Beautiful Bath Melts - More Credit Crunch Beauty

Beautiful Bath Melts

So pretty and so straightforward to make - yes really!  

Melts are an absolute delight for those of us who suffer from dry skin; the butters melt in the bath but will leave a film of skin loving goodness on the bather - just pat dry after bathing and you'll find that you don't need to moisturise.

If you're planning a wedding, these make gorgeous favours.  A single melt can be tied into a small cellophane bag and finished with a piece of curling ribbon. They look fabulous and don't cost the earth.

To make them successfully, you want a mixture that sets up well in the little cases or moulds but that will gently melt into warm running water.

Here is a recipe that will achieve exactly that.  This one makes around 20-25 petit four size melts.  If you want to make more or less simply multiply the amounts up equally.

INGREDIENTS 

Cocoa Butter 100g

Shea Butter      50g

50ml Base oil - vegetable such as Sweet Almond, Grape Seed or even a richer oil such as Wheat Germ/Calendula/Evening Primrose etc

Optional: 2 - 4ml Fragrance or Essential Oil Concentrate

(Use the lower amount where possible; for goods for resale this recipe could be classed as a leave on product due to the fact that the rich butters and oils will adhere to the skin even after bathing.  Pay particular attention to the nature of any Essential Oils you may wish to use.)

25 petit four size paper cases

or

10-15 small paper souffle cases

or 

Small cavity size moulds of your choice

Rose Buds, other dried (plain) flowers/seeds, cosmetic glitters

A teaspoon of Jojoba Beads - coloured - a simple way to add a hint of colour to your melts

METHOD

Cocoa Butter will take the most amount of time to melt.  Break it into small chunks if possible and microwave on half heat for 20-30 seconds at a time, taking care not to overheat.

When the Cocoa Butter is "just" melted, add the Shea Butter. Stir, and return to the microwave for just enough time to melt the Shea.  

Add the Base Oil (and Jojoba Beads if using) and stir, add (optional) fragrance or essentials, stir thoroughly 

If the mix is setting up, return very briefly to the microwave

Pour into your cases/moulds.

EXTRAS

If you want to add a standing rose bud as seen in our pictures, pop your poured melts in the fridge until slightly cloudy but not completely set.  Remove and holding the bud by the flower insert the stalk into the partially hardened melt.  If the melt is at the right stage, this will result in the bud standing up.

Follow the advice above to sprinkle with glitter as this is best done before the melt has completely set but not too soon otherwise they will sink to the bottom.

Bear in mind that whatever is on or in the melts will end up firmly planted on your skin.  A single Rose Bud can be captured... a mountain of glitter cannot :D (ah but for me that's the best bit - getting out the bath all of a twinkle!)

Enjoy! 

PS We supply a kit to make Melts that you can find here