blondiee

Thanx for the update. On a tip from this very Board, I called and ordered some of the elusive 3" shrink tube last Tuesday...it arrived on Thursday! I was most impressed with both the pricing and the service!

That's where I got my Allantoin from and what little info. I have about it. I've read some other sites' info. about it, too, which pretty much say the same thing. My problem remains...how do you add it to a non-emulsified, non aqueous(sp?) recipe (i.e., lip balm)? I'm thinking maybe I tried to mix it in too hot and need to let it cool off a bit - but then there's the problem with pouring into those little lip balm tubes when it cools off too much. I knew I was going to have trouble with this but figured there was only one way to find out. Okay two ways....just try it and ask you guys what you think

I got it from Camden Gray. I was thinking of making my own if I like it. I've seen Allantoin listed in the ingredients of some of the Big Boys' balms, but if I recall correctly, they also list some emulsifiers, etc. which is getting too complicated for me!

Has anyone had any luck with this? I just made a small batch of coffee butter balm and it seemed to mix in fine. Then I made a small batch of Carmex-like balm, and it just stuck to the bottom of the bowl. I knew I was going to have trouble when all I can find is how to incorporate it into the water phase or after the emulsification. Neither apply to lip balm! I just got some comfry-infused oil and I think I'll try that next time.

They are about an hour+ away from me and I drove out there once. They are super nice people. I tried a few of their FO's and was very pleased. I am using a wax that they don't carry, so I haven't made the trip back. I wish they were just a little bit closer to me...but then again, maybe I don't.

Michi, Since I discovered this, I don't know how I lived without it! There are a couple of different calculators here but I think this is the one you need: http://recipes.herbalsoapsbyrj.com/calculators/recipe-to-formula.php

I'll chime my 2 cents in...I found some nice stuff at www.paperdirect.com. They have matching business cards, letterhead, postcards, etc., too.

IPM is Isopropyl Myristate. I got mine from Snowdrift Farm but I think MMS has it, too. It is one of the three ingredients in the Perfumer's Alcohol, which is what lead me to try it. That was purely a shot in the dark on my part...no one has ever suggested it. I honestly think that one is doing better than the PA one. Let us know if you try the Hexylne glycol or whatever it is.

I am experimenting. I have one in my bedroom that is 50/50 Perfumer's Alcohol/FO that at times is doing pretty good. Other times I don't seem to smell it much. I have another one in my bathroom that is 50/50 IPM/FO and it actually seems to be doing a little better. I also stumbled upon this info on a supplier's website: Heyxlene Glycol is combined with fragrance oil when making reed diffusers. Hexylene glycol will not only lower the cost, since it's less expensive than most fragrance oils, but also dilute the fragrance oil without detracting from the strength of the scent throw (in fact, the manufacturer says it enhances throw with most FO's!). SUGGESTED USAGE RATIO: The manufacturer suggests a ratio of roughly 1 part FO to 2 parts hexylene glycol. We suggest you experiment with your own FO's, starting with equal parts FO and hexylene glycol, and evaluating the scent throw. *** As seen and demonstrated at the 2005 Chicago-Area Soap and Candlemakers' Conference! *** I found this at www.oakcourtcreations.com but I have no idea personally if it works.

Now this could just be me, but I poured this one a couple of weeks ago in IGI6006 and I could hardly stand the smell of it. It's very strong, yes, but not in a good way, IMHO.

I just received "Ivory Soap" from Taylored Concepts...and I think it is quite "soapy." Guess I shouldn't be surprised by that now should I?! Lisa

This may be OT but does anyone use and/or have any recommendations on mineral make-up brands? Or maybe just what kind of ingredients I should look out for... I can't really tell what might separate a "good" one from a "bad" one. Lisa

I've ordered from CandleChem a few times and was very pleased. I must admit, however, I'm relieved to see this thread and that others rate it so high. I've never head it mentioned before and thought maybe I had just gotten lucky before!!

I've noticed that on other sites, too, but I'm pretty sure that is strictly a pillar wax and not a "container" wax. I use 6006 but didn't think it would be clear enough. Someone told me they use J50 for both the "chuncks" and the overpour and they turn out fine. I have some of that, too, so I'm just not sure which one to try. I just got a sample slab of IGI mottling wax (1288B, I think) and was wondering how "transluscent" that one might be. Maybe I'll have to try all three!

Oops, I forgot....it is reddish in color, not real bright but not pink.

I have been playing around with this myself. I used to tend bar and a Cosmo is made with Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Lime Juice and a splash of Triple Sec. Triple Sec has an orangy flavor to it, so I'd add just a little bit of orange to your Cranberry & Lime. I tried this a couple of months ago, but I didn't take very good notes so I'm not exactly sure of how much of each I used . If I had to guess, I'd say 2:1 Cranberry to Lime and then just a little bit of orange. HTH

"IMHO Paraffins are the best at doing these." I've been investigating this for a few days. I'd like to do chunk containers (not pillars) and am trying to figure out which wax(es) would be good, especially for the overpour. Translucency seems to be a bit tricky with a container wax. Any suggestions?

I love this thread...word of mouth is the best advertising for anybody! I sure wish I had this kind of info. before I started spending (and wasting) $$ at various suppliers. I haven't tried Peak yet but I will be. My top three are Bittercreek North Nature's Garden Just Scent (a newly discovered pleasure) All have excellent customer service, too!

I live about 15 miles north of Lake Forest. It is a very upscale suburb and the residents have been known to be rather snooty. :rolleyes2 That having been said, I think I'd play it safe and go with a Vanilla-based (maybe Spiced Vanilla or Vanilla Pear). Cucumber Melon also seems to remain popular and is kinda neutral (i.e. most people don't not like it to some degree). Depending on when this event is taking place, you could also go with something "Fallish" ( Spiced Cranberry?). Apple Cinnamon is always good...especially if it is more towards Xmas. These are obviously just my opinions, but HTH!