Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have been experiencing a heat wave with temperatures in the high 80’s. While it’s not officially summer yet, it certainly feels like it. It has inspired me to create projects with bright colors, fruity scents and skin-soothing properties. If you’re looking for some summer DIY inspiration, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite projects below.
Now is the ideal time to create cold process soap for July and August. If you’re looking for some fruity options, the Juicy Watermelon Soap Tutorial shows you how to create soap that looks and smells just like watermelon. The Lime in the Coconut Milk Cold Process combines Lime Essential Oil with Coconut Lemongrass Fragrance Oil to create a tropical scent. It’s also made with coconut milk powder to give the skin extra moisture. Love pineapple? The Perfect Pineapple Soap Tutorial shows you how to create soap with a realistic fruit texture.
Left to right, clockwise: Juicy Watermelon Soap Tutorial, Lime in the Coconut Milk Cold Process, Perfect Pineapple Soap Tutorial
If you prefer floral scents, the Sunflower Cold Process Soap Tutorial creates sunny and cheery bars. The Clover and Aloe Spin Swirl Cold Process Tutorial shows you how to create soap with the spin swirl technique. It’s created with Clover and Aloe Fragrance Oil, which features notes of green tea, lily, mint and citrus.
The Sunflower Cold Process Soap Tutorial shows you how to make these adorable bars.
Can’t make it to the beach? The Mermaid Shell Melt & Pour Soap will have you feeling like an mermaid with every shower. The Shimmering Sea Salt Scrub is made with coconut oil, shea butter and fine grained Dead Sea salt. It’s great for prepping legs for shaving. Just make sure to use it before shaving, because salt can sting a little on newly shaved skin. Last but certainly not least is the Mermaid Tail Cold Process Soap, which is created by squeezing small dots of soap and smoothing them out with a spoon.
Top left, clockwise: Shimmering Sea Salt Scrub, Mermaid Shell Melt & Pour Soap, Mermaid Tail Cold Process Soap
Speaking of mermaids, this Mermaid Ombre Soap Tutorial on the Handmade Beauty Blog is full of sparkle. It’s scented with Relaxing Fragrance Oil, which features notes of lavender, jasmine and vanilla. To prevent the fragrance from discoloring the gorgeous aqua hue, the soap is made with Stephenson Vanilla Stable Melt and Pour Base.
Learn how to create these Mermaid Ombre Soaps on the Handmade Beauty Blog.
If you don’t have a summer glow yet, fake it with homemade bronzer. The Bronzing Lotion Recipe is easy to make and customize to your skin tone. If you prefer a powder, making your own powder bronzer is easier than you think; click here to see the tutorial. The Beautiful Bronze Lip Tint Tutorial shows you how to add a golden shade to your lips.
Far left, clockwise: Bronzing Lotion Recipe, Beautiful Bronze Lip Tint Tutorial, Powder Bronzer DIY
I love to get inspiration from the #SoapShare hashtag on Instagram. The soaping community is creative and talented! Check out some of my favorite summer projects via Instagram below. Keep tagging your photos with #SoapShare, I love to see what you’re making!
Top row, left to right: gracesoaplay, fbbasoaps
Bottom row, left to right: smallbatchsoaps, tk.coselfcare
Top row, left to right: yellowcottagesoapery, melangejoliellc
Bottom row, left to right: yauvana_house, wildpoppysoapco
What type of projects are you making this summer? I have been working on some facial sprays to hydrate skin on the go. Look out for those soon!
I have had alot of fun making waves!!! I think they are really fun for summer. If I had a decent way to video me making them to share I would love to share how I do it. Those all look awesome!!! I really want to learn how to make a solid body butter. That’s not greasy. I like the whipped one just want a firmer recipe if you know of one let me know. I am thinking lightweight oils and butter with some wax.
I am also looking for solid body butter/lotion bars that are not sticky. Soap Queen has a recipe that I am going to try when my supplies arrive. Hoping she has it mastered and it remains non sticky in 100% humidity in Fl.
Your soaps are wonderful
Hi Kristie!
Tapioca powder is super helpful when it comes to making body butters! It helps absorb some of that greasy feeling on the skin. We like to add about 5 teaspoons per 16 ounces of body butter. I would recommend adding the tapioca powder and testing some on your skin. Then, you can add more from there if you like. I’ll include some butter recipes with tapioca below!
Tapioca powder: https://www.brambleberry.com/Tapioca-Powder-P3803.aspx
Whipped Avocado Body Butter: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-make-whipped-body-butter-on-soap-queen-tv/
Whipped Amber Bronzing Butter: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/whipped-amber-bronzing-butter/
As for lotion bars, I do find them to be smooth and not sticky! Because they have wax in there, they are a bit more firm on the skin and leave a silky/buttery feeling behind. 🙂
Argan and Sandalwood Vanilla Lotion Bar: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/argan-sandwood-lotion-bar/
Lotion Bar Love: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/lotion-bar-love/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry