Happy Easter! Kaolin Bath Bombs Recipe

This recipe uses a fabulous British product - Cornish Kaolin Clay - and makes a ROCK hard bath bomb. Perfect for novelty bath bombs such as the massive Easter Egg shell pictured here.  

Colourful & calorie free, this was made using a cracked effect chocolate egg mould (you can now buy one here) which we filled leaving a hollowed out centre.  Doing so enabled us to "fill" the egg with 60mm bath bomb eggs.  The two halves were then simply tied together with curling ribbon so that the inner contents could be seen.

Using the clay appears to speed up the drying time and in turn helped with moulding such a large form.

In combination with Witch Hazel, this is a fairly easy recipe to use for all situations and one that you could adapt to make any kind of bath bomb fizzer.  

INGREDIENTS:

600g Sodium Bicarbonate
300g Citric Acid
50g Corn Flour
75g Kaolin Light BP Grade Clay
10ml Coconut Fragrance (any of your choice)
Acid Red water soluble powder colour
Witch Hazel spritz to bind 

METHOD:

Combine all of the dry ingredients thoroughly in a plastic or glass bowl kept for the purpose.
Add the tip of a teaspoon of powder colour and mix well. The colour will not be apparent until you add moisture, so don't be tempted to add too much.
Add your fragrance whilst mixing constantly with (gloved) hands
Spritz 5 or 6 sprays at a time with Witch hazel, repeating 6 or 8 times or until the mix holds together when pressed in the palm of your hand. The correct consistency is the same as is needed when making successful sandcastles - damp but not over wet.
Press into the mould with fingers, spreading evenly and leaving a hollow in the middle of the mould.
Set aside to dry for 15 minutes before removing carefully and allowing to dry completely (1 hour)

You can of course use the mix in any mould and adapt the colour and fragrance to suit.

Enjoy!



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 :)

Chill Pill Bath Bombs Recipe

Cute Chill Pills!

How much do we LOVE this new mould?! 

So easy to use, this is a 2D tray style plastic mould that can be used for lots of crafting applications - soap, bath fizzers, mini melts etc. What's more, because it is produced with Food Grade plastic, it's also suitable for chocolate making*.

Our passion as you may have guessed is for all things fizzy.  With that in mind we thought we'd share with you our simple recipe for creating rock solid chill pills that you can package up to make excellent gifts.  

(Don't let us stop you from using this mould for your other crafts though! Let us know what you've used it for :) )

Of course, you can simply use your own favourite bath bomb making recipe for this mould if you prefer.

As these are small fizzers you don't really want to end up with crumbly fizzers therefore we've created a recipe using Witch Hazel as the primary binder and including Corn Flour for a smooth finish.  Witch Hazel will help create a strong solid fizzer.  All good when making and packaging gifts :)

This recipe is also what we'd term oil free.  Because of the size of these adorable fizzies, a lot of people will use them in a shower.  No slippy oils or butters here then please!

We've made ours in white. If you want to add either some colour though you can include a powder pigment/water colour or a liquid colour at the dry stage before binding with Witch Hazel. 

Note that if you use a liquid colour, it is likely that with this recipe you will end up with spotting due to the speed of drying going on. We like spots, but we know not everybody feels the same. 

This recipe will dry at this size in just minutes.  Once you've filled all 6 cavities you are safe to turn them out and go ahead and use the remaining mix to refill and repeat the process.  You could go on like that forever, so if you wish to make more or less Bath Fizzers simply reduce or increase the mix proportionately, keeping the ratios of one ingredient to another.

We suggest wiping the mould with kitchen paper before refilling to avoid the subsequent fizzers from sticking to any residue in the cavities.

To make around 12 Chill Pill Fizzers

Chill Pill Mini Mould

150g Sodium Bicarbonate

75g Citric Acid, Fine Grade

25g Corn Flour

Up to 5ml Fragrance Concentrate

Witch Hazel to bind

Gloves

Optional colour

Method

Sing "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, I must work quickly you know" whilst you place all of the dry ingredients in a plastic bowl (saved for B&B crafting) pop on your gloves and mix everything thoroughly with your hands.

Add your fragrance a couple of drops at a time and keep the mix moving with your free hand. 

Once you've added all of your fragrance, spritz the mix with Witch Hazel. Work steadily until the mix is holding together when squeezed in your hand.(Think sandcastle sand)

Take your mould and press mix into each of the cavities.  Compact the mix and level the base.

As soon as the cavities are all filled, you can turn the fizzers out carefully.  You might want to cover the mould with a plate or tray and use that to help turn out the fizzers without damage.  If necessary, apply firm but gentle pressure to the middle of the mould to release the fizzer.

Set your creations aside, wipe the mould with kitchen paper and repeat until all mix is used. (Keep singing!)

If wrapping the fizzers we suggest leaving them up to an hour to totally dry out and become safe to handle.

Enjoy!

Click here for our Keep Calm & Carry on Chill Pill making KIT

*As with all plastic moulds, do not overheat your ingredients or pour into the mould at high temperatures, whatever medium you are using. For soaps we recommend allowing the soap to cool for a few minutes before pouring but in the case of bath melts where you are using hot oils, it is necessary to exercise lots of caution - have the liquid oils as cool as is practical before you pour. You will find that oils & butters will still pour at quite low temperatures.

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 

Simple Scrubs

Our feet work hard and it's easy to forget to care for them.  Today's simple recipe is for a reviving Peppermint Foot Scrub that's so easy to make and a real treat to use, there's no reason you shouldn't pamper your feet daily.

Ingredients

50g Pumice Grains
50ml Wheatgerm Oil
50ml Grape Seed or Sweet Almond Oil
0.5 - 1ml Peppermint Essential Oil

Optional

Chromium Oxide Green Pigment (Hydrated) - fabulous colour for this particular scrub, a kind of blueish green that works well with the Peppermint theme.

Method

Use a separate bowl for this recipe; it should be one you're happy to keep for your beauty crafting only.

Combine all ingredients thoroughly - begin with the pumice and pigment if using and then add base oils and Essential Oil stirring for several minutes to combine.

Decant into suitable containers.  Deli pots or PET jars with lids for example.

This recipe will make around 3 x 50ml scrubs.

There's no preservative in this recipe; it's a tricky thing to preserve an oil rich product against water borne bacteria as a result many presevatives are ineffective in this respect.  Hence the making of small batches and using them fresh - a 50ml pot will be used in a couple of weeks in this house. 

Avoid introducing water to the pot and your product will be fine. Similarly if you're not using the product it will keep for many months undisturbed.  When using, don't sit in the bath and put a wet hand into the pot to scoop some out - try a spoon or spatula instead.

A great gift idea with some small Peppermint Bath Fizzers as well?

Smelly Days!

Saturdays are made for crafting!  Another workshop day took place yesterday, what fun!  Thank goodness for workshops - they give me the opportunity to actually make bath bombs.  Ironically these days I often lack the time to "just" make things.  When I do it's often in the name of trying out something new.  Yesterday was no different really...

Our little group managed to sneak a test of some of the new fragrances that have arrived here.  Before listing them for sale we like to see how they behave; no two fragrances are the same as you all know though of course they are all formulated for the job (IFRA approved, EU cosmetic/toiletry safe etc). Despite this we still believe in running them through their paces so that we can answer recipe specific questions when they arise. 

So a whole host of hearts & flowers bath bombs were created in some new and exciting fragrances.. from Fresh Mown Grass to Creme Brulee, the smells were delicious and the results? Gorgeous!  Looking forward to sharing the new fragrances with you all and to many more hands on workshops where we run over time and make far more than we planned!