Retreat
Botanical Body Care Retreat: Autumn
Master the Art of Natural Skincare in the Heart of Virginia
Puppy Creek Farm • Stuart, Virginia • 5 Transformative Days
Begins: Tuesday, October 6th, arrivals by 3pm.
Departures: Sunday, October 11th, after 2pm OR stay an extra night and depart on Monday, October 12th.
Our retreat is designed for individuals who are seeking natural alternatives to commercial skincare and would like to gain hands-on experience in formulating their own nourishing botanical body care products or formulating for a product line in a beautiful farm setting.
Retreat Dates:
Arrive: Tuesday, October 6th, arrive by 3pm.
Dinner and opening circle at 6pm.
Departures: Sunday, October 11th, after 2pm OR stay an extra night and depart on Monday, October 12th.
Join us for a transformative 5-day Botanical Body Care Retreat at picturesque Puppy Creek Farm in Stuart, Virginia, this autumn. Learn to create luxurious, natural skincare products from farm-fresh botanicals through hands-on workshops covering oil-based products, water-based formulations, exfoliants, and therapeutic preparations.
This intimate retreat (limited to 10 participants) combines traditional herbalism with modern formulation techniques, allowing you to master the art of natural beauty while surrounded by Virginia’s stunning fall foliage. Leave with 10+ handcrafted products, comprehensive formulation guides, and the knowledge to make your own botanical skin care products or launch a business.
Farm-to-Bottle Learning
Work directly with fresh botanicals grown on Puppy Creek Farm, experiencing the complete journey from garden to finished product.
Small Group Intimacy
Limited to 10 participants for personalized attention and meaningful connections with fellow botanical enthusiasts.
Hands-On Workshops
Create over 15 different products you’ll take home, plus receive detailed formulation guides for future creations.
Expert Instruction
Learn from certified herbalists and cosmetic formulators with decades of combined experience in natural skincare.
Autumn Immersion
Experience Virginia’s breathtaking fall colors while learning seasonal formulation techniques and harvest practices.
Join us this autumn at the picturesque Puppy Creek Farm for an immersive 5-day botanical body care retreat. Learn to create luxurious, natural skincare products using time-honored techniques and the finest botanical ingredients.
This hands-on experience combines the wisdom of traditional herbalism with modern formulation science; all set against the backdrop of Virginia’s stunning fall foliage.
Retreat Center
Puppy Creek Retreat
Our retreat takes place in a beautiful and serene location, surrounded by nature, where you can relax and rejuvenate while learning the art and science of botanical body care formulating. You will be guided by Jade Shutes, an experienced instructor who will share her knowledge and expertise in the field.
Learn more about Yarrow Mountain Farm here!
Botanical Body Care Curriculum
Botanical Ingredients
Build your knowledge of nature’s most potent skincare ingredients.
- Essential Oil Blending
- Carrier Oil Selection
- Herbal Oil Infusions
- Fresh Hydrosol Distillation
- Healing Glycerites
- Natural Butters & Waxes
- Plant-Based Surfactants
OIL-BASED FORMULATIONS
Master the foundation of natural skincare with luxurious oil-based formulations.
- Nourishing Body Oils
- Anti-aging Facial Oils
- Rich Body Butters
- Whipped Body Butters
- Healing Lip Balms
- Therapeutic Body Balms
- Traditional Herbal Salves
WATER-BASED FORMULATIONS
Explore the art of emulsification and water-based formulations.
- Gentle Cleansing Products
- Lathering & Cream Cleansers
- Hydrating Toners
- Luxurious Creams & Lotions
- Soothing Gel Cleansers
- Therapeutic Gels
- pH Balancing Techniques
- Natural Preservation Methods
EXFOLIANTS & CLAY FORMULATIONS
Learn to create spa-quality treatments using natural exfoliants and mineral-rich clays.
- Invigorating Body Scrubs
- Gentle Facial Exfoliants
- Purifying Clay Masks
- Custom Powder Blends
- Seasonal Treatment Formulas
More than just learning—it’s a complete transformation in natural beauty wisdom
Retreat Information
Puppy Creek Retreat
The retreat price includes room and board. We will serve homemade meals (3) each day on full days, dinner on arrival day, and breakfast and lunch on departure day. There are three cabins, Yarrow, Mullein, and Pine, for our retreats. Each cabin contains two full beds and one twin bed or two twin and one full. The cabins are rustic, simple, and incredibly comfy. You will be sharing with other students.
Begins: Tuesday, October 6th, arrivals by 3pm.
Departures: Sunday, October 11th after 1pm OR stay an extra night and depart on Monday, October 12th.
Meet Your Instructor
She holds a Diploma in Holistic Aromatherapy, Holistic Massage, Anatomy and Physiology, and Reflexology from the Raworth College of Natural Medicine in Dorking, UK, and a Diploma in Aromatherapy from the International Therapist Examining Board (ITEC). She also holds a certificate in herbal medicine.
An aromatherapy practitioner, researcher, and educator for over three decades, Jade is passionate about aromatics and believes the sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses for healing the mind/body/psyche in this era of upheaval and change. She is considered to be a thought leader in the aromatherapy community and is highly respected for her balanced, progressive, and inspiring education.
Jade is the founder of the School for Aromatic Studies. She is also the past president of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (2000-2003 and 2013-2015), the author of “Aromatherapy for Bodyworkers,” the co-author of “The Carrier Oil Palette,” and the main author of the “Ultimate Guide to Aromatherapy.”
Payment Details
Depost
$500
Pay In Full
$2150.
2 Payments
$1075.
Payment Schedule:
- Deposit: $500 (non-refundable, paid at registration)
- Invoice #1: Due by September 1st
- Invoice #2: Due by October 1st
Refund + Cancellation Policy:
Deposit: Non-refundable ($500)
Invoice payments (#1 and #2): A full refund, less the non-refundable deposit of $500, is available before July 1st, 2026. Between July 1st and July 6th, 2026, only 50% of invoice payments will be refunded. No refunds after July 6th, 2026, but a transfer to an interested participant is possible.
For all participants: A non-refundable fee of $500 applies to all registrations, regardless of payment method.
Two-Payment Plan: First payment on the day you register, and second payment automatically processed one month later.
See Refund and Cancellation Policy below.
Refund & Cancellation Policy:
- Prior to July 1st: Full refund less the $500 non-refundable fee
- Between July 1st and September 1st: 50% refund of the amount paid (excluding the $500 non-refundable fee)
- After September 1st: No refunds available, but transfer to interested participant is possible.
FAQs
Are there prerequisites?
No. This course is open to everyone with an interest in deepening their knowledge of botanical body care and how to formulate natural skin care products.
Where is the retreat?
The retreat is being held at our Farm in Stuart, VA not far from Fairy Stone State park.
What is the best airport to fly into?
The best airports to fly into include: Greensboro, NC or Roanoke, VA. Both airports are a one hour drive to retreat center. We highly recommend renting a car. We will connect students to plan ride-shares as we get closer to retreat time.
What is included in the retreat price?
The retreat price includes: Accomodations for 5 or 6 nights, three meals a day on full days, dinner on first day and breakfast and lunch on final day (sunday). Breakfast will be served for those departing on Monday the 13th.
Students will also take home over 10+ products made in class.
We have three student cabins, each provides space for 3 or 4 students in each cabin. The bathhouse, gardens, and classroom are a very short walk from student cabins.
I have placed a deposit, when are next payments due?
If you have made a deposit for the course, the remainder will be divided into two payments of $675. First payment is due by July 15th and second payment by August 15th. You will be sent an invoice a few days prior to these dates. If you need a different payment plan, please email us at: info@aromaticstudies.com
Will we experience a distillation during this retreat?
Yes! We will be distilling either a conifer or other plant that can be harvested in October.
I have questions before signing up for the retreat...
Please email us at: info@aromaticstudies.com with any questions you have.
Are you an approved school by a professional aromatherapy organization?
Yes, we are an approved school through the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. We are also approved for massage CE hours through the NCBTMB.