Ahhh, I did just wonder now whether those 2 oils could have been added AFTER trace, like you would with the essential oils? But then, if that was so, I think the soap would be very oily? Do people even add extra oils after mixing and getting trace?
You could possibly add your SF after trace, although in cold process it doesn't make a difference (and probably doesn't in HP either). Many people do that in HP though -- you have your cooked soap and add a bit more oils for SF. Unfortunately it seems that the lye will saponify whatever oil it will come across, so at the end it won't matter when you add it.
Thank you!! I tried a little vodka. It didn’t work. Haha. Waste of vodka too. I’ve ordered Alf spray but not arrived yet.
Thank you!! I tried a little vodka. It didn’t work. Haha. Waste of vodka too. I’ve ordered Alf spray but not arrived yet.
I think I’m the idiot.
I’ve ordered alcohol but it hasNt arrived and I’m itching so I tried a bit of vodka. But I thought it might possibly but I can Definitely confirm it without a doubt doesn’t work 
These looks gorgeous. Thank you for your hints too. I think I overwhelmed myself with grand ideas and I hadn’t even tried making anyI'm just gonna add my little bit here.
I've been soaping since 2014 and I started because I realized no matter the commercial "soap" or gel, my skin was always dry and itchy, even when I used lotion. Then YouTube recommended a video by Soaping101. My life changed.
I think I watched her videos, especially the ones from season 1, at least 10x each. It took me 2 years to build up enough courage, but I finally made my first batch, and it was the Bastile Soap. The easiest and simplest of her CP soaps. Mild, bubbly, and if you use lavender eo, very nice smelling for a good while.
I've never bought a mold, colorants, FO's, or had a soap cutter because I'm on a fixed income and can't afford them. And I'm a terrible sales person!! Can't sell heaters in Antarctica terrible!! So I make do. As long as my family loves my soaps, and my skin, that's all that matters.
Enjoy the journey, it's full of fun, discovery and wonderful skin!
I'm including a picture of an experiment that turned out to be a really good soap. I used cinnamon, Hershey's cocoa, coffee instead of water, and some of the coffee grounds. I added honey and coconut oil because I didn't have castor oil and we have really hard water here in San Antonio, Texas. I gave it to some friends, and my younger son up in Wisconsin, and they loved the scent which they thought smelled like butterscotch for some reason. And the scratchiness of the grounds they said feels good on their feet and other rough spots. My son has asked me to make some more, just without the grounds because he really, REALLY, loves the smell, and so do my grandkids. So the oils are being infused as I write this.
Oh, and the recipe is 65% lard. Cheap and leaves the skin feeling great. But it's not for everybody.
xx
I’m already addicted. Always thinking of the next design, fragrance etc. I know what you mean about shipping though. Gutting to have to spend so much when you can normally pop to the shops.
This is so helpful thank you very much
Thank you so much you be safe as well thank god for soaping an activity to help us cope with the madness.I’m already addicted. Always thinking of the next design, fragrance etc. I know what you mean about shipping though. Gutting to have to spend so much when you can normally pop to the shops.
Hope you’re staying safe in NY. Wales is coping at the moment. We’ve had too much of course but as a nurse I’m waiting for the call up and so far I’ve not been needed To move roles as Our hospitals seem to be coping pretty well. Stay safe Xx
I love The colour! You’re braver then I am As I only Follow recipes from books. I hope One day to be confident enough to get creative like you.I'm just gonna add my little bit here.
I've been soaping since 2014 and I started because I realized no matter the commercial "soap" or gel, my skin was always dry and itchy, even when I used lotion. Then YouTube recommended a video by Soaping101. My life changed.
I think I watched her videos, especially the ones from season 1, at least 10x each. It took me 2 years to build up enough courage, but I finally made my first batch, and it was the Bastile Soap. The easiest and simplest of her CP soaps. Mild, bubbly, and if you use lavender eo, very nice smelling for a good while.
I've never bought a mold, colorants, FO's, or had a soap cutter because I'm on a fixed income and can't afford them. And I'm a terrible sales person!! Can't sell heaters in Antarctica terrible!! So I make do. As long as my family loves my soaps, and my skin, that's all that matters.
Enjoy the journey, it's full of fun, discovery and wonderful skin!
I'm including a picture of an experiment that turned out to be a really good soap. I used cinnamon, Hershey's cocoa, coffee instead of water, and some of the coffee grounds. I added honey and coconut oil because I didn't have castor oil and we have really hard water here in San Antonio, Texas. I gave it to some friends, and my younger son up in Wisconsin, and they loved the scent which they thought smelled like butterscotch for some reason. And the scratchiness of the grounds they said feels good on their feet and other rough spots. My son has asked me to make some more, just without the grounds because he really, REALLY, loves the smell, and so do my grandkids. So the oils are being infused as I write this.
Oh, and the recipe is 65% lard. Cheap and leaves the skin feeling great. But it's not for everybody.
That's exactly what you do when you start. It's how you learn! Then, when stuff goes sideways, as they inevitably do, it's MUCH easier for the more experienced to help you.
It felt like getting asked if I wanted a Jaguar X9, even if I'd it down!! 
Thanks for all the encouragement! You make it sound so easy that I’m feeling more confident all ready. LolThat's exactly what you do when you start. It's how you learn! Then, when stuff goes sideways, as they inevitably do, it's MUCH easier for the more experienced to help you.
A tried and true recipe that someone else has made numerous times means they've worked out all the kinks, knows where it's possible mistakes can happen, and why it works so well. That's why I absolutely love Soaping101's YouTube channel. She's a wonderful teacher, the video means you can pause it at any time, and she gives excellent suggestions on a video for cheap supplies you can use to start making soap without spending a fortune.
I'm including another photo. This is my other soap. It's chamomile with chamomile infusion instead of water, and I heat the oils a bit with more chamomile flowers (my son bought 4 oz for $5 at a flea market before the world went pear-shaped). I add turmeric and smoked paprika or annatto for color. Also honey and coconut oil for suds. The pill bottle has a salve I make for our dry hands and feet, knees, elbows, etc. The box is from my monthly meds shipment and gets re-used at least 5 times (so far), it's been lined with local store's brand of parchment paper. Finally, the pretty little soap's molds were frozen bulgogi from Costco. I looked at the recycling code: 5! So I kept them. Same for some fruit cups we got in the kids' lunches. The sources are almost endless if you look for recycling codes and think outside, or inside, the box(es).
This week's soap is chocolate? I'm saving the chocolate milk half-pint boxes to use as molds for small chunky bars of soap. Just so I can send pictures of the soaps drying to my recipients, in anticipation of their gifts.
I hope you try your hand at making some soap soon! And by the way, even if "they" say you shouldn't or can't use a hand mixer to make soap, it's not impossible. I moved countries in a hurry 3 years ago and I had to leave my stick blender behind. I was desperate so I used a hand blender and you know, it worked! It took a while, I had to use a kitchen towel as a shield because of the splatter, and a couple of t-shirts were ruined anyway, but I MADE SOAP. It was GRAND. It wasn't attractive, but it had tons of suds, and it was SOAP. (The last picture is one of them)
Do it just to get your feet wet. You won't regret it, I promise!!
