Label Me "Content"

[caption id="attachment_1401" align="aligncenter" width="458" caption="Lavender Oatmeal Soap by Heirloom"][/caption]

By Request: Fickle Alkanet in Natural Soap

Well, as a follow-up to my last post, and at my friend Cocobong's request....

a photo of two very different results using Alkanet Root Powder in natural handmade soap:

[caption id="attachment_1348" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Lavender Natural Soaps with Alkanet Root "][/caption]

 

Now, before I get down on Alkant Root, I must remind myself that I wasn't quite satisfied with the lovely mauve color of the natural soap on the right.....it just wasn't lavender enough.  So I added maybe an extra half-teaspoon to the next batch (otherwise identical) and WHOA -"That ain't lavender, Sally!"   Of course the soap is perfectly fine & smells divine....but I think I liked the mauve color better!  (Perhaps I should sometimes leave well-enough alone???)

So -there you have it!  The Soap Sister has definitely not mastered Alkanet Root  (or much else, for that matter!)  Natural coloring in handmade soap is not, it would appear, an exact science....but it certainly isn't boring, either.  Plus it keeps me humble, and that is always a good thing!

Have a lovely day, soap fans!

Natural Soap Spotlight: "Lavender Bouquet"

Good day, soap fans!  It's a gorgeous day in Southern Illinois... warm, sunny, slightly breezy.... in a word: FABULOUS!  Spring is in the air.

This week's "Spotlight Natural Soap" is Lavender Bouquet...a.k.a.  Lavender-Lavender.  

[caption id="attachment_1298" align="aligncenter" width="553" caption="Lavender Bouquet Natural Soap by Heirloom Soapworks"][/caption]

This natural soap has been a bestseller for me for the last seven years, and is one of my personal favorites, as well as my husband's.   Dying to know what's in it?  Well, here we go:

Olive Oil:  Olive oil is the main ingredient percentage-wise.  Nourishing and mild, said to have many healing properties.  Full of "unsaponifiables" -(these don't turn into soap during the saponification process, but rather remain in the bar of finished soap to nourish and moisturze your skin.)  Contributes creaminess to the final soap's lather.  Small, tight bubbles. 

Saponified Coconut Oil -Always in a smaller percentage than olive oil in my soaps, coconut oil is moisturizing in small amounts, but can be drying if too much is used in a recipe.  Coconut oil contributes to the finished soaps hardness.  The trick is to use enough to harden the bar and nourish skin -without getting too much.  Contributes to a "bubbly" lather.

Saponified Palm Oil - Palm oil contributes hardess and makes for a stable lather.  Cleans gently and effectively.

Unrefined Shea Butter -  The "queen" of butters (in my opinion).  Why?  Well it's non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)  yet it moisturizes very effectively.   Rich in vitamins A and E,  and is useful in treating wrinkles, skin rashes and itching.  Like olive oil, unrefined shea butter is rich in unsaponifiables that remain in the finished soap to nourish skin. 

Unrefined Mango Butter - Also high in healing unsaponifiables, mango butter is said to help with the dryness that is associated with  psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis & wrinkles.

Unrefined Cocoa Butter - Rich in antioxidants, cocoa butter also helps the skin retain moisture.  Helps to smooth rough, dry skin.

Lavender Essential Oil - Properties include: antidepressant, deodorant, antiviral, relaxing, calming, said to be good for psoriasis....plus it smells lovely!

Honey - A wonderful ingredient that acts as a natural humectant -holding moisture next to the skin.  Also acts as a natural preservative to keep soap fresh!

Alkanet Root Powder -Natural colorant.

Pink Clay - Great for sensitive and dehydrated skin, and gives a lovely pink to natural soaps.

Lavender Flower Buds - Just for pretty!

There you have it!  Nothing particularly fancy or unusual, but when combined, these ingredients make a mighty fine all-natural soap.   It's gentle, conditioning and mild enough for face and body, whith a creamy lather that leaves your skin soft and smooth.  Hmmm -maybe that's why folks love it so!

If you would like to try a bar of our Lavender Bouquet natural soap, just visit our online Soap Shoppe or one of these fine St. Louis-area retailers.

Happy Soaping everyone!

New Natural Soap for 2011

The last two days have been productive -at least for this oft-sidetracked soaper (now that my EOs, clays and butters have arrived -FINALLY!)

Today's four batches of homemade soaps are pictured at right:

• Lemon-Mint Chiffon new new new!


• Goats Milk-Honey,  my bestselling face soap


• Eucalyptus Mint, my classic "lye soap"scent, now in a moisturizing bath bar.


• "Flynn" a complex sea-faring blend that includes sweet orange, bay, cinnamon, sweet fennel & amyris esential oils (inspired by an original swashbuckler at his handsome best!)

Yesterdays batches included

• "Lava Lamp 2011"  -imagine clean lavender soap,  swirled with a soap of sweet orange, sweet fennel & ylang ylang.  Sophisticated, unisex scent is captivatingly complex.


• "Pink Lavender" w/Oatmeal & Lavender Blossoms   -photos coming soon...      

"Deep Purple" HP Soap

 Here's my latest purchase: A pretty purple Crock Pot from Walmart -on sale for $18.00! (I got two...to facilitate my new HP passion)
But check out the purple (alkanet infused) oil -had to take a pic. Funny it's the first batch in my new crock.
Here's how it looks this a.m. I'm actually pleased with the look. I'm getting used to and rather fond of the HP marbling. It's fragranced with French Lavender (of course) and smells divine, courtesy of the HP.

Ylang Ylang-Lavender w/Bentonite Clay & Madder Root

As promised, here is a photograph of my first colored soap at 48 hours.  It seems to be holding the shade that it had at 24 hours.  I suppose that's normal? It has really been fun experimenting with the color.  This color has really grown on me and I must admit that the soap has quite a bit more eye appeal than my plain cream colored version!

I really need to make some of my Citrus Grove soap, but I think I'm going to wait for my carrot tissue oil to arrive, as I am very impressed with Jen at Jenora Soaps  lovely yellow "Lemon Poppyseed" soap.  If you haven't seen it, you really must check it out!  I never realized what lovely colors could be obtained while still using only all natural ingredients.  I may try to find a nice orange colorant to layer in that particular soap, as it is a lemon-orange-grapefruit mix.  Also plan to try the cornstarch to see if it helps hold the citrus a bit more. Very exciting!

 My head is spinning right now with all the ideas, but I love that!  Thanks again to all you natural colorant soapers out there whose lovely work has inspired me to step out of my little "cream colored comfort zone." : )

Well, that which was a lovely mauve in the pot has deteriorated into what I would call a rather un-remarkable "dusty rose" at best. : (
I really didn't expect it to stay as pretty as it looked last evening, but I was hoping it would stay a bit better than it has so far. Still, it is more interesting to look at than my un-colored ylang ylang soap, so I do see it as an improvement. I'm just hoping that the most drastic change has already happened!

I did get to work on my soap flailing technique! (It just doesn't make it into the "swirling" category yet.) ; ) That was fun, and felt artsy, which I love.

Has anyone had any experience with Yellow Dock? Ellen's Essentials sent me a sample along with my madder root powder. The note on the package says that it turns pink, but it looks the color of baby food peas to me. Any hints would be appreciated!