soap

How to Make Soap Without Burning Your Face Off

mandy — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 08:00:00 +0000

The ever-present danger of burning one’s face off is, in fact, one of the reasons I have hesitated to take up the hobby of soap making. Raleigh Briggs’s How to Make Soap zine helped to make the process seem less daunting and intimidating. While the zine is relatively short, at ten pages, it is chalk full of useful tips and information for beginners. The overall tone is lighthearted and fun, with a sprinkling of sarcasm and a wee bit of sass. Briggs does a wonderful job maintaining the cheery air, yet is still able to stress the importance of following all safety precautions and explaining some potential dangers of working with lye. Lye is a key ingredient in soap making, and if not handled with respect and caution, can be quite harmful.

Overall, I’m quite impressed by the layout and design of the zine. It is entirely handwritten with doodles and sketches, staying true to its DIY roots, but is aesthetically pleasing and easy to read. The zine begins with a brief history lesson, followed by important information on working with lye and a crash course in working with fats and oils. Towards the back of the zine, Briggs provides two basic soap recipes, along with some additional tips and tricks on customizing your soap with colorants and additives. The actual instructions are laid out in a flow chart type format spanning two pages.

While I find it visually appealing, I’m not convinced it’s the best way to present the information. If I were to have this handy while making soap, the layout would be difficult to quickly glance at and consult. The zine touched on many different aspects of soap making, but due to its concise nature, I found myself wanting additional resources to consult. Something I would have liked to see included would have been a short list of links, blogs, or favorite books to check into if the reader wanted additional information. Another useful addition would be a few recommendations on brands or places to order your soap making materials online.

I look forward to my first soap making attempt and thanks to Briggs’ zine, the task is much less intimidating and seems fairly straightforward. And I feel confident that I will emerge from the experiment with my face intact.

Written by: Liz Martin, December 30th 2010

Apricot Freesia Soap

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:00:00 +0000

By The Soap Factory

Since I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2000, I have been shopping at The Soap Factory. Supporting a local, woman-owned business is a pleasure, and using the store's products always feels indulgent. Prior to finding this company, I had given up on scented personal care products, due to allergic reactions. What I learned from The Soap Factory's owner, Dawn Gregg, is that cheap chemical ingredients were likely causing a bad reaction with my skin.

Based in Longview, Washington, the shop offers products that are cruelty-free and made on-site. The Soap Factory uses high-quality ingredients that don't disturb sensitive skin. Most of the soaps and lotions are also free of animal products.

Another perk that comes with ordering from The Soap Factory is that you get a gift with every $50 you spend. My last order came with a bar of Apricot Freesia Soap, which retails for $4.25. That may seem costly, but it's worth it. I have enjoyed every bar of soap from this store, and the Apricot Freesia Soap was no exception.

An olive oil-based soap, the Apricot Freesia Soap was soft, buttery, long-lasting, and gentle enough to be used as a facial soap as well as body soap. The scent was pleasant without being overpowering or smelling “too girly,” as my partner put it. The minimalist packaging was environmentally-friendly, and the shipping was very prompt – my order went out on the same day I sent it.

The business has grown quite a bit since Gregg started it out of her house in 1997, but she has kept the personal touch that makes supporting her business a pleasure.

Written by: M.L. Madison, April 14th 2010

Soap Sampler & Solid Body Lotion

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

By Soap Lady Oregon

I discovered Soap Lady Oregon products at—of all places—a chocolate festival in Portland, Oregon. While the products obviously aren't edible, they smelled better—and had healthier ingredients—than many of the food products that my partner and I sampled at the event.

I believe you can vote with your pocketbook, and it was nice to know that the company uses all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. Their mission is actually to provide non-toxic products with no preservatives, and they go one step further by listing all of their ingredients on the company's website. This is especially handy if you have any known allergies or have particularly sensitive skin.

In addition, there's the satisfaction of supporting a women-owned small business. Still not enough reasons to try their soap? There's the absolutely soothing experience of using the products themselves.

At just $6, the soap sampler gift box features four travel-sized, yummy-smelling soaps: rose, spice, tea tree, and calendula lavender. Despite their small size, each soap lasted several days in my shower, which is no small feat considering that my partner has a woodworking hobby and I have a workout fetish. The scents were spicy and natural but not overpowering or perfume-y, and they were, for lack of a better word, soft. I can't wait to try some of the sweeter scents, like sweet vanilla and peppermint swirl. A full-size, five ounce bar is $4.50.

At $2.50, the solid body lotion was even more of a steal. Just a tiny bit of this citrus-scented lotion goes a long way, and it will last awhile, even if you work in a job that requires frequent hand washing (or are a compulsive hand washer like me.)

If you're looking for some TLC and inexpensive luxury, this is the place to find it.

Written by: M.L. Madison, March 7th 2010

Rhubarb N Blueberry Spice Soap

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:58:00 +0000

By Vegan Soap Kitchen

I am a soap snob, but not without good reason. I don't want to imbibe chemicals into my skin, and just about everything with scent tends to make my skin dry out or cause an allergic reaction. For these reasons, I usually order olive oil soap from my favorite woman-owned business online, but using Rhubarb N Blueberry Spice Soap from Vegan Soap Kitchen definitely made me want to try more of their goodies.

Owner Deborah Dana has all kinds of cruelty-free skin care products (did I mention my partner and I buy only vegan personal care products?) on her Etsy site, some of which sound good enough to munch. Pink Grapefruit and Pineapple Cilantro soaps and Chai Tea lip balm are just some of her offerings. Unlike some specialty shops, they're reasonably priced.

My soap arrived in environmentally-friendly packaging (the smallest amount of stiff paper wrapping) and a cute, lime green gingham ribbon. She had me at gingham, and the package also listed all of the non-toxic ingredients. I could pronounce all of them!

The soap itself left behind a nice and not overpowering scent when I bathed with it. Think more musky than fruity, with the rhubarb adding a bittersweet scent. My partner is very finicky about our care products—he won't use them if they smell too “girly”—and he didn't complain.

The blueberry seeds offer a mild exfoliant that's not too harsh, although they did tend to get all over the place when the bar neared its end. Still, this was a delicious product, and I'm definitely going to shop for more goodies at Vegan Soap Kitchen.

Written by: M.L. Madison, November 4th 2009

Spearmint Soap

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:27:00 +0000

By Vegan Soap Kitchen

Who doesn’t love soap? Besides a Chilean pal I had in college who insisted “Americans bathe too often,” I’ve never known anyone who took issue with washing. I have a complicated relationship with bathing, though. It takes me a while to deal with my hair once washed, and for this reason, I’ve been experimenting with less frequent showering this past year.

Some people think this is a ‘green’ habit. For me, it’s mostly about convenience and comfort. I grew up loving baths, and my current apartment features only an awkward shower with two levels. One might argue the steepest part of the stall is a step, but how one would properly use it is beyond me. Unless I’m showering with my partner or trying to relax sore shoulder muscles, I’m usually annoyed by my strangely shaped bathroom and try to be in and out as quickly as possible.

Adopting a vegan diet is one thing, but a vegan lifestyle is quite another. When I began to make the switch, I had to start rethinking warm clothing, for example. No more wool, and finding cruelty-free waterproof boots has been a challenge. I also switched to olive oil soap, which I can purchase in large blocks locally for roughly the equivalent of $4 USD. Since I live in Scandinavia, where everything is roughly double the cost of what it is in the States, this seems like quite a bargain.

I’m not unhappy with my hunks of green-yellow castile, but it does tend to leave a residue unless I’m diligent with my washcloth. Because I’m thrifty, I also tend to buy unwieldy chunks that go flying when slippery. Bath time should be fun, even if you don’t have a proper tub.

Enter my new spearmint soap from Vegan Soap Kitchen. Taking after my favorite Origins mint shampoo, I thought that putting one more herbal goody on my body would keep me smelling nice even on those days I race off to work without a proper lather. Handcrafted by Deborah Dana in Plano, Texas, my wholly vegan soap is a wonderful find. Made from coconut, palm, jojoba, and olive oils with shea butter and a dash of spearmint essential oil, there is no funky residue. The only thing to watch out for are bits of spearmint leaf that eventually detach from the bar. Better to have mint leaves in my hair than grime, no?

Written by: Brittany Shoot, October 30th 2009

Glycerin Goat’s Milk Soap

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:22:00 +0000

By Norma’s Bath and Body

In Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lord Henry says, “I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.”

One of my simplest pleasures is gained by placing an aromatic bar of soap in my dresser drawer and later slipping on a crummy T-shirt that smells like a lavender sachet in a cedar chest. This has the potential to alter the entire course of my day. Once I finish with my current bar of soap, I unwrap the bar that has already been working so hard in my dresser and place it next to the tub.

The next duty of this bar of soap is to change my early morning shower or post-workout rinse into a luxurious experience. Magically, the smell of oatmeal and almond or sandalwood block out the sound of the subway and erase the nagging awareness that the wooden windowsill in the shower is slowly rotting away. Don’t bother me with these philistine concerns. Can’t you see I’m wrapped in a steamy blanket of lavender and beeswax?

Are my soap standards too high? Do I expect pleasure and transcendence too complex for a bath product to deliver? Unwrapping my cucumber melon soap from Norma’s Bath and Body, I eye it with a bit of suspicion. Will you meet my expectations?

This particular bar picks up on what seems to be the most popular scent of the season: cucumber. From Marc Jacobs to Method’s All Purpose Cleaner, we can douse our lives in the cool, crisp, refreshing scent of this rather unassuming vegetable. Except that capturing such a scent is difficult, and of course, not particularly sweet on its own. Hence Norma adds melon to the recipe to create a bright, sweet smell.

Norma’s soap is smooth as silk, made with glycerin and goat’s milk. The cucumber melon scent was a bit too sweet for my taste, but her website lists many other intriguing scents to choose from, such as Oatmeal Raisin Cookie. In fact, Norma’s website is filled with bath products that are very convincing reproductions of desserts. The cupcake soaps could be fresh from the bakery. Lathering up with a pink-iced cupcake could make my morning shower not only an indulgence, but also delicious. These sweet soaps might even be decadent enough for Oscar Wilde himself.

Written by: Claire Burrows, September 19th 2009

D:tox System

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:01:00 +0000

By Giovanni Organic Body Care

Half a million women in the world die every year from breast cancer. One in eight American women will be diagnosed with some form of breast cancer in her lifetime. Judging from these startling statistics, it’s not difficult to see why corporations that cater to women have begun creating lines of products that support the fight against this disease. Altruism gives you a leg up on the competition.

While Giovanni Organic Body Care’s D:tox System of purifying body care products won’t prevent you from getting breast cancer directly, a portion of the sales of the products involved in this three-step system is donated by the company to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization that funds cancer prevention research.

The D:tox System has three ingredients: Body Wash/Body Bar, Body Scrub, and Body Lotion. If the trio is used properly, the promised results are to provide “a complete purification regimen for mind, body, and soul—and completely touch-worthy skin every day.” With such lofty ambitions, I’m sure you’re wondering what exactly goes into the D:tox System.

The Body Wash/Body Bar uses charcoal and volcanic ash to clean oils and dirt from pores while replenishing your skin’s nutrition with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from purifying acai and goji berry extracts. The Body Scrub is made of similar ingredients, and does what most scrubs do: it exfoliates to polish away surface grime and bacteria. The Body Lotion is the final part of this equation. Once the skin is fully clean, it needs a little moisture to maintain a smooth softness and healthy glow.

I did a dietary detox once a few years ago. A woman at my local health food co-op explained the process to me: replace food with a mixture of juices for five days. Instead of feeling physically renewed, I ended up with a terrible migraine brought on by caffeine withdrawal, but I stuck it out before reverting back to my old eating habits. I’m not sure the D:tox System resulted in the purification of my mind or soul, but it did the trick for my body. It also allowed me to continue my copious coffee consumption—and, really, that's the most important part.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, September 14th 2009

Baby Care Gift Set

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:52:00 +0000

By African American Baby Care

Everyone likes good shampoo. Even though I am neither a baby nor an African American, I am delighted to use pure organic hair cleansers with a fragrant blend of rose petal, rosemary, and sage. African American Baby Care offers a full range of infant care products made from pure organics, natural botanicals, and rare herbs. Initial use indicated that the items are indeed as gentle as the labels attest, and the baby hair dress does a good job of keeping my hypercortisol frizz under control.

However, as a dedicated product tester, I must determine an item's fitness to purpose, and this obviously entailed taking care of an African American baby. With none in the immediate vicinity, I considered my options. Jacqueline is two blocks to the north and one to the east, but she and her six-month-old most likely just want to be left alone. Then there's the possibility of taking it to the streets of Chicago. I could suit up in an apron, swim mask, and cover my newly-dressed hair with a lavender bandana left over from a job costume—I have been warned that all babies are prone to leakage from any orifice without warning—and seek an African American infant.

“Excuse me, ma'am,” I'd ask, resplendent in chartreuse-lensed UVA safe goggles, wearing a terrycloth ladybug mitt, and brandishing multiple babycare bottles, “Could I wash your baby with these fine products? It's okay: I'm a feminist.” Guessing what the appropriate response would be, I went online and located the service Rent-a-Negro, but they're headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and appear to only have adults available. After some networking with Manicella, I was graciously provided access to an African American infant to wash, and showed up with the products. However, there were issues.

Nya is a delightful one-year-old child, albeit of occasionally grave demeanor. She is also of African American, European American, and Chinese ancestry. This presented a quandary. Was I to wash only one-third of the baby? And if so, which third? I was reminded of Groucho Marx's response when he was informed that he would not be allowed to go in the swimming pool at a private club because it did not admit Jews. "Well, my son is half Jewish,” Marx replied. “Can he go in up to his waist?"

Gamely, I set about my task, attempting to keep Nya at ease with an off-key rendition of "Itsy-bitsy Spider." Given her varied ethnicity, I suspected that the little girl has what would be described as "good" hair, and the use of that term makes me sad. The recent recreation of the Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark's doll studies indicates how far we have to go. And I hope that I can use 'we' as meaning humans. Sally Kempton said, “It is hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head.”

African American Baby Care products went far, sudsing liberally from moderate quantities. They include neither paraben preservatives nor pthalates. The suspicion regarding the carcinogenic or estrogenic effects of these substances has been questioned, but as long as they can be avoided, why put them on your kid? The shampoo rinsed well and the accompanying conditioner went on smoothly. The baby body butter applied evenly, and I believe it will prevent a baby from getting "ashy."

Mom took over at the hair styling stage—just as well, seeing that I don't know a box braid from a twist out—and praised the hair dress. She said she'd get back to me on the milk. Nya said, “Eeeee! Bwah!” as a parting screech of acknowledgment. Funny—the last infant I handled—white, male, blonde, blue-eyed—said almost the exact same thing.

Written by: Erika Mikkalo, September 12th 2009

Sunscreen Soap 10 SPF

admin — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:02:00 +0000

By Bethesda

No one wants skin cancer. But if lighter-skinned people avoid the sun, there's vitamin D deficiency. What to do? There's inspection: a mnemonic—ABCDE—for the five guidelines used to evaluate whether a pigmentation variation is a mole or a menace we must have checked.

Assymmetricality Border variations Color (uneven in shade or tone) Diameter (over six mm) and whether or not it's 'Evolving' (nice euphemism on that one—‘If you can see it grow, let them know.')

It's never occurred to me to use a tanning bed, one of the most fundamentally ironic fashion devices imaginable in a fundamentally racist society. Then again, human culture appears to inevitably contain prejudice; it's just a matter of whom, based on which characteristics, at what time. As Caucasian North American residents pay money to expose themselves to unhealthy UVA radiation, others all over the globe adhere to colonial standards by shelling out for skin lighteners. The mind boggles.

Fortunately, some things are simpler: in addition to inspection, there's prevention. If you have pale skin, avoid skin cancer by staying out of tanning booths, out of the sun, and using sunscreen. A convenient sunscreen product is now manufactured by Bethesda. Their soap contains aloe vera, chlorophyll, healing balm of Gilead (any reference to 'Gilead' always reminds me Offred's subversive 'Bomb in Gilead' conversation in The Handmaid's Tale), and glycerin. Initial use indicates that it is non-sudsing and lightly scented. Bethesda also intends to offer mineral veil, oatmeal, multi-vitamin, rosemary, carrot, and fragrant vanilla soaps. Watch their site, and watch those moles.

Written by: Erika Mikkalo, August 22nd 2009

Shea Butter Lotion Fruit Slices / Goats Milk Glycerin Soap Orange Sherbet

admin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 09:00:00 +0000

By Norma’s Bath and Body Products

When you unwrap a package made, wrapped, and tied by another person’s hands, it’s immediately evident. It might be a splatter of color where there wasn’t one intended, or a crooked label, a smudge. But whatever the indication, it has always given me a moment’s pause and endeared me in a special way to whatever it is I’m holding. So it was with Norma’s Bath and Body Products—a sense of the person who’d put something of herself into making the thing I was about to enjoy. You just don’t get that fuzzy feeling in the health and beauty section of your local chain drug store!

The Orange Sherbet Goats Milk Glycerin Soap was instantly appealing with its peachy orange color and smooth texture. I resisted my generations-old instinct when confronted with nice bath products, to set it unmarked and perfect in a bowl with some potpourri or decorative stones. I reminded myself I had a job to do and not to worry—I could order more! Unwrapped and sitting out on my desk, waiting to get lathered up for the first time, this little bar got my attention with a subtly persistent fruity scent, fresh and light and not at all overpowering or irritating to my allergen-sensitive nose.

The package promised a “creamy and high lathering goats milk glycerin soap” that would both soften and moisturize. I, no stranger to the wares of a farmer’s market or craft fair soap stand, was skeptical. The glycerin soaps I’ve tried have been low to nonexistent on suds and thin in texture, leaving my skin neither moisturized nor particularly clean. The Orange Sherbet soap knocked all contenders out of the ring. Bubbly and rich, it smoothed out my skin but washed off without any filmy residue. The scent was light and pretty, not lingering for long, just long enough to make you come back for more.

The Fruit Slices Shea Butter Lotion punched up the color and scent factors of its demure companion Orange Sherbet. Bright notes of citrus came bursting out of the lemon yellow lotion, one of those good smells that give you a little mind-freshening kick when you need it, a fresh-squeezed smell. The lotion itself had the look and texture of a thick acrylic paint, and rubbed onto my skin in a thin yellow layer. It turned colorless after a few swipes with my fingers and left behind the faintest bit of shimmer. My skin felt soft but not greasy, and the lotion absorbed quickly enough to resume daily activities without leaving fruity smudges on everything I touched.

Norma’s Bath and Body Products scored high with me, with bonus points for being homemade, and extra super bonus points for working just as well, if not better, than a major manufacturer’s product. A sweep of Norma’s online store inventory was delightful, chock full of soap creations: cupcakes, fudgesicles, Pop Tarts, as well as plenty of options for those with a less demanding sweet tooth. These handcrafted soaps and lotions are as whimsical and cute as they are functional, and gave me plenty of fun and frugal gift ideas.

Written by: Kelly Moritz, August 15th 2009

The "Happy" Collection

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:19:00 +0000

By LUSH

As if anyone needs an excuse to spend more time under a hot shower—well, here's another, or five others—each a more compelling reason to recreationally cleanse. LUSH produces fresh, hand-made cruelty-and-lard-free and frequently vegan personal care products. All bathbombs, gels, soaps, shampoos, and other innovative items are individually made by skilled suds people—Sara, Czarina, and Reggie contributed to my 'happy' package. They offer over ten score individual products—currently made and sold within four months, or available online as 'retro'—have their own superhero in a bright green leotard, and like baby harp seals.

Seeing that Clorox owns Burt's Bees, Estee Lauder owns Aveda, L'Oreal owns the Body Shop, Unilever owns Ben & Jerry's, and Cadbury's owns Green & Black, it's refreshing to find a small, organic-product organization that appears to own their own. As Billie Holiday sang, “... God bless the child.” This kid was happy to lather with the 'Happy Hippy' shower gel—the bodywashes also work as shampoos, and LUSH sells some shampoos as bars in a mission to keep packaging to a minimum. Over two-thirds of their products are unwrapped and unboxed, and one of their news releases posits that if twenty percent of the United States population started using solid shampoo, twenty-two million plastic bottles would be removed from landfills.

I did stockpile some buy-one-get-one hair cleansers and products, but once they're depleted, if I need an ecologically sound rationalization for self-care, there's another, not to mention that the bracing citrus scents in this set made me—well, if not happy, at least punctured existential malaise and effectively combated ennui. I wonder if they have an enlightening moisturizer or helpful hand lotion?

Gift set pictured is foot care collection. The Happy Collection is another combination of products.

Written by: Erika Mikkalo, July 2nd 2009

Chocolate Body Treats

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:56:00 +0000

By Coco-Zen

Buddhism instructs us that suffering is caused by desire. Alright, I have established that I desire chocolate. I can consume it copiously and repeatedly. With utter abandon, and complete abandonment of moderation and concern for my health. I can consume chocolate indoors, outdoors, in the kitchen, from the nightstand, at the theater; while trudging down the sidewalk, operating a motor vehicle, or taking the train. In the park, at work, at play, in celebration and commiseration. While I prefer fine dark chocolates, I will occasionally compromise my standards to include “Whatever is in front of me.”

Coco-Zen, a woman-owned company, invites us to "Experience oneness with chocolate," and while I would be delighted to apply this injunction via their truffles, they also offer a variety of chocolate personal care products: a chocolate lip gloss, edible lip scrub, a salt everything-else scrub, lotion, and soap. The soap is well-scented, but does not lather, and the aroma does not linger—a positive, given the temptation to nibble your cuticles afterwards. The gloss applies well and does not have a greasy or tacky film. The scrub? My biceps now smell like bon bons. Did the Buddha eat chocolate? I must meditate upon this as I smack my newly exfoliated lips in contemplation of all the temptations that there are to transcend. Pain ends when craving ends, when you escape want. I wish that I could recall precisely how the Enlightened One proposed this achievement, but for now, I wouldn't mind a piece of chocolate.

Written by: Erika Mikkalo, May 19th 2009

Green Apple Soap

admin — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:36:00 +0000

By Kreated by Karina

Green Apple Soap comes in a plain package with information about the product and the maker, Karina. There are no logos, and you won’t find any fillers or chemicals in the soap either. The little, translucent green soap bar has a very pleasant smell to it. When it’s wet, it smells a bit stronger than dry (or so I’ve noticed), and as an interesting aside, when the light shines through the wet bar, it’s nice to look at. It almost looks like candy and is smooth to the touch.

Beyond aesthetics, I decided to put the bar through the complete bath test. Green Apple lathers up nice and leaves a faint after smell. I even washed my face with it, which was like any other glycerin soap. As with any other cleanser, I applied a moisturizer bar to the face afterward.

The main test was to see how it would hold up to lathering for a quick pit-leg shave. Fortunately, there was enough hair hanging around for the task. Green Apple got the job done. I look forward to buying more Green Apple Soap from Kreated by Karina, along with trying out some of the lip balm.

Written by: Nicolette Westfall, June 8th 2008

Complexion Bar

admin — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:28:00 +0000

By The Soap Factory

I stumbled upon The Soap Factory in Longview, WA while exploring the downtown area nearly seven years ago. I fell in love with the shop and its products instantly, and have continued to order them online after leaving the job in Longview.

The Soap Factory's Complexion Bar is a tried and true favorite of mine. While it's not cheap ($6.99), the four-ounce bar lasts a long, long time. (I just bought a new one, having purchased the previous bar in 2006.) With real avocado fruit, carrot juice, shea butter and a host of essential oils, it smells good enough to eat. Because The Soap Factory uses authentic ingredients, you don't have to worry about your skin drying out or developing allergies.

It has been a pleasure to see owner Dawn Gregg expand her business, which she started in her home in 1998. She opened her store in 2000 as the sole proprietress, and has since expanded into the retail space next door and added several employees. Along with the complexion bar, I recommend her other soaps and lotions as well.

Written by: M.L. Madison, August 24th 2007

Shea Butter Gift Set

admin — Mon, 21 May 2007 18:22:00 +0000

By Prairieland Herbs

Packaged in a cute bag, this little gift set arrived smelling great! After a long week at work, a few hours pampering were needed, and this set delivered a great scent and relaxation. Better than the scent is the feeling of soft and smooth skin that comes after a bath using the Botanical Bath Salts, a product that left this woman feeling great. Best of all, this is an all-natural product made from homegrown herbs and natural oils—no preservatives, synthetics or byproducts.

A spa experience in a bag, I started out running my bath with the Botanical Bath Salts. The tiny beads melt quickly into the water, leaving a relaxing bath that ended only when the water grew cold! The Patchouli and Orange Soap left a clean aroma on my body. It has a slightly gritty feel, exfoliating as it cleans and refreshes. The smell of this soap outweighs any that I have purchased in the past, each time I enter my bathroom I can vaguely smell patchouli, and I am loving it! Also of note, these products did not leave a ring around my tub!

I ended my experience by applying the Lavender Body Balm and, after a deep sigh, found myself ready to fall asleep relaxed and smelling great! The balm is thick and powerful, which left me feeling a bit greasy, but put moisture in my skin that was needed after a harsh winter in the Northeast.

The mother and daughter team that have dreamed up these wonderful products is to be commended. They have created a product that is useful, natural and feminine without compromising quality. They have reasonable prices and fast shipping! I highly recommend visiting their site today and finding out more about these great products—and more!

Written by: Angie Dobson, May 21st 2007