Color Soap Naturally – Advanced multi colored design with infusions

Recently, Amanda from Lovin' Soaps discussed on her blog about coloring your soaps naturally with infused oils. Now, Lovn' Soaps shows use how to implement the colored infused oils into a cold process recipe tutorial titled, Naturally – Advanced multi colored design with infusions. If you find this intimidating and you want to start out with just one color, take a look at this tutorial in the naturally colored soap series - Color Soap Naturally – Coloring soap with natural colorant infusions.

If you missed the article the previous article on how to Color Soap Naturally – Infusing oil with herbs and spices, check it out before attempting either of the recipes mentioned .

Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?)

Are you just getting into the hobby of making your own soap? Are you confused whether soap is a cosmetic, drug or both? Well to answer some of your questions, the In a July 2002, the FDA posted on their website an article titled, Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) in July 2002. For those who have knowledge or more information to share, please let us know your experience.

What Are the Benefits of Shea Butter Lip Balm?

Previously, I posted the article about the benefits of a beeswax lip balm. If you are interested in knowing what are the benefits of shea butter lip balms , I found some information from Widegeeks. According to Wisegeek.com,

"Shea butter is a natural fatty oil extracted from the nuts of the karite nut, or African shea, tree. This fragrant extract has long been used to treat skin-related ailments including eczema, sunburn, razor rash, and blemishes. As this natural product is said to be very moisturizing, it is not surprising to find that shea butter lip balm is a popular choice for treating dry, cracked, or aging lips. Additionally, shea butter is also thought to contain nutrients said to help heal skin and improve its general appearance.

Although this product can be used all over the body and in the hair, many find that shea butter is a good option for improving the health of the lips. Shea butter lip balm is most commonly used to help heal and moisturize sunburned, dry, or cracking lips, as it is said to not only bear anti-inflammatory properties, but is also easily absorbed into the skin. Though it is often used to heal chapped lips, many feel that it can also help prevent dry lips, because it is said to create a moisture barrier.

In addition to preventing dryness, shea butter lip balm may also be useful in protecting the delicate skin of the lips from the sun and damaging free radicals. Depending upon the processing of this oil, the amount of sun protection factor (SPF) can vary; some can reach up to an SPF six. Shea butter is also thought to be plentiful in important antioxidants such as vitamins E and A, which may help protect the lips from the free radical damage that can make them look prematurely aged, thin, or lined.

As well as containing vitamins E and A, shea butter lip balm may have a number of other potentially useful nutrients. For example, this product may contain vitamin F, more commonly known as essential fatty acid, which is thought to help the skin look more supple and youthful. Another example of the beneficial nutrients in shea butter lip balm is vitamin K, thought to help preserve skin elasticity. When used over time, this combination of nutrients is said to be helpful in treating and preventing lip lines and aging, relieving sore or dry lips, and healing irritation, sunburn, and small wounds."

Coco-Lime Bath Cookies

Love bath fizzie bombs? Here is a bath treat recipe you should try - Coco-Lime Bath Cookies from The Natural Beauty Workshop. Originally The Natural Beauty Workshop posted this recipe on their blog for Cinco de Mayo because they were inspired by the traditional Mexican Wedding Cookies. Don't they look delicious. Besides the recommendations given

of packaging them in Cello Bags or 1/2 lb. Tin Tie Bags., I would recommend adding a label with a warning of Do Not Eat.

Blending Handmade Perfume Oils

Have you ever want to learn to make your own perfume oils? Well, blending oils to make your own perfume oils is an artistic endeavor. If you are not so lucky to find a class in your area, you may want to read this article from The Natural Beauty Workshop on How to Blend Handmade Perfume Oils.

If you are lucky enough to live in the San Francisco Bay Area and want to take a class, you may want to check out The Nova Studio in Point Richmond or Opalz Zoaps in Palo Alto. If you do not live close enough to these two, does anyone else know of a place in your area that teaches a class on this subject? I encourage you to share and get the word out....

Solid Bubble Bath Bars Recipe from Lovin' Soap

When I first saw the picture for these Solid Bubble Bath Bars it reminded me of a jelly roll cake. This recipe by Amanda of Lovin' Soap is similiar to a bath fizzy bomb but it is with twist. Amanda uses arrowroot powder instead of corn starch but if you cannot find arrowroot powder you can use corn starch. And a liquid surfactant is used and Amanda recommends using Super Mild Surfactant Blend™ from Ingredients To Die For. So if you want different look to your bath bombs then give this recipe a try! Have fun trying this new recipe

Fluffy Lip Scrub

You probably heard of a lip scrub? And you probably heard of a whipped body butter? But have you heard of a Fluffy Lip Scrub? Now you say that you have after you check out the recipe from Majestic Mountain Sage. According to the recipe this a variation of a lip scrub that does not need any heating. I will have to give this recipe a try but I will probably select another flavoring more to my liking such as raspberry.

Faux Funnel Pour: Advanced Cold Process

Have you ever been amazed how a soapmaker makes a funnel swirled soap? It is really not that difficult but the Soap Queen has a tutorial titled Faux Funnel Pour: Advanced Cold Process which appears on her blog Soap and the Finer Things in Life. It takes 45 minutes to make this colorful soap. Allow it to hardened for 24 hours prior to cutting. Then allow it to cure. The yield on this recipe is 5 pounds. Even thou the colors for this soap reminds me of halloween, you can be your own artist and select colors that you suits your own liking.

Lemon Cookie Lotion Recipe

This lotion is a great way to a foodies heart who love lemony desserts. I always loved the lemon cake fro Just Desserts or the lemon cooler cookies that the girl scouts sell once a year. So this is the perfect recipe for me - Lemon Cookie Lotion from Majestic Mountain Sage. Some of the interesting ingredients in this recipe are Sodium Lactate, Coconut Fractions Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Pumpkin Seed Extract, Wheat Protein, Sweet Almond Butter, Refine Shea Butter, and Squalane.

Berry'd Bath Salt Recipe

With just 4 ingredients you can create this unique but simple bath salt blend called Berry'd Bath Salts. This simple recipe from DIY Skincare uses blueberry powder to create the color and is scented with a fragrance oil called Dewberry. I do not know what dewberry smells like but if I would make this recipe I would select a raspberry or mixed berry fragrance oil instead. But that is just my preference.

Recipe: Menta Doble Bath Bomb

I remember the commercial jingle for Wrigley's Double Mint Gum - Double your pleasure, Double your fun, With Double Mint, Double Mint Gum. If you would like to get the double the cooling experience from this recipe for Menta Double Bath Bomb from DIY Skincare/Bath Body Supply. Mint is refreshing and uplifting besides it can cool you down the temperature rises.

Lotion Bar: Flip Flop Heel Helper

Love to wear flip flops or sandals during the summer but you are embarrased by your cracked heels? Then maybe you should try making this Flip Flop Heel Helper recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus. This recipe takes two hours to make and it yields 18 2.25 oz bars. All of the ingredients and packaging can be purchased thru Wholesale Supplies Plus.

Blue Man Cold Process Soap Tutorial from The Soap Queen

Here is a really cool blue swirl cold process soap tutorial from The Soap Queen. I have never been to a perfomance of the Blue Man Group before but I have heard of them, but I thought it was a cool name for this bar of soap.

If you never made cold process before check out The Soap Queen's link and view all of the videos she has listed in her instructions. She will be adding a new video on colorants, so make sure to check that out. Also, she has some really great photos that go with the instructions.

The ingredients you need for this recipe are:

Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, Lye, Distilled Water, Blue Man Fragrance Oil, Ultramarine Blue, Ocean Blue Jojoba Beads, Super Pearly White, Titanium Dioxide and EXTRA Jojoba Oil . Check recipe for extact amounts and all of the ingredients can be purchase through Brambleberry.

Make sure you have the following tools to complete this recipe:
2 Heat Safe Containers, Spoons, Mini Scoop, Small Bowl, Wax Paper, Mini Mixer for Colorants, Stick Blender, 9 Bar Baltic Birch Mold

Cold Process Soap Making, Melt And Pour And Rebatching Soap - Easy As Pie!

In the article, Cold Process Soap Making, Melt And Pour And Rebatching Soap - Easy As Pie! discusses the differences between CP, M&P and Rebatched Soap. There were a few new things that I learned from the article.

Cold Process:

Cold process soap is known for its hard, long lasting quality. Depending on the oils used, the bar can have great lather (coconut oil has excellent lathering properties), be incredibly mild (olive oil is renowned for its gentle qualities) or be very moisturizing (with the addition of oils, such as shea and cocoa butter or hemp oil). The article describes on how to make soap by this method.

Melt and Pour:

That the artistry of melt and pour is called "Soap Casting". I have not heard that term used in describing M&P as much as "Soap Crafting".

Rebatch Method:

Rebatching is another form of cold process soapmaking. You make your cold process soap from scratch, grate it up, place it over a heat source in a kettle, (or your microwave) with a little liquid (water works very well), and the mixture melts down into a mushy mess to which you add herbs or colorants and fragrances. This method is often used to preserve the scent or the healing properties of some essential oils.

I never have created by the rebatched method, but the only way I have seen it described was doing it in a double boiler. But according to the article, there is the BOIL IN BAG METHOD which is supposed be one of the most foolproof methods the author has found for rebatching soaps. In the article, this method is described on how to make rebatched soap by this method. If you have not had much success with rebatch soap, you may want to try it this way.

Floral Waxes

Have you ever heard of a floral wax? I have not until recently. According to The Natural Beauty Workshop during the manufacturing of absolutes the natural solid wax from the plant is left behind and that is what is called a floral wax. The wax retains a milder aroma than is found in the absolute, but its creamy texture makes it a desirable ingredient in its own right. Floral waxes can be incorporated into creams, lotions, balms and solid perfumes. They tend to be very hard and can sometimes take a little coaxing to melt but The Natural Beauty Workshop says it is well worth it.

Has anyone used a floral wax in any of their bath and body products? Since I just learned about them I have not. But I learned from the article that From Nature With Love sells several of them. I will have to take a look at some of my recipes and see if I could possible try using of them.

A Guide to Making Bath Bombs

Love to make your own bath bombs? In this article titled A Guide to Making Bath Bombs, which appears on the website The Natural Beauty Workshop, covers the following subjectsAcid & Base Combo, Powdered Ingredients, Colorants, Aromatics (Scenting), Additives, Binding Agents, Oil Based Binding Agents, Water Based Binding Agents, Assembly, Usage and Recipes. Each section goes into complete detail on what you need to know. I never thought of using Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter or Coconut Oil as a binding agent. Whereas, witch hazel will sometimes will start the chemical reaction if you use too much, these ingredients will not. I read the article and learned alot, I hope you will too.

Embossed Stamp Soaps

Want to learn how to make these beautiful embossed soaps? These soaps are relatively easy to learn how to make since they are made by the melt and pour process. If you are interesting in learning how to make these soaps, check out the Embossed Stamp Soap instructions from Soap Place.

Magic Color Bath Fizzies

Looking for something different to give as a gift or as a party favor at your next party? Or you want to do something else with a bath bomb recipe? Majestic Mountain Sage has taken the bath fizzy bomb to the next level. Instead of a solid bath bomb their recipe is in a white powder form and will change color when you put it in the bath water. So check out this simple recipe for Magic Color Bath Fizzies. and give it a try.

Bath Tub Whoopie Pies

Have your ever heard of a whoopie pie? It is a delicious treat that are known in the east. I remember something similiar as a child living here in California, but it is not quite the same. If you enjoyed these tasty treats as a child, you may want to check out this tutorial for Bath Tub Whoopie Pies by Alison of Bath Body Supply. Instead of indulging in these treats, why not save the calories and make them for your bath. These would make an adorable favor for a bridal or baby shower but make sure to label these "Do Not Eat". So your guests will not eat them by mistake.

Goldfish Liquid Hand Soap

Have you seen the soaps that mimic gold fish in a bag? Those soaps somehow remind me of the county fair. I am glad to announce that DIY Skincare has taken it one step further by taking suspension gel soap and created this adorable Goldfish Liquid Hand Soap project. This is a very simple project to make and it would be a great project to do for a child's birthday party.

To be honest, I do not know if you can make your own suspension gel soap. It maybe harder than you think. I maybe easier just to purchase the gel from BathBodySupply. If you were just curious, the ingredients of the suspension gel soap are Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, Disodium Cocamido MIPA Sulfosuccinate, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin.

Goatsmilk Bath Tea Recipe

Several years ago I took a class from Lori Nova (Endres) of The Nova Studio on how to make your own bath salts, body scrubs, milk baths and tub teas. We learned how to make a milk bath recipe that was very simple and packaged in a very cute way.

As I follow the Soap Queen's blog - Soap and the Finer Things in Life - Anne Marie posts a very different recipe. Her recipe includes cocoa butter and pink sea salt. This is a recipe that can be included to your bath products library. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

Beachy Lip Balm Recipe

Isn't this a cute lip balm? I think it is. This reminds me of a beach ball hence the name Beachy Lip Balm. It is in an unique container which gives the round shape. Well, I happened to see this recipe for this Beachy Lip Balm from a site that I follow called DIY Skincare (Do It Yourself Skincare). DIY Skincare happens to be the company blog for Bath Body Supply in Ohio.

In this project, it calls for the person to purchase a Natural Lip Balm Base (For Sticks) from Bath Body Supply. The ingredients in this particular product are Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil (and) Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol (and) Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil (and) Beeswax (and) Hydrogenated Castor Oil (and) Glycine Soja (Soybean) Lipids (and) Lauryl Laurate (and) Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax (and) Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax. Some of you maybe concerned with Lauryl Laurate ingredient in this base and wonder if you can subsitute your own lip balm recipe. Now I am not sure about that, but since this ingredient has Carnauba and Candelilla Waxes instead of beeswax your recipe should have those two waxes instead. You can give it a try and see how it works. Just let us know how it turned out.

Watermelon Salt Scrub Scoops

This recipe for Watermelon Salt Scrub Scoops from Wholesale Supplies Plus reminds me of the sugar cube scrubs I learned how to make in Erin's Simply Sugar Scrubs class at The Nova Studio. It is similiar in the way that it is a scrub but in this recipe is salt instead of sugar and shape is different. I will have to give this recipe a try and see if sugar would work instead of the salt.

Making Sand Candles

I happened to catch an episode on how to make sand candles by Martha
Stewart on Comcast's On Demand. And it brought up memories of when I was a brownie girl scout and the troop went out to Coyote Point in San Mateo and made sand candles on the beach. Now you do not have to live by the beach to create these candles. You just need to get sand from a local retailer that carries a large quanity of it. Probably Lowe's. Orchard Supply or Home Depot carry it.

I thought it was interested to find out that the hotter the wax, the more sand will stick to the candle I really like the shape of the bottles Martha and her guest used in the demonstration. Plus the fine sand they used really enhanced the look of the candle. In this project, beeswax was used and no scent was added.

Color Soap Naturally – Infusing oil with herbs and spices

With cold process soapmaking there are certain items that are normally used to color your soap. Some of the items you may be familiar with are mica powders. etc. Did you know that you can use infused oils to color your soaps? Well, guess what you can! Want to find out how? Then read this article from Lovin' Soap titled Color Soap Naturally – Infusing oil with herbs and spices and find out how.

Salt Bar Multi Colored Swirl Tutorial by Grumpy Girl

What do you think of this multi-colored swirl cold process soap? This nine colored soap is named Acid Trip by Grumpy Girl. How would you like to see how this fantastically wild soap is made? You should check out this Multi Colored Swirl Soap Tutorial from Grumpy Girl. Even though the title has the word salt in it, it is definately not a salt bar. It is a totally terrific colored soap that one cannot turn away from.

Flower Cupcake Tutorial

I always enjoy watching Bake, Decorate, Celebrate which is a (Wilton) cake decorating show that is aired on KCSM. Since I am not a cake decorator, but a soapmaker maybe I can somehow make a beautifully and professional decorated melt and pour soap. Well, lucky me I found a two part tutorial from Riverlea Soap on how to do it. Part A discusses how to make the soap and the roses and Part B Shows you how to complete the soap. These would be cute favor for a bridal or baby shower or even a tea party. Just remember to put do not eat on the label because they look good enough to eat.

How Do I Choose the Best Lip Balm Tubes?

Selling lip balms is big business. Is this something that interest you since you have been creating your own lip balms and giving them out to friends and family? Or are you in a quandry which is the best tubes you should select for your lip balms? How Do I Choose the Best Lip Balm Tubes? is an article that appears on Wisegeek which can help you solve your problem. Selecting your lip balm tubes can be very insteresting part of the lip balm making experience wouldn't you say? There are a variety of sizes and colors to choose from and it can be confusing. So start reading the article to help you on your way to success.

Essential Oils for Aromatherapy

According to BathBombFizzies.com from their article, Essential Oils-Aromatherapy the following is a list of essential for the appropiate emotional balances:

Aromatherapy Scents for Anxiety/Stress:

Bergamot: Fresh scent with a mix of citrus and floral notes
Lavender: Fresh sweet and floral scent.
Patchouli: Pungent and rich woody smell.
Ylang-Ylang: A mixture of floral, sweet, and fruity notes.
Jasmine: A warm and exotic floral.
Juniper Berry: Pungent sweet, crisp smell with fruity hints.
Geranium: Fresh floral scent with sweet and fruity notes.
Chamomile: Sweet and fruity.
Hyssop: Fresh and fruity with woody and sweet notes.
Clary Sage: Pungent earthy scent with a slight fruitiness.

Aromatherapy Scents for Depression:

Clary Sage: Pungent earthy scent with a slight fruitiness.
Lavender: Fresh sweet and floral scent.
Ylang-Ylang: A mixture of floral, sweet, and fruity notes.
Chamomile: Sweet and fruity.
Frankincense: Fresh and woody with a slightly spicy, fruity note.
Sandalwood: Rich and sweet with a mixture of woody and floral notes.
Marjoram: Slightly medicinal and campherous while sweet and woody.

Aromatherapy Scents for Sleep Difficulty:

Chamomile: Sweet and fruity.
Lavender: Fresh sweet and floral scent.
Patchouli: Pungent and rich woody smell.
Lemon Balm: Citrusy and fresh.
Neroli: Exotic blend of citrus, floral, and sweet notes.
Sandalwood: Rich and sweet with a mixture of woody and floral notes.
Ylang-Ylang: A mixture of floral, sweet, and fruity notes.

Aromatherapy Scents for Mental Clarity and Concentration:

Bergamot: Fresh scent with a mix of citrus and floral notes
Peppermint: Strong minty smell.
Grapefruit: Citrusy and fresh with a slight hint of bitter.
Lemon: Light, citrus scent.
Basil: Sweet with a slightly medicinal smell.

How to Make a Watermelon Body Scrub

Watermelon is my favorite fruits of summer. I always enjoyed gettting a watermelon juice drink from the county fair or one of the arts and wine festivals that I attend. Since I enjoy watermelon during the summer, I started to look for any body products that I can make . I found this simple recipe by Tonya Nusser, Ehow contributor, Watermelon Body Scrub which is made from three simple ingredients - white sugar, watermelon and lemon juice. Since this recipe is made with these ingredients you can make it before you take your shower. I would not make this recipe too far ahead because it may go rancid or someone may eat it by mistake.

What is a Pipette?

In making your own bath and body products, you may use an eye dropper to assist in the dispensing your essential oils to your products. But did you know that there is another mode of transferring these ingredients? There is an item called a pipette. Never heard of it? According to Wisegeek.com, "a pipette is a type of chemical dropper used in laboratory experiments to measure and transport fixed volumes of chemicals. There are several designs of pipettes but they all function in the same way. The pipette is inserted into a liquid-filled container, where it creates a vacuum. The vacuum suction draws up a designated amount of liquid and dispenses it into another. Pipettes are made with either borosilicate, aluminosilicate or quartz." Most of the pipettes I have seen for use of bath and body products have been made of some sort of plastic but since pipettes can be used for other industries such as chemistry they might be made of other types of materials. If you are interested in the full article on What is a Pipette?, then check out Wisegeek's article.