Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Pink Grapefruit Parfait

Batch #5:  Pink Grapefruit Parfait soap.  I think this one was a success.  I used a soap calculator (yay and finally!), I got a new stick blender which I will blog about another time, and I used titanium dioxide to try out white and layering. Fluff fluff!  I never got peaks before and it was electrifying when I got there.

Slab before the knife



Pile of Parfait

I used pink grapefruit fragrance oil and used a merlot mica to color.  Unfortunately, I think I didn't scent it enough, because it isn't holding much scent as things stand.  Bummer.  It probably will smell unscented by the time it is ready for the shower.  It really is hard to get this and that and that other thing all in one 30 minute block to go one's way.  I suppose one must be really organized as well as have a successful and tested recipe.

I'm sure I will stumble about with this until I've emptied the bank and scented the Florida dumps with smelly botched batches, but for now, I made soap and I know it will be a keeper.

My chunky ducks in a row

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Summer Blue Soap

Summer is on its way, so I got in the mood and blue, sand and salt are on the brain.  Here are some ocean like summer soaps....

.Marine Soap
Marine Soap by Kelly Soap 

Mermaid Garden Handmade Soap
Mermaid Garden by Sea Sprite Soaps

Floralissima Spa Salt Scrub Bar with Shea Butter
Floralissima Spa Salt Scrub Bar with Shea Butter 


Day At The Ocean Whipped Soap by Pink Parchment Soaps




Ocean Waves by West Indies Soap - 
Swirling blue waves and a tranquil beach. Ocean scent and exfoliating organic oatmeal scrubby bottom layer



Caribbean Blue by Jabon


Sunday, April 27, 2008

Pomiscuous


"Rich in skin-loving nutrients, the pomegranate has long been touted by ancient Greeks for it is therapeutic benefits; while its beauty has forever inspired poets, writers, artists and lovers. Pomegranate oil is a symbol of health and rebirth, providing soothing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are nourishing for even the most sensitive of skin. Hydrate and enrich your body – this bar of soap is absolutely pomiscuous on your skin." 

I reviewed Fraiche once before way back in November of last year. I reviewed the Honeysuckle soap and a couple of bath bombs, so you can check it out if you want to read more about my experience with Fraiche.  The bar I am reviewing today is called Pomiscuous and is a pomegranate soap that smells sweet, with a light perfume hint.  Pomiscuous is a new scent Fraiche has launched which comes in the soap as well as the swizzle (bath bomb).  A very lovely duo!  The soap bar is a nice big size (5 oz.), which I like very much and the designy swirls within the cut bar reminds me of photos I've seen taken from space looking at Earth. I think the white swirls and a wavy swirly top layer are truly artistic.... and very luscious looking, indeed!

As I mentioned in the last post, the wavy top serves as nice finger holds (like the ones they make for steering wheels).  This makes it so easy to hold onto as the bar slips and slides over your skin for a soapy lathery heaven-on-Earth wash.  
The swizzle was very pretty, beautifully packaged and heavenly to use. The ingredients are: baking soda, citric acid, certified organic olive oil, certified organic coconut oil, unrefined virgin shea butter and fragrance.  At a whopping 5 ounces, this is the bomb.  Their swizzles are truly magnificent eye candy in addition to them being a great fizzy with loads of scrumptious action-packed ingredients.  Take a look:


Their soaps are stunning to look at as well.  Feast your eyes on these beauties!

The price is steep for a bar of soap ($12.50), but if that doesn't really matter to you, get a few.  They are truly beautiful to look at and wonderful to use.  Many lathery bubbles later, I stand clean, soft and smell good.  These would make excellent gifts.  The soaps are packaged in a clear plastic box and is handsomely labeled.  Same with the swizzle.  These are very professionally put together and I give them an "A+" in packaging.  Gift worthy for sure.

Can't wait to see what Fraiche has in store next!

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Fraiche Pomegranate Soap

Fraiche.  I reviewed their soap before, and I have the opportunity to review their newest soaps: pomegranate.  Review to come this weekend....

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Soaper Super Stars


I found this Etsy "panel display" of super soaper stars, which I think is added to on a weekly basis.  As new stars are featured, the ones at the bottom disappear.  This week, I think three were added.  I personally wish there was a higher turnover rate, like two a day or so.   I get bored of blogs I visit if they aren't being posted to on a regular basis.  I'm bad like that, but I think I represent a large percentage of blog readers.  If you stop writing every day, every other day, your "readership" diminishes.

Anyway, this is a blog that features different soap makers, etc. below the photos of the super stars.  So you can check it out, see who is being featured, or shop the stars here.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Crimson + Clover Over And Over



Stella Marie Soap has done it again.  Remember when I shared that Kim, the wonderful hot process soap maker, made a "saponified tribute to punk pioneer, Joan Jett"?  Well, she sent me two of those bars and I have to say:

a)  wow on the generosity and
b)  wow, the soap is killer!

I will have to write a review of it soon, but I had to share the prettiness of it in being in my house.

Here are the planning stages:

[joan+soap+2.jpg]


Rock on, Kimmo!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Bennington Maple Sugar Soap

I have received and reviewed other soaps from Carrie of Under The Willow, and her soap is wonderful. This one, though, put me over the edge in maple-sugar-madness-heaven!

First of all, the soap looks like it was drizzled with maple sugar candy, but the smell is really unusual. Smells exactly like maple candy from Vermont! If you have never tried maple candy from Vermont, you haven't lived. It is **melt in your mouth** unbelievable goodness. This bar of soap smells just like it, too! Under The Willow is in Maryland, however, but her sense of Vermont is dead on accurate. (Am I right, Heather?)

I have been using this bar for nearly a week (sorry, folks who have sent me soaps to review, this one is too good to put aside) and I have run out of hot water nearly every time I take a shower. Yeah. Not politically correct, thank you very much, Carrie~Gigi, look what you've done to me! ;)

If you love the smell of maple, this is the bar for you. It has REAL maple syrup in it, too. But it is not sticky...it is soapy good for all body parts!

Monday, April 21, 2008

More Salt Soap Bars

After seeing Ladybug Soapworks gorgeous pink salt bars, I became inspired to find more interesting looking bars I'd like to get my hands on. Salt bars sound so perfect. If anyone has made any they'd like to share, please feel free to email me.

Rose and Salt Bar :: Bliss Soap


Spearmint Eucalyptus Salt Bar :: Bohemian Bubbles


Sea Salt Ritual Soap :: Sequoia Soap


Seascape :: Scentifique


Beachy Salt Bar :: Kallia

Amazonia :: Also by Kallia