Linda O’Sullivan (also known as Mimi and Boo) creates stunning cold process soap and bath fizzies in the UK. I first came across her soaps on Instagram, via the hashtag #SoapShare. I quickly found myself scrolling through her dreamy Instagram feed, feeling incredibly inspired. All of Linda’s creations are elegant and sophisticated. I love how each look so creamy and decadent! Read more about Linda, her creative process and photography tips in the interview below! -A.M.
Linda’s beautiful peppermint cold process soap.
How long have you been soaping for and how did you get started?
I came across a soap making book back in 2000 and decided to give it a go. So I made my first batch and I’ve basically never stopped. It was very much a hobby at first and I gave away my soaps to friends and family as gifts. When my son started school in 2009, I realized that I wanted to be at home for him. I wanted to be at the school gates, I wanted to be there when he did his homework… I worked in broadcasting at the time, with a long commute and some traveling to faraway places. So I gave up my job and set about starting my own business making and selling handmade soaps. It turned out to be the best decision for me and my family.
What sort of advice would you give to those soapers just starting their businesses?
Well, what works for me is that I love what I do. Even when I work long hours it never feels like work and that keeps me going. To those starting their businesses I would say: Believe in what you do and go for it. You will make mistakes along the way. We all do but we can learn from them. And try to find the balance between being artistic and being consistent. When you’re running a business it is important be able to recreate the exact same product time and time again. I have many repeat customers who keep coming back to buy the same soap. This means keeping meticulous notes all the time.
Left to right: Rose clay cold process soap, Vetiver cold process soap, turquoise and gold cold process soap
What is your favorite type of product to make?
I make bath bombs, bath salts, body butters, liquid soap but cold process soap is what I love best.
What inspires you to create?
It took me years to realise that I was creative. When I was at school I couldn’t draw or paint as well as my friends so I grew up assuming that I was not artistic. Soap making unlocked my creativity; it made me believe in my own ability. Everything around me inspires me. My husband says ‘Look at that beautiful sunset!’ and I see an ombre soap! I see soap in everything around me: in the colors of nature, in the walk by the sea, in a painting on the wall, in food… I think about soaps pretty much all the time and have been known to jump out of bed in the middle of the night to write down an idea that has just popped into my head.
Linda’s stunning Obsidian Cold Process Soap, made with charcoal.
How did you come up with the name for your business?
I use my own name as my business name. I thought long and hard but did not come up with a name I liked enough, a name that I felt comfortable with. In the end it felt natural to go with my own name. My Instagram name (mimi_and_boo) came about by accident. I noticed last year that my son was showing an interest in photography. So I set up an Instagram account so he could post some pictures. Mimi is my nickname for him and Boo is my husband’s nickname for me. Of course being a child, he soon moved on to other things so I started to post pictures of my soaps instead.
Your product photos are absolutely stunning! What advice do you have for taking great pictures?
Thank you, my photography is a work in progress! It is an evolving thing. I can’t afford a professional photographer so I had to become that photographer. I am very conscious that when you look at something on a screen you can’t pick it up, you can’t touch it and you can’t smell it – bad news for soapmakers. My advice would be: get as close as your lens will allow you, swap your flash for natural light, and steady those hands (I often lean my elbows on a pile of books!).
Top left to right: Rose Oudh Cold Process Soap, Triple Milk Cold Process Soap, lace cold process soap
What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?
I love, love, love your Sensuous Sandalwood Fragrance Oil. Oh how I wish you were in the UK!
Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself!
I don’t know if I am unusual but I am obsessed with details and I think that comes across in my soaps, my photos and my packaging. I am not happy until I get things just the way I want it and I will keep at it until I get there. Oh, and French is my first language, not English, but even I seldom remember that these days!
Ylang Ylang Cold Process Soap, scented with a blend of lavender, geranium and ylang ylang essential oils.
What are some of your other hobbies and interests?
I really enjoy baking. Sadly my waistline doesn’t. My family and I travel as often as we can. We love the excitement of being somewhere new, discovering a new culture, trying new food etc. And I’m pretty sure there’s a potter in me somewhere. One day I will take up pottery.
What is your number one soaping tip?
Be prepared! Plan the process in your head and lay out everything before you start. Always have a Plan B when working with a new fragrance oil.
Top left to right, clockwise: Toasted Coconut and Coffee Soap, Anise Orange & Lavender Cold Process Soap, a collection of over 180 cold process soap bars, textured lace cold process soap
Have you ever experienced a horrible soapy fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?
Oh yes, there have been plenty over the years! In my experience, soapy fails are often related to fragrances. The first time I got ‘soap on a stick’ I dumped the whole lot in the bin. Now I know that I could maybe have let it gel in the pot and then poured it. These days I tend to trust my instinct. I was working with a fragrance recently that, according to the supplier’s website, was not supposed to accelerate on me. I couldn’t find any reviews but I could detect a familiar floral note in it that made me proceed with caution.
I split my batter into different portions, adding the color I wanted to each portion. Then I stirred in a small portion of the scent into the first jug and poured it. I could see little lumps forming at the bottom of my jug so that gave me a good idea of how long I had before things went pear shaped. No time for fancy swirls. Sure enough, the whole lot was almost rock solid by the time I had finished pouring. It’s not the prettiest soap but I am pleased that it has no air pockets.
Linda’s beautiful cold process soap!
What do you love most about creating bath and body products?
I love the alchemy, the magic of transforming oils and raw ingredients into sumptuous, fragrant products. It makes me feel like a magician.
Find Linda O’Sullivan
On the Web
On Instagram
Cool post! I didn’t know that leaning on books could make such a big difference in product photography. I like how you suggested to”get as close as your lens will allow you, swap your flash for natural light, and steady those hands.”. I have never been good at photography, but it is good to know a few tips when it comes to improving my picture taking and the results after the picture has been taken.
So glad you like the post! Linda has some awesome photography tips for sure. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Really it’s good photography work cause this photographer is so talent that’s why it has done. I want to include one think that many eCommerce business man doing apply photo editing work such as remove background, photo retouching, shadow making which increase her sale. So you can try this for getting more sale. Thank you for your innovative work 🙂
Absolutely, Linda is such a talented photographer! I just love her work. Also, thanks for your great tips James. A clean, bright photo really helps showcase your products. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
This is the exact creamy look for my soaps that I am trying to get! PLEASE tell me how to achieve this. Thanks.
Aren’t Linda’s soaps gorgeous? She is definitely a talented soapmaker! I’m not sure of the exact recipe she uses, but you can contact her to see if she can offer some tips. 🙂
Contact form: http://www.lindaosullivan.co.uk/contact.php
There are also some ingredients to add to your soap to help make it nice and creamy. For instance, butters like avocado, coffee and shea give the soap a creamy look and feel. This Sahara Sunset Cold Process Soap uses avocado and coffee butter and feels amazing: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/sahara-sunset-cold-process-soap-tutorial/
Milk is another great way to add creaminess! This Goat Milk and Oatmeal Cold Process Soap feels nice and silky: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/goat-milk-oatmeal-cold-process-soap-tutorial/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Absolutely great looking soaps Linda, I’m inspired! I do have a question though: How do you get that crisp white without glycerin rivers or a muted cream color? I’m in awe!
Thank you for your kind words Angie, I am amazed at being an inspiration to others – long may it last! 🙂 I almost always discount my water and I believe that reduces the chance of glycerin rivers. I get the crisp white through a combination of using TD and light base oils. I hope this helps!
I love her soaps too Angie! Also, thanks so much for sharing your tips Linda. That’s great advice for preventing glycerin rivers. 🙂
You can read more tips in this blog post: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/river-runs-deep-explanation-glycerin-rivers/
And more about titanium dioxide here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/sunday-night-spotlight-titanium-dioxide/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
She makes beautiful soaps. I love seeing her pics on Instagram.
I agree Marleny! She is one of my favorite Instagram accounts 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much Marleny and see you on IG! 🙂
The only reason I want an Instagram account is to see more of her soaps! They are stunning.
I agree! I just love her work. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have been following Linda on Instagram for many months now, I am in awe at every one of her soaps because they are all stunning. Her technique is her own and you know when you see it that it is a mimi and boo soap, all just beautiful works of art. Loved reading the interview and now know that I have to stop calling Linda, “Mimi”☺️ and call her Boo instead. X
Hi Carolyn!
I agree, I am in awe of every soap she makes! I’m so glad you enjoyed this interview 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you Carolyn and right back at you missus: I recognise your soaps by their look alone! And I love the way your work reflects your bubbly personality 🙂
Linda, they are just gorgeous!! I’m feeling really inspired! 🙂
I’m curious how you get rid of ash on your soaps, they just look so good. I steam mine, but don’t really like how they come out. Thanks!
Hi Martina!
Steaming is how we recommend getting rid of soda ash, but maybe Linda has another technique she is willing to share. Increasing your soaping temperatures by 10 degrees may help as well 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you Martina, it’s an amazing feeling to imagine that I could inspire anyone! I’m with you, I don’t like the way my steamed tops look, so when I do occasionally get soda ash I just put up with it! I’ve observed that it’s more likely to happen when the soap cools down quickly. So although I tend to soap pretty cool, I cover my soap as soon as I’ve finished twiddling with the tops and that tends to work for me. I hope this helps you in some way!
First off, I’d like to say that I am very grateful to Anne-Marie & the Bramblerry team for bringing attention to my work – thank you so much. And thank you all for the comments, it’s a real pleasure to read them. I am currently away on a short trip and have restricted internet access, but I will reply to each and every one of you when I get home at the end of the week. Happy soaping all!
Hi Linda!
We are so happy to be able to spotlight your gorgeous products. Thanks so much for the wonderful interview! 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Beautiful Soaps and Pictures!
So glad you love them as much as we do Erin! 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you Erin!
Wow! Thank you for bringing this soaper to our attention. What gorgeous products and exquisite photography! I love, love, love her work. Can’t believe I haven’t come across her before.
I just now looked Ms. O’Sullivan up on Instagram and started following her. Is she also on Pinterest or Facebook? I looked on Pinterest but couldn’t find her.
Linda
Hi Linda!
Linda does amazing work! I’m so glad we were able to spotlight her :). I don’t believe she is on Pinterest or Facebook, but we can certainly ask!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi Linda! Thank you so much for your kind words. I enjoy using both Facebook and Pinterest and I am a member of several Facebook soap related groups. However when it came to posting my own work I felt that Instagram worked best for me – for now anyway! It’s just the one I feel most comfortable with. See you on Instagram and thank you for following me!
Your Instagram feed is amazing as your products are as well, but love looking at your photos!
I’m glad you enjoyed this interview Tosha! I could scroll through Linda’s Instagram feed forever!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much Tosha, I’m glad you enjoy them.
Wow! She has amazing photography skills! I wish I had better natural light in my soaping space and more room to set up a nice photo corner. She has it way more together than I do, and it was really fun to read. Thanks for the cool interview! Now I have a new soaper to add to my list of recommended soapers for those who e-mail me from the UK not realizing that the shipping is prohibitive (and the regs are different too).
I’m glad you enjoyed this interview Margaret! Sometimes to get good light, I take my soap outside…it’s the only way for me to get good lighting in my apartment :). My neighbors probably think I’m nuts! Haha.
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Margaret, thank you so much! Please don’t feel you need a special photo corner, you can get some great photos on a window sill for example . And I often take pictures of my soaps in the garden too! Good luck!
Absolutely gorgeous photos! So talented, I hope to get there soon with my photos
Isn’t Linda’s photography gorgeous? I love her technique!
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much Maria and good luck with your photos!
I’m so jelly of those soaps (and her talent).
Me too Erica! Glad you enjoyed this interview 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you for your kind words Erica!