If you were learning to dive, your instructor would start you out on a simple dive, and have you repeat it until you got it perfectly, before they moved you on to something more complicated. People usually learn soapmaking on their own, and often jump into the deep end of the pool before they're ready. I hate the term "plain" soap, because to call it that is such an injustice. "Plain" handmade soap is so amazingly better than any commercial soap you will ever buy!!! My advice to newbies is always the same....use a recipe with few ingredients, the holy trinity is perfect, and make "plain" soap over and over until you can do it consistently. If you're having problems with FOs, read reviews to make sure they're not problematic before you try them. Add the FO to your oils and stick blend before adding the lye solution. By changing only one thing at a time in your working recipe, it's easier to figure out what's causing the problem. Forget the TiO2 and the aloe vera for now, keep it simple.
I'm sure there are many would be soapers who got discouraged and quit because they tried too much too soon. If you take things slowly, and ask advice here when you run into trouble, you will get it!!! Don't give up.
