Natural Eco Chic Soap

In this episode The Soap Queen will show how to make all natural, earth-friendly, eco-chic soap. Using an Organic Melt & Pour base, natural colors and essential oils, this soap project is made even more natural by using recycled containers as soap molds.

The ingredients you will need for the green bar are Organic Melt & Pour Soap Base, Spirulina Powder, Lavender Essential Oil, Various cleaned and recycled plastic containers. If you would like to make the Layered Loaf Soap you will need the following: Organic Melt & Pour Base, Kaolin Claym Calming Synergy Essential Oil blend, Activated Charcoal, Coffee Grounds, Cleaned Box Milk or Soup container All of these ingredients can be purchased (except for the plastic containers, coffee grounds) can be purchased through Brambleberry. You can even purchase a Eco Chic Kit from them.


Make Natural, Earth Friendly, Eco-Chic Soap from Soap Queen on Vimeo.

Learn to Make Twisted Candles

When I was looking for some interesting candlemaking projects I came across this link on how to learn how to make twisted candles.  When I saw the title, I was thinking of the rolled beeswax candles I learned how to make in a beeswax candlemaking class I took at the Palo Alto Adult School in May 2002, but isn't.  You first have to make your own hand dipped candles.  If you do not know know how to do it then there is a link to show you how. Now I have not tried this project but it does look very interesting and easy to do.  It seems hard to believe that this type of candle was made by machine but you can makes these in your very own home.  The only thing that I am wondering is the type of wax is supposed to be used since in the instructions it just says candle wax.  I am thinking it maybe paraffin.  What do you think?

Cupcake Soap Tutorial from Duffin's Soap Bakery

Back in 2006, I submitted to the San Mateo County a batch of muffin bath fizzies.  I was not expecting too much out of the whole thing. But too my amazement I won 3rd place.  Ever since I have been looking for bath an body products that look like food.  I found cupcake tutorial from Duffin's Soap Bakery that look good enough to eat!  What a great product to make for a baby or bridal shower to give out as a favor.  You could package them in cellophane bags which are easy to find at craft or cooking establishment.  But make sure to adhere a tag that says "Do not Eat".  It would definately be a great calorie saver for those who are watching their calorie intake. 

Pre-Shampoo Conditioner Recipe

Do you have dry hair and the only thing that you have found on the market was using messy hot oil treatments?  IF you are looking for something to take your tresses and prefer something with a little more body that won't drip all over the place, but still gets the job done. This 
Pre-Shampoo Conditioner Recipe   ,which appears on the DIY Skincare blog, is thick enough to stay put without making your hair greasy.

What is Mineral Oil?

Since I have been taking classes on how to make my own handcrafted body products, I am learning more and more about ingredients in products.  One of them has to be mineral oil. You may have heard of mineral oil, but you do know what it is? The best way I can explain it is from an article titled What is Mineral Oil?  I found on Wisegeek.com:

"Mineral oil is one of a number of inexpensive byproducts that are made from petroleum. Sometimes referred to as paraffin oil or Nujol, white mineral oil is composed of a blend of hydrocarbons that is not unlike that of petroleum jelly. The difference is that mineral oil is a liquid petrolatum, making it an ideal choice for a number of applications. Here are some of the more common uses for mineral oil around the home.

Perhaps the single most common use for white mineral oil is to remove makeup at the end of the day. Mineral oil has the ability to cut through the minute amounts of grease and dirt that tend to cling to makeup over the course of the day, making it possible to strip off the layer of makeup easy and prepare the face for cleansing. Along with removing makeup from the face, mineral oil is often used as a beauty treatment, as it is an excellent amplifier that helps the body to absorb ultraviolet rays without drying out the skin. While not everyone is aware, baby oil is simply mineral oil that has been enhanced with a small amount of fragrance.

Mineral oil is also good for use in the kitchen as well. Butcher-block surfaces can be conditioned with the substance from time to time. Treatments of mineral oil help the wood to stay supple, and also help to soften the appearance of nicks and cuts that are made during regular use of the block. Soapstone countertops can also benefit from an application of mineral oil from time to time. The properties of the oil help to keep the surface looking new, even if the countertop has been in place for ten years or more.

Clay is another medium that can benefit from the application of mineral oil from time to time. For example, treating new clay pots with mineral oil will help to age the look of the pot. This is often desirable with decorating schemes that tend toward old country or shabby chic motifs. Clay poker chips can also be aged with the application of a little mineral oil, helping them to look well loved and used.

Mineral oil is a very inexpensive item to keep around the house. With so many different types of uses, having a bottle of mineral oil in the cupboard is an excellent idea. Whether for personal hygiene or maintaining the look and condition of selected items around the home, mineral oil is a great option."

So there are many options of using mineral oil besides in body products, but since it is petroleum byproduct, one will choose to stay away from it.  It is up to you whether or not you want to use it. Nowadays people are becoming more aware of these ingredients and trying to go more natural and eliminate these types of ingredients in their lives.