edensong

I thiink there was a recent kokum butter coop here. It's a wonderful butter. You can read about it here: http://www.oilsbynature.com/products/kokum-butter-refined.htm

You might try mixing the unrefined shea butter with monoi. That's really nice!

OMG! That is way too funny!

Do you have any kokum butter? It's great in lip balms.

Here's an excellent tutorial, no matter what type of camera you have. http://www.theswitchboards.com/articles_professionalphotos.html

gerrie, A great basic lip balm formula from which to start is on MMS. 40% liquid oil 25% solid oil (soft butter) 20% beeswax 15% brittle oil (hard butter) A couple calculators that I really like to use are these two: http://soap.indiboi.com/m2p.php http://soap.indiboi.com/p2m.php

Eczema Salve 1 tsp each: hazelnut, jojoba, avocado, SAO 1 T each: emu and shea butter 2 T cocoa butter 1/4 tsp Vit E 1/4 - 1/2 tsp eos lavender, clary sage and bergamot beeswax, optional

I believe there's a great suppliers' list posted, probably in the B&B Discussion forum. Cradle Cap 1 oz calendula infused oil .1 oz Vit E 10 drops geranium eo 5 drops lavender eo Apply to scalp; let soak in for 30 minutes. Use a soft brush to massage scalp; shampoo and then apply a light layer after rinsing. Diaper Rash Ointment 2 oz calendula infused oil 1 oz beeswax 1 oz shea butter 1 oz avocado oil Vit E OR 1 oz emu oil 1 oz kpangnan butter 1 oz avocado or hempseed oil 1 oz beeswax Vit E Baby Oil 4 oz olive oil 3 drops lavender eo Baby Powder 1 cup cornstarch 1/4 cup chamomile powder 1/4 cup lavender powder OR 2 parts cornstarch 2 parts rice flour or arrowroot powder lavender eo Nipple Oil 10 ml SAO 1 drop rosehip seed oil Stretchmarks or Cracked Nipples cocoa butter apricot kernel oil calendula extract neroli, lavender, rosewood eos (fiddle with the %s on this one - maybe start with 50% cocoa, 40% AKO, 9 % calendula, 1% eos) OR Vit E SAO olive oil avocado oil wheat germ oil mandarin, palmarosa, lavender eos Make sure you're aware of the eos NOT to use during pregnancy or on babies. Here's a decent list with eos Look for those identified by "avoid during pregnancy". http://mypage.direct.ca/c/csamson/divination/essentialoils.html here are a couple links for more ideas: http://www.circlesoflight.com/aromatherapy/aroma13.shtml http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/articles/pregnancy/aroma1/index.php

Margie, Did you ever come up with anything that you really liked?

You might want to try infusing the beans in another oil that has a longer shelf life, Amber. SAO is a good oil, but others have a longer shelf life. Good luck!

Basic formula should be in thirds -- equal parts beeswax, butters and oils. suds, have you tried the all butter recipe? I'm wondering how hard it is.

Why would you think coconut oil is drying? Check this thread -- it's about lotion bars, but suds posts a couple formulas with soy and the ratios should work for lip balm. http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7122

I didn't participate in this particular Qosmedix coop, but I have some of those. I make a round label and put it on the bottom, but I've gotten samples in the same container from other soapers that put the round label on the lid.

I really like meadowfoam oil. Here's the blurb I've written about it for my site: When added to cosmetics and creams, meadowfoam oil re-moisturizes the skin in ways no other oil can. It's stable, non-greasy and rapidly absorbed and gives products a soft, smooth, silky feel whether it is on skin or hair. Research has recognized this oil for its outstanding oxidative stability. It is one of the most stable lipids known. Meadowfoam oil is so stable that it lends stability to other oils, thus it increases the life expectancy of lower life oils. It is often used as a binder, and it helps hold fragrances better in bath salts, soaps and massage oils. Meadowfoam oil is said to moisturize the skin and hair better than most oils, and it helps prevent moisture loss. In shampoos and hair care products, it helps add shine and moisture to the hair and scalp made dry and brittle by the harsh process of daily washing. In lipsticks and lip balms, it helps revitalize dry, cracked lips and keeps them moist longer. It provides good slip in massage oils and creams and is valued as a lubricant oil. In lipsticks and other makeup it provides adhesion so they stay on longer. It has a high tolerance for heat and is suitable for a wide range of applications.

The info in her 2nd email to you should have been included with her first email. It's called full disclosure. If you had known, perhaps you wouldn't have divulged your idea to her and just waited until you could afford to buy 50 lbs.

Robin, that's good to know about the treatment pumps. Do you think it would be the same problem with the oil cleansing combo of just castor and jojoba? They're much thicker than squalane.

For a really simple scrub, all you need is brown sugar and oil. You can add butter as well. If you're selling it, you'll need to add preservative.

Welcome, Amy! There are a lot of good suppliers that you'll find online, but you can start with oils from your local area, so you don't break the bank! Try reading at rainbowmeadows.com. There's a chart where you can select essential oils (EOs) and come up with proper ratios. When you decide to buy larger quantities, SoapersChoice.com is one good source for bulk oils. Check the sale forum too. Be prepared to spend lots of time and money on R&D . . . but you'll love it!

Do you ever wonder how safe these peels are? My MIL was a model when she was younger and she had several of these done by "professionals". Today her skin is very thick and quite wrinkled. She looks much older than she is.

He's adorable! And your lotion looks great!

Yes -- apricot kernel oil is the correct term. How'd it turn out, Ashleigh?

She'd really be better off using the shea you made for her, if she's wanting it for a deep treatment -- especially her feet! The healing properties of shea will work better than the soy, I believe.

Try sticking them in the refrigerator right away after they're poured. Quick cooling helps prevent graininess.

I think it's MMS that has the following info that I copied into my notes: 40% liquid oil 25% solid oil (soft butter) 15% brittle oil (hard butter) 20% beeswax In looking at your main ingredients -- they're all 25%, so make adjustments accordingly. .8 oz apricot oil (40%) .5 oz shea butter (25%) .3 oz cocoa butter (15%) .4 oz white beeswax pellets (20%) Just include the Vit E with the 40% and make the Vit E - 1%.

Margie, in your first post where you listed your supplier's ingredients - hydrogenated soybean oil, shea butter, coconut oil and vitamin E - is that the order on the container? If so, then you need to seriously up the soybean percentage. You could certainly try harder butters, but I bet you can figure out a formula close to your supplier's. 45% soybean 45% shea 9% coconut 1% Vit E I haven't a clue if the above would work, but it's worth a try.