Lip Service 2

 Before I talk about making lip balm, let me show you the soap that was made last week. This is Tuscan Herb and Honey. It smells lovely and came out prettier than I thought it would.

 Green Aloe and Clover is a bit strong. Maybe that scent will cure out a bit. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. The Mister will like it if it doesn't. He's a big fan of the smellier soaps.

 I got asked to explain the lip balm process and since it is back to winter around here it is still very much in use. The ingredients are coconut oil, beeswax, candelilla wax, almond butter and grapeseed oil. I use about a tablespoon of each for a pretty hard balm. More grapeseed oil will make a softer balm if that's what you want.

 It all gets melted in a pan of hot water on the stove. Beeswax doesn't melt well in the microwave. I use a jelly jar that I keep just for the balm. That way I don't have to keep washing it in between batches. I just put on the lid to keep it clean.

 The only trick to this is to not drop the jar when taking it out of the hot water. It makes a BIG mess if you do. Take my word for it.

 This is a honey flavored balm so I add a few drops of flavor oil and a tiny bit of gold mica for sparkle and color.

  I pour the hot mix into little pots I buy from the online soap store I pretty much get everything from.

 In minutes it is hard enough for use.

 Since I am showing you all my little secrets, let me show you the shampoo I use.

 It's a melt and pour base like the face soap I make only I add lots of strong essential oils and don't worry about getting fancy.

 I also like lots of activated charcoal. Regular shampoo makes me itch. Not this concoction.

I make a couple of bars at a time and they last forever in the shower. It took a while to get the hang of using a bar for my long hair but now that I've figured it out, I'm never going back to the other stuff again. I don't miss the itch.