The Natural Beauty Workshop

Raspberry Truffle Lotion Bars

It may seem a little early for Valentine's recipes, but if you ask me, it's always a great time for love!  Besides, Valentine's Day is about a month away, and you may need some extra time to plan out that perfect valentine.  These sweetly scented Lotion Bars look adorable when they are made with our Heart Shaped Soap Molds, and make great gifts for your special valentines.  Made with aromatic Cocoa Butter, skin nourishing Passion Flower Oil, and a touch of candy sweet Fragrance, Raspberry Truffle Lotion Bars make a decadent treat for thirsty winter skin.

Raspberry Truffle Lotion Bars
Makes about four 2.5 ounce bars

Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces Beeswax
1 teaspoon Red Jojoba Wax Beads*
4 ounces Cocoa Butter
2 ounces Babasssu Oil
1 ounce Red Raspberry Seed Oil
1 ounce Passion Flower (Maracuja) Oil
1/4 ounce Raspberry Truffles Fragrance Oil*

Special Equipment Needed
1 Heart Shaped Soap Mold

Directions
In a double boiler, gently melt Beeswax, Jojoba Wax Beads, Babassu Oil, and Cocoa Butter completely.  After the oils and waxes are melted, remove them from heat and allow them to cool for a few moments before adding the Passion Flower Oil and Red Raspberry Seed Oil.  Stir the mixture well, then add the Raspberry Truffles Fragrance Oil. Carefully pour the mixture into four cavities of the Soap Mold, initially leaving about 1/4 inch of space in each cavity. Split any remaining mixture between the four cavities.  Allow the bars to cool completely before attempting to remove them from the molds.  I don't recommend forcing them to cool with a freezer or refrigerator, as this could cause the bars to crack. 

Usage & Packaging
Lotion Bars can be rubbed directly onto dry skin.  Doing so after a shower or bath can help to replenish moisture and form a protective barrier over the skin.  Lotion Bars can be stored in small airtight tins or plastic containers.  When giving them as gifts, try packaging them in Small Cello Bags, as pictured above.  Tiny red heart stickers look adorable polka dotted on the package, but these bags can also be embellished with ribbons, paper, or other crafty goodies.

*For a more natural product, these Lotion Bars can be left unscented.  The rich aroma of Cocoa Butter in the recipe, combined with the slight fatty aroma of Raspberry Seed Oil will create a subtle, pleasant scent.  The Jojoba Wax Beads can also be removed from the recipe, and replaced with additional Beeswax.  To add a natural color to your Lotion Bars, try infusing 1/2 teaspoon of Alkanet Root Powder in the warm oils.

Holiday Projects: Upcycled Gift Wrap

Today we are sharing our final Holiday Project of the season.  I hope you've enjoyed this series.  If you've made projects from this series, I would love to hear your stories.  If you took pictures of your creations, you can share them on The Natural Beauty Workshop's Flickr Photo Pool.

Beautifully decorated paper is a huge part of many holiday traditions.  Countless rolls of wrapping paper are sold worldwide each year to make the holidays a little extra special.  Taking a greener approach to holiday gift wrap can be challenging, but with a little creativity you can create your own unique holiday gift wrap by re-using household materials that would normally go to waste!

Fusing Plastic BagsPlastic shopping bags can be fused together using an iron and two sheets of paper.  The fused material is sturdy enough to be sewn, and makes great gift bags or reusable shopping bags!  In this tutorial, Etsy Labs shows you the process step by step.  We've found that thick plastic bags work best.  Thin shopping bags, such as your run of the mill grocery bags are a little trickier to work with.

Upcycled Wrapping Paper
Paper shopping bags are perfect for making upcycled gift wrap.  In this video tutorial, Etsy Labs shows you how to cut and iron your paper shopping bags to create a blank canvas that is perfect for gift wrap.  In this tutorial the paper is screen printed, but you can also decorate it with paint or stamps.  This also makea a great family project as kids will have lots of fun decorating this upcycled gift wrap with crayons.

Ways to Re-Use Wrapping Paper
No matter how creative you may get with your own wrapping, you are bound to encounter plenty of gift wrap during the holidays.  While most of it will probably wind up in the garbage can, here are some creative ways to re-use wrapping paper:

• Salvage the largest pieces, and save them. Many types of wrapping paper can be ironed on a low setting and used again.
• Wrapping paper and old newsprint is great for washing windows.  After wetting your windows with a mix of vinegar and water, wipe them dry using crumpled gift wrap or newspaper.  You'll be surprised with the sparkling, streak free shine.
• Use the crumpled paper as packing material for shipping.  Crushed paper makes great cushioning for shipping fragile items.  This would be especially fun for shipping out late holiday gifts.
• Small scraps of wrapping paper can be used to decoupage ornaments, boxes, and other small objects, making adorable handmade decorations.
• Large pieces can be used as covers for school books.
• If you have a knack for folding, wrapping paper can be used to make lucky stars or other small origami projects.
• Wrapping paper scraps are excellent for creating paper beads.  A similar technique can be used to create household objects like coasters, frames, or ironically, waste paper baskets.

Holiday Projects: Herbal Sachets

Sachets are a small luxury that can make a special handmade gift.  Whether you create a simple drawstring sachet, or a more detailed flower shaped sachet, your handmade project will make a wonderful gift for family and friends.  In this tutorial, I'll show you how to create two different sachets.  Both projects can be made with almost any fabric, but thinner, more breathable fabrics are best. 

Herbal Sachets make great last minute holiday gifts because you can create them from scrap fabric, and leftover herbs or teas.  They are surprisingly quick and easy to make, and so pretty!  Stuff them in stockings, give them as small gifts, or as complimentary gifts to clothing, bath baskets, or linens!

Herbal Sachet Filling
For my sachets, I used the same filling that I used to create the Sweet Dreams Bedtime Sachets in April.  The great thing about this project is that you can use pretty much any leftover herbs, potpourri, or even loose herbal tea to fill sachets with.  To liven up their aroma, add a few drops of Essential Oil to the mixture.  Lavender, Rose, or Grapefruit are all popular aromas for sachets.  You can also use a few drops of your favorite Candle Fragrance Oil to add extra aroma to your sachets.

Drawstring Sachet
Creating a Drawstring Sachet is very easy.  You'll need one 5" by 6" rectangle of fabric, a 6" - 12" Ribbon, and matching thread.  Fold the fabric in half (lengthwise), and stitch one short side, and one long side closed, leaving one short side open.  Fold the open side down by 3/4" and stitch a hem.  Make sure to stitch the hem deep enough to allow room for the ribbon to be threaded inside.  After the hem is stitched, cut a small opening in the hem somewhere inconspicuous, then turn the bag out.  Thread the ribbon through the small hole in the bag's hem.  To make this easier, try attaching a small safety pin to the ribbon first.  Once the ribbon has been threaded all the way through, you can fill the sachet with its Herbal Filling, and tie the bag shut with its ribbon.

Flower Shaped Sachet
The directions for this sachet are a little more complicated, but it is still surprisingly easy to make.  Start out with two matching circles of fabric.  You can use any round household object to trace your circles with.  The larger the circle, the easier the sachet will be to work with, so if you are a beginner, I would recommend making your circles at least 6 inches wide.  Stitch your two circles together following the round outer edges, giving yourself at least a 1/2" seam allowance.  Stitch almost the whole way around, leaving a good sized opening for you to fill the sachet with.  To make this as easy as possible, I would recommend leaving an opening that is large enough for a spoon to fit through. 

Once you are finished stitching, turn the circle out and fill it with your Herbal Sachet Filling.   Fill the sachet about 3/4 - 7/8 of the way up, then use a slip stitch to close the opening.  Now that the sachet's body is finished, you'll need to embellish it using embroidery floss, and a matching button.  Thread a large embroidery needle with a long length of floss.  You'll need about 6 times the width of the flower.  For example, if your flower is six inches across, you'll need about 36 inches of floss.  Secure the floss with an anchor stitch, or by tying a large knot at the end of your thread. 

Stitch through the middle of the sachet several times, pulling each stitch tightly.  Next, form the petals by passing the thread over the outer side of the sachet and pulling the thread through the middle.  Repeat this step eight times to create six even petals.  (You can see an illustration of this technique being used to create a pin cushion here.) Once the petals have been formed, stitch through the middle several times in the same spot to secure the stitching.  Use the remaining thread to attach the matching button and you are done!

Holiday Projects: Milk Bath

Milk Bath is one of those luxuries that I simply cannot live without.  I tend to whip up this bath tub essential on the fly by combining some of my must have ingredients, Oatmeal, Milk Powder, and Honey Powder.  While this haphazard formulation works for my personal tub time, I prefer using a more specific recipe when creating gifts.  FromNatureWithLove.com carries a fabulous Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Powder Base that can be used as your main ingredient when creating a batch of Milk Bath.  This Base contains a powdered blend of Oatmeal, Milk, Honey, and silky Cornstarch.  It is perfect for making a batch of Holiday gifts because it saves you from the cost of ordering these ingredients separately.  When creating Milk Baths, I also like to add some Epsom Salt.  This simple bath salt helps to distribute any added Fragrance or Essential Oil, and can even be used to add color to your Milk Bath.

Basic Milk Bath Recipe
1 pound Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Powder Base
1/2 cup Epsom Salt
1/4 ounce Fragrance Oil or 1/8 ounce Essential Oil
Optional Liquid FD&C Dye

Scenting Milk Bath
Milk Bath can be scented with natural ingredients such as Essential Oils or Absolutes, or they can be scented using synthetic Fragrance Oils.  Which ingredient you choose depends on your personal preference.

Essential Oils - Since Essential Oils and Absolutes contain active ingredients, they have the ability to add beneficial properties to your Milk Bath.  However, these same active ingredients can also be dangerous if used incorrectly, or by people with certain health conditions.  Most skin safe Essential Oils can be used in Milk Baths. However, it is very important that you research any Essential Oil thoroughly before adding it to any bath and body formula. Many Essential Oils will have usage rates particular to that oil. Heed the expert advice that you find during your research and never take a guess when it comes to using these potent natural ingredients.

Here are some Essential Oils that would work well in Milk Baths:

• Bergamot
• Lavender
• Geranium
• Spearmint
• Rose
• Sandalwood
• Ylang Ylang

Fragrance Oils - While Fragrance Oils are not natural, they have been specifically designed for use in skin care products, such as Milk Baths.  They are easy to use and come in a very wide range of scents.  Add less Fragrance Oil when working with spicy scents such as Cinnamon. Fragrance Oils can still contain components that may irritate the skin.

Here are some great Fragrances that would work well in Milk Baths:

• Apricot Creme
• Banana
• Coconut Cream
• Egg Nog
• Lavender Vanilla
• Oatmeal, Milk & Honey
• Orange Sherbet
• Peaches & Cream
• Rice Flower & Shea
• Vanilla Frappuccino
• Vanilla Pumpkin
• White Chocolate

How to Make Milk Bath
Pour the Epsom Salt into a medium or large sized mixing bowl.  Add the Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil and stir well to fully disperse the oil.  If you'd like to speckle your Milk Bath with color, you can add FD&C Liquid Dye one drop at a time until you reach your desired color.  Next, add the Oatmeal Milk & Honey Powder Base to the mixing bowl and stir well.  Once the powder has been thoroughly mixed it can be spooned into Cello Bags or Tin Tie Bags.  Milk Baths look great when packaged with one of our Wooden Scoops or Wooden Beveled Scoops.  Try tying one onto the package with a colored ribbon.

Each batch of Milk Bath can be split into small cello bags to make generous gifts!  We were able to make them for around $2.48 each by making a large batch with the following recipe:

• 2 lbs. Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey Powder Base ($13.00)
• 1 cup Epsom Salt (about $2.50)
• 1/2 ounce Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Fragrance Oil (about $2.77)
• 8 Small Cello Bags (about $1.58)

Total cost: about $19.85 (about $2.48 each)

Don't forget to use discount code: NBWS4277 during online checkout to save an additional 5% off qualifying items.

Holiday Projects: Quick and Easy Bath & Body Bases

Creating bath and body gifts can be extremely quick, easy, and inexpensive when you incorporate Bath & Skin Care Bases.  Simply add scent, an optional colorant, and package the final product.  Making a large batch of small portions is a great way to save time and money.  These adorable mini gifts can be presented individually, stuffed in stockings, or combined in a gift bag or basket.  The packaging we've used as examples here are rather simple, but they can be easily dressed up with ribbons, stickers, or handmade tags.  You can also explore our Packaging Section for other packaging possibilities such as clear PET Bottles and Jars.

Lotions & Creams
During the winter, body lotions and creams are in high demand. These mini, 2 ounce jars and bottles will make great stocking stuffers and small gifts for co-workers, teachers, and friends. By creating a large batch you can create these small gifts rather inexpensively.

Scenting & Coloring Lotion and Cream Bases
Adding up to 1/2 ounce Fragrance Oil per pound of Base should add a pleasant scent to your lotions and creams.  You can add Essential Oil instead, but be careful to select an Essential Oil that is safe for the skin and does not have any restrictions or hazards to those with medical conditions.  In lotions and creams, most Essential Oils are usually added at a rate of around 1-2% or 5-15 drops per ounce of lotion or cream.  However, you should double check the usage rate for the particular Essential Oil you are using before adding it to a Base.

You can add Liquid FD&C Dyes or Pearlescent Micas to your lotions or creams if you like.  This step is totally optional.  Add your choice of colorant a little at a time (drop by drop or pinch by pinch) to achieve your desired color.

TIP: Stirring Colorants or Fragrances into Lotion or Cream Base is very easy, but getting the thick Base into a bottle can be frustrating.  The easiest way we have found (unless you are lucky enough to have a professional filling machine handy) is to pipe the Lotion Base into the bottles using a plastic bag with a hole in one corner, or a pastry bag.  Tap the bottles to settle the lotion while piping it into the bottles.

Aloe & Shea Body Lotion

We used:
1 lb. Aloe & Shea Body Lotion Base
1/2 Ounce Brambleberry Preserves Fragrance Oil
8 2 oz. HDPE Bottles with Disc Caps

Shea Butter Body Cream

We used:
1 lb. Shea Butter Body Cream Base
1/2 Ounce Brambleberry Preserves Fragrance Oil
8 2 oz. Dome Cream Jars

Bubble Bath & Shower Gel
Bubble Bath and Shower Gel are fun, popular, and easy to customize when working with a Base.  Mini bottles make great gifts or stocking stuffers.  Because the majority of the scent will rinse away you can get very creative when choosing scents for Bath and Shower Gels.  Try creating these mini gifts in a variety of unique Fragrances such as: Birthday Cake, Sesame, Vanilla Frappuccino, Chinese Peony, or Green Tea.

Scenting & Coloring Lotion and Cream Bases
Adding up to 1/2 ounce Fragrance Oil per 16 ounces of Base should add a pleasant scent to your Shower Gel or Bubble Bath.  You can add Essential Oil instead, but be careful to select an Essential Oil that is safe for the skin and does not have any restrictions or hazards to those with medical conditions.  In Shower Gels or Bubble Baths, most Essential Oils are usually added at a rate of around 1-2% or 5-15 drops per ounce of Base.  However, you should double check the usage rate for the particular Essential Oil you are using before adding it to a Base.

FD&C Liquid Dyes can be used to easily add color to your Shower Gel or Bubble Bath.  Add the dye one drop at a time to achieve a color you like.  This is an optional step. If you do decide to add color, you may want to package your Shower Gel or Bubble Bath in a clear PET Bottle to show off it's beautiful appearance!

Shea Butter Shower Gel

We used:
16 Ounces Shea Butter Shower Gel Base
1/2 Ounce Apple Candy Fragrance Oil
8 2 oz. HDPE Bottles with Disc Caps

Shea Butter Bubble Bath

We used:
16 Ounces Shea Butter Bubble Bath Base
1/2 Ounce English Pear Fragrance Oil
8 2 oz. HDPE Bottles with Disc Caps

All Natural Lavender Shower Gel
If you would like to make all natural gifts , try making mini shower gels using Lavender Essential Oil and our all natural Castile Shower Gel Base.  This extra thick version of Liquid Castile blends nicely with Lavender Essential Oil.  We recommend going easy on this popular Essential Oil when making gifts.  Try adding about 1/4 ounce of Lavender Essential Oil to your base to give it a lovely aroma.

All Natural Lavender Shower Gel

We used:
16 Ounces Aloe Castile Shower Gel Base
1/4 Ounce Lavender, Bulagaria Essential Oil
8 2 oz. HDPE Bottles with Disc Caps

Don't forget to use discount code: NBWS4277 during online checkout to receive an additional 5% off qualifying items.

Holiday Projects: Easy Bath Tub Fizzies

These super simple Bath Fizzies pack a serious punch of effervescent aroma! Bath Fizzies are quite easy to make, and even travel well, due to their finishing up hard as a rock.

Scents
Bath Tub Fizzies can be scented with natural ingredients such as Essential Oils or Absolutes, or they can be scented using synthetic Fragrance Oils.  Which ingredient you choose depends on your personal preference.

Essential Oils & Absolutes - Since Essential Oils and Absolutes contain active ingredients, they have the ability to add beneficial properties to your Bath Fizzies.  However, these same active ingredients can also make the Fizzies dangerous if used incorrectly, or by people with certain health conditions.  Most skin safe Essential Oils can be used in Bath Fizzies. However, it is very important that you research any Essential Oil thoroughly before adding it to any bath and body formula. Many Essential Oils will have usage rates particular to that oil. Heed the expert advice that you find during your research and never take a guess when it comes to using these potent natural ingredients.

Here are some Essential Oils that would work well in Bath Fizzies:

• Lavender
• Jasmine Absolute
• Geranium
• Chamomile
• Rose Otto
• Yuzu
• Sandalwood
• Patchouli
• Spearmint

Fragrance Oils - While Fragrance Oils are not natural, they have been specifically designed for use in skin care products, such as Bath Fizzies.  They are easy to use and come in a very wide range of scents.  Add less Fragrance Oil when working with spicy scents such as Cinnamon. Fragrance Oils can still contain components that may irritate the skin.

Here are some great Holiday Fragrances that would work well in Bath Fizzies:

• Brambleberry Preserves
• Caramel Apple
• Cranberry
• Dark Chocolate Supreme
• Easter Cookie
• Fig
• Gingerbread
• Hollyberry
• Moroccan Mint Tea
• Peppermint
• Pomegranate
• Snowberry
• Spiced Plum
• Vanilla Pumpkin

Color Additives
To add color to the Bath Fizzies in this recipe, we'll be using FD&C Liquid Dyes. These dyes can be left out to create all natural Bath Fizzies.  For an all natural alternative to dyes, try adding a small amount of tinting herbs like Cranberry Fruit Fiber, Red Sandalwood Powder, Parsley Powder, or Alkanet Root Powder to your recipe.

Molds
Unlike Bath Bomb recipes that use butters and oils to bind the ingredients, Bath Fizzies don't work well with Scissor Style Meat Ballers.  Instead, you'll need to use small soap or ice cube molds.  Silicone or rubber ice cube trays make great Bath Fizzie molds, but remember to only use these molds for craft purposes after using them for this project.  Residue from Fragrance Oils, Essential Oils, or Dyes can seep into the porous surface of these molds, making them unsuitable for use with food.

 

Ingredients
1 cup cups Citric Acid
2 cups Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Fragrance Oil or 1/2 teaspoon Essential Oil
FD&C Liquid Dye or Powdered Herbs for Color (optional)
1 1/2 ounces Witch Hazel Hydrosol
1/2 ounce Alcohol

How to Make Bath Fizzies
Mix 1/2 ounce Alcohol and 1 1/2 ounces Witch Hazel Hydrosol in a 2 ounce spray bottle.  In a large mixing bowl, combine powdered ingredients.  Add optional colorants to taste, followed by Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil and mix thoroughly. Next, you'll need to add the Witch Hazel and alcohol mixture.  This must be done gradually.  The first time you make Bath Fizzies you'll need to keep a close eye on the mixture to see when it is ready to be packed into the molds.  Spray 5 - 10 spritzes into the powders and stir well.  Repeat this step again and again until the mixture becomes moist.  The trick is to add liquid until the mixture becomes moist and compactable, but to stop before it becomes wet.  Getting the hang of this step may take a few tries, but don't be discouraged!  Once the mixture has reached the right moisture, it can be spooned into your mold.  Make sure to pack the mixture tightly into the molds, this will help them to retain their shape when they are un-molded later.  After the molds are filled, the Fizzies should be allowed to dry and harden for 2 - 4 hours.  Extra large Fizzies may need additional drying time.  Don't attempt to remove the Fizzies from their molds until you are sure they have hardened completely.  After you've removed them, Bath Fizzies should be packaged in colored foil, Cello Bags, or airtight plastic containers.

Holiday Projects: Lip Balms

Lip Balms make some of the best stocking stuffers ever.  They are enjoyed by almost everyone, they are small, and you can make a huge batch of them very economically.  Whether you give them out individually, or you pack them into small bundles, they are sure to be a big hit with family, friends, or co-workers.  These small gifts can be made easily from a simple formula and customized with your own choice of scents and packaging. 

Lip Balm Base
Our Lip Balm Base Kit and Vegan Lip Balm Base Kit contain all of the ingredients needed to create both soft and firm Lip Balms.  Each kit contains Mango Butter, Fractionated Coconut Oil, and Jojoba.  Our Classic Lip Balm Base Kit includes Beeswax, while our Vegan Lip Balm Base Kit contains vegetable based, Candelilla Wax instead.  Both Kits make fabulous Lip Balm.  Choose whichever base suits your lifestyle, or your recipients lifestyle best.

Scent & Flavor
You can enhance your Lip Balms by adding lip-safe scents called Flavor Oils.  Unlike Fragrance Oils, Flavor Oils have been specifically designed for use in lip care applications like Lip Balms.  Never use a Fragrance Oil to scent your Lip Balm or it could irritate your skin or even make you sick.  While Flavor Oils can give your Lip Balms a strong scent, they will not actually add a taste to the Balm.  In fact, most Lip Balms contain sweeteners such as saccharin to trick the senses into experiencing a tasty sensation.  Our Flavor Oils do not contain sweeteners, so they will only add scent to your Lip Balms.  Try blending your own unique Flavors by mixing and matching our great variety of Flavor Oils.

Certain Essential Oils, such as Peppermint Essential Oil can also be used in Lip Balms.  However, it is very important that you research any Essential Oil thoroughly before using it in any formula.  Lips are an especially sensitive body part, so most Essential Oils will not be suitable for use in Lip Balms.  For instance, most Citrus Essential Oils such as Lemon or Orange are strong photo-sensitizers.  This means that the Essential Oils can actually damage your skin when they are applied and exposed to the sun.  Take great care when using Essential Oils, especially in Lip Care.  For the beginner, we would recommend sticking to Peppermint Essential Oil if you are intent on creating an all natural Lip Balm.  It should be noted though, that Peppermint Essential Oil is not safe for young children or babies.

Color Additives
Certain Micas can be used to add subtle or bold color to Lip Balm.  Refer to our Mica Safety Chart when selecting a suitable color additive for your Lip Balms.  You'll only need to add a pinch or two of Mica per batch to add subtle color to your Lip Balms.  Experiment by adding a pinch at a time until you reach a color that you like.  Remember, adding color to your Lip Balm is totally optional.  In fact, many people prefer to leave Lip Balms un-tinted.

How to Make Lip Balm
For the best results, melt your ingredients over the stove in a double boiler.  If you don't have a double boiler, the microwave will do.  Melt the Wax first, then add and melt the Butter.  When both are melted, add the Oils.  Stir the mixture well and remove it from the heat.  Next, add any optional colorants, followed by scent.  Using a small measuring cup with a spout, or a hot drink cup with one side pinched into a spout, carefully pour the mixture into Lip Balm Tubes or Jars.  Allow them to cool completely before trying to cap or move them. When the mixture cools it will contract, leaving a depression or sink hole in the top of the balm.  You may want to reserve a little leftover Lip Balm to reheat and top the jars or tubes off with after they have cooled.

Recipes
The following four recipes have been designed for use with our Lip Balm Base Kit or our Vegan Lip Balm Base Kit.  Packaging, Flavor Oils, Essential Oils, or Colorants must be purchased separately from these Kits.  I've added estimated counts below to help you determine how much packaging to buy for each batch of Lip Balm.  Remember, each Lip Balm Base Kit contains enough ingredients to make two batches of Lip Balm.

Classic Lip Balm

Easy Lip Balm Pot Recipe:

• 1 ounce Jojoba
• 1 ounce Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 2 ounces Mango Butter
• 1 ounce Beeswax
• 1 - 1 1/2 tsp. Flavor Oil or Peppermint Essential Oil

This recipe makes 5 ounces, enough to fill:

• 80 Mini Lip Balm Pots
• 10 1/2 oz. Silver Tins
• 20 1/4 oz. Clear Dome Jars

Lip Balm Tube Recipe

• 1 ounce Jojoba
• 1 ounce Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 2 Ounces Mango Butter
• 2 Ounces Beeswax
• 1 - 1 1/2 tsp. Flavor Oil or Peppermint Essential Oil

This recipe makes 6 ounces, enough to fill:

• 40 Lip Balm Tubes

Vegan Lip Balm

Easy Vegan Lip Balm Pot Recipe

• 1 ounce Jojoba
• 1 ounce Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 2 ounces Mango Butter
• 1/2 ounce Candelilla Wax
• 1 - 1 1/2 tsp. Flavor Oil or Peppermint Essential Oil

This recipe makes 4 1/2 ounces, enough to fill:

• 72 Mini Lip Balm Pots
• 9 1/2 oz. Silver Tins
• 18 1/4 oz. Clear Dome Jars

Vegan Lip Balm Tube Recipe

• 1 ounce Jojoba
• 1 ounce Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 2 ounces Mango Butter
• 1 1/2 ounces Candelilla Wax
• 1 - 1 1/2 tsp. Flavor Oil or Peppermint Essential Oil

This recipe makes 5 1/2 ounces, enough to fill:

• 36 Lip Balm Tubes

Using our Lip Balm Base Kitss, you can create a massive batch of gifts at a very low price! For example:

Lip Balm Base Kit: $20.00
1/2 Ounce Strawberry Flavor Oil: $3.00
80 Lip Balm Tubes: $38.80

That's $61.80 for 80 Lip Balms, making them cost about $0.77 each! Don't forget to use discount code: NBWS4277 during online checkout to receive an additional 5% off qualifying items.

Check out our article, Making Handmade Lip Balms to learn more about creating your own custom made Lip Balms.  Making your own unique recipes is very rewarding, and surprisingly simple!

Holiday Projects: Melt & Pour Soap

Melt & Pour Soap is a quick, easy, and nearly fool proof project that you can whip up for your friends, families, and co-workers in mass.  Your charming, handmade soaps are sure to be a big hit when created with some of our fantastic, holiday themed molds and ingredients.

The Soap Base
Melt & Pour Soap Base is a transparent, glycerin soap, which has been specifically designed for melting and reshaping.  Unfortunately, ordinary glycerin soaps will not behave this way, so you'll need to use soap that has been made specifically for this purpose.  Sold on FromNatureWithLove.com in 2 lb. blocks, Melt & Pour Soap is available in many varieties.  You can choose the most basic Clear or Opaque Soap Bases, or choose a specialty soap such as Goat's Milk Soap, Olive Oil Soap, or Aloe Vera Soap.  Melt & Pour Soaps are also available in a wide range of pre-colored bases.  These are great for crafters who only want to make a limited amount of soap, and don't want to invest in purchasing Color Additives.  Click here to see our full range of Melt & Pour Soap Bases.

Molds
While there are many household objects that can be used as make-shift Melt & Pour Soap molds, you may want to invest in a high quality, plastic mold for making Holiday gifts.  FromNatureWithLove.com carries a great line of soap molds, many of which are perfect for creating holiday themed soaps.  Our entire line of Melt & Pour Soap Molds are currently on Clearance, starting at just $4.00 each!

Saddle Soap Molds have a classic shape that can be used for almost any scent or color.

Our Star Soap Molds are adorable. They would be perfect for kid's holiday soaps.

These lovely Dove Soap Molds portray a very peaceful image.

Last, but not least, our Bell Soap Molds are another Clearance find that is perfect for the holidays.  You can also re-use containers such as potato chip cans, orange juice cartons, or milk cartons as melt & pour soap molds.  Just make sure whatever you are using has been cleaned out very well.  You can also use items such as silicone bakeware, or flexible ice cube trays to make melt & pour soap, but we wouldn't recommend using any of these items for food after you've used them for soap.  Set these items aside just for soapmaking.

Coloring Melt & Pour Soap
There are several methods of adding color to Melt & Pour Soaps.  Using pre-colored Melt & Pour Soap Base would definitely be the easiest way to do this, but you can also add color by hand.  This allows you to be a little more creative and spontaneous during your soapmaking.

• FD&C Liquid Dyes - These water based, brightly colored, liquid dyes provide bright, easy to customize colors.  These dyes are very easy to use and can be added directly to the soap base, drop by drop.  FD&C Dyes can also be mixed and matched to produce new and unique shades of color.  It should be noted, though, that FD&C colors can bleed into one another when used in layers.
• Oxides & Ultramarines - These dry, powdered colorants are mineral based.  They provide deep, matte color and are a bit trickeier to use in Melt & Pour Soap than liquid dyes.  In order to incorporate Oxides and Ultramarines into Melt & Pour Soap Base it must first be mixed with a small amount of oil.  Add a very small amount of powder to a small mixing bowl or cup (starting at around 1/4 tsp for every pound of soap).  Add a few drops of a Carrier Oil, such as Olive Oil or Sweet Almond Oil, and mix the powder into a slurry, adding additional drops of oil as needed.  When the powder has formed a smooth paste you can add it to your soap base.
• Pearlecent Micas - Available in a very wide range of colors, Pearlescent Micas provide shimmering colors to Melt & Pour Soaps.  These mineral based powders have been colored using a wide variety of additives, tints, and minerals to produce such a wide range of colors.  Pearlescent Micas can be added directly to Melt & Pour Soap Base, but they tend to clump quite a bit when this is done.  Like Ultramarines and Oxides, Pearlescent Micas disperse easier when they are first added to a small amount of oil.  Add a very small amount of powder to a small mixing bowl or cup (starting at around 1/4 tsp for every pound of soap).  Add a few drops of a Carrier Oil, such as Olive Oil or Sweet Almond Oil, and mix the powder into a slurry, adding additional drops of oil as needed.  When the powder has formed a smooth paste you can add it to your soap base.

Scenting Melt & Pour Soap
Melt & Pour Soaps can be scented with natural ingredients such as Essential Oils or Absolutes, or they can be scented using synthetic Fragrance Oils.  Which ingredient you choose depends on your personal preference, and the preferences of those you are giving the soaps to.

Essential Oils & Absolutes - Since Essential Oils and Absolutes contain active ingredients, they have the ability to add beneficial properties to your soaps.  However, these same active ingredients can also make your soaps dangerous if used incorrectly, or by people with certain health conditions.  Most skin safe Essential Oils can be used in Melt & Pour Soaps at about .5 oz. per pound of soap. However, it is very important that you research any Essential Oil thoroughly before adding it to your soaps.  Many Essential Oils will have usage rates particular to that oil. Heed the expert advice that you find during your research and never take a guess when it comes to using these potent natural ingredients.

Essential Oils for Holiday Soaps:

• Black Spruce
• Chocolate Peppermint
• Cypress
• Fir, Balsam
• Fir, Silver
• Geranium
• Ginger
• Gurjam Balsam
• Jasmine
• Juniper
• Mandarin
• Myrrh
• Patchouli
• Peppermint
• Pine
• Rosewood
• Sandalwood
• Spearmint
• Vanilla
• Yuzu

Fragrance Oils - While Fragrance Oils are not natural, they have been specifically designed for use in soaps, and skin care products.  They are easy to use and come in a very wide range of scents.  Fragrance Oils can be used at a rate of about .5 to 1 ounce per pound of soap.  Add less Fragrance Oil when working with spicy scents such as Cinnamon.  Fragrance Oils can still contain components that may irritate the skin.

Fragrance Oils for Holiday Soaps:

• Bayberry
• Brambleberry Preserves
• Cinnamon
• Cranberry Peppermint
• Egg Nog
• Evergreen
• Frankincense & Myrrh
• Gingerbread
• Holiday Fruitcake
• Pomegranate
• Pumpkin Pie
• Roasted Nuts
• Spiced Mulberries
• Sugar Plum
• Sweet Clove
• Vanilla Pumpkin

There are many more wonderful Fragrance Oils available at FromNatureWithLove.com that would be great for holiday soaps.  Click here to check out our complete selection.  You may also want to try one of our Fragrance Oil Samplers.  These variety packs let you sample several Fragrance Oils at once.

How to Make Melt & Pour Soap

1. Using a sharp kitchen knife, carefully chop the Melt & Pour Soap Base into cubes.
2. Melt the cubes in a double boiler over medium to high heat.  Make sure the soap is completely melted before moving on.
3. Pour the soap from the double boiler into a small mixing bowl or pyrex dish.  We've found that using a pre-warmed pyrex dish can be very helpful.
4. Add the color to your melted soap base first. This will allow the soap to cool slightly before adding your Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil. Add the Color Additive of your choice using the directions above.
5. Next, add your Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil and stir well.  Don;t stir too quickly though, as that will cause bubbles to form in the soap.
6. Carefully pour the melted soap base into a mold.  Spritzing the surface of the soap with alcohol can help stop bubbles from forming on the top.
7. Allow your soaps to cool completely before attempting to un-mold them. Trying to take them out too early can ruin your soaps. When they have cooled, simply turn the mold over and gently press on the outside of the mold to release the soaps. If you are having trouble, try putting the mold in the freezer for 1-2 minutes before trying again.
8. Wrap your soaps in plastic wrap or tightly sealed Cello Bags as soon as they are fully cooled.  Humidity in the air can cause the glycerin in your soaps to sweat, creating small beads of moisture on the soap's surface. Keep your soaps as dry as possible to avoid this happening. If your soaps do sweat, simply wipe them off with a warm, slightly damp paper towel. You can add a few drops of alcohol to the towel for a smooth finish.
9. Make sure you label your soaps with all the ingredients they contain before giving them to friends and family.  You should include the ingredients in the Melt & Pour Soap Base, and the ingredients you've added.

Ordering Supplies

Melt & Pour Base: It takes roughly 4 ounces of Melt & Pour Soap Base to make 1 bar of soap. For every two pound block of Melt & Pour Soap you order, you'll get about 8 bars of soap. (If you are using a mold with very large cavities, you may need to fill them only 1/2 or 2/3  full in order to produce 4 ounce bars.)

Fragrance Oils: You can use .5 to 1 ounce of Fragrance Oil per pound of soap, so you should order 1 to 2 ounces of Fragrance Oil for every 2 lb. block of Melt & Pour Soap you order.

Essential Oils: Most Essential Oils should be used at about .5 oz. per pound of Soap Base. If you are using Essential Oils, order 1 ounce of Essential Oil per two pound block of Melt & Pour Soap you order.

Color Additives: Unless you are making huge quantities of soap you should do fine if you order the smallest sizes available of any colorants you'd like to use. For example, a 1 ounce bottle of FD&C Dye or a 1/2 ounce bag of Mica will be more than enough for a holiday project.

To Make About 8 Bars (As low as $11.11*)

• 2 pounds of Melt & Pour Soap Base
• 2 ounces of Fragrance Oil or 1 ounce of Essential Oil
• Optional Color Additives

To Make About 16 Bars (As low as $19.58*)

• 4 pounds of Melt & Pour Soap Base
• 4 ounces of Fragrance Oil or 2 ounces of Essential Oil
• Optional Color Additives

To Make About 32 Bars (As low as $27.25*)

• 6 pounds of Melt & Pour Soap Base
• 6 ounces of Fragrance Oil or 3 ounces of Essential Oil
• Optional Color Additives

* Prices based on Colored Transparent Melt & Pour Soap Base, and Spiced Plum Fragrance Oil. Don't forget to use discount code: NBWS4277 during online checkout to receive an additional 5% off qualifying items.