Monday, December 13, 2010

Limited Edition Soaps w/Fragrance Oils

You all probably know by now that I'm not a big user of  Synthetic Fragrance Oils.  I typically stick with making 100% natural handmade soap.   I don't like the thought of over-exposing either myself or my family to them; breathing them 24/7 -which is how it goes if you're a home soaper.   

  However, once in a while I do make a "limited edition" batch or two because I can't resist a particular fragrance.  This happened to me recently, after using Cocobong's fabulous Sandalwood-Vanilla soap  (you can read all about how her soap became an instant favorit here in IL on my post of Oct. 25th) the fragrance was heaven on earth!   I had to have more, and since international shipping is outrageous, I knew I would have to attempt a batch myself.   I did CPOP, (cold process/oven process) and while it smells quite nice, it's not quite the same....: (    Next time I'll do HP (hot process) in the ol' crock pot which always retains the true scent best for me.

Here's the photo of my batch:
"Sandalwood Vanilla" CPOP Soap

Then, being on a fragrance oil "roll", (and having moved my curing/cutting operation out of the house) I decided to do another new soap.   This one I really like, partly I think, because I have fond memories of my brother bringing  back a tiny container of solid "Orange Blossom" perfume for me from Florida,  -probably 40+ years ago.  (The Soap Sister's gettin' up there, folks!)  I've loved the smell of Orange Blossom ever since....sooooooo I did this:

"Orange Blossom Special"

This soap has a scent that I really like...it's unique, with mostly sweet floral  Orange Blossom, but then there's the "sandalwood" ( from Amyris EO) for a  "dusty" finish.  A soft feminine fragrance that lingers lightly on the skin. 


These Limited Edition soaps will be included as a special treat in my special-order gift baskets, and as gifts for certain folks who are on my "nice" list (Santa's not the only one with one! LOL!)  I'll list a few in my Soap Shoppe as 97% Naturals at a Special Holiday Price, but keep in mind that these are VERY limited in quantity, so if you want to try one please don't wait too long. 


Click HERE to enter the Soap Shoppe & check the great holiday offers!


Happy Soapin' everyone! :D


 


 


 

13 comments:

cocobong said...

It sure looks of-so-fine, your Sandalwood Vanilla! Almost like it has coconut flakes in it, but maybe that is because I was baking coconut macaroons this afternoon :) Interesting about the scent..are you saying it morphed into something different? Or maybe it's just the difference in recipe that influences the scent, rather than the process? I have noticed that HP soaps have a slightly sweeter fragrance by nature, so maybe your CPOP is minus that sweetness? Whatever..they both look swell and I'm sure they'll sell like hotcakes!

thesoapsister said...

Hi Cocobong, Coconut macaroons? Yummmmm! Wow, give me about a quart of milk and stand back! Keep your hands and fingers away from the Soap Sister's face while she's eatin' those! :D
About the S.V. scent in my soap....it didn't morph, but the lye seems to have taken that extra bit of sweetness out, and I really liked that extra bit of sweetness. It still smells very nice, but since I have smelled the FO in the bottle, I do notice the difference. Your Sandalwood Vanilla is divine, but alas, it's now but a sliver...:( I have enough of the FO to do a HP batch, though. I'll let you know how that one turns out. You can bet I'll be even more tenacious than usual on this quest! LOVE that Sandalwood-Vanilla!

Anne-Marie said...

I love Sandalwood Vanilla (and fragrance oils in general for the variety) and the Orange Blossom sounds divine. I really like the texture you put on top of the soaps though - fantastic job.

Michelle said...

Both of your soaps look divine and the scents sound out of this world. The first one almost looks like a salt bar.

thesoapsister said...

Thanks Anne-Marie, I love swirling -so much fun. I'm pretty sure you would especially LOVE this particular Sandalwood-Vanilla! ;) Thanks for your kind comment!

thesoapsister said...

Hi Michelle, Thanks so much. I wish I knew how to make salt bars....I hear such good things about them, but I've never even used one! Perhaps that should go on my "to-do" list for 2011....boy, I don't know about you, but my to-do list gets longer all the time! YIKES!

Amy Warden said...

I've contemplated what my girls allergies would be like if I didn't have fragrances in the house all the time. They do seem to get worse in the winter when the house is closed up...

Jan said...

Interesting how the same fragrance can smell different and sometimes just a real pain! especially when you use the same fragrance, not fair!! did Cocobong use HP for the one she sent you? or is it just the different oils used? would love to know how you go when you HP it. I'm with you on the fragrance use Becky, I really prefer EO's because they are natural, I think FO are fine for every now and again but not for everyday use, but that's just mine opinion:) your Orange Blossom Special sounds yummy and yes, really special:)

thesoapsister said...

Hi Amy, All I know for sure is how I personally react to some fragrance oils.....and it's not good. I almost always get a headache -just from having a big batch in the same room with me. Also, I noticed when I used them regularly (back in 2002) I was getting upper respiratory-type stuff ("chest colds", bronchitis, etc.) all the time. (Not like me) The essential oils that I use never seem to bother me, so for me I believe they're the right choice.

thesoapsister said...

Thanks Jan, Yeah, those FOs can be a bit tricky -for me, at least. Not sure about Cocobong's soap technique on that batch, but I'll tell you it's some fine-smellin' soap. We'll have to ask her....

The everyday 24/7 exposure is what I'm most mindful of/concerned about with regards to my family (and myself). I've read articles about FOs that are a bit disturbing, but mostly my decision is based on my own body's reactions.....for whatever reason, they just don't seem to agree with me. For that reason, I limit myself to the occasional FO batch; when I simply can't resist a fabulous fragrance. :)

cocobong said...

yep, I hp-ed the SV soap that you got, Beckster. I have but 3 bars left, and now I have set one aside for you, dear :)

thesoapsister said...

You're the best! Thank you so much...that is my favorite smellin' soap in the whole world -isn't it kinda sad that I didn't make it? LOL!

michaelsuds8 said...

Hi Becky,

I also like the texture and the overall aesthetic appeal of the "Orange Blossom" soap. The story of your brother and the connection after all these years with orange blossom perfume is great. We do use high quality essential and fragrance oils, but I can understand having difficulties with fragrance oils. They do, however, provide a lot of flexibility for the variety of scents you can create.

Great photos.

Thanks Becky!