lavender essential oil Archives - Page 2 of 2

Natural Potpourri Squares Tutorial

January 27, 2016 Filed Under: Home Crafts

Homemade potpourri is such an easy and fun project. I love having sachets for my clothing drawers. They make my clothes smell fresh and clean. Making your own potpourri also means that you can customize your blend with any fragrance or essential oil you prefer. I love the classic scent of lavender.

For these Potpourri Squares, I filled organza bags with a mixture of salts and botanicals scented with Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil. Then, I sewed the bags to create a cute square shape. This step is optional; you can always just pull the ties on the bags to seal them but I like the extra security sewing provides; no spills! This recipe makes about 6-10 bags, but it will vary based on how full the bags are and if you choose to seal them.

[Read more…]

Lavender and Rose Pink Salt Bars DIY

December 22, 2015 Filed Under: Cold Process Soap

2016 will be here soon, can you believe it? To say this year has flown by would be an understatement! If you’re a soapmaker you’re already thinking about cold process soap projects 4-6 weeks ahead. That timeline puts us right around Valentine’s Day, making this the ideal time to start making things inspired by love. These Lavender and Rose Pink Salt Bars are filled with ingredients that scream love: rose clay, Hungarian Lavender Essential Oil, pink sea salt and of course, a cute heart shaped mold.

If you’ve never heard of salt bars before, they are a very unique project. Interestingly, adding salt to cold process soap does not create a super scratchy bar. Instead, the salt creates a creamy and mild lather with very light exfoliation. The pink Himalayan salt used this recipe is well known for its stimulating and soothing properties. Of course the fact that it’s pink is a bonus as well. =) These bars are scented with luxurious Hungarian Lavender Essential Oil and colored with rose clay. These bars are perfect if you prefer natural cold process soap. If you’re looking for more salt bar recipes, check out the Pretty in Pink: Salty Cold Process Tutorial.

Adding salt to cold process soap inhibits lather. To combat this, a higher amount of coconut oil is used in this recipe than normal. Usually, I recommend using around 25-33% coconut oil in a recipe. To help boost the lather, I used 50% coconut oil. Some soapers go all the way up to 100% coconut oil when using salt in their soap. Don’t worry, they still feel great on the skin. In addition, salt bars are usually cut as soon as the soap is hard enough which can be as little as a few hours. The salt makes the soap harden up super quick! If you wait too long, the salt bars can be very crumbly once you cut into them. Because this project uses individual cavity molds, you don’t need to worry about cutting the bars.

[Read more…]

Buttermilk Bastille Baby Bar on Soap Queen TV

April 9, 2015 Filed Under: Cold Process Soap

In soap making, the term “bastille,” commonly refers to cold process soap made with at least 70% olive oil. Olive oil is extremely gentle, making it the perfect oil for delicate or sensitive skin. This Buttermilk Bastille Baby Bar is comprised of olive oil and a small amount of coconut oil for cleansing properties. This recipe also uses luxurious and moisturizing buttermilk. Carrot puree which is known for its antioxidant properties, is added at trace to give the soap a soft natural color. All these skin-loving and gentle ingredients make this bar great for babies and young children.

This skin-loving soap recipe was generously shared by Amanda from Lovin Soap (check out the original blog post here). Making soap with milk is an advanced soap technique. The key to milk soap is keeping the temperatures low by freezing the milk beforehand. Watch the video below to learn how, and check out the How to Add Lye to Milk for Cold Process Soap post. If you have never made cold process soap before, check out the Basics of Cold Process Soapmaking video series on Soap Queen TV; in particular, be sure to watch the video on lye safety.

What You’ll Need:
10″ Silicone Loaf Mold
27 oz. Olive Oil- Pomace
5 oz. Coconut Oil
8 oz. Buttermilk
2.5 oz. Carrot Puree
4.3 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
1.5 oz. Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

What are your favorite skin-loving additives for cold process soap?

Soothing Lavender Breast Balm

October 19, 2014 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Lotion

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. It is likely you may know somebody affected by breast cancer, or maybe you are a breast cancer survivor yourself. Fortunately, death rates from breast cancer have been declining since 1990. Early detection is key; be proactive and schedule an annual breast exam.
This soothing breast balm was created to raise awareness and help women going through breast cancer treatment. The recipe is inspired by Sharon’s Boob Balm for Radiation Burns. Using similar soothing ingredients such as olive oil, vitamin E oil and calendula extract and lavender essential oil, this balm is moisturizing and calming for any ouch or rough patch on skin. Apply this balm directly to affected area multiple times per day. If you are going through radiation, check out Sharon’s Boob Balm for Radiation Burns for an extra powerful version of the recipe below.
[Read more…]

Fresh Face Oil Free Lavender Lotion

August 21, 2014 Filed Under: Lotion

For oily skin, keeping the face hydrated can be difficult. While additional oil can lead to break outs, a lack of moisture can cause dry patches, tightness and flaking. This Fresh Face Oil-Free Lavender Lotion was created with oily skin types in mind. This lotion delivers light-weight hydration that leaves skin feeling refreshed without excess oil.

Made with conditioning BTMS-50, and oil-absorbing Tapioca Powder, this lotion keeps skin comfortable throughout the day. While it does contain a very small amount of oil via the Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil, you can omit the essential oil if you’d like. If your skin is dry, you may prefer the Lavender and Aloe Lotion Tutorial.

[Read more…]

Aromatherapy Shower Fizzies

August 6, 2014 Filed Under: Bath Fizzies

At the end of a long stressful day, nothing beats a steaming shower. The hot running water and soothing vapors create a great way to relax and unwind. If you’d like to improve your next shower, these Aromatherapy Shower Fizzies harness the power of aromatherapy to create a calming experience. Use the ‘Soothing Blend’ to unwind in the evenings and, the ‘Awakening Blend’ to perk up your mornings.

Simply toss the fizzy on the floor of the shower and let the aromatherapeutic vapors envelope you. The “Awakening Blend” below is the perfect way to get moving in the morning. The citrus essential oils are uplifting to the spirit and smell amazing too. Easy to make, these shower fizzies will make showering your favorite part of the day!

[Read more…]