A RARE AND PRECIOUS EXPERIENCE AT FOUR SEASONS LANAI AT MANELE BAY

In ancient times, essential oils of plants were used to create something alluring. Presently, Jane Hendler, founder of Ajne, Rare and Precious uses nature’s treasures to create customized perfume blends.

Ajne, a boutique perfumery based in Carmel, California, has built a strong attraction with resorts, celebrities and a diverse group of individuals who have connected with their unique scent including Hawaii’s own Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay.

At a recent visit to Manele Bay, Jane Hendler and co-founder, Rex Rombach talk with guests about Ajne’s philosophies. “There is so much more depth in naturals. Each oil reacts differently to the body’s organic chemistry. Some scents will become more prominent. Some scents will evoke different emotions. The outcome is achieving a scent that exhilarates you,” shares Jane. “Your chosen scent is an affirmation of an attraction or connection with others.”

With over 200 indigenous scents to Hawaii, these fragrance blends will balance the mind and body.

The Four Seasons works hard to cultivate indigenous florals and plants on the property. Guests who travel from far away are able to embrace the unique sense of place found on Lanai, explains Tom Roelens, General Manager.

Theresa Blackwell, Manager of the Manele Bay Spa is the first Melanger in Hawaii. She is trained as a custom blender by Ajne, and incorporates a demi-blending experience at the Manele Bay Spa. The 90-minute blending experience is done in an ocean-facing cabana overlooking Hulopo’e Bay.

Theresa loves putting things together in a creative way, and working with guests on creating their personal scent is very fulfilling. Custom blending experiences include a personality test that transfers the answers into scent categories. Those scents are tested to see which ones are preferred most. The top two or three favorites are then blended to become your unique scent.

Theresa fell in love with Ajne and blending naturals into amazing custom scents and had many stories to tell about taking people on a personal journey through their sense of smell.

“One couple chose such opposite scents, that I added the base notes of each blend into the other’s selection which created a complimentary and enjoyable scent for both,” says Theresa.

Jane always tells customers, the rule of thumb with natural perfumes is, “They (fragrance) don’t walk in the room ahead of you and don’t leave the room behind you.” Her partner Rex adds, “All natural perfume stays in a little aura around you.”

Rex has also mastered the art of blending and distilling rare and precious oils. He took guests on a sensory experience of Hawaiian plants on property. He pointed out the flowers and plants then let people smell the essential oils. This tour gave guests a deeper understanding of Ajne’s process in using the essence of naturals.

The name Ajne represents the letters in “Jane” as well as the third shakra, “ajna,” representing the 3rd eye or “intuition.” However, always being led by her nose, Jane reveals, “the crown shakra, at the top of a person’s head is the best place to smell someone.”

Ajne, Rare and Precious custom blending services are available at the Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay Spa by appointment only.

Story by Malie Moran
Photos by Aaron K. Yoshino

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