Jumbo Watermelon Lip Balm

Watermelon is one of my favorite summer fruits.  So when I found this Watermelon Lip Balm recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus, I had to share it. What is great about it is that it has a bit of sweetness, moisturizing but it also leaves a rosy tint.

Recipe: Bergamot & Dune Grass After-Shave Serum

Here is a great gift for the man in your life who shaves.  This recipe from Bath Body and Supply called  Bergamot & Dune Grass After-Shave Serum.

Grapefruit LaCroix Soap Tutorial

When I do my grocery shopping at Safeway, I often see the the LaCroix brand of carbonated soda.  I have never tried the brand before but I really like the colorful packaging and the different flavors which makes me want to try the beverage really soon.  But I did not know that you could use this carbonated soda for making soap.  I found this recipe from The Soap Queen called Grapefruit LaCroix Soap. This is an advanced cold process project that takes 1-2 hours to make and yields about 3.5 pounds of soap.

ORANGE BATH SALTS

I would say that oranges has to be one of my favorite fruits.  Crafts by Amanda posted this recipe for Orange Bath Salts.  You can mix up a batch of this recipe really quick and give them out as gifts to teachers or for your mother for Mother's Day. 

Anti-Aging, Rejuvenating, and Repairing Claims

Did you know about the FDA's Import Alert 66-38 titled "Skin Care Products Labeled as Anti-Aging Creams" of 1988?  It clearly states that exaggerated 'anti-aging' claims could cause a product to be unapproved new drug.  This alert was the basis for understanding restrictions on cosmetics claims like anti-aging, rejuvenating and repairing.  At the end of 2017, the import alert was withdrawn. What to learn more about this topic?  Marie Gale, who wrote a book on Soap and Cosmetic Labeling and currently writes news, updates about labeling, gmp, and regulations on her site on www.mariegale.com, wrote an article called Anti-Aging Rejuvenating and Repairing Claims.

Choosing Oil Substitutions for Cold Process Soap Recipes

Photo by The Soap Queen

Are you new to cold process soap making? Has it ever happened to you when you do not have a particular oil for your favorite recipe?  And you are wondering how to choose an oil to substitute for the one you do not have?  I found this video from Lovin' Soap called Choosing Oil Substitutions for Cold Process Soap Recipes. 

Karma Bath Bomb Tutorial

Here is a great bath bomb recipe from The Soap Queen called Karma Bath Bomb. If you love patchouli, Bramble Berry's Karma Type Fragrance Oil is for you.  It is inspired by Lush'a original scent, it features top notes of juicy orange with base notes of patchouli, sandalwood, musk, and pine.  This complex blend is perfect for bath products.

Recipe: Pistachio & Magnolia Exfoliating Wash

Here is a simple exfoliating wash recipe from Bath Body Supply called Pistachio & Magnolia. The base of the wash is made with a pre-made suspension gel liquid soap.  I never thought of combing pistachio and magnolia together as a fragrance oil but it sounds interesting.

Mini Lemon Poppy Seed Soap DIY

Many years ago when I took a cold process class at The Nova Studio, I feel in love with Lori's Lemon Poppy scented soap because it smelled exactly like a lemon poppy seed muffin.   If lemon poppy seed muffins are your favorite and you make soap by the melt and pour method, I found instructions from The Soap Queen for Mini Lemon Poppy Seed Soap.

Swirled Rose Soap Tutorial

Here is a really nice swirl cold process recipe from The Soap Queen called Swirled Rose.  This recipe is a blend of old and new...it has a classic design with a modern scent.  The subtle swirl is created with a technique known as an in-the-pot swirl which is very easy to do and it gives each bar of soap a different look.

Honey & Avocado Soap

For all you melt and pour soap makers I found a melt and pour recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus that uses a base that is detergent free.  This Honey & Avocado Soap that is packed with skin nourishing ingredients.  This layered soap project is a moderate level project that takes about two hours to complete and resulting in eight bars of soap.

Explaining and Preventing Glycerin Dew

Have you experienced slippery and wet to the touch with your melt and pour soap? According to The Soap Queen, "This is a common reaction referred to as “sweating” or “glycerin dew.”  If you want to learn more about this common reaction, then read the post titled Explaining and Preventing Glycerin Dew on The Soap Queen website.

LAVENDER SUGAR SCRUB

Are you looking for a possible Mother's Day gift for your mother, grandmother or aunt?  Here is a recipe from Crafts by Amanda called Lavender Sugar Scrub that special person will enjoy.  This is a very simple recipe with only three ingredients.