Undiluted Aroma Oils + Plastic Don’t Mix

Have you ever wondered why fragrance oils might be in a plastic bottle and essential oils are in glass?  Well, there are reasons why. The Soap Queen explains why in a posting call Undiluted Aroma Oils and Plastic Don't Mix.

Liquid Soap with African Black Soap

I have heard of African Black Soap but I have never used it before.  But here is a recipe from Learn How to Make Soap called Liquid Soap with African Black Soap.  Amanda say this recipe is nothing fancy....just African Black Soap (ABS) mixed into liquid soap.  IF you love products with ABS then you will love this one.  Amanda is working on a scrub.  When she posts that recipe, I will share it with you.  Stay tuned!

Chamomile and Calendula Infused Toner Recipe

Between washing and moisturizing your skin, it is a good idea to use a toner.  It is a great way to keep skin feeling refreshed.  This Chamomile and Calendula Infused Toner recipe from the Soap Queen is good for both dry and oil skin types.  This is a simple recipe for someone who is a beginner and would you believe that you would get (2) eight ounce bottles?

Cold Process Beginners Kit How-To + Free Soap Band Template

Are you new to making your soap by the cold process method?  Well, you are in luck.  The Soap Queen has this Cold Process Beginner's Kit that includes a cranberry fig scent. I think that would be a perfect scent for the holidays.  If you have never made cold process soap before, it recommended that you check out the free four part Soap Queen TV series on cold process soap making which is available for access through the post.

Luscious Lemon Cupcakes ≠ Food

Even though chocolate cake is the top of my list...lemon is pretty high on that list.  If you love cupcakes and lemon as much as I do you may want to created these Luscious Lemon Cupcakes Soap. This great idea was posted on The Soap Queen's site that is for the intermediate level soap maker it takes an hour to get six cupcake soaps.

Make Lotion from Scratch on Soap Queen TV

Have you been interested in learning how to make your own lotions?   If you cannot find a class in your area, here is the next best thing - a demonstration on Soap Queen TV called Making Lotion from Scratch. Before watching the clip you may want to print out the recipe posted in the entry so that you have it at the ready.

Hot Air Balloon Melt and Pour

I always loved seeing the pictures on tv about the hot balloon festival somewhere in Arizona. I think they may have hot balloon rides over the Napa Valley. I have been interested in taking a ride in one but I have some slight fear about doing so.  But I found this melt and pour soap tutorial from The Soap Queen called Hot Air Balloon.  Since I am on the fence on taking a hot balloon right at this moment, I think this bar of soap will suit the bull.

Dishwashing Soap Recipe with d-Limonene

I rarely find a recipe for dish washing soap, but I recently found this one from Point of Interest called Dishwashing Soap Recipe with D-Limonene. D-Limonene is a great degreaser and this solvent is derived from citrus fruit which can cut through the greasiest mess on your dishes and utensils.  According to the author this is a simple recipe but make sure to follow the steps in order.

Fresh Face Oil Free Lavender Lotion

Do you have oily skin and do you have a difficult time finding a lotion to use on your face?  Here is a recipe from The Soap Queen called Fresh Face Oil Free Lavender Lotion you may just want to make and use. As you know if you have oily skin that keeping your face hydrated can be difficult.  Things like adding additional oils can lead to break outs; lack of moisture can cause dry patches, tightness and flaking.  So this recipe was created especially for those who have oily skin.  This lotion delivers light weight hydration that leaves the ski feeling refresh without excess oil.

Fresh Face Cleansing Bars for Dry & Oily Skin

According to The Soap Queen, it is an important step in any skincare routine to involve keeping your skin clear of excess dirt and oil.  One good way to do this is to use a cleansing bar.  Anne-Marie has shared on her site a tutorial for making Fresh Face Cleansing Bars for Dry and Oily Skin.  These facial cleansers are created with a melt and pour soap base that is especially formulated to suit either dry or oil skin.

Creamy Pina Colada Sugar Scrub

Summer will be soon coming to a close.  And what is the best way to make the most of it?  When taking your morning shower, why not use a luscious sugar scrub? Here is a great sugar scrub from The Natural Beauty Workshop called Creamy Pina Colada Sugar Scrub that has a sweet aroma reminiscent of an indulgent frozen cocktail.  It contains a Sheloe Butter that gives this scrub a light and fluffy texture that you will totally fall in love with.

How to Make a Cooling Herbal Compress

Did you ever need a compress?  Would you believe that you can make one in three easy steps?  The Mountain Rose Herb blog recently posted How to Make a Cooling Herbal Compress in Three Easy Steps.  According to Mountain Rose Herbs, compresses are a gentle and effective treatment for too much heat or minor bumps and bruises.  The preparation brings the healing constituents of herbs and the soothing sensations of a cool damp cloth close to your skin can accelerate the natural healing process.  When draped around the skin, the moisture of the tea soaked towel softens the skin and allows the healing herbs to penetrate deep into your body.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cold Process

Do you love Lemon Poppy Seed muffins?  And do you make your soap by the cold process method?  Well, you are in luck because here is an intermediate cold process soap recipe from The Soap Queen called Lemon Poppy Seed  that combines the two.  Plus the yellow in this soap recipe just screams "Happy". This recipe takes an hour to make and it yields three pounds of soap.

French Macaron Inspired Bath Bombs

Do you love French Macarons?  Well, would you believe that there is a bath bomb inspired by your favorite dessert?  I am glad to tell you there is.  The Soap Queen posted on her site this intermediate tutorial on how to make French Macaron Inspired Bath Bombs.  This project should take an hour to make 10 bath bombs.  This would be great to give out as favors at a bridal or baby shower or even just for fun to friends and family.

Foaming Bath Whip + Green Tea Shaving Cream Tutorial

The Soap Queen has many interesting recipes on her website that uses a product called Foaming Bath Whip which she sells on the Brambleberry website. In her latest posting called Foaming Bath Whip + Green Tea Shaving Cream Tutorial lists a few of them including the new one called Green Tea Shaving Cream.  This recipe is great for either men or women because it is rich and creamy plus it is made with skin loving ingredients such as vitamin E oil, green tea seed oil and green tea extract.  All of these ingredients can be purchase through Brambleberry.

Moisturizing Mahogany Beard Oil

As women, we are always trying to find products that will keep our hair soft. But what about the men in our lives that have facial hair?  Here is an easy recipe from the Soap Queen called Moisturizing Mahogany Beard Oil that will keep facial hair feeling soft and shiny.  This recipe is lightly scented with Mahogany Fragrance Oil.  And beard oil that keeps skin beneath hydrated and flake-free.

Lip Balm Recipe Roundup + Tips

Love making lip balm? Or do you want to learn?  From the site of The Soap Queen comes Lip Balm Recipes Roundup + Tips which gives you alot of recipes that Anne Marie has posted on her site from Mint Candy to Dominos.  Plus there are tips and some videos that you want to check out.  Her recipes are so much fun even though some of them are made from a pre-made base.  If you have your own recipe, I could see why not using that instead of the pre-made base.

Fresh Picked Strawberry CP Soap

Do you love strawberries? Here is a cold process recipe that brings the sweet smell of strawberries that makes you think you are walking through a strawberry patch.  This advanced recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus is called Fresh Picked Strawberry is the perfect scent for summer.
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Scrub: Shea Butter Salt Scrub

I have made salt scrubs before.  I have also made sugar scrubs before. But this is the first time I ever heard of using Shea butter in a salt scrub before. This Shea Butter Salt Scrub recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus  is a gentle exfoliant that will help remove dead skin cells while it refreshes and brightens your skin plus it will leave it renewed and moisturized.  This easy recipe yields (10) 4 oz jars.

Aromatherapy Shower Fizzies

There are bath fizzies for those who take baths. Did you know that the bath fizzy has a sister called a shower fizzie?  Yes, there is and here is a recipe from the Soap Queen called Aromatherapy Shower Fizzies.  So if you rather take a shower you can have a fizzy experience.

Orange Blossom Candle Tutorial + Candle Tips

I enjoy making candles.  And what is so great about making candles is that they make excellent gifts for anytime of the year. Or if you have a special event, you can make your own instead of having to purchase awhole lot of them.  Here is an unique layered candle project from The Soap Queen called Orange Blossom Candle. It is an intermediate level project that takes 3-4 hours and results in (2) 8 ounce candles.

A Review of Rancidity and Anti-oxidants

Do the words rancidity and anti-oxidants make your head spin?  Well in a recent post from Point of Interest called A Review of Rancidity and Anti-oxidents goes into depth on both of this subjects.  The section covering rancidity answers the questions What is rancidity?; How does rancidity differ from contamination and lastly How can we avoid rancidity? Now there is some confusion on what are anti-oxidants. In the anti-oxidants, the author covers What can we use as an anti-oxidant?  and Anti-oxidants are not preservatives. In addition there are some links on more articles about rancidity and anti-oxidants.  After you read the articles and absorb the information,  you will be armed with all the knowledge you need on this subject.

Luxury Lavender Foot Bath Bombs

Did you have been on your feet all day and they are aching like you know what?  Here is a recipe for your feet that you will be glad you pampered yourself because it contains soothing epsom salts and calming lavender.  You are wondering what that recipe would be?  It is Luxury Lavender Foot Bath Bombs.  This intermediate recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus takes only 15 minutes to make 15 mini bombs.

A Sip of Sangria CP Soap

It has been a long time since I had a glass of sangria and vaguely reminder what it was.  If I remember right it is some kind of red wine with fruit in it. So when I was scanning Wholesale Supplies Plus's website for new new recipes, I found this recipe for cold process soap called A Sip of Sangria.  This is an advanced recipe that takes one hour to make (plus curing time) which results in a 40-44 oz loaf.

Question: Do I need to use a preservative when I water down castile soap?

Have you ever wondered if you need to use a preservative when you water down castile soap?  Megan asked that very question.  I do not know the answer to that question but  Susan Barkley-Nichols of Point of Interest answered that very question in a post called Do I need to use a preservative when I water down castile soap?  This posting should give the exact answer.

Four All-Natural Recipes for a DIY Pedicure Party

Are you having a get together with your girlfriends and you do not know what to do?  Here is an idea that may solve your problem......have a pedicure party. In this blog post from The Natural Beauty Workshop called Four All-Natural Recipes for a DIY Pedicure Party gives you recipes for Peppermint Tea Tree Foot Soak, Lemon Honey and Tea Tree Foot Mask, Lemon Walnut Foot Scrub and Bayberry Heel Butter.   Make these recipes before the party and invite your friends over and have a blast.

Scrub: Peppermint Salt Cubes

Here is a perfect recipe to get your feet ready for summer.  This recipe for Peppermint Salt Scrub Cubes contains a medium grain salt which is perfect for exfoliating heals and elbows.  This is a very easy recipe to make and it only takes a short time to make.  And you get plenty of cubes to give out to your friends and family.

Lemon Bubble Cakes

What do you think? Do they look like spiral cookies? But they are not, they are Lemon Bubble Cakes  that are meant for the bath.  This recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus. If you would really enjoy extra bubbles in your bath then you may want to look into making these. Make great party favors.....

Gentle Glide Sport Stick

Here is a multi-purpose product that helps prevent blisters and chafing in high friction areas such as heels. This stick product can also be used as a deodorant and it great for sensitive underarm areas.You are probably wondering what this miracle product is, right?  This recipe for Gentle Glide Sport Stick is from the Soap Queen is easy enough for a beginner to make.

Marshmallow Sugar Scrub

At Easter time this year, I happened to purchase a Wilton silicone mold that had the shapes of bunny and chicks.  I know that it was meant for candy but I really wanted to make soaps or maybe bath fizzies.  While cruising the Wholesale Supplies Plus website for new recipes I found this recipe for Marshmallow Sugar Scrub.  According to the recipe you are supposed to put the mixture in a piping bag and pipe it out onto a cookie sheet.  I am wondering if it too thick to pipe it into my molds. May have to give this a try and give them out at Easter.