraordinaire, Patty Liu. Patty has formulated and crafted her concoctions to create a natural skincare line to help others feel good and look good. She uses all natural ingredients that are carefully created in her home. I had a moment to chat with Patty and learn more about her passion for her business and her strong belief in the healing of the skin using organic and natural ingredients.
1. What is your name? Where are you from?
My name is Patty Liu and I was born and raised in San Francisco, CA.
2. Tell us more about your business, Free Flow Botanicals.
Free Flow Botanicals is a plant-based skincare and wellness brand that was created in 2017 as I was training to become a Clinical Western Herbalist. This experience led to me extensive personal growth and healing, as well as my desire to help others on their journey. At this time, the message about my life’s work became loud and clear, that my purpose was to become a steward of the earth and introduce plants into people’s lives in various ways. I wanted to create plant-based products that would be integrated into people’s lives through self-care and beauty rituals, allowing them to experience the healing powers of plants, and live a life of health, happiness, and well-being.
3. What sparks the inspiration you have for your craft?
Mother Nature and my cultural heritage are the biggest sources of inspiration. I love discovering and researching plants in China and Japan that have been used for centuries to support health & beauty, and then through the creative process, matching them with California native plants to create products with ingredients that work synergistic-ally to benefit the skin.
4. How do you feel herbal-based and natural products has changed/will continue to change the beauty industry?
Plant-based beauty is really taking off as more consumers become aware of the harmful impacts of mass produced, chemical laden skincare products which are wreaking havoc on the body. I often hear of the concern that plant-based skincare products simply don’t work, or are non-affordable, but this couldn’t be any further from the truth.
Step 1: Cleanse
Step 2: Brighten
Step 3: Smooth
Step 4: Glow
Buffing Scrub
This concoction is to be used 2 to 3 times a week in between Step 1 and 2
5. How has herbal beauty changed your life?
My life changed in 2013 when out of curiosity, I made a face mask in my home kitchen. I had a lot of acne scars, red inflamed blotches, and dermatitis, and was frustrated with the products sitting in my medicine cabinet. I remember making a mixture of raw honey, ground oatmeal, and lemon juice and slathering it all over my face. After rinsing it off, my skin felt incredible and smooth to the touch., and after just one month my scars faded away. One by one, I threw out store bought items that no longer served me and began experimenting with my own blends.
6. What is/are your favorite product(s) from your collection?
The Healthy Skin Kit, available in two versions - one for normal / combination skin, and one for dry / sensitive skin. They each offer 5 products that you use in order and it helps to simplify the beauty routine.
7. What are 3 natural beauty products you can't live without?
I love raw honey face masks to soften & plump the skin, facial oil because my skin absorbs it easily, and bath salts for exfoliating and detoxifying, leaving my skin soft & glowing.
8. How can people connect with your brand and shop?
Through my website, Etsy page, Facebook, Instagram, or local craft fairs and events.
I had the chance to use the Healthy Skin Kit and see how the products worked on my skin. I decided to start using the product a few times a week and gradually increase my usage to a full two weeks.
The first time using the kit, I could instantly see a huge difference in my skin. I noticed the Matcha scrub and the Glow Oil made my skin brighter and softer. After about a week, my lady cycle hit and I was bound to receive some breakouts on my face. One really great thing I noticed was that using this kit helped ease the redness I experienced while I broke out. Because the products are natural and are free of harsh chemicals, I had to wait a few days more than usual to see my acne clear up. Also, the consistency of the product is a lot lighter than the name brand face care products I use. It felt nice not having product weigh down on my skin that it almost felt weird to me, like I needed to add more product on my face due to how light weight everything is. In more cases than not, I learned that less is more with these organic products.
I made a short, fun video to show you guys how I use this kit and how easy it is to apply (and remove some of) the products. I did not use the Match scrub for this as I found it would have been too messy to use it in front of my computer, but you’ll be able to see Steps 1 through 4 in the video.
Hope you guys enjoy! Don’t forget to check out Free Flow Botanicals and to follow the brand on social media:
-Etsy page
-Facebook
-Instagram
Xo