Posts
Our new stock of soaps arrived last weekend... WHEE! So here's what we currently have in stock:
Charcoal Tea Tree, 100g (NEW!)
RM18
Just Lavender, 130g
RM20
Cocoa Butter, 130g
RM20
Tea Tree, Lemongrass and Lime, 130g
RM20
Goats Milk, Unscented, 100g
RM18
Goats Milk, Patchouli, 110g
RM18
Eucalyptus, 100g
RM18
Well, best wishes for the new year everyone. Hope you've had plenty of reasons to say you've done a great job as you look back on the year that has been. May you be blessed with so many opportunities to be truly joyous, that nothing will be able to shake your resolve to do whatever it is that you set out to achieve.
Hugs from us at Chamomile Labs. :)
Wednesday 31 December 2008
Monday 29 December 2008
Our Next Big Promise
Hi everyone,
Remember we told you that Chamomile Labs sets aside 10% of its net profits to give to charity as part of our ongoing business practice?
Well, here's what we want to do: raise RM1,000 by 20th march 2009 to donate to World Vision's Gifts of Hope programme. Take a few minutes to go through its really cool alternative gift catalogue. Amber and I specifically want to buy at least 1 baby goat, and 1 biogas unit to benefit the specific person or family in need.
I've drawn up our accounts and we've done the math - that's a LOT of sales to do before we can make this promise a reality! Right now after all the sales we've done so far, we have a grand total of RM53.39. Whether this is a large or small amount depends entirely on which side of the fence you're viewing the number from. To us, it's just something that needs more attention in order for it to GROW!
So here's where YOU come in. Please, if you are considering giving gifts this coming Chinese New Year or Valentine's, keep us in your thoughts. Our all natural, handmade soaps are made especially for those with sensitive skin in mind, which means that everyone benefits from their mild, nurturing properties, even babies! Watch out for new soap varieties and special seasonal gift packs in the next week or two - we are sure that they'll be a breath of fresh air from the usual hampers you'll find at stores.
Do tell your friends and family as well. We hope that if you love what we do and what we stand for, you'll pass the word round about us and what we want to achieve. Every little action will enable us to reach out and make a tangible difference in the life of people who truly are in need. It's a goal we set for ourselves, and we definitely want to keep our promises.
Thanks in advance from us at Chamomile Labs - The Kinder Soap Company. :)
*Note: World Vision does not endorse Chamomile Labs in any way. We just want to help.
Remember we told you that Chamomile Labs sets aside 10% of its net profits to give to charity as part of our ongoing business practice?
Well, here's what we want to do: raise RM1,000 by 20th march 2009 to donate to World Vision's Gifts of Hope programme. Take a few minutes to go through its really cool alternative gift catalogue. Amber and I specifically want to buy at least 1 baby goat, and 1 biogas unit to benefit the specific person or family in need.
I've drawn up our accounts and we've done the math - that's a LOT of sales to do before we can make this promise a reality! Right now after all the sales we've done so far, we have a grand total of RM53.39. Whether this is a large or small amount depends entirely on which side of the fence you're viewing the number from. To us, it's just something that needs more attention in order for it to GROW!
So here's where YOU come in. Please, if you are considering giving gifts this coming Chinese New Year or Valentine's, keep us in your thoughts. Our all natural, handmade soaps are made especially for those with sensitive skin in mind, which means that everyone benefits from their mild, nurturing properties, even babies! Watch out for new soap varieties and special seasonal gift packs in the next week or two - we are sure that they'll be a breath of fresh air from the usual hampers you'll find at stores.
Do tell your friends and family as well. We hope that if you love what we do and what we stand for, you'll pass the word round about us and what we want to achieve. Every little action will enable us to reach out and make a tangible difference in the life of people who truly are in need. It's a goal we set for ourselves, and we definitely want to keep our promises.
Thanks in advance from us at Chamomile Labs - The Kinder Soap Company. :)
*Note: World Vision does not endorse Chamomile Labs in any way. We just want to help.
Friday 26 December 2008
Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!
It's Christmas time!
My family received a lovely gift hamper from Mandarin Oriental, filled with chocolate truffles, gingerbread cookies, and a huge chocolate boot, among other things, but what really got me jumping was a bundle of fresh vanilla beans! The aroma was absolutely heavenly, and seeped through the multiple layers of clingfilm they'd been wrapped in. I have now sequestered them, and am already contemplating whether to grind them up to add to scrubs, or to infuse them for a lovely vanilla-scented oil.
Other than that I've received a grand total of two presents, which may seem somewhat measly, but now that I'm reflecting on how I've spent the last few days, I find it amusing that we Malaysians generally don't give or expect many gifts; we hold open houses instead.
I love attending open houses. Open houses in Malaysia, for those who aren't familiar with the concept, are often held during festive seasons; the hosting household provides food - usually buffet-style - and hospitality (and sometimes alcohol, for non-muslim households), and invitations are sent to friends and families.
We have open houses for just about every festive season - Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya, Christmas, and sometimes even New Year. Since open houses are generally voluntary, the hosts usually go all out to ensure that there is an abundance of excellent food and that all the guests are having a good time - always a good thing in my books.
That said, on a side note I've given my father one of our Just Lavender soaps, accompanied by a lovely wooden soap dish for Christmas. I even took the trouble to wrap it with a festive ice-blue sparkly ribbon, though it probably won't win any craft awards, given my retarded papercraft skills. Any beautiful papercraft items you see (envelopes, handmade cards, etc) by Chamomile Labs is a testament to Michelle's skill, not mine. I'm just the graphic designer.
To those who purchased our Christmas gift packs, thank you! We're unbelievably pleased that the number of gift packs sold far exceeded our expectations - Michelle's had to make some emergency trips to purchase more gift pack boxes, but it's all good!
We're planning some Chinese New Year gift baskets, so stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Cheers,
Amber
My family received a lovely gift hamper from Mandarin Oriental, filled with chocolate truffles, gingerbread cookies, and a huge chocolate boot, among other things, but what really got me jumping was a bundle of fresh vanilla beans! The aroma was absolutely heavenly, and seeped through the multiple layers of clingfilm they'd been wrapped in. I have now sequestered them, and am already contemplating whether to grind them up to add to scrubs, or to infuse them for a lovely vanilla-scented oil.
Other than that I've received a grand total of two presents, which may seem somewhat measly, but now that I'm reflecting on how I've spent the last few days, I find it amusing that we Malaysians generally don't give or expect many gifts; we hold open houses instead.
I love attending open houses. Open houses in Malaysia, for those who aren't familiar with the concept, are often held during festive seasons; the hosting household provides food - usually buffet-style - and hospitality (and sometimes alcohol, for non-muslim households), and invitations are sent to friends and families.
We have open houses for just about every festive season - Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya, Christmas, and sometimes even New Year. Since open houses are generally voluntary, the hosts usually go all out to ensure that there is an abundance of excellent food and that all the guests are having a good time - always a good thing in my books.
That said, on a side note I've given my father one of our Just Lavender soaps, accompanied by a lovely wooden soap dish for Christmas. I even took the trouble to wrap it with a festive ice-blue sparkly ribbon, though it probably won't win any craft awards, given my retarded papercraft skills. Any beautiful papercraft items you see (envelopes, handmade cards, etc) by Chamomile Labs is a testament to Michelle's skill, not mine. I'm just the graphic designer.
To those who purchased our Christmas gift packs, thank you! We're unbelievably pleased that the number of gift packs sold far exceeded our expectations - Michelle's had to make some emergency trips to purchase more gift pack boxes, but it's all good!
We're planning some Chinese New Year gift baskets, so stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Cheers,
Amber
Monday 22 December 2008
Soaps, Scones & Sundays
We converged at Michelle's place earlier today for some soap-labeling and gift-pack-prepping, and she made these absolutely heavenly scones. I'm not much of a fan of the creamy-rock consistency that local scone-makers seem to favor, and these were delectable and creamy, that perfect balance between fluffy and dense. Yum!
Anyhow, back to the point of this post... after we'd polished off all the scones and had put all our soap labels to good use, we did a quick stock take, and found that we've run low on a couple of things.
Now, first of all, it doesn't take a nuclear physicist to realize that this means we've sold a LOT of soaps. HURRAH!
Secondly, we have to order more from our patient, hardworking soapmaker, which means those of you who have been sitting on the fence and haven't ordered, will now have to wait if what you want is out of stock (Oops!).
Olive Wheatgerm Honey and Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Lime are out of stock at the moment. Just Lavender is extremely low, and orders are still coming in.
On the bright side, we've just had our Goat's Milk Patchouli soaps come in! For those who enjoy a bold, earthy and woodsy aroma, this is the soap for you.
Patchouli essential oil is also known to be excellent for soothing inflamed, irritated skin, aiding in the healing of wounds and sores, and promoting cell rejuvenation. In aromatherapy, it is grounding, and helps to relieve anxiety and depression.
Hope you had a great weekend!
Cheers,
Amber
Anyhow, back to the point of this post... after we'd polished off all the scones and had put all our soap labels to good use, we did a quick stock take, and found that we've run low on a couple of things.
Now, first of all, it doesn't take a nuclear physicist to realize that this means we've sold a LOT of soaps. HURRAH!
Secondly, we have to order more from our patient, hardworking soapmaker, which means those of you who have been sitting on the fence and haven't ordered, will now have to wait if what you want is out of stock (Oops!).
Olive Wheatgerm Honey and Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Lime are out of stock at the moment. Just Lavender is extremely low, and orders are still coming in.
On the bright side, we've just had our Goat's Milk Patchouli soaps come in! For those who enjoy a bold, earthy and woodsy aroma, this is the soap for you.
Patchouli essential oil is also known to be excellent for soothing inflamed, irritated skin, aiding in the healing of wounds and sores, and promoting cell rejuvenation. In aromatherapy, it is grounding, and helps to relieve anxiety and depression.
Hope you had a great weekend!
Cheers,
Amber
Sunday 14 December 2008
Updated Price List for December 2008
Hi everyone!
Hope you're all in good health and spirits as we approach the end of the year. Amber and I are thrilled at how wonderful our customers have been so far - you guys really believe in what we do and offer, and for that we will be forever grateful!
So here's what we have in stock at the moment:
Cocoa Butter 130g (RM20)
Eucalyptus 100g (RM18)
Olive, Wheatgerm, Honey 100g (RM18)
Lavender 130g (RM20)
Unscented Goats Milk 100g (RM18)
Our Christmas 6 packs are still available at RM110 per box, and the 12 packs at RM190 per box. All packs come with a handmade gift tag.
OK, it's back to work! Have a wonderful week ahead. :)
Love,
Michelle
Hope you're all in good health and spirits as we approach the end of the year. Amber and I are thrilled at how wonderful our customers have been so far - you guys really believe in what we do and offer, and for that we will be forever grateful!
So here's what we have in stock at the moment:
Cocoa Butter 130g (RM20)
Eucalyptus 100g (RM18)
Olive, Wheatgerm, Honey 100g (RM18)
Lavender 130g (RM20)
Unscented Goats Milk 100g (RM18)
Our Christmas 6 packs are still available at RM110 per box, and the 12 packs at RM190 per box. All packs come with a handmade gift tag.
OK, it's back to work! Have a wonderful week ahead. :)
Love,
Michelle
New soaps! Cocoa Butter, Eucalyptus, Olive Wheatgerm Honey
Our latest batch has arrived from our soapmaker, and they're absolutely fabulous!On an added note, the olive wheatgerm honey soap is amazing for those with dehydrated skin. My skin feels fabulously soft after! Michelle and I spent the whole day yesterday labeling our new stock.
We had a bit of help from Michelle's youngest, Andrea.
Cocoa Butter (Unscented)
Containing over 10% cocoa butter, this soap leaves a smooth and silky afterfeel to the skin that is just plain addictive! Gorgeously marbled with cocoa powder, this soap is a treat for the senses. Suitable for dry, mature and very sensitive skin.
Ingredients: Saponified oils of sunflower seed (helianthus annus), coconut (cocos nucifera), palm (elaeis guineensis), and castor bean (ricinus communis), cocoa (theobroma cacao) seed butter, cocoa
(theobroma cacao) powder.
Olive Wheatgerm Honey (Unscented)
Wheatgerm oil is rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant which is known to aid healing. This soap is slightly softer due to the high honey content, making it an extra nourishing bar. Honey and olive oil have humectant properties, and draw moisture from the air to soften and moisturize skin. A lovely amber color, this soap has a slight toasty scent from the honey.
Ingredients: Saponified oils of sunflower seed (helianthus annus), coconut (cocos nucifera), palm (elaeis guineensis), olive (olea europaea), and castor bean (ricinus communis), honey, wheatgerm flakes.
Eucalyptus
The eucalyptus essential oil used in this soap is pharmaceutical grade and triple-distilled with a high cineole content, which gives it natural anti-fungal and disinfectant properties. The invigorating scent of eucalyptus is great for relieving cold and allergy symptoms, and relaxes and refreshes, helping with muscle stiff ness. This soap has a lovely light green color from added chlorophyll.
Ingredients: Saponified oils of sunflower seed (helianthus annus), coconut (cocos nucifera), palm (elaeis guineensis), and castor bean (ricinus communis), chlorophyll, pure eucalyptus essential oil.
That was fast...
We're out of Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Lime soaps!
For the next batch, we'll be replacing this with Charcoal Tea Tree soap.
It's great for oily, blemished skin, and contains activated charcoal from coconut husks, and pure Australian tea tree essential oil. Activated charcoal pulls deep-seated toxins and pore cloggers from the skin, while pure tea tree essential oil is well-known for its anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-viral properties.
This bar has a striking black and white marbled appearance, and so far our guinea pigs (sorry, human testers) are loving it!
We'll get some pictures in soon.
Ingredients: Saponi ed oils of sun flower seed (helianthus annus), coconut (cocos nucifera), palm (elaeis guineensis), and castor bean (ricinus communis), activated charcoal (from coconut husks), Australian tea tree (melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil.
NOTE: Please be extremely careful when using tea tree oil around cats. Tea tree oil has many, many beneficial properties, but can be toxic to cats, as they can't metabolize the compounds in some essential oils. Humans have far, far better liver function than cats do. The amount of tea tree oil in our soaps will not cause any serious liver damage to cats if accidentally used once or twice, but long-term use of tea tree oil products on cats may build up and cause problems. NEVER use tea tree oil neat or even in dilutions above 1% on cats. For a more in-depth article on tea tree oil toxicity in cats, go here.
For the next batch, we'll be replacing this with Charcoal Tea Tree soap.
It's great for oily, blemished skin, and contains activated charcoal from coconut husks, and pure Australian tea tree essential oil. Activated charcoal pulls deep-seated toxins and pore cloggers from the skin, while pure tea tree essential oil is well-known for its anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-viral properties.
This bar has a striking black and white marbled appearance, and so far our guinea pigs (sorry, human testers) are loving it!
We'll get some pictures in soon.
Ingredients: Saponi ed oils of sun flower seed (helianthus annus), coconut (cocos nucifera), palm (elaeis guineensis), and castor bean (ricinus communis), activated charcoal (from coconut husks), Australian tea tree (melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil.
NOTE: Please be extremely careful when using tea tree oil around cats. Tea tree oil has many, many beneficial properties, but can be toxic to cats, as they can't metabolize the compounds in some essential oils. Humans have far, far better liver function than cats do. The amount of tea tree oil in our soaps will not cause any serious liver damage to cats if accidentally used once or twice, but long-term use of tea tree oil products on cats may build up and cause problems. NEVER use tea tree oil neat or even in dilutions above 1% on cats. For a more in-depth article on tea tree oil toxicity in cats, go here.
Thursday 11 December 2008
Christmas is Coming, and We've Got Pretty Packages
It's that time again.
No matter where I go, things are invariably draped in red and green, and there are fir trees with sparkly ornaments, and "Jingle Bells" on repeat.
I love Christmas. I love the warm, happy atmosphere Christmas generally generates. People smile more, and focus more on giving than receiving - always a good thing to me.
Michelle has whipped up some snazzy looking packaging for our Christmas soap sets, and I'm absolutely chuffed about them. They're really pretty, and going like hotcakes!
We've got 6-soap (RM110) and 12-soap (RM190) packages at the moment. Great for giving to friends and family, or even to yourself!
Michelle's also done up an order of custom 3-soap sets, complete with handmade gift tags, so if you've got something more customized in mind, we can do that too.
At the moment, we have Lavender, Fresh Goat's Milk (unscented), and Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Lime soaps in stock, and Cocoa Butter, Eucalyptus, and Olive Wheatgerm Honey (unscented) coming in this Friday.
We can also fit some Rhassoul Chocolate Milk Masque samples (RM5) or full tubes (3oz - RM30) into your box.
To check out Michelle's other handmade paper goodies, visit her Etsy page.
Cheers, everyone!
Love,
Amber
No matter where I go, things are invariably draped in red and green, and there are fir trees with sparkly ornaments, and "Jingle Bells" on repeat.
I love Christmas. I love the warm, happy atmosphere Christmas generally generates. People smile more, and focus more on giving than receiving - always a good thing to me.
Michelle has whipped up some snazzy looking packaging for our Christmas soap sets, and I'm absolutely chuffed about them. They're really pretty, and going like hotcakes!We've got 6-soap (RM110) and 12-soap (RM190) packages at the moment. Great for giving to friends and family, or even to yourself!
Michelle's also done up an order of custom 3-soap sets, complete with handmade gift tags, so if you've got something more customized in mind, we can do that too.
At the moment, we have Lavender, Fresh Goat's Milk (unscented), and Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Lime soaps in stock, and Cocoa Butter, Eucalyptus, and Olive Wheatgerm Honey (unscented) coming in this Friday.
We can also fit some Rhassoul Chocolate Milk Masque samples (RM5) or full tubes (3oz - RM30) into your box.To check out Michelle's other handmade paper goodies, visit her Etsy page.
Cheers, everyone!
Love,
Amber
Wednesday 10 December 2008
Price List for December 2008
Hi guys,
Gosh we totally overlooked putting up the prices for our soaps! So sorry about that. Here's a quick overview of what we're offering at the moment:
Currently Available:
Just Lavender 130g (RM20)
Fresh Goats Milk 100g (RM18) *
Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Lime 130g (RM20)
Christmas 6pc Gift Pack at RM110 (save up to RM10)
Christmas 12pc Gift Pack at RM190 (save up to RM50)
(These packs come wrapped and with a handmade gift tag)
Available from Friday 12th December 2008:
Cocoa Butter 130g (RM20) *
Eucalyptus 100g (RM18)
Olive Wheatgerm Honey 100g (RM18) *
Hope you're having a wonderful week so far!
* Unscented
Gosh we totally overlooked putting up the prices for our soaps! So sorry about that. Here's a quick overview of what we're offering at the moment:
Currently Available:Just Lavender 130g (RM20)
Fresh Goats Milk 100g (RM18) *
Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Lime 130g (RM20)
Christmas 6pc Gift Pack at RM110 (save up to RM10)
Christmas 12pc Gift Pack at RM190 (save up to RM50)
(These packs come wrapped and with a handmade gift tag)
Available from Friday 12th December 2008:
Cocoa Butter 130g (RM20) *
Eucalyptus 100g (RM18)
Olive Wheatgerm Honey 100g (RM18) *
Hope you're having a wonderful week so far!
* Unscented
Monday 8 December 2008
Freebie Giveaway
My husband has nice, loud, jazzy riffs layered onto a thumping baseline blaring from his speakers in our study - I LIKE! It's a nice counterpoint to the absolutely delicious and laid back rainy day outside.
A lot has been happening in the past week. But what I'm most excited about is that Amber has lovingly blended the first batch of our Rhassoul Chocolate Milk Masque - and we're looking for 5 lucky people to be reviewers! To get your FREE single use sample, just post your comment on this article, telling us why you think you deserve to try it out. :) We'll be receiving your posts up till 12pm on Friday December 13th, so don't dally!
If you're one of the 5 to be picked, we'll get in touch with you after the 13th to find out the best way to send you your sample.
I personally have tried it, and was pleasantly surprised at how silky and comforted my skin felt after I rinsed off the masque - I added a tablespoon of honey and 2 drops of tea tree oil (my skin is blemished). Of course, I'm probably biased! Which is why we'd love to hear what you think of the masque. Here's some information on the ingredients we used in the stuff.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Michelle
**********************************************************
RHASSOUL CHOCOLATE MILK MASQUE
Pamper your skin silly with our Rhassoul Chocolate Milk Masque! Formulated with rhassoul clay to detoxify problem skin, improve skin texture and clarity, reduce flakiness and balance surface oil, our masque is suitable for most skin types, and can be customized to further suit individual skin types.
With nourishing cocoa, nutrient-rich goat's milk, and a touch of skin-loving lavender, our masque also soothes, softens and moisturizes with a naturally sweet scent.
Directions
Mix one tablespoon of dry masque mix with an equal amount of water. Allow mixture to sit a few seconds before stirring to form a thick, yet easily spreadable paste. Spread evenly over face (and neck, if you like) in gentle circular motions, and leave for 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Notes
The masque will be a thick chocolate-y color. Be careful not to get it onto your clothes, although it will rinse off easily.
Customizing our masque
Oily skin - Add some fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to your mix.
Dehydrated skin - Mix with yogurt instead of water. You can also mash a little fresh avocado or banana to add to your mix.
Dry skin - Mix with yogurt and add a few drops of your favorite oil, like macadamia nut, olive, or rice bran.
Blemished skin - Mix with honey, a little apple cider vinegar and a drop or two of tea tree oil.
Other options - Freshly brewed green or herbal teas, fruit juices, fresh hydrosols.
Ingredients
Rhassoul clay
Mined from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, rhassoul clay has been used for hundreds of years as a natural beauty aid due to its extraordinary powers of absorption, which make it more effective than other clays for cleansing, detoxification, and general skin treatment. A higher percentage of silica, magnesium, potassium, and calcium combined with greater smectic qualities (its ability to swell with the addition of water) give rhassoul clay better results than many other clays in skin treatments. Clinical studies in the United States produced these findings:
Goat's milk is well-known for its intensive moisturizing, soothing, and skin-smoothing properties. It contains vitamins A, B6, B12, and E, as well as 3 times more beta-casein than cow's milk. Caseins absorb easily into the skin, allowing for quick hydration of dry skin. Triglycerides, capric, caprylic and caproic acid help to balance the skin's natural pH and provide natural exfoliation, while creating a protective barrier.
Cocoa powder
Cocoa is a natural anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant due to a polyphenol (flavonoid) called epicatechin, and contains calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, vitamins A1, B1, B2, C, D, E, phosphorous, and chromium, making it one of the most nourishing foods known to man. Our cocoa powder has a minimum cocoa butter content of 20% for excellent skin-softening.
Rice flour
A gentle exfoliator that's excellent for wrinkles, blemishes, and pigmentation.
Oat flour
Oats are well-known for their soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, as well as their ability to soften skin.
Lavender
One of nature's most versatile herbs, lavender is known for its signature calming and de-stressing scent. It also has a host of other traits that make it very useful in skincare. These include anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic and deodorizing qualities. In skincare it soothes and tones skin.
Glycerin
Glycerin has humectant properties, meaning it draws moisture to your skin from the air to soften and smoothe skin.
**********************************************************
Pamper your skin silly with our Rhassoul Chocolate Milk Masque! Formulated with rhassoul clay to detoxify problem skin, improve skin texture and clarity, reduce flakiness and balance surface oil, our masque is suitable for most skin types, and can be customized to further suit individual skin types.With nourishing cocoa, nutrient-rich goat's milk, and a touch of skin-loving lavender, our masque also soothes, softens and moisturizes with a naturally sweet scent.
Directions
Mix one tablespoon of dry masque mix with an equal amount of water. Allow mixture to sit a few seconds before stirring to form a thick, yet easily spreadable paste. Spread evenly over face (and neck, if you like) in gentle circular motions, and leave for 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Notes
The masque will be a thick chocolate-y color. Be careful not to get it onto your clothes, although it will rinse off easily.
Customizing our masque
Oily skin - Add some fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to your mix.
Dehydrated skin - Mix with yogurt instead of water. You can also mash a little fresh avocado or banana to add to your mix.
Dry skin - Mix with yogurt and add a few drops of your favorite oil, like macadamia nut, olive, or rice bran.
Blemished skin - Mix with honey, a little apple cider vinegar and a drop or two of tea tree oil.
Other options - Freshly brewed green or herbal teas, fruit juices, fresh hydrosols.
Ingredients
Rhassoul clay
Mined from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, rhassoul clay has been used for hundreds of years as a natural beauty aid due to its extraordinary powers of absorption, which make it more effective than other clays for cleansing, detoxification, and general skin treatment. A higher percentage of silica, magnesium, potassium, and calcium combined with greater smectic qualities (its ability to swell with the addition of water) give rhassoul clay better results than many other clays in skin treatments. Clinical studies in the United States produced these findings:
- Reduces dryness (79%)
- Reduces flakiness (41%)
- Improves skin clarity (68%)
- Improves skin elasticity / firmness (24%)
- Improves skin texture (106%)
- Removes surface oil and oil from inside and around comedons
- Removes dead skin layers, resulting in a general smoothing of the surface skin in addition to the oil removal characteristics
Goat's milk is well-known for its intensive moisturizing, soothing, and skin-smoothing properties. It contains vitamins A, B6, B12, and E, as well as 3 times more beta-casein than cow's milk. Caseins absorb easily into the skin, allowing for quick hydration of dry skin. Triglycerides, capric, caprylic and caproic acid help to balance the skin's natural pH and provide natural exfoliation, while creating a protective barrier.
Cocoa powder
Cocoa is a natural anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant due to a polyphenol (flavonoid) called epicatechin, and contains calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, vitamins A1, B1, B2, C, D, E, phosphorous, and chromium, making it one of the most nourishing foods known to man. Our cocoa powder has a minimum cocoa butter content of 20% for excellent skin-softening.
Rice flour
A gentle exfoliator that's excellent for wrinkles, blemishes, and pigmentation.
Oat flour
Oats are well-known for their soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, as well as their ability to soften skin.
Lavender
One of nature's most versatile herbs, lavender is known for its signature calming and de-stressing scent. It also has a host of other traits that make it very useful in skincare. These include anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic and deodorizing qualities. In skincare it soothes and tones skin.
Glycerin
Glycerin has humectant properties, meaning it draws moisture to your skin from the air to soften and smoothe skin.
******************************
Wednesday 3 December 2008
How to Care for your Beautiful Handmade Soap
So you've bought our soap.
Now, how do you get more bang for your buck?
It's simple, really.
Rule #1: A dry soap is a happy soap.
Keeping a soap bar as dry as possible in between baths or showers is a very good thing. It makes the soap last longer, and prevents it from turning into a pile of fragrant but slimy mush. Invest in a good soap dish that drains well, and you'll reap the benefits.
Rule #2: You can cut your soap.
Cutting small portions of your soap to use at a time allows you to keep the remainder of your soap dry, and lets it cure to a harder bar so it can last even longer! Use a good soap cutter (we'll have one up for offer soon enough), or a sharp kitchen knife.
A handy travel tip: You can cut your soaps into small chunks, or shave them into soap slivers for a single use in the bathroom. That way you won't have to give up your beloved soap, you don't have to pack up a mushy bar, or wait for it to dry! Even better, you can take your soap on airplanes.
Enjoy!
Now, how do you get more bang for your buck?
It's simple, really.
Rule #1: A dry soap is a happy soap.
Keeping a soap bar as dry as possible in between baths or showers is a very good thing. It makes the soap last longer, and prevents it from turning into a pile of fragrant but slimy mush. Invest in a good soap dish that drains well, and you'll reap the benefits.
Rule #2: You can cut your soap.
Cutting small portions of your soap to use at a time allows you to keep the remainder of your soap dry, and lets it cure to a harder bar so it can last even longer! Use a good soap cutter (we'll have one up for offer soon enough), or a sharp kitchen knife.
A handy travel tip: You can cut your soaps into small chunks, or shave them into soap slivers for a single use in the bathroom. That way you won't have to give up your beloved soap, you don't have to pack up a mushy bar, or wait for it to dry! Even better, you can take your soap on airplanes.
Enjoy!
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