I consider myself a newbie too, although I now have 8 batches under my belt. Just jump right in as you will be so happy that you did! I watched many videos and read many articles on soaping, so I felt pretty confident going into my first batch. So I skipped ahead and went straight to a real goat milk soap and put together a recipe based on what properties I wanted in my soap, rather than following a recipe that I had found online. You want to know how it turned out? Awesome! (so don't be intimidated!) I am 50 and my skin is changing and the store bought soap that I used to use....the only soap I could use....dries me out like crazy now. My home made soap gives me silky skin like a teenager! I am so glad that I made the switch and I will never buy store bought soap again.
My confession is that I rarely use gloves or genuine eye protection (I have glasses so I am somewhat protected)
I also have an online cart filled with probably a years worth of supplies that I want to buy but I am waiting to press the button as I have 8 batches of soap (call it 7...I am only meh about one of them) and hubby kind of thinks we are covered for quite some time. I, on the other hand, feel the need to create.
Going to press that purchase button soon and let him figure it out when the visa bill arrives.
Another confession....not a fan of Lavender.