Thread: Soap Making Escapades

OK, Cheers Ilija,

I pretty much knew what you guys were going to say, and I agree with your findings. I guess after working on a few recipes and promising samples I just wanted to get a few out the door to keep you all interested.

Back to the old drawing board as they say.

I have reformulated tonight and put two more test recipes on. I have upped the clay concentration too to give more glide. I am glad it was moisturising, at least that means I have the shea butter and glycerine concentration right.

I have reformulated with different base oils to give smaller bubbles that should be more stable and creamier.

Thanks for your feedback, it is all valuable stuff.

Good to hear you're putting additional work into the product, Rob. I'm sure Colleen had lots of hit and miss frustration until she came up with her goodies, so you're on the right track.

Yep, its not easy, which is why I have the upmost respect for Colleen.

Unlike Colleen I do shave myself though, so at least have the advantage of a little self experimentation to move things along faster. This should prevent you having any further "aftershave experiences"! (I wish I had been there to see that, never heard a guy swearing in Croatian Your Surname sounds Croatian so I am guessing that is where you are from...... )

It may be a while until the next batches are out for testing. Hopefully this new batch will be what I am looking for.

I've had some great feedback on the bath soaps from the girls at work and the strops are flying out the door too, all happy customers so things are muddling along nicely. My friend in the marketing department at work here is making me some labels for my soaps too so another step in the right direction.

Catch you later

Close enough.. The language would have been the same (Serbo-Croatian) but in this case it would have been a Serb swearing. It didn't get quite up to swearing-bad. It was more like "whooo, this smarts" as the soap did provide some glide and the blade was sharp. Since the soaps are gentle on my skin, I'm planning on using them for bathing, after I figure out how to melt them and more importantly extract them without using Serbo-Croatian swear-words

Two new recipes went on at the weekend. One looks really beautiful, but will wait and see how the lather behaves.

Been having a bit of a chat with our resident "ladyintheroom", Jean, and she has cleared a few things up for me which has probably saved me a week or two experimenting. Thanks Jean, your help is appreciated .

I'm looking forward to purchasing and trying one of Jeans soaps when they become available.

I feel pretty positive about the next round of soaps and the way my experimenting is going now. I can't wait to start shaving with a really good custom made soap that I have made myself, with a razor I have honed myself.

Rob, I can't wait to do the round of testing #2. By the way the first batch at least turned out to be a pretty good facial soap product

Hey, good man Ilija! You Serbs are a hard bunch.

I'm glad my first batch hasn't put you off and you have found some use for it at least. sreća u nesreći

Like I said before, I won't be sending anything out until I am happy with the product myself this time. Although oddly enough, one tester said it was the best shave he had ever had with my soap. I guess different people like different things.

Rob

Hi Rob
It has been a pleasure hearing from you. I am running out of people to talk soap with as all my friends just roll their eyes when I get on the topic. I am glad my suggestions could help. I do plan on launching my soaps in the very near future. If you would like a sample just send a message with fragrance choices and an address.
Jean

My test batches last week turned out much better in terms of lather stability. Additional glycerine did the trick. The lather is still not creamy enough but I have changed the recipe again and will put a new batch on tomorrow night. I've been a bit busy interviewing for a new job so have been delayed a bit with the soaps.

I received a sample of Jeans shaving soaps and creams and have to say they are excellent! I haven't tried the cream yet but the soap was the best I have tested in terms of creamy lather, stability, razor glide and moisturising performance. I have Rose, Lime and Bay rum. The rose smells fantastic and isn't at all girly. Its a nice fresh fragrance and the power level of the scent is just how I like it. We are in for a treat when she launches her range.

Oh Rob, you make me blush.
Good luck with the HP today.
Remember I start HP and then continue to a technique for transparent soap. Instructions can be found here: http://crafty.dyskolus.com/cosmetics...cosmetics.html
I do enjoy talking soap and am not looking to market across the pond so just ask if you need anything.
Jean