JCFantasy23

From what I've heard, yes. Makes it heavier, and you think you're getting a bit more lye than you really are.

This is funny. I was once testing two bars of different soaps at once in the bath tub with boyfriend. We noticed one floated no matter what you did to it, even if you dropped it from high up, or pushed it to the bottom. Always rose and stayed at the top. Other bar always sank. It didnt seem to have more air bubbles but no idea.

Hey all, was wondering if you had any advice and could answer some general questions. I do MHP with the full water amount and a base recipe with a percentage of 60% hard oils. My bars have always been fine in hardness, yet now I have been adding GM and Yogurt as a portion of my fluid. I cook the soap with 1/2 the fluid being water, and then near the end of the cook add the GM and the yogurt. Works much better for me - and many with HP - then doing it at the beginning. Milk makes the bars softer though, with a longer curing time, but the general result is just a bit softer than I'd like. Can't let go of the wonderful milk and yogurt properties though!! I use a 5% Lye Discount and further superfat with 1 Tbsp. oil/honey ppo at the end. This has never affected the hardness before the addition of the milk. The Iodine level of the recipe is 59 with the combined hardness being 40, conditioning 55, creamy lather 34, and Bubbly Lather 15. My question is, since the GM, Yogurt, and superfat oils add more conditioning anyway, could I raise the hard oils in my recipe to the above average, recommended amount without compromising the general conditioning of the soap?? With milk bars figured it'd be better to have a hard base to start with, and because of it being added toward the end, could I raise the hardness to 70% and have it show a notable difference in texture and still be just as good a bar of soap?

Would you be more speechless if I told you I ordered all of the above today, and that I also ordered from Majestic Mountain Sage and Starrville at the same time, but not with fragrance oils in the order? I need a leash, I tell ya

Thank you for the replies everyone. I am confused though - I thought I have read that IGI 1343 is used for Hurricane Shells? I have also read it can need a hardener for pillars, but I read this afterward and it does seem contradictory. I bought the wax from wholesale supplies plus, who said that it was for hurricanes http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=3272&ProductName=IGI%e2%84%a2+Wax+1343-A If it isn't, what wax would you recommend, something with an even higher melt point?? As for the fragrance recommendations, I'll keep the wax for now as I enjoy it's wide range, but guess it's back to the drawing board in terms of additives. I used Vybar with it before, perhaps this could have changed the scent?? Candlemaking is confusing lol

Been going fragrance oil sample crazy lately. Just to share the love, and also listen to any input, here are the latest sample orders: BRIGHTER SCENTS (First time trying this supplier): Apricot Cream Puff (Currently have nothing with Apricot) Box of Chocolates (Still needing a good chocolate scent that's not mixed) Clean Cotton (Wanting more 'fresh' and wanting to compare cottons) Cola (Been needing this forever for when finally do those coke candles) Cucumber Melon (Loved Brambleberrys, To Die For was good, need another regular) Hawain Ginger (I love Ginger and have to try it just because of the name) Mulberry (Trying all Mulberries to find one comparable to Brambleberrys. JS's is more herbal and lacking the sweetness) Moonlight Path (Curious...) Moon Petal Musk (Curious...) Oatmeal Milk and Honey (NEED a good one of these!!) Obsession Type Peanut Butter Cup (Not happy with JS's peanut butter cookie thus far) Pina Colada Toasted Marshmallow (Curious...) SAVE ON SCENTS (Ordered from them before and was pleased with some of them, so decided to give them more tries): Alfred Sung Type (LOVE the perfume, hope it's a good dupe!) Hugo Boss Type (LOVED this on ex!!!) Desert Rain (Craving clean rains and want to experiment, sounding interesting) Exotic Seabreeze - more clean to try Forest Mountain - yet more clean, love the stuff! Ginger - They said it was a straight ginger but doesnt sound juicy enough, we'll see as I've been on the hunt Ginger Lily - As some may know been searching for one comparable to Brambleberry. Bear is very close but needing other samples Mountain Rain Mulberry - Hehe, yet again Rosemary - Have been wanting a straight Rosemary, not enough people carry!! Snuggles Sun Washed Linen Yankees Dupe CANDLESOURCE (First time with them): Lemongrass - Continuing the search with this one Sage and Citrus J&J Bedtime Bath Juniper Breeze Ocean Mist Brittany Spears Fantasy Type Butt Naked Cucumber Melon French Vanilla - Still not completely happy with any vanillas Fresh Peach Fresh Strawberries - NEED a strong straight Strawberry, not blended! Gardenia Midsummer Night Mulberry - yet again... Natural Eucalyptus Peanut Butter Cookies Pineapple Pumpkin and Vanilla Sun Washed Linen Also did two orders with JS this month. Been busy!!

Im trying the one from Brighter Scents, currently on order. WIll let you know what I think

I purchased a quantity of this wax because it seems good for my needs. I'm more interested in sand candles, hurricanes, stand alone pillars, appliques and later - if I'm particularly daring - carved Ive noticed it says it has a fragrance oil hold of 3% and that's a drawback, but know that adding additives can help this a bit. My question is, if you also want a highly fragranced candle, is there something else out there that would do these things and be a bit better? I recently tested a JS oil in my candle that works fine for everyone, and it did have a strong throw - hot and cold - in my wax, but the scent changed considerably. This also happened with another fragrance oil I tested, and people are telling me it must be the wax. I also have been having trouble finding the right wick, but have read that a flat braided cotton is the best? Any advice on wicks to try for the IGI 1343? I know everyones mileage varies but suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Ive been eyeing the online Tallow from Soapers Choice in the larger quantities, but the shipping ends up being over 20 :oops: Still keeps the price of the stuff not bad, but yech. Found some pure Tallow from Starrville Soap and Candles, can be bought in several sizes. Purchased the 7 lb size for $6.30, and shipping for me was cheap A good option I thought I'd share for those who don't need such monstrous sizes at one time.

My cleansing value has always been relatively low but was average around 15 to 16. Now, to get the conditioning and hardness ratio I'm aiming for, the cleansing is only 10. I understand the process of the cleansing, but don't see a problem having it this low? It all cleans regardless right? Shoudl cleansing even be paid much attention to if it's not high? Does this affect the feel of the bar in any bad way, such as a slimy or oily coating, etc?

I'm tempted to start using this as part of my base recipe rather than superfatting. It has a high number of unsaponifables and I can get it for a reasonable cost (turns out much cheaper per ounce than olive, and is also cheaper than the shea and cocoa I use, so it wouldn't be unordinarily expensive). Has anyone noticed a good enough difference in soap to validate having it at, say, 5%? Some of the first bars I made had a high % of avocado and they turned out nice and pretty hard. Not sure now if that was because of the avocado loaning benefits or not, however. Has a hardness of 22, iodine of 86, conditioning value of 70, and is decent on creamy lather. From just that, seems to be a pretty promising additive. Would rather have personal experience and cautions/ recommendations over cold hard numbers though. Thanks!

Yeah I do, but sadly I dont think that is the problem here. Both smell like what a caramelized banana should smell like, but different from each other Do you think they changed the formula possibly? That would irk me!! I made an order originally just to have this scent and added more on since there were others I'd like, and to make the shipping make more sense, but...sigh. Guess I could try emailing her about it if no one else has heard about this, but doubt there's a resolution to be had. I just want the smell that was in the smaller version!!

Alright, I'm a bit confused. I know OOB isn't the same as putting in products, but.... I have been absolutely in love with the 1 oz bottles of caramelized banana (as has everyone else), and the soap I put it with worked well. Ordered a pound recently, but it smells a lot different OOB!! How could this be?? Have had second opinions so not just me. Assuming if it smells different OOB it would smell different in the product. The Lb size smells more like bananas but the 1 oz didnt. Anyone have this problem and know what to think of it?

I dont do tarts and dont have a warmer LOL Sorry right now pretty simple with what I do with wax. I will try it in a votive just to see before tossing it, can't hurt I suppose

Looks very cool!

Just get some candle bakery molds and have fun

Well, I have no idea, although it could very well be the wax I use. Ive seen good reviews of it and desperately want the scent. When pouring it into the wax and the initial "binding", it scented the house strongly with an amazing fragrance. But then it hardened and just smells like cinnamon, and is keeping it up No other pillar/votive waxes on hand to test further.

Da*n. That's what I figured. Although OOB isnt an accurate test, you can usually get some kind of indication from it. Guess it's back to the drawing board

Save on Scents offers one, it's alright

God, you're not the only one. Talk about a cliffhanger!!!

Ordered a small sample of this and OOB it doesnt really smell like Peanut butter or cookies to me. Not an unpleasant scent but cant pick much up, co-tester couldn't either. Does anyone know if it does perform better in soaps or candles? Never see this one mentioned, thanks

Im a bit bummed about the Apple butter now. After the wax hardened and set it up I can mainly just smell cinnamon spice. Friend came over and sniffed and said she just smells cinnamon. It seems the longer it cures the less apple and butter, nearly indetectible now. About the same for burning. Everyone else says a great throw? Used IGI 1343, an ounce for a little over a pound.

Oops you could be right, too much thinking for me

Yeah that recipe definately isnt a winner. Sorry this happened!!

I use from Florida Soap Supplies. If youre on the list you get an even better deal