Official hello

[ThenCameJen]

I did a quick introduction elsewhere, but I wanted to give an official hello. My name is Jen, and I'm in MS. I started learning to soap about 6 or 7 years ago, but had to give it up after 6 months and just a few batches (and a few lotion fizzies and bath bombs and lotion bottles...) because my fiance was getting headaches from the FOs and scents. I would've moved my operations into the garage, except our garage is uncooled... a horrible place to be in the MS summers!

However, recently he's been getting into candles - something he's wanted to do for years - and is dealing with the headaches he gets with plenty of ventilation and aspirin. It dawned on me a couple months ago that since he was bringing FOs into our house as it was, I could perhaps look into playing with soaps again!

As such, I've spent the last several weeks refreshing my memory - lots and lots of reading, lots of YouTube videos. I did a quick (and somewhat successful I guess) batch of OO, CO, and castor oil soap last week to get the kinks out of my process and ensure I have everything I need (and I seem to!) and now I'm getting my thoughts together to do another batch on Monday or Tuesday.

I look forward to learning from everyone, there's tons of information here!

 

[maiseycat]

Welcome to the forums! Does the have the same sensitivities to EO's? I know you said he's bringing in FO's anyway, but maybe it might help a little.

 

[ThenCameJen]

Many of them, yes. He first got migraines with lavender and lilac when bushes(?) of each were growing near his apartment. He hasn't been able to handle lavender in any form since. After I quit learning to soap to spare his nose, I had several leftover EOs. Tea tree was the first to go, but the others received glares every now and then.

He would most likely be fine with EOs if they are light, especially things like spearmint and peppermint, or lemon, but anything much stronger than a light scent will give him a headache. He has a sensitive - if unrefined? - sense of smell. I think, though, that time is helping to reduce his headaches - they are nowhere near the migraine intensity of 10 years ago!

As it is, two or three times a week he spends several hours pouring 6 or 7 candle scents. My house smells heavenly those days! So one day a week of my own smelly stuff shouldn't put him out too bad. I'm not a big one for strong scents, anyway, so it will probably be a good compromise for us.

 

[Hazel]

Hi Jen,

Welcome to the forum!

 

[MaitriBB]

Happy to have you!