Possible video idea. You buy an Amazon kit and then try and build your own version for the same amount. Might be fun to see the value or where you would prioritize spending
I was pleasantly surprised with both of these kits. The cheap one gave you almost everything you needed which is rare with the cheap ones plus the final product looked great and it had enough for you to make quite a bit of soap. The expensive one gave three REALLY nice molds, I love how the flower ones came out, plus it also contained a huge amount of soap. I'm honestly surprised the most expensive soap kit was only $80 I figured there would be ones for well over 100.
I actually got the more expensive kit for Christmas last year. While I did like it and think it's a great intro to soap making, I did have a few gripes that Katie didn't mention: The instructions don't tell you how many soaps you can make it - zero indication is given whatsoever, which I found frustrating when I was trying to determine how much to heat up/melt for the different molds. The purple rectangle flower molds also have some writing that embed into the harden soap that say "To You Health" when it should probably say "To Your Health". Also, doesn't include alchol to spray the soaps to remove bubbles, but I don't fault it for that. They may have made upgrades to the kit since I received it last year (the box it came in has an upated design) but overall it looks pretty identical to what I received last year. Just wanted to leave behind these additional thoughts in case anyone was considering purchasing it.
I actually check Amazon more recently, apparently enough people complained that they removed the words from the floral molds in their more recent kits. That may be why she doesn’t mention it, they’ve fixed it. It doesn’t look like there were words in the purple molds
Oh gosh I am completely in love with those flower moulds! Would be great to see what you could create with them using cold process and your higher-end colours/scents/additives.
Did the vanilla discolor the purple soaps? As someone who is allergic to all fragrance, I'm happy to see a kit for kids without it. I wish they had that when I was a kid.
Katie picks up the fragrances and I instantly wonder if they have a vanilla scent. Katie says there's a vanilla scent and my first thought is "I wonder if it will discolor the soap". All in all, I think you've taught us well Katie xD (also is there an update on the discoloration?)
Royalty Soaps kid-friendly melt-and-pour kit WHEN? I feel like your instructions would be SO CLEAR and make it so the kid would get a great result with a maximum amount of their own twist on the craft and a minimum amount of "this isn't working right.." or "Oh no it broke when I took it out of the mold". Idk how you would go about doing something like that, but you would make an excellent one if you decided to! I was very pleasantly surprised with both of these kits! Tbh I want those flower molds, and I was so psyched when you highlighted the flowers the way my brain wanted!
I checked to see if the molds came separately. They don't. At least not on Amazon. But even if the kit isn't the cheapest way, it's worth it to have all the moving parts at the same time. I might get it when I have some pocket money.
The are available on Amazon, the each come in a pack of 2 with another mold, I found them on my Amazon (German). But in the pictures there are American instructions and measurements so I'm sure you can find dem. my comments with the links got deleted, sorry
I loved this comparison! Thanks so much for doing both. Not knowing much about melt-and-pour and having nieces who love this channel, this is a great birthday idea (they're both born on Feb 26 and I'm always looking for something fun for them to try. And no they aren't twins, just on the same day 3 years apart. It's made for some interesting birthdays)
3:56 fun fact: the first time i tried to make soaps from a kit, my friend and i accidentally doused the flame on her grandmother's gas stove because the instructions neglected to tell us that we had to melt the soap chunks in a separate bowl on TOP of the boiling water. we were definitely old enough to figure out that part by ourselves, but alas. it was the early 2000s, and we hadn't actually seen anyone make soap from a kit before.
First time a friend and I melted down old wax to make new candles (before the internet was a thing for soap making how-to) we managed to shatter the glass w/the heat and spill the wax all over her mother's brand new electric stove top!
Thank you for the melt and pour tips! I like to make soap for fun a few times a year and have thought about using dried flowers sometime. Now I know not to! I would have been so disappointed to waste the materials.
oh having those details stand out against the background is so pretty!! maybe for the very little ones doing just a dollop and then spreading it with a stick would get the really satisfying tiny details without filling the background too
For some reason this video reminded me that I had a melt and pour soap kit as a kid and it had a frog mold and for whatever reason I was really into making frog shaped soap. It was so random and so funny to remember!
I'm actually super impressed with that Amazon kit. I didn't expect there to be that much stuff in that box. But even the cheap one is pretty impressive. Usually kids kits kinda suck lol
PS: Thank you Katie for inspiring me to step out of the box. I use to be nervous trying new FO’s and bolder colorants,etc. and now I can’t wait for new products, ingredients, and techniques to try! Merry Christmas to you and you whole family!❤🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️
My cat was very interested in this video. Idk why, I guess she's been on Amazon looking for soap kits or something. But she was hooked, despite usually paying no mind to any TH-cam videos that don't prominently feature birds or squirrels.
I love it when you do the comparisons like this. I am very surprised that the cheap box had so much good stuff in it. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family
They probably don't add it bc if they did it won't ship to po boxes. That's why it was hard for me to soap in the boonys lol couldn't order lye or alcohol and a few other things
Thank you for covering botanicals in melt and pour - I see new soapmakers do it all the time and it gives me the heebies. Maybe they'll learn from you.
I agree with you on the larger kit particularly! Yes you could definitely find anywhere from 5 or 10 pounds of melting pour base with a few colorants and some fragrances and even a cutter for less than $80. You can probably find that for less than 40 depending on the tides that you buy. On average when I do take the time to get stuff like this I spent about $45.
it's been so long since i've watched your videos (i go in phases. lol) now i'm gonna knit and watch all yours...and ponder if i wanna try soap making lol!
I actually like the cutter, as I can get my soaps cut straight. My cutter is lacquered wood. I also bought mine with 2 loaf molds on Amazon for cheaper than I found anywhere else. Perhaps I got lucky. I do purchase my melt and pour and other supplies elsewhere. Unfortunately, I am too scared to do cold press. I have a narrow airway and do not have a well ventilated place in my apartment to mix it.
When using the batch cutter box, slide the cutter angled backwards so it slides down the back of the cut it is in. I recommend it be sanded so it won't snag on splinters.
I'm guessing its easier for companies not to include rubbing alcohol due to safety issues around transporting and storingand who might access the alcohol
When I got the more expensive kit a couple years ago I got way less soap base and more contained to melt the soap base in I love Decorating the melt and pour soap it is so easy and fun
I love your videos. I seriously watch them every week and you inspired me to make soap. I've gotten pretty good at it and built a website, started a business and am slowly spreading my name around KC. I tell everyone about your royal academy too and that you taught me how to do it. I wanted to take this chance to comment because I'm always watching your videos on my TV ... where I can't actually comment. I've never been able to comment lol. Anyway, thanks for being awesome. This video was fun, I like when you try different craft kits. I make note of the good ones. I have been mildly interested in jelly soaps so it was funny to see the ones you made. I don't think I would actually like using jelly soaps but my nieces and nephews I think would LOVE them. I hope you try another video so I can see how they work.
Thank you so much for creating this video! It has inspired me to get the rainbow kit to try with my daughter. I also got fragrances. :) Your instructions are always super clear and helpful. I am hoping to try more melt and pour projects in the future. I've always wanted to try it.
We haven't gotten the soap kit from Youniverse, but we've been pretty pleased with some of the other kits. I'm glad that the soap kit was pretty good! I know my kids would be happy with the soap kit, and now I know what to add if we get it 😁
Thanks for sharing 😊 One thing to mention with these kits is often that the colourants might not be very stable. The colour of my first MP kit results... Well. After a month I noticed a difference. After two... There was onl very muted colour left :/
I'd like to see a video of where you take something like the expensive kit, something "all inclusive" of everything you might need like that, and then see how, using your regular suppliers' prices, you can save cost, or if you'd be able to build a similar kit for less.
Possible video idea. You buy an Amazon kit and then try and build your own version for the same amount. Might be fun to see the value or where you would prioritize spending
This is such a good idea!
Excellent idea
Would love to watch this!
That would be so useful!!
This would be an AWESOME video
I was pleasantly surprised with both of these kits. The cheap one gave you almost everything you needed which is rare with the cheap ones plus the final product looked great and it had enough for you to make quite a bit of soap. The expensive one gave three REALLY nice molds, I love how the flower ones came out, plus it also contained a huge amount of soap. I'm honestly surprised the most expensive soap kit was only $80 I figured there would be ones for well over 100.
I actually got the more expensive kit for Christmas last year. While I did like it and think it's a great intro to soap making, I did have a few gripes that Katie didn't mention:
The instructions don't tell you how many soaps you can make it - zero indication is given whatsoever, which I found frustrating when I was trying to determine how much to heat up/melt for the different molds.
The purple rectangle flower molds also have some writing that embed into the harden soap that say "To You Health" when it should probably say "To Your Health".
Also, doesn't include alchol to spray the soaps to remove bubbles, but I don't fault it for that.
They may have made upgrades to the kit since I received it last year (the box it came in has an upated design) but overall it looks pretty identical to what I received last year.
Just wanted to leave behind these additional thoughts in case anyone was considering purchasing it.
I actually check Amazon more recently, apparently enough people complained that they removed the words from the floral molds in their more recent kits. That may be why she doesn’t mention it, they’ve fixed it. It doesn’t look like there were words in the purple molds
Oh gosh I am completely in love with those flower moulds! Would be great to see what you could create with them using cold process and your higher-end colours/scents/additives.
Did the vanilla discolor the purple soaps? As someone who is allergic to all fragrance, I'm happy to see a kit for kids without it. I wish they had that when I was a kid.
I can’t explain how much I needed this. Katie’s presence is so welcoming and comforting.
This video has inspired me to make paw-print soaps to give to my clients (I'm a dog sitter)
Good idea! With a nice gift tag. 👍🏻
I'm so impressed with that cheap kit! I totally thought for that price it would be crap. That's awesome!
Katie picks up the fragrances and I instantly wonder if they have a vanilla scent.
Katie says there's a vanilla scent and my first thought is "I wonder if it will discolor the soap".
All in all, I think you've taught us well Katie xD (also is there an update on the discoloration?)
Royalty Soaps kid-friendly melt-and-pour kit WHEN? I feel like your instructions would be SO CLEAR and make it so the kid would get a great result with a maximum amount of their own twist on the craft and a minimum amount of "this isn't working right.." or "Oh no it broke when I took it out of the mold". Idk how you would go about doing something like that, but you would make an excellent one if you decided to!
I was very pleasantly surprised with both of these kits! Tbh I want those flower molds, and I was so psyched when you highlighted the flowers the way my brain wanted!
OMG I want that $79 kit! Those molds did it for me 😍
I checked to see if the molds came separately. They don't. At least not on Amazon. But even if the kit isn't the cheapest way, it's worth it to have all the moving parts at the same time. I might get it when I have some pocket money.
The are available on Amazon, the each come in a pack of 2 with another mold, I found them on my Amazon (German). But in the pictures there are American instructions and measurements so I'm sure you can find dem. my comments with the links got deleted, sorry
You are an excellent reviewer. I love how even handed you are. These soapmas videos have been giving me so much joy!
I loved this comparison! Thanks so much for doing both. Not knowing much about melt-and-pour and having nieces who love this channel, this is a great birthday idea (they're both born on Feb 26 and I'm always looking for something fun for them to try. And no they aren't twins, just on the same day 3 years apart. It's made for some interesting birthdays)
That was my mom's birthday 💖💖
Hehe my kids all have birthdays in the same week but different years and it always makes for funny conversations. Ha!
3:56 fun fact: the first time i tried to make soaps from a kit, my friend and i accidentally doused the flame on her grandmother's gas stove because the instructions neglected to tell us that we had to melt the soap chunks in a separate bowl on TOP of the boiling water. we were definitely old enough to figure out that part by ourselves, but alas. it was the early 2000s, and we hadn't actually seen anyone make soap from a kit before.
First time a friend and I melted down old wax to make new candles (before the internet was a thing for soap making how-to) we managed to shatter the glass w/the heat and spill the wax all over her mother's brand new electric stove top!
Thank you for the melt and pour tips! I like to make soap for fun a few times a year and have thought about using dried flowers sometime. Now I know not to! I would have been so disappointed to waste the materials.
I love when Katie tests and tries different kits. Great video 😊
The same large soap kit in Canada $180.49. Canadian prices are crazy. Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year to you and your family.
I’m obsessed with this ocean waves look of the soap!!!! 19:38
SCENTS AREN'T NEEDED.
As somebody who is allergic to scent oils, I genuinely appreciate a soap I can use.
My daughter's and I have used the cheaper kit and really enjoyed it- I felt the same about the glitter though.
Being a mother,wife and business owner looks great on her. Her glow up has been amazing.
oh having those details stand out against the background is so pretty!! maybe for the very little ones doing just a dollop and then spreading it with a stick would get the really satisfying tiny details without filling the background too
For some reason this video reminded me that I had a melt and pour soap kit as a kid and it had a frog mold and for whatever reason I was really into making frog shaped soap. It was so random and so funny to remember!
Its so pleasant to have two good kits!
I'm actually super impressed with that Amazon kit. I didn't expect there to be that much stuff in that box. But even the cheap one is pretty impressive. Usually kids kits kinda suck lol
PS: Thank you Katie for inspiring me to step out of the box. I use to be nervous trying new FO’s and bolder colorants,etc. and now I can’t wait for new products, ingredients, and techniques to try!
Merry Christmas to you and you whole family!❤🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️
My cat was very interested in this video. Idk why, I guess she's been on Amazon looking for soap kits or something. But she was hooked, despite usually paying no mind to any TH-cam videos that don't prominently feature birds or squirrels.
Anyone else hoping Katie does a collab with Brambleberry or someone in the future for a Royal Soap Kit?
Pretty sure you did the unicorn version of the YOU NIVERSE kit a few years ago and I bought it for my kids and they really enjoyed it! :D
Those round flower soap molds are so cute!
I love it when you do the comparisons like this. I am very surprised that the cheap box had so much good stuff in it.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family
I love these craft kit videos. You have so much fun and you are so in your element. It's great to watch.
BEAUTIFUL HAIR
XD how much of a rebel of a kid would they be if they were making soap on the regular?
"CHELSEA YOU BETTER NOT BE MAKING SOAP UNSUPERVISED AGAIN!"
They probably don't add it bc if they did it won't ship to po boxes. That's why it was hard for me to soap in the boonys lol couldn't order lye or alcohol and a few other things
Yayy I am so ready for this!!♡ Happy holidays everyone!✨️
That blue and white looks like a glacier.. makes me wanna make some like it
I'm grateful to know the cheap kit is fragrance free!! My kiddo drools over those kinds of kits and we can't bc of fragrance
There are some cold process soap making kits on amazon now, does anyone know if Katie has reviewed those? It would be cool to watch
I love the bar with the hearts! I am always drawn to heart things.
I’ve done that Youniverse one! It was a good time, I used the soap in my bathroom.
Thank you for covering botanicals in melt and pour - I see new soapmakers do it all the time and it gives me the heebies. Maybe they'll learn from you.
I agree with you on the larger kit particularly! Yes you could definitely find anywhere from 5 or 10 pounds of melting pour base with a few colorants and some fragrances and even a cutter for less than $80. You can probably find that for less than 40 depending on the tides that you buy. On average when I do take the time to get stuff like this I spent about $45.
Merry soapmas
Pretty! The blue and white loaf one looks like an ocean!
You should make a soup soap. A soap thatblooks like soup
Your hair looks so incredibly pretty in this video! Wow!
Thanks Katie. I’ve enjoyed watching soapmas this season
it's been so long since i've watched your videos (i go in phases. lol) now i'm gonna knit and watch all yours...and ponder if i wanna try soap making lol!
Katie you look marvelous on this one. Hair and make up woo hoo. Love the comparison on the kits.
20:57 It’s probably unscented as to not irritate any kids with allergies
Merry Christmas to you all!
That rose one was my favorite
The kids’ kit is pretty and I’d have loved it as a kid. I just want those floral molds from the expensive kit now though lol
I actually like the cutter, as I can get my soaps cut straight. My cutter is lacquered wood. I also bought mine with 2 loaf molds on Amazon for cheaper than I found anywhere else. Perhaps I got lucky. I do purchase my melt and pour and other supplies elsewhere. Unfortunately, I am too scared to do cold press. I have a narrow airway and do not have a well ventilated place in my apartment to mix it.
If you use ice to mix it I’ve noticed I don’t have any fumes!
The round soaps are so pretty
Oh wow those flower molds are absolutely beautiful
The flower molds are super cute! I'd love to see you do some more soaps with those molds but with your own colouring and scents.
First kit… just adding a little bit of glitter…. Dumps most of the pack…. On point Katie on point.
I think that is a good idea for another video. Take expensive soap kits and shop separately to recreate them cheaper.
When using the batch cutter box, slide the cutter angled backwards so it slides down the back of the cut it is in. I recommend it be sanded so it won't snag on splinters.
Hey! The loaf soap totally looks like the Outback Mate soap from Lush!
The flower molds were so pretty 😍
Absolutely love this video, great comparison, LOVED your opinions, personally definitely agreed with all of them, great work!
idk why but this video entertained me more than it should have
I'm guessing its easier for companies not to include rubbing alcohol due to safety issues around transporting and storingand who might access the alcohol
Happy holidays to you! Thank you for putting this together!
When I got the more expensive kit a couple years ago I got way less soap base and more contained to melt the soap base in I love Decorating the melt and pour soap it is so easy and fun
Something familiar looking about that brown box. Kinda gives off "Kroger Private Selection" vibes.
I just love your videos of you crafting and chatting with us!! Thanks for the stellar content!!
I love your videos. I seriously watch them every week and you inspired me to make soap. I've gotten pretty good at it and built a website, started a business and am slowly spreading my name around KC. I tell everyone about your royal academy too and that you taught me how to do it. I wanted to take this chance to comment because I'm always watching your videos on my TV ... where I can't actually comment. I've never been able to comment lol.
Anyway, thanks for being awesome. This video was fun, I like when you try different craft kits. I make note of the good ones. I have been mildly interested in jelly soaps so it was funny to see the ones you made. I don't think I would actually like using jelly soaps but my nieces and nephews I think would LOVE them. I hope you try another video so I can see how they work.
Ok katie...straighten up the purple colorants.
Thank you so much for creating this video! It has inspired me to get the rainbow kit to try with my daughter. I also got fragrances. :) Your instructions are always super clear and helpful. I am hoping to try more melt and pour projects in the future. I've always wanted to try it.
Wow it's been a minute since I watched this channel (happy new year!) and the audio is amazing now!
22:53 The blue on the package looks similar to the blue you made. Maybe it the camera making both look green
I love your soapmas kit testing videos. 😍
My guess on the rubbing alcohol thing is because it's flammable and thus counts as a hazardous item to ship, which costs a lot more.
Thumbs up, great to have comparisons.
Toothpicks would be good for stirring!
I might have to get a kids soap kit for my daughter
I'm impressed with that $80 kit. In reality that's all more than 80 bucks put together for all of the pieces individually.
I had gotten the rainbow soap kit for a Christmas gift in 2019 it was very fun to make
This is useful to know as I've researched on Amazon
it just makes me want to buy a mold to makes soap. it looked so good.
That tiny spatula would be cute to make a mould out of to make a little embed
We haven't gotten the soap kit from Youniverse, but we've been pretty pleased with some of the other kits. I'm glad that the soap kit was pretty good! I know my kids would be happy with the soap kit, and now I know what to add if we get it 😁
I love watching you do these kits!
Thanks for sharing 😊
One thing to mention with these kits is often that the colourants might not be very stable. The colour of my first MP kit results... Well. After a month I noticed a difference. After two... There was onl very muted colour left :/
Both kits are surprisingly good!
loved hearing your thoughts and opinions! merry soapmas!
Love love love this. Thank you Katie and have a Merry Christmas with your family.
I live for these comparison videos!
I have a similar wood cutter and yes, I cannot make straight cuts either. Drives me up a wall. I have better luck if I use a cutting tool that's wavy
I would love another video of soap maker reacts! Those are so fun!
That big kit is pretty cool! I don't do well with the miter box-like cutter either lol and the bars end up wonky looking lol.
I'd like to see a video of where you take something like the expensive kit, something "all inclusive" of everything you might need like that, and then see how, using your regular suppliers' prices, you can save cost, or if you'd be able to build a similar kit for less.
Great video! I really enjoyed the format of the video and it was really fun seeing you make a new style of soap! Really great job!
I love these kinds of videos I could watch this all day and night lol love your videos!!!
P.S. my 3 year old loves watching you too lol
Thank you for this, so fun! Katie love your hair, look so cute today. Love your shirt too.
Merry Christmas
Rubbing alcohol is considered a hazardous material when shipping it. That might be one of the reasons why these kits don't contain them.