Cosmetic Glitter

[2lilboots]

I will admit it....I learned how to soap by watching youtube videos. Lots and lots of them until I figured I could do this and thus did. I notice a lot of ppl putting cosmetic glitter on top their soaps and tried it as well. Now I am wondering.....the glitter doesn't do anything except sparkle in certain light. Soooooo are ppl putting it on their soaps just to decorate or are they putting it on their soaps to hide soda ash if it comes to the top of their soap?

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

Both...but it is a great way to hide "The Ash"!

And it doesn't matter if you learned to make soap from You Tube, your Granny, or The University of BladdityBlah. Understanding the whys and hows is important, but as long as you are using proper measurements, being safe with your lye, and understand the basic process so that you can produce a quality soap that isn't lye heavy...if you're making soap for yourself, then there ya go! (If you plan on selling, there's more to it...but I think we're talking about the basics)

 

[2lilboots]

Oh yes, I invested in a digital kitchen scale and made sure to check my recipes on soapcalc and cranberrylane to compare for proper amounts of lye to water to oils. I lick test my bars to make sure I don't get zapped. To me it is like making cakes...lol! I have a lot of fun decorating them. I didn't even buy a book because there is so much information on the internet that if I have a question all I have to do is google it or post it here.

 

[TeriDk]

Glitter looks beautiful but I think it's a shame that some folks don't think about what's going down the drain into the waterways and oceans. One of the reasons I started making soap is all the chemicals found in commercial products. As a diver, I try to be aware of their impact and its not good. I hope hand crafted soap is kinder to the environment.

 

[Lindy]

TeriDk I can understand your concern however the amount of glitter being used is not significant and is the same as we, women, use in our eye make-up. I live on the side of a mountain by the sea and I am very aware of what I am using, however, I do use glitter as it is inert....

 

[Stinkydancer]

For CP, (haven't done this HP) you can also hide ash with mica. All you do it mix mica with a little oil- and I mean a little and kind of squirt it on to the top of your soap and then texture your tops or swirl it around a bit and that will do a pretty good job of hiding ash. The mica also won't wash off or rub off when you package it. The oil will reabsorb into the soap as well just leaving the mica behind.

Oh and I learned that from You Tube and have made tons of batches. No matter how experienced you are there is always something to learn and You Tube is a great way to do it.

Oh and I don't think glitter is more of a problem for the oceans than tourists who don't use biodegradable sunscreen when they dive or snorkel or whatever. It peeves me. That is doing some damage at least in Mexico.

 

[Seifenblasen]

Since we are on this subject, exfoliating plastic (look for "polyethylene" on the label) beads are terrible to the ocean, too. Try switching to a salt/sugar scrub, or some other products like strawberry seeds, shredded loofah, etc.

 

[AngelMomma]

Since we are on this subject, exfoliating plastic (look for "polyethylene" on the label) beads are terrible to the ocean, too. Try switching to a salt/sugar scrub, or some other products like strawberry seeds, shredded loofah, etc.

Great suggestions. I love the semi-fine scrub affects I get from oatmeal. Before we started making our own soaps I just bought scrubs in the store. Even though I thought I was aware of being gentle on our environment..........

 

[2lilboots]

I put finely ground coffee in one of my soaps, I haven't experiments with oatmeals, salts, or sugars. I like the mica mixed with oil to decorate the tops of soap.