Adventures With The Sage

I used High Melt Point Shea Butter in this recipe because I didn’t want to have to worry about fractionation. I also think High Melt Point Shea Butter is a little denser and creamier than regular Shea Butter. I wanted that dense creamy goodness in this formulation. The High Melt Point Shea would also make it a little thicker than if I had used regular Shea Butter.

Additionally, I used Rice Bran Oil. The Rice Bran Oil was used in the recipe to keep the texture light and from feeling too greasy. I didn’t want it greasy because while I hate shoes and even more when my feet get dry or rough, I hate slip-sliding away in my shoes and on the tile floor. Heavy foot creams tend to leave greasy foot prints on the floor and me grabbing onto every piece of furniture to keep me from landing on my backside.

I also used Isopropyl Myristate to reduce the greasy feeling of this foot butter. Can you tell I am not a fan of greasy feeling butters? Are you now ready to make this foot butter? I know I am!

Recipe:

Weigh everything into a microwave safe container except for the Spearmint Essential Oil and the Menthol Crystals. Heat gently until the shea butter has melted. Stir well. Add the Spearmint Essential Oil and Menthol Crystals. Stir well. Pour into jars. Seal, label and enjoy!

We found these so useful that we just had to add them to the catalog. You can either purchase them or get them free in any order of $80 before shipping! If your order qualifies, just tell us in the comments field that you want a package of the handy  dandy Cable Buddies! We will include them in your order free of charge.

Let me show you how to use these with Jenny’s head phones! They are simple, easy and if my instructions aren’t enough, these little gadgets have instructions on the back of the package. Sweet!

Tell us how Cable Buddies would be/ are useful in your life. I know I have fallen in love!

I also use Argan Oil in this formulation. Argan Oil is light, penetrating and best of all, it is not greasy. Just what we need for this formulation!

Another product that was added to this formulation was High Melt Point Shea Butter. I wanted Shea Butter to give exotic and luxurious feel. I used the High Melt Point Shea Butter because I knew the Shea Butter would solidify in small particles in the serum but I didn’t want any fractionation to create a grainy feeling in the serum. I wanted it to be as smooth as possible.

I also added Isopropyl Myristate to this formulation. Isopropyl Myristate reduces the oily greasy feeling of the serum. While Vernita wants something to help tame and protect her hair with out feeling greasy. Isopropyl Myristate is here to help!

I put this serum into a 1 oz bottle. You could put it in a bottle with a special treatment pump, or if you want larger amounts, you could use a regular pump.

Recipe:

Weigh everything into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until the shea butter has melted. Stir well. Stir well. Pour into bottles. Seal, label and enjoy!

To give you a brief rundown, sea glass is glass that is physically and chemically weathered by oceans, seas or even rivers of both fresh and salt water varieties. This weathering process of tumbling, hydration and movement causes the smooth shapes and frosty appearance of sea glass. Sea glass is frequently collected for display or jewelry. You can find more information from the North American Sea Glass Association and their article about Genuine vs. Artificial sea glass. I learned a lot from NASGA just while writing this post, so take your time to learn something new!

Now that I’ve explained sea glass to you, I want to show you the small collection of sea glass that I found while out on the beaches in the San Francisco Bay Area. After we got back to Utah, I was showing off my collection of sea glass to my family and it was mentioned, “Wouldn’t that make a cool soap?” Indeed it would! I would like to challenge you, our readers, to make your own sea glass inspired soaps and then send in pictures with instructions so we can make soap just like you. Ready?

Join me in making a drum roll for the challenge rules please!

Challenge Rules:

1. Send us a picture of your finished soap.
2. Send us the instructions on how to make your soap. More pictures are great! If you would rather not share your technique, you can just send in your pictures.
3. You can use any soap making method you desire: Melt & Pour, Cold Process, Hot Process and more
4. The challenge ends on Friday, May 18th. That gives you two weeks to make and share your soaps.
5. All participants in the challenge will get a special box sent their way with a sample of one of our newest oils! If you can’t remember what the oils are, here is a list: Peach Kernel Oil, Seabuckthorn Fruit Oil, Black Cumin Oil, or Black Currant Oil. How cool is that?

Let’s get soaping!

I used Dimethicone in this recipe to help tame and condition the hair. It also adds some slip and glide to the hair. Split ends can really cause havoc in the world of hair, they increase the fly-aways and allow the hair to dry out. If you have fine hair, it can also cause the hair shaft to become brittle and break. Yikes!

I also used Cyclomethicone in this recipe. By itself, Dimethicone can be really heavy and tacky. While I wanted the properties that Dimethicone has to offer, I really didn’t want the weight. Cyclomethicone is a silicone oil that is really light. So light in fact, it will volatilize on your skin! The Cyclomethicone will also increase the spreadability of the Dimethicone in your hair.

I also added Coconut Oil to this formulation. I couldn’t resist. I had a jar of Virgin Coconut Oil just calling to me. Coconut Oil is a wonderful conditioner for the hair. Coconut Oil is also reputed to assist in the regrowth of damaged hair. Hallelujah! Besides, my hair now smells softly of coconut. I smell so delicious!

Another ingredient I added to this formulation is Isopropyl Myristate. Isopropyl Myristate helps reduce the greasy feeling of the hair serum. I didn’t want the serum to feel oily in my hair.

I made formulated this serum before I got my hair cut but I am loving the results just as much after my hair has been trimmed. I am really happy with this serum and I am liking the results I am seeing in my hair! Plus this also feels really good on the skin.

Recipe:

Weigh everything into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until the coconut oil has melted. Stir well. Pour into dropper bottles. Seal, label and enjoy!

As a coffee junkie, I have ask how can one make a wonderful coffee scented product without coffee butter? In my opinion, you can’t! I find the coffee butter to be so tantalizing I can’t wait to use the finished product! Talking about making impatience going from bad to worse! Egads! Coffee Butter is very smooth, dense and creamy. I really like the way it feels.

I also added some Cupuaçu Butter to add some warm, slightly earth cocoa notes. Talk about scrumptious! The Cupuaçu Butter also makes the butter a little firmer. I have several oils in this formulation that are liquid or melt at skin temperature. Cupuaçu Butter is much like Cocoa Butter.  It is very hard but it is also very smooth. I also find I don’t feel as greasy after use.

Additionally, I added Castor Oil to this formulation. Castor is a thick and viscous oil that adds some drag to the skin. I wanted a massage butter that had to be slowly worked into the skin. I honestly love nothing better than to slowly pamper myself. Even something as simple as a massage given by oneself is so soothing and comforting. Castor Oil also increases the staying power or the “life” of the massage butter.

Needed Materials

Recipe

Weigh everything into a microwave safe container. Heat gently until everything is liquid. Stir well. Allow the solution to cool, periodically whipping it. The butter should be a light tan color when all done. Enjoy!

First on our list is Hydrovance. Hydrovance helps the skin retain moisture. The results in the skin feeling softer and smoother. An awesome way to tell how much of a difference Hydrovance makes to your lotion is to make a small batch with the Hydrovance and a small batch of one without. You will love how great your skin feels when you use the one with Hydrovance!

The next ingredient I wanted to look at today is the Isopropyl Myristate. Isopropyl Myristate is an interesting product because it reduces the greasy feeling in lotions, massage oils,  lip balms and even creams! Since this lotion is intended for the hands, it is helpful to reduce the oily feeling of a lotion. I have found that while some people are more tolerant of heavier lotions on their arms and legs, they are not so tolerant of heavy product on their hands. I have found this especially true with men. If you are formulating for men in mind, Isopropyl Myristate is a must in your cupboard!

Needed Materials

Recipe

Weigh everything into a microwave safe container except for the extracts, Liquid Germall Plus, Vitamin E Acetate and fragrance oil. Heat gently until everything is liquid. Stir well. Allow the solution to cool. Add the extracts, Liquid Germall Plus, Vitamin E Acetate and fragrance oil. Mix well. Pour into containers.  Enjoy!

I have made several sample for the shipping department. Please request on if you are interested!