Royal Mail Parcel Size Change 28th October

Earlier this year Royal Mail introduced parcel size bands and price increases that negatively affected a great many businesses.

We have great news though - look what dropped through the letterbox this morning!

The cost of a parcel of these dimensions was more than double the amount shown just a day or two ago! Note that the £2.25 shown is a franked mail price for second class - this will be a little more if you send your mail via the post office. 

We wanted to ensure that you all have this information - for those of you who sell your products at a distance this is fabulous news in the run up to Christmas.  Looks like the competition from My Hermes and similar operators has had an impact on the Royal Mail. Yipee!

Here is the press release from Royal Mail - go check it out :)

How to make Solid Lotion Bars

Solid lotion bars are a complete necessity in this weather.  But what are they?  And how are they made?

Unlike commercial moisturisers and body butters, home made lotion bars need only contain a handful of natural ingredients.  Because of the long shelf life of the butters oils and waxes used in making them, and as they are formulated without water, they don't need additional preservatives.

If you suffer from dry or irritated skin, need to moisturise on the move (much easier to carry a lotion bar through airport control than a bottle of lotion!) or simply want to find a cheaper way to keep your skin in great condition, why not give them a try.

You don't need fancy moulds; if you already have PVC or Silicone soap, candle, bath bomb or chocolate moulds or even ice cube trays then you can use these.  Alternatively you can use paper souffle cases, or recycled plastic containers - just be sure that whatever you use can withstand a fairly high degree of heat.  If travelling with solid lotion you might want to use a Dip Pot.  These food grade pots are semi disposable containers that are also micro safe and have a hinged lid allowing you to make and store your bars in one container.

Of course you can get fancy with them especially if planning to give them as gifts.  Heart shaped soap moulds make a really pretty looking lotion bar.

Solid Lotion Bar Recipe

50g Beeswax or Vegetable wax such as Candelila
50g Sweet Almond or similar vegetable base oil
50g Shea Butter

Optional

1.5ml toiletry grade fragrance concentrate or essential oil of your choice
Suggestions; Lavender & Patchouli essential Oil, Clary Sage & Lavender EO, Coconut fragrance oil, Ylang Ylang EO (doubles up as a very very good massage bar for two!), Vanilla & Chocolate fragrance oil (though licking your arms after applying isn't wholly recommended)... experiment, we think you will enjoy!

Method

Using either a microwave or a pan, slowly melt your Beeswax until almost completely liquid. Remove from the heat and stir in the Shea and Sweet Almond.  If necessary return to the heat briefly but be sure to remove from the heat immediately that all the butters are liquid.  Doing this part of the process slowly and gently will preserve the qualities of the butters/oils.  Shea butter in particular does not like to be overheated and can react by separating and becoming grainy.

Cool for a few minutes before stirring in your chosen Essential or Fragrance Oil.

Once the mix has cooled* for a few minutes, pour into your moulds/containers and cool completely before use. You can pop the moulds in the fridge if you're feeling especially impatient.

*Allowing the mix to cool is especially important when using plastic moulds - you don't want to melt them!

Et Voila!  All done.

Vary the recipe by using different "butters" - Mango for instance.  If you want to include Cocoa Butter then we suggest that you reduce the Beeswax - perhaps use 25g of Beeswax with 25g of Cocoa Butter plus the other ingredients as above.  And if you find the recipe either too hard or too soft for your preference, then either reduce or increase the Beeswax.

Hot Tip! Want to add a touch of colour?  Try Jojoba Beads - teeny tiny spheres of Jojoba Wax that's had cosmetic colour added; suitable for use in scrubs these can also be added to your mix to add a touch of colour - only a few grams needed.

Functionally all of the ingredients work for your skin - other than fragrance of course, but that's a sensory necessity!  Beeswax will help provide a barrier to the elements whilst the Shea and Almond Oil will moisturise and soften.  You can include Essential Oils for therapeutic value as well as for their particular fragrance or simply make up a fragrance free version which can be used to tackle very dry skin and even eczema.  The choice is yours, we hope that you enjoy :)

Natural Cleaning Challenge!

Spring! And what am I thinking about?! Yep, how dirty are those windows, when was the last time the fridge was cleaned out, how do I get the limescale off the sink...

BUT...


There's a whole host of reason why you might want to "clean up" your cleaning.

Like me, I am sure you are concerned about your own personal environment.  Many of us make our own Bath & Body products simply to know exactly what is going onto our skin and into our baths.

It's seems natural then that I'm also concerned about the wider world, the impact that over packaging and use of plastics has on our planet.  Indeed that is also one of the reasons I got into making Bath products in the first place. 

In the mix is also a feeling of worry about transportation of goods from the source/manufacturer, to the distributor, from the distributor to the supermarket and from the supermarket to my home.  What IS the real cost of that bottle of oh so handy cleaning spray?

It seems to me that many every day cleaning products are more than a bit of an environmental no no on many levels when you also add harsh chemicals into the equation.

This is my personal list of reasons to change at least some of my own cleaning habits and products;

• Too much packaging
• Harsh unnecessary chemicals
• Cost in money
• Cost in terms of the environment

Don't get me wrong though - I am all for convenience and 100% behind a clean and safe kitchen, bathroom and home.  And what is more I don't want to spend a single second more on my cleaning chores than I have to.  Who would!?

So here's what I thought....

Would you join me?

Could we change our cleaning habits easily?

Among the hot topics I'd love to look at ...

• How to make an effective general purpose cleaning spray
• What removes limescale without seemingly nuking the entire house
• How do you keep carpets fresh with kids/animals around
• Can I live without bleach? (Oh dear, that says so much!)

Up for a challenge?  What do YOU want to change about your cleaning?

Let me know below and we will see what we can come up with :)

Luscious Lip Scrub - More Credit Crunch Beauty

There is no escaping the fact that it is still winter out there...

With this sort of weather comes, more often than not for me, dry chapped or (horrors!) peely lips.  Yes peely!  Is that a word?  In any case it's a description of just what happens without fail every winter to so many of us.

Time for a little TLC then.  This recipe will not break the bank and will ensure that you avoid the dreaded peel or if it's already got you - this will help fix it in no time.

Lip scrubs have become quite the thing and carry quite a price tag.  Thankfully there is no need to dig deep - this recipe is really simple and cheap to make leaving no excuse for peelitis!

To make your Luscious Lip Scrub

(For one batch of 6 x 50g Scrubs)

Note: divide the ingredients if you wish to make less, just ensure that you keep the ratios the same

You will need these ingredients;

25g Beeswax or Candelila Wax

100ml Sweet Almond Oil or other vegetable base oil

50g Shea Butter

3ml Vitamin E (optional)

Up to 6ml of Flavour Oil (optional)

175g Caster Sugar (Do not use granulated)

You will need these utensils/containers;

A heat proof bowl or jug

A mixing bowl sized container

Some spoons; tablespoon size will do

Kitchen paper for spills

Pipette to measure flavour if using

50ml/g pots to store the finished scrubs

Green Jojoba Beads

Melt your Beeswax first until *just* liquid - do this in a microwave or in a bowl over water

Add the Shea butter, stir and return to heat briefly until *just* liquid

Remove the butters from the heat and stir in the base oil - at this point if the mix solidifies, return to the heat briefly.

If using, add your Vitamin E (can extend shelf life and provides additional nourishment for lips) and your flavour.  We advise using a minimum amount of flavour - try just 3ml and see what you think.  In this recipe, that is for a product that you effectively wipe off, you might decide to omit the flavour.  It is pleasing to the nose though so the choice is yours :)

Stir thoroughly and then in a larger bowl add the liquid to your caster sugar.  The time taken to add your flavour/vit e will have allowed the mix to cool enough so as not to melt the sugar.  Stir until all the oils are combined with the sugar and then quickly transfer to your pots/jars.

You don't need to use expensive containers - why not store the main mix in a deli container and decant what you need into a smaller pot. Your mix will keep happily for up to 6 months this way. We suggest you use open and in use pots within 3 months. 

How To Use

(Don't use on badly damaged or bleeding lips)

Basically your scrub will help to exfoliate your lips and remove dead skin cells, preventing peeling. To use simply scoop a small spot onto your finger and massage into your lips in a circular motion. Wipe away any excess with a tissue.

The oils/wax/butters will leave a protective residue on your lips but it is good to follow a lip scrub with using a lip balm or butter for extra protection.

Hints & Tips

• If you'd like a splash of colour add Jojoba beads to the mix in the final stage (after the sugar/oils have been combined) - this will result in flecks of colour throughout your scrub. Jojoba beads are found in many high end cosmetic products and look really effective as well as providing additional exfoliation.
• This recipe will make a firm scrub that softens on contact with the skin. If you'd like a soft buttery scrub, reduce the Beeswax by up to 20%
• Do not allow water into the mix. Water harbours bacteria and may result in your finished product going mouldy
• Once in use, we suggest that you use your scrub within 3 months. If making just for yourself, either halve the recipe or store the main part of your mix in a deli container or similar, and just remove what you need for a couple of weeks at a time. The main part of your mix should then be perfectly fine for at least 6 months.

Enjoy!


PS we have a new dual product kit here to make both the Luscious Lip Scrub and Soothing Lip Balm

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 

Fabulous Sugar Scrubs - Beauty on a Budget

I think I've gone Sugar Scrub mad.

It's no longer possible for me to feel like I've had a bath or shower if I haven't

SCRUBBED

So when I came across this article by Anna Sassen, Editor at UK Handmade featuring recipes from Emma Heathcote-James, founder of the Little Soap Company, I had to share it with you



LIFESTYLE: Credit Crunch Proof Beauty Recipes: Face and Body Scrubs



Whats the big deal then? Well for me, the summer (yes it's here!) is a time when I really do fall out with my skin. I've sensitive skin with a tendency to (sometimes extreme) dryness and that presents an exfoliation issue - or at least it did in the dim and distant past when I used commercial products - that frequently ended in irritation and tears.

These days I understand that whilst I do indeed need to slough off rough bits, it's important to nourish your skin as you do so. (do this from the inside too. drink water. lots.)

So a Body Scrub is the perfect solution. Basically an exfoliator (more often than not plain and simple sugar) combined with a Base Oil (frequently Sweet Almond), a scrub will encourage away old tired and dead skin cells (sugar) whilst at the same time nourishing and moisturising (oil) the gorgeous glowing skin that's left.

The Cotswolds based Little Soap Company supply natural soaps and toiletries to retailers such as Waitrose, The National Trust and other independant retailers as well as having an online shop. You may also like to know that they run Cold Process Soap Making workshops too.

Enjoy!