Recent content by Ursula

I have had great success using Alkanet infused oil in my lavender soap. You have to do some experimenting, since it is really pH sensitive - can turn anywhere from dusty mauve to purple to dark navy blue. So amount and timing is key. I use 100g oil infused with 3 Tbsp alkanet, and then add the...

Oh and by unrefined I meant it isn't the deodorized type. It is "cocoa butter natural from ghana, expeller pressed fixed oil"

Has anyone received unrefined cocoa butter that had, for lack of a better description, a scent with a sour top note? Some of the characteristic rich cocoa smell is there, but less pleasing than the other distributor I get it from. I just picked it up today, so it theoretically shouldn't be...

Oh, and as I was digging through my shelves I came across some stearic acid. Although Ive never used it in soaps though.

Hi Judy, Thank you! Funny, I came upon something practically the same (but sub'd some RBO for OO). Maybe Ill move forward with it...

Thank you Susie. Yes, I don't want to wait for something to be shipped ;)

Haha Susie. I have heard it is good in soap! I am vegetarian and don't use animal fats, but can see why people do :)

Thanks for the suggestions Efficacious Gentleman. Oh, and I will be HPing it.

Unfortunately I don't have any other oils/fats right now, but have the soaping itch! :)

I love using Candelilla wax in my lip balm. It can get pretty hard depending on how much you use, but absorbs a bit more into the skin than beeswax.

Right now I have: Olive oil Rice bran oil Coconut oil Shea butter Cocoa butter I'm wondering if anyone has some ideas about percentages to use. I'd like the bar to last awhile without a crazy long cure time (or is that just wishing?). Sometimes my soap with shea doesn't last very long, but I...

Thank you everyone for your insights! :D

Hello! I've read about adding clay to the lye water to intensify the color. I was wondering though, would the clay absorb some of the lye, and then in turn make the clay itself lye-heavy? I'm not sure about the chemistry regarding this and am hoping someone here may know (so I don't...

Just to add in, I am allergic to nuts and have had severe reactions to the refined oils, especially peanut.

Hi everyone, Thank you for your replies! I used sunflower oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. Lanabanana you called it; it must be the drying process. Here is a photo with a bar from the first batch and a bar from a batch made yesterday. The first batch has turned tan after 48 hours :)