DosGardenias23

What are some good sources for non-bleeding soap colorants for mp soaps? I've been doing some reading on Select Shades, but it looks like they bleed in mp. I've also been using some micas, but they bleed too. I'd love anyone's ideas!

Awesome MissMary, thanks for the links! I think the WSP shrink wraps will work for the tubs I use. I try those.

Crafty1, I haven't heard of Lavida - is that a brand of label?

I've always had great experiences with SKS. Quick shipping and excellent customer service too - I once emailed with some questions about a product I'd ordered, and received a detailed reply within an hour.

I've never tried the low sweat, but that sounds unlike anything I've ever experienced with SFIC - I really recommend giving it another shot, because alcohol's not even an ingredient in SFIC bases...

Thanks for the replies! They do overlap a little, which helps a little, but they still come up. I don't think cleaning the tubes with alcohol would fix it, because it comes up from where the label overlaps and sticks to itself (if that makes sense). Do you all know where to get the perforated shrink wrap for slim line tubes? The ones I have have the perforation lengthwise down the tube (I get them from MMS) but I'm not sure where to find ones with perforation around the lid... that might fix the problem.

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice because lip balm labels are driving me crazy! I use slim line tubes, and square labels from online labels. The edge of the label won't stay down unless I super glue it, but it's so tedious to glue each one and I always get super glue on my fingers. Any ideas for better labels or an easier way to make the labels stick? I really need a better solution!

She has an Etsy shop that's still up and running, and she's sometimes active in the forums there - you could try contacting her through her shop there with any pressing questions. Her shop address is www.blsoaps.etsy.com. I'm making my own lip balm now, as I'm out of her base and I sell a lot of lip balm - I planned to do my own at some point anyway, I guess now's as good a time as any. I sure hope everything's okay with her family.

I've never used a base for scrubs, but MMS has a glycerin scrub base... I've seen good reviews for it by other users on here - you could try using the advanced search to find reviews of it.

Another vote here for SFIC - I love it! Sometimes I add stuff (oils and clays) that decreases lather, and so to offset that I add a little shaving base too which helps.

Patchouli - icky to me, but so many customers love it.

I always get free 1 oz. samples from Peaks and Backwoods and LOL I swear Backwoods has probably not sent one sample that I didn't end up going back to buy more of! The latest was some chocolate/orange combo that was amazing...

OT = Oregon Trails - I like some of their oils so much that I've gone back in spite of the bad experiences, which is really unlike me. Their Rosemary Mint, Chai Tea, and Lime Sugar are to die for.

My very favorites for quality and customer service are Peaks and Backwoods. Another favorite for quality, but I've had two bad customer service experiences that always make me hesitate to order now, is OT - but I know many people have never had a bad experience with them, so maybe mine were anomalies. Their oils are really nice, they've just treated me twice like it was my fault when they made a mistake on my order, and refused to fix it.

Oh, no, they do have the white, you're right - I was just debating if it would be better for the lip balm than what I already have from them, and I think it would. Thanks for the info on the coconut oil!

Thanks for your reply Scented. So what's the difference between the FCO and the 76 degree? What characteristics do they have? The beeswax I already have is from Oils by Nature, it's the "white unrefined cera", but it smells really strongly of honey. I'm hoping to find one that has no odor - maybe the white bleached would be closer to what I need? LOL so many options...

Hi all, I'm ready to work on my own lip balm formulation, and I have some questions about ingredients... First is coconut oil - Oils by Nature has four options, and I don't know which is best. There's fractionated coconut oil, 76 degree, 76 degree organic, and 92 degree. Which of these is best for lip balm? Secondly is beeswax - I have a ton of beeswax I use for lotion bars, but it's yellow and smells of honey. For my lip balm I'd like something white and without any odor. Can anyone direct me to the best beeswax with these characteristics for lip balm? Thanks so much to anyone who can give me some feedback on these questions! Sarah

I order from them frequently and am always very happy with their service. They're one of the best suppliers I deal with, for their timeliness and the order is always correct.

Hi all, I don't post too often but I'm a regular lurker and I'm on the search for glass aftershave bottles. I found some that I like okay at Southern Soapers, but with shipping they come to over $2 each, and I'd just like to find some other options. I'm having a hard time finding other options, and would love any ideas you all have! Sarah

I use SFIC bases, and I buy them from Peaks - here's the link to the soap bases there: http://www.peakcandle.com/category/Melt-and-Pour-Soap-Bases.aspx The oatmeal base and goats milk base are my favorites, but I've tried and like them all. You can add all sorts of things to the base - I love to add clays (like Jadryga mentioned), and I also usually add a little castor and/or shea oil. Exfoliants are also fun to experiment with, like ground luffa and ground pumice. Just be careful with quantities of additives, because it can kill the lather.

I agree, I haven't ordered anything from Soapers Workshop that I haven't loved ... I've tried all the lotion bases, I use the shea & jojoba lip balm, and the lip balm flavor oils, they're all awesome! Sarah

The milk & honey is so original looking, I love it! They all look great... Sarah

I use this base too, and love it! Yes, if you want a thicker lotion than you got from the ratio you used, then try with less water. You could start with a really small quantity of water, and keep adding a little bit until it's the consistency you want. Sarah

Those are truly gorgeous! I also like the kraft labels - they look good, but don't distract from the soaps... Sarah

looking through those links, some are even smaller than 2 oz., so surely something along those lines would do it... Sarah