Oh and one other word of advice. Do not limit yourself to buying FOs from just one or 2 companies. If they close or discontinue fragrances, you will be left scrambling, so have several companies you trust and can supply you with the fragrance oils you like. This happened to a whole bunch of soapers about 10 or so years ago. A company called Scent Works went out of business unexpectedly with no explanation and many of us were left hanging as they had the most wonderful fragrance oils ever. I am still depressed over their closing.
Just wanted to let you know how much i love your videos. I have a small business (jewelry, not soap!) but i find your vlogs soooo informative and inspiring!! Congrats on signing the contract!
Congratulations on the expansion. Always an exciting time. I have heard that same thing about adding clay, but never noticed any difference either. I do add clay to my soaps, but not for scent retention. It is the fragrance oil in my opinion. Some are strong and some just are not. If they don't work so well in soap, I use them in body spray, linen sprays, scrubs, lotion bars, bath bombs, etc. I never, ever waste them. LOL!!! I have also had good luck with Rustic Escentuals and Nuture Soap fragrance oils. In my 22 years of experience, I have found that it is trial and error and some fragrances just are not going to be as strong as others, which can actually be a selling point to people like myself who do not like really strong fragrances. I got asked repeatedly to make soap with patchouli and other essential oils, but I get ill from them and so I made very few and kept them far away from me. LOL!! I agree with you though, if a website is telling you to use a large percentage of FO in your soap, I would steer clear of that.
Thank-you Carmen! yes that was Me that requested this video so thank-you very much! and what a great idea about using what I thought were "dud" frangrances. I don't have to go to "fragrances annomous" for therapy. Also, I am saving a ton of $$ because I heard you mention Bulk Apothecary on one of your videos. I went to their site and found way better prices for my oils & butters. so kudos. I would love for you to show us HOW to calculate how much fragrance oil to use. actually doing the math on camera lol I've TRIED to use the soap calc website but I don't know what percentages to put in for each of the oils when trying to come up with a recipe. So if you could show us HOW that soapcalc works I would be greatful.
First of all congratulations to you although it’s a year late. I am a very new soap maker. I’m still learning so many things trying to take it all in one thing that I did learn or should I say what somebody’s opinion was that hot process soap carries its fragrance better if using essential oil, do you find this to be so? Also, I have some pure, unrefined coconut oil that has a use by date of 3/24/22. Is this still OK to use in soap or will it make a difference?
Great seeing you again! Congratulations on signing a contract! Please tell us about your new space! Is it a lot bigger? Will you need to do a lot of work to move in? Is the new space conncected to your current space?? So excited for you!!❤
Congrats on the good news! For someone just starting out, how many scent options would you recommend offering? I’m still trying to test recipes and find some core scents but I don’t want to have too many (or too few) as I don’t have the space or customers atm. Thank you for what you do, the knowledge is greatly appreciated
I'm excited to see your move! Congrats! Absolutely scary, but you have this. This isn't your first rodeo. You wouldn't have presented with the opportunity if it wasn't in alignment!
The IFRA rate isn't a suggestion for the amount of FO to use. A FO with a high IFRA rate has nothing to do with its quality. I have a FO with a max % of 2% which is the max amount you can safely use. It's counterintuitive but at 2% this FO sticks for years! 5% is a guideline for soapers if it is within the safe usage rate, but it may be too strong or too weak. Testing fragrances with small batches is the best practice for new FO's.
I've made my own soap for an entire year! What a journey!!
Oh and one other word of advice. Do not limit yourself to buying FOs from just one or 2 companies. If they close or discontinue fragrances, you will be left scrambling, so have several companies you trust and can supply you with the fragrance oils you like. This happened to a whole bunch of soapers about 10 or so years ago. A company called Scent Works went out of business unexpectedly with no explanation and many of us were left hanging as they had the most wonderful fragrance oils ever. I am still depressed over their closing.
Just wanted to let you know how much i love your videos. I have a small business (jewelry, not soap!) but i find your vlogs soooo informative and inspiring!! Congrats on signing the contract!
Congratulations on the expansion. Always an exciting time. I have heard that same thing about adding clay, but never noticed any difference either. I do add clay to my soaps, but not for scent retention. It is the fragrance oil in my opinion. Some are strong and some just are not. If they don't work so well in soap, I use them in body spray, linen sprays, scrubs, lotion bars, bath bombs, etc. I never, ever waste them. LOL!!! I have also had good luck with Rustic Escentuals and Nuture Soap fragrance oils. In my 22 years of experience, I have found that it is trial and error and some fragrances just are not going to be as strong as others, which can actually be a selling point to people like myself who do not like really strong fragrances. I got asked repeatedly to make soap with patchouli and other essential oils, but I get ill from them and so I made very few and kept them far away from me. LOL!! I agree with you though, if a website is telling you to use a large percentage of FO in your soap, I would steer clear of that.
Good info. ,thank you for your informative comments.
Thank-you Carmen! yes that was Me that requested this video so thank-you very much! and what a great idea about using what I thought were "dud" frangrances. I don't have to go to "fragrances annomous" for therapy. Also, I am saving a ton of $$ because I heard you mention Bulk Apothecary on one of your videos. I went to their site and found way better prices for my oils & butters. so kudos. I would love for you to show us HOW to calculate how much fragrance oil to use. actually doing the math on camera lol I've TRIED to use the soap calc website but I don't know what percentages to put in for each of the oils when trying to come up with a recipe. So if you could show us HOW that soapcalc works I would be greatful.
Right on! Scent definitely sells!
First of all congratulations to you although it’s a year late. I am a very new soap maker. I’m still learning so many things trying to take it all in one thing that I did learn or should I say what somebody’s opinion was that hot process soap carries its fragrance better if using essential oil, do you find this to be so? Also, I have some pure, unrefined coconut oil that has a use by date of 3/24/22. Is this still OK to use in soap or will it make a difference?
Just starting out and enjoy watching. Just subscribed. Would like to know how you gained all of your knowledge?
Great seeing you again! Congratulations on signing a contract! Please tell us about your new space! Is it a lot bigger? Will you need to do a lot of work to move in? Is the new space conncected to your current space?? So excited for you!!❤
Congrats on the good news!
For someone just starting out, how many scent options would you recommend offering? I’m still trying to test recipes and find some core scents but I don’t want to have too many (or too few) as I don’t have the space or customers atm. Thank you for what you do, the knowledge is greatly appreciated
I'm excited to see your move! Congrats! Absolutely scary, but you have this. This isn't your first rodeo. You wouldn't have presented with the opportunity if it wasn't in alignment!
Awww thanks!!! I’m equally scared & excited. 💕💕💕
Congratulations 🎉
The IFRA rate isn't a suggestion for the amount of FO to use. A FO with a high IFRA rate has nothing to do with its quality. I have a FO with a max % of 2% which is the max amount you can safely use. It's counterintuitive but at 2% this FO sticks for years!
5% is a guideline for soapers if it is within the safe usage rate, but it may be too strong or too weak. Testing fragrances with small batches is the best practice for new FO's.
Im subscribed. if someones a soaper, theyd be stupid not to be subscribed.
Awww thanks!!! 😊
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