In response to a great suggestion I have created a new Live Journal community:
bareskinbeauty
So join, read, learn and post feedback! Everyone is welcome.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
BareSkin: First Sample Allocation
Firstly, thank you for the overwhelming response to be testers. Its nice to know that so many people trust me enough to try my products. As luck would have it, I have 9 pots available and 9 people interested in testing.
So to get things started I am going to offer two samples:
1. Yellow clay mask with rosemary and lemongrass essential oil.
Yellow French Argiletz clay is a high quality pure clay that is suitable for most skin types. It draws out the oil and impurities in your skin but is milder than its well known green cousin. Rosemary essential oil can improve blood circulation and decongest the skin while lemongrass essential oil has antiseptic properties and can open blocked pores and tone the skin. Both have energising scents and will leave you and your skin feeling good. I have also added a touch of avocado oil which is naturally rich in vitamins and minerals and suitable for oily skin so it will help moisturise and protect while the clay works its wonders.
I used this mask the other night on my skin that had suddenly broken out quite badly. The next day the inflammation was gone and my skin felt much cleaner. I am really impressed with this mask's deep cleaning abilities.
Ingredients: Yellow French Argiletz clay, water, avocado oil, rosemary essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, preservative.
Suggested use: up to 2 times a week. I like to use a mask on a Sunday and Wed/Thurs night as it seems those times are when my skin really needs attention.
Cost: $1.50
2. Rosemary and lavender face cream.
This face cream is a combination of water and sweet almond oil. Sweet almond is an extremely light oil, full of vitamins and essential fatty acids, that is readily absorbed by the skin. It can help relieve irritation and is tolerated by oily skin types. I have also added vegetable glycerin to the cream, which assists in retaining moisture on the skin.
I know when most people think of lavender they conjure up images of their Aunty June who lives in a house full of floral pillow cases and scented drawer inserts. But lavender has a whole range of fantastic qualities that shouldn't only be reserved for your grandma. First and foremost lavender is a potent calmative, the scent of lavender will relax your body and your mind. Its a very well known cure for sleeplessness. It also has strong antiseptic qualities and can help your skin heal faster, with less scarring. Lavender oil can balance the skin and has soothing anti-inflammatory properties. I could go on, but take my word for it, lavender is an oil you won't regret putting on your skin.
To balance it out I have added rosemary essential oil, with its energising and skin decongesting properties. This combination will calm your mind but keep you alert at the same time, all while keeping your skin healthy and happy.
Ingredients: Water, sweet almond oil, emulsifying wax, vegetable glycerin, grapefruit seed extract, lavender essential oil, rosemary essential oil, preservative.
Suggested use: Whenever you want! This cream is light and easily absorbed and the essential oils will pick you up and calm you down. Great for stress and mental fatigue. The lavender may even help you sleep easier. This cream spreads very well, so you only need to use a small amount at a time to get good coverage.
Cost: $1.00
Have I convinced you that you really want to try both? Well you are quite welcome to. However, right now I only have enough pots for one sample each. I will be putting in an order for some more pots next week tho so assign a preference for one now and I'll let everyone know when more pots arrive. I also have a order arriving next week with a bunch of new oils so I should have some more ideas soon.
Shayna, you're welcome to both if you'd like. I think I can fit 4 pots into a small post pack and postage looks like it'll cost about $5 all up. I have a few other ideas on the way so to save on postage I might hold off for another week or so before I send yours.
Is there a time next weekend that everyone can get together to receive their first sample? Amanda, I know your house gets used for everything, but you do have a nice space for get-togethers. Do you mind if we congregate at your place? Any suggestions are welcome. I appear to have no plans but I don't keep up with all the social gatherings.
So to get things started I am going to offer two samples:
1. Yellow clay mask with rosemary and lemongrass essential oil.
Yellow French Argiletz clay is a high quality pure clay that is suitable for most skin types. It draws out the oil and impurities in your skin but is milder than its well known green cousin. Rosemary essential oil can improve blood circulation and decongest the skin while lemongrass essential oil has antiseptic properties and can open blocked pores and tone the skin. Both have energising scents and will leave you and your skin feeling good. I have also added a touch of avocado oil which is naturally rich in vitamins and minerals and suitable for oily skin so it will help moisturise and protect while the clay works its wonders.
I used this mask the other night on my skin that had suddenly broken out quite badly. The next day the inflammation was gone and my skin felt much cleaner. I am really impressed with this mask's deep cleaning abilities.
Ingredients: Yellow French Argiletz clay, water, avocado oil, rosemary essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, preservative.
Suggested use: up to 2 times a week. I like to use a mask on a Sunday and Wed/Thurs night as it seems those times are when my skin really needs attention.
Cost: $1.50
2. Rosemary and lavender face cream.
This face cream is a combination of water and sweet almond oil. Sweet almond is an extremely light oil, full of vitamins and essential fatty acids, that is readily absorbed by the skin. It can help relieve irritation and is tolerated by oily skin types. I have also added vegetable glycerin to the cream, which assists in retaining moisture on the skin.
I know when most people think of lavender they conjure up images of their Aunty June who lives in a house full of floral pillow cases and scented drawer inserts. But lavender has a whole range of fantastic qualities that shouldn't only be reserved for your grandma. First and foremost lavender is a potent calmative, the scent of lavender will relax your body and your mind. Its a very well known cure for sleeplessness. It also has strong antiseptic qualities and can help your skin heal faster, with less scarring. Lavender oil can balance the skin and has soothing anti-inflammatory properties. I could go on, but take my word for it, lavender is an oil you won't regret putting on your skin.
To balance it out I have added rosemary essential oil, with its energising and skin decongesting properties. This combination will calm your mind but keep you alert at the same time, all while keeping your skin healthy and happy.
Ingredients: Water, sweet almond oil, emulsifying wax, vegetable glycerin, grapefruit seed extract, lavender essential oil, rosemary essential oil, preservative.
Suggested use: Whenever you want! This cream is light and easily absorbed and the essential oils will pick you up and calm you down. Great for stress and mental fatigue. The lavender may even help you sleep easier. This cream spreads very well, so you only need to use a small amount at a time to get good coverage.
Cost: $1.00
Have I convinced you that you really want to try both? Well you are quite welcome to. However, right now I only have enough pots for one sample each. I will be putting in an order for some more pots next week tho so assign a preference for one now and I'll let everyone know when more pots arrive. I also have a order arriving next week with a bunch of new oils so I should have some more ideas soon.
Shayna, you're welcome to both if you'd like. I think I can fit 4 pots into a small post pack and postage looks like it'll cost about $5 all up. I have a few other ideas on the way so to save on postage I might hold off for another week or so before I send yours.
Is there a time next weekend that everyone can get together to receive their first sample? Amanda, I know your house gets used for everything, but you do have a nice space for get-togethers. Do you mind if we congregate at your place? Any suggestions are welcome. I appear to have no plans but I don't keep up with all the social gatherings.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Volunteers Requred: Human Test Subjects Needed for New Product Trial.
Always wanted to be a lab rat? Well here is your chance.
What I need is people to test the products that I make and give me feedback on whether they like them or not. Don't worry, I test everything on myself first so if I don't like it then I won't pass it on. This is open to both girls and guys. We all wash and we all have skin so don't be afraid to try. Guys, I wont force girly things onto you I promise.
Right now I have quite a few ideas of creams, soaps, masks and balms that I'd like to trial. I've made two batches of face cream that Lucas and I routinely use but 100ml of each goes a long way and I don't feel like waiting around for it to finish before I make another. I would also prefer the input of others to see where I can improve my recipes but I don't expect everyone to commit to a large batch of something new without first trying it.
For me smaller volumes mean better turn around, more feedback and an opportunity for new products. It means that if you don't like the product that much then you haven't just bought 50ml that you don't know what to do with. It also means that you can try lots of new things without having to spend lots of money. If you really like something (which I hope) then I can make you a larger volume for you to continue to use.
So here's what I propose to do:
1. A Tester will purchase a 15ml mini pot for $2.
2. I will post updates of new products that I want to trial along with a price for the sample volume. I anticipate the average price will be around $1-2.
3. Whoever is interested can request a sample and I will fill a pot for you.
4. I will deliver the sample pot to you in exchange for an empty pot and some feedback on the previous sample (obviously this wont be applicable the first time).
5. If you want a new sample and your current pot isn't empty then you can buy another pot and have two (or more if you want) on the go. I will keep track of the pots so they don't get lost.
6. When you've finished your sample you can request another and the cycle continues.
7. Once you have bought your pot you only need to pay for the samples that it is filled with. The pot belongs to you, its just being recycled and saves you extra packaging costs.
Feedback can include comments on the product itself (ie, too runny) or a suggestion for a different scent (ie, floral or citrus). The more specific the better but even a little feedback will be helpful, you don't have to mix your own scents or ingredients, just suggest something you like. Also, if there's a product you'd like me to try then suggest it and I'll see if I can make you a sample. I can't think of everything so this will be a good way for me to see what people want.
Here's an example of a 15ml mini pot filled with a clay mask that I mixed up today. This sample is worth $1.50. You should only use a mask two times a week so this much product should last around a month.
Ingredients: Superfine yellow French argiletz clay, water, avocado oil, lemongrass essential oil, rosemary essential oil, preservative.
To apply, leave me a comment and I'll start working up a sample list for you.
Thanks for your help.
What I need is people to test the products that I make and give me feedback on whether they like them or not. Don't worry, I test everything on myself first so if I don't like it then I won't pass it on. This is open to both girls and guys. We all wash and we all have skin so don't be afraid to try. Guys, I wont force girly things onto you I promise.
Right now I have quite a few ideas of creams, soaps, masks and balms that I'd like to trial. I've made two batches of face cream that Lucas and I routinely use but 100ml of each goes a long way and I don't feel like waiting around for it to finish before I make another. I would also prefer the input of others to see where I can improve my recipes but I don't expect everyone to commit to a large batch of something new without first trying it.
For me smaller volumes mean better turn around, more feedback and an opportunity for new products. It means that if you don't like the product that much then you haven't just bought 50ml that you don't know what to do with. It also means that you can try lots of new things without having to spend lots of money. If you really like something (which I hope) then I can make you a larger volume for you to continue to use.
So here's what I propose to do:
1. A Tester will purchase a 15ml mini pot for $2.
2. I will post updates of new products that I want to trial along with a price for the sample volume. I anticipate the average price will be around $1-2.
3. Whoever is interested can request a sample and I will fill a pot for you.
4. I will deliver the sample pot to you in exchange for an empty pot and some feedback on the previous sample (obviously this wont be applicable the first time).
5. If you want a new sample and your current pot isn't empty then you can buy another pot and have two (or more if you want) on the go. I will keep track of the pots so they don't get lost.
6. When you've finished your sample you can request another and the cycle continues.
7. Once you have bought your pot you only need to pay for the samples that it is filled with. The pot belongs to you, its just being recycled and saves you extra packaging costs.
Feedback can include comments on the product itself (ie, too runny) or a suggestion for a different scent (ie, floral or citrus). The more specific the better but even a little feedback will be helpful, you don't have to mix your own scents or ingredients, just suggest something you like. Also, if there's a product you'd like me to try then suggest it and I'll see if I can make you a sample. I can't think of everything so this will be a good way for me to see what people want.
Here's an example of a 15ml mini pot filled with a clay mask that I mixed up today. This sample is worth $1.50. You should only use a mask two times a week so this much product should last around a month.
 |
| From 05-Oct-08 - Clay Mask |
To apply, leave me a comment and I'll start working up a sample list for you.
Thanks for your help.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Packaging, moulds and ingredients
I went to Spotlight today to see if I could find something nice to package up my soaps and make them look more presentable. Unfortunately the invention of scrapbooking has done a serious disservice to other crafts by completely taking over the whole section. Now everything comes in little pre-cut packages, which are just perfect for the time-strapped scrapbooker but bloody annoying for me who is looking for a sheet of corrugated card or a roll of raffia. So I left empty handed and checked out the $2 shop instead. There I found a huge roll of plain brown paper and a packet of shrink wrap.
The shrink wrap is awesome and the best part is that it locks the smell in, which means it wont fade while its not being used. It also means that they can be picked up without getting the soap on your hands. Much nicer all around really.
I spent the morning making up some soap moulds so I can get a nice rectangular log that will fit into my mitre box for cutting (a rather nifty idea I found on another website). After looking at the prices online for wooden and plastic moulds I thought that a better idea would be to cut up some heavy cardboard instead and see how that goes. I think they turned out rather well and the old washing detergent box I used is rather fitting. They're very sturdy and now they just need to pass the actual soap test. I bought some foam sheets to make a removable liner, but I'm having a bit of trouble putting that together.
I put in another order for some more ingredients yesterday. I need to make up a batch of super-mild soap for a friend at work and I need to get some more soap curing so that when the current batches run out I don't have to wait another 4 weeks for more.
 |
| From 07-Sept-08 New Soap Batch |
The shrink wrap is awesome and the best part is that it locks the smell in, which means it wont fade while its not being used. It also means that they can be picked up without getting the soap on your hands. Much nicer all around really.
I spent the morning making up some soap moulds so I can get a nice rectangular log that will fit into my mitre box for cutting (a rather nifty idea I found on another website). After looking at the prices online for wooden and plastic moulds I thought that a better idea would be to cut up some heavy cardboard instead and see how that goes. I think they turned out rather well and the old washing detergent box I used is rather fitting. They're very sturdy and now they just need to pass the actual soap test. I bought some foam sheets to make a removable liner, but I'm having a bit of trouble putting that together.
 |
| From 07-Sept-08 New Soap Batch |
I put in another order for some more ingredients yesterday. I need to make up a batch of super-mild soap for a friend at work and I need to get some more soap curing so that when the current batches run out I don't have to wait another 4 weeks for more.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
New soap batch!
After weeks of being locked away in a box my new soap batch is ready to use.
Top: Vanilla and cinnamon vegetable soap
Price: $5.00
An extremely limited batch due to the high cost of vanilla essential oil. A sweet and spicy soap that smells good enough to eat.
Ingredients: Vegetable oil, water, coconut oil, beeswax, ground cinnamon, cinnamon essential oil, vanilla essential oil.
Middle: Cedarwood and kelp olive oil soap
Price: $3.50 - Available soon. Still a bit soft but I'll take orders for when they're ready.
Made with olive oil this soap contains a mix of soothing cedarwood essential oil and organic kelp. The kelp not only offers benefits to the skin it also acts as a mild exfoliant.
Ingredients: Olive oil, water, beeswax, organic King Island kelp, cedarwood essential oil, chromium oxide (green).
Bottom: Lemon myrtle and oatmeal vegetable soap
Price: $3.50
A great exfoliating bar combined with the revitalising scent of lemon myrtle. Lemon myrtle is also a powerful antiseptic and insect repellent.
Ingredients: Vegetable oil, water, coconut oil, beeswax, oatmeal, lemon myrtle essential oil.
All bars are between 100-120g.
 |
| From 07-Sept-08 New Soap Batch |
Top: Vanilla and cinnamon vegetable soap
Price: $5.00
An extremely limited batch due to the high cost of vanilla essential oil. A sweet and spicy soap that smells good enough to eat.
Ingredients: Vegetable oil, water, coconut oil, beeswax, ground cinnamon, cinnamon essential oil, vanilla essential oil.
Middle: Cedarwood and kelp olive oil soap
Price: $3.50 - Available soon. Still a bit soft but I'll take orders for when they're ready.
Made with olive oil this soap contains a mix of soothing cedarwood essential oil and organic kelp. The kelp not only offers benefits to the skin it also acts as a mild exfoliant.
Ingredients: Olive oil, water, beeswax, organic King Island kelp, cedarwood essential oil, chromium oxide (green).
Bottom: Lemon myrtle and oatmeal vegetable soap
Price: $3.50
A great exfoliating bar combined with the revitalising scent of lemon myrtle. Lemon myrtle is also a powerful antiseptic and insect repellent.
Ingredients: Vegetable oil, water, coconut oil, beeswax, oatmeal, lemon myrtle essential oil.
All bars are between 100-120g.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Took my first crack at making some face cream today and I'm happy to say that it came out fantastic. I flavoured it with lavender essential oil because that's all I really had so it will make a rather soothing night cream.
I dropped the water volume by a bit because the batch that our instructor made at the course I did came out rather thin. This batch, however, has come out really thick and creamy and I can't wait to start using it. I need to put an order in for a whole range of essential oils I think. I've only got a few right now and I'd like to see what kinds of combinations I can come up with. Should buy a book on aromatherapy so I can learn about the qualities of each of the oils I buy. I also need to put a Bamix on the list coz the cheap stick mixer I have puts masses of bubbles in the cream, which is a nuisance.
I dropped the water volume by a bit because the batch that our instructor made at the course I did came out rather thin. This batch, however, has come out really thick and creamy and I can't wait to start using it. I need to put an order in for a whole range of essential oils I think. I've only got a few right now and I'd like to see what kinds of combinations I can come up with. Should buy a book on aromatherapy so I can learn about the qualities of each of the oils I buy. I also need to put a Bamix on the list coz the cheap stick mixer I have puts masses of bubbles in the cream, which is a nuisance.
Monday, August 11, 2008
I made 3 new batches of soap yesterday.
1. Lemon myrtle and oatmeal in vegetable and coconut oil soap
2. Cedarwood and organic kelp in olive oil soap
3. Vanilla and cinnamon in vegetable and coconut oil soap
Unfortunately with soaps I have to leave them to saponify for around 6 weeks so the finished product won't be available for a while. I might make some more batches over the next few weeks so that I don't have to wait 6 weeks to have more available.
I told a girl I work with today and she has requested that I make her some fragrance-free extremely mild soap for her partner who has very sensitive skin. So I'll see what I can find for that. I don't mind making a batch of special soap if I already know someone is going to buy it. :)
1. Lemon myrtle and oatmeal in vegetable and coconut oil soap
2. Cedarwood and organic kelp in olive oil soap
3. Vanilla and cinnamon in vegetable and coconut oil soap
Unfortunately with soaps I have to leave them to saponify for around 6 weeks so the finished product won't be available for a while. I might make some more batches over the next few weeks so that I don't have to wait 6 weeks to have more available.
I told a girl I work with today and she has requested that I make her some fragrance-free extremely mild soap for her partner who has very sensitive skin. So I'll see what I can find for that. I don't mind making a batch of special soap if I already know someone is going to buy it. :)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Fees + fees + more fees.
I put all of ebay's assorted fees into a spreadsheet and you really need to be selling expensive or multiple items for them to not significantly eat into any profit you might make from the sale. A test run produced no bites but quite a few views so people are definitely looking.
It was suggested to me that I should instead start up a website of my own so I can display and sell my products when they are available. It'll also give me a site to direct people to, which I'm sorely lacking in right now. Its a bit hard to promote yourself when you've got nothing to show. I know I like to browse a website before I make a purchase so I expect its the same with most people.
So, I've put out a call for help to a good friend who is rather proficient in web design and e-commerce. I'm completely in the dark when it comes to this sort of stuff so a bit of advice will go a long way I'm sure.
In the meantime I should get back to work and make some new products. I'm rather disappointed that I can't seem to source some reasonably priced geranium essential oil still. My best provider in Tasmania is indicating that they're taking longer and longer to fill orders so I might need to place a bulk order of an assortment of things and start a few other projects while I wait.
For now, I think a new batch of soap and some moisturiser is on the cards.
It was suggested to me that I should instead start up a website of my own so I can display and sell my products when they are available. It'll also give me a site to direct people to, which I'm sorely lacking in right now. Its a bit hard to promote yourself when you've got nothing to show. I know I like to browse a website before I make a purchase so I expect its the same with most people.
So, I've put out a call for help to a good friend who is rather proficient in web design and e-commerce. I'm completely in the dark when it comes to this sort of stuff so a bit of advice will go a long way I'm sure.
In the meantime I should get back to work and make some new products. I'm rather disappointed that I can't seem to source some reasonably priced geranium essential oil still. My best provider in Tasmania is indicating that they're taking longer and longer to fill orders so I might need to place a bulk order of an assortment of things and start a few other projects while I wait.
For now, I think a new batch of soap and some moisturiser is on the cards.
Monday, July 28, 2008
I'm back.
The holiday is over and I'm back at work again. The trip was fantastic.
Now that I am back, however, I can finally start making some more of my products that I had plans for before I left.
Face cream, soap, some other body products maybe.
Might also look into ebay to sell some products. I'm a bit wary of the extra fees on there tho.
Need to find a reliable supplier too. Lots of fun things to do to keep my free time occupied. Hopefully I'll have something new soon!
Now that I am back, however, I can finally start making some more of my products that I had plans for before I left.
Face cream, soap, some other body products maybe.
Might also look into ebay to sell some products. I'm a bit wary of the extra fees on there tho.
Need to find a reliable supplier too. Lots of fun things to do to keep my free time occupied. Hopefully I'll have something new soon!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Overseas for 5 weeks.
Looks like I made a few sales at Royal Doof. No word on the official total but I believe the remaining stock is being offered for sale through some people's work and maybe a market trip will be on the cards while I am away. Its better than them sitting in an empty house that's for sure!
Had to cancel my order from Tasmania as I still haven't received it and I am going overseas on Sunday. I'd already bought most ingredients already except for the essential oils, which is a bit disappointing. But there's no time to make anything now so I'll get back onto it in August when I'm home.
So, all I can do for now is hope that there's a few sales while I'm gone. See you in August!
Had to cancel my order from Tasmania as I still haven't received it and I am going overseas on Sunday. I'd already bought most ingredients already except for the essential oils, which is a bit disappointing. But there's no time to make anything now so I'll get back onto it in August when I'm home.
So, all I can do for now is hope that there's a few sales while I'm gone. See you in August!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Not long till launch.
I made my final batch tonight. A few more orange lip balms as I've only got 5 left from the first batch I made. Now I just need to finish them off and organise a time to drop the whole lot off to Sarah to take to Royal Doof.
Current inventory: (minus testers and items on hold)
13x Raspberry
15x Orange
15x Vanilla/Cinnamon
5x Lemon Myrtle
Tomorrow I must print out some cards on the work colour laser printer and buy some little paper bags for purchases. Then I'm all set to go.
After all of that I just have to hope that everyone has left their lip balm at home!
Current inventory: (minus testers and items on hold)
13x Raspberry
15x Orange
15x Vanilla/Cinnamon
5x Lemon Myrtle
Tomorrow I must print out some cards on the work colour laser printer and buy some little paper bags for purchases. Then I'm all set to go.
After all of that I just have to hope that everyone has left their lip balm at home!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Improvements.
So in the interest of continual improvement I grabbed the avocado oil off the shelf and threw some into my new batch of lip balm. While this addition has turned the lip balm a green-yellow colour I have to say that its turned out to be the best recipe ever. The vanilla and cinnamon oils make this a very tasty balm.
Gotta make up the labels now and I'll take some pictures when I'm done.
Edit: Picture...
Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, avocado oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, vegetable glycerin, vanilla & cinnamon essential oils.
Gotta make up the labels now and I'll take some pictures when I'm done.
Edit: Picture...
Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, avocado oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, vegetable glycerin, vanilla & cinnamon essential oils.
Still more flavours.
Today I finally get to transform my new oils into lip balms. Its a shame that I still haven't received my order from Tasmania. I contacted the woman and she's flat out working a full time job, with her online business as her part-time hobby that's gotten too demanding for her. That means still no spearmint and sandalwood oils. They'll arrive one day tho, just not sure when.
Gotta go pick up some more pots this morning. The I can whip up my final batch of lip balm and get to work on sealing all the labels. I've made up some cards with my email address and this blog for anyone interested. Might get those printed on a colour laser printer so they don't ruin if it's wet. I'll organise that in the next few days.
Gotta go pick up some more pots this morning. The I can whip up my final batch of lip balm and get to work on sealing all the labels. I've made up some cards with my email address and this blog for anyone interested. Might get those printed on a colour laser printer so they don't ruin if it's wet. I'll organise that in the next few days.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
New arrivals.
The cinnamon leaf and vanilla essential oils arrived in the mail today. They smell fantastic. I can't wait to put together some lip balm. I think they'll make a magnificent addition to a lot of products.
Consequently, I have also found a supplier located in Melbourne so I can get a nice and quick turn around on my orders. Auroma is handy for emergencies, but I can get everything much cheaper through an online seller.
Now, I want to put together some cards that Sarah can put with purchases so people might remember who I am. All this designing stuff is a bit frightening really. I'm not artistic in that way. Tho I guess for now I can stick with the well known phrase 'keep it simple stupid.'
Consequently, I have also found a supplier located in Melbourne so I can get a nice and quick turn around on my orders. Auroma is handy for emergencies, but I can get everything much cheaper through an online seller.
Now, I want to put together some cards that Sarah can put with purchases so people might remember who I am. All this designing stuff is a bit frightening really. I'm not artistic in that way. Tho I guess for now I can stick with the well known phrase 'keep it simple stupid.'
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Already popular.
Wow. I'm already selling my lip balm.
3x orange, 4x raspberry.
Sarah suggested a vanilla/cinnamon flavour for those not so into fruit. I totally agree and have purchased essential oils already. They should be shipped tomorrow I hope. I'd really like for the spearmint to arrive. Will follow that up tomorrow. Need to head back to Auroma and buy some more pots. I have an appointment Tuesday in Richmond so maybe I'll drop in on my way to work.
Was looking at selling any excess on ebay. Unfortunately there appear to be a lot of fees associated with selling so I'm going to have to do a bit of research. Need to work out the best way to approach that.
My job for the rest of the evening is to cover the labels so they last. I wish there was an easy way of doing it and that I had thought to buy a better pair of scissors. Oh well, gotta start off simple and all that.
3x orange, 4x raspberry.
Sarah suggested a vanilla/cinnamon flavour for those not so into fruit. I totally agree and have purchased essential oils already. They should be shipped tomorrow I hope. I'd really like for the spearmint to arrive. Will follow that up tomorrow. Need to head back to Auroma and buy some more pots. I have an appointment Tuesday in Richmond so maybe I'll drop in on my way to work.
Was looking at selling any excess on ebay. Unfortunately there appear to be a lot of fees associated with selling so I'm going to have to do a bit of research. Need to work out the best way to approach that.
My job for the rest of the evening is to cover the labels so they last. I wish there was an easy way of doing it and that I had thought to buy a better pair of scissors. Oh well, gotta start off simple and all that.
My full set.
Ingredients: sweet almond oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, vegetable glycerin, bergamot essential oil.
Ingredients: sweet almond oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, vegetable glycerin, lemon myrtle essential oil.
Ingredients: sweet almond oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, vegetable glycerin, raspberry flavour oil.
I'm a fool and misspelt 'bergamot' as 'bergamont'. I think it might be one of those words that I'm doomed to mispronounce, regardless of how many times I try. Will have to fix up the ingredients list. Luckily I'm not about to run out of labels anytime soon.
Some people may not be aware of what Lemon Myrtle is. Its a native Australian tree with strong lemon scented leaves. You can read more here.
My first batch.
Ingredients: sweet almond oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, vegetable glycerin, raspberry flavour oil.
Price: $2.00 each.
I'll be making orange (bergamot) and lemon myrtle tomorrow.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
In the beginning..
I put in an order from Tasmania last week for a few other ingredients and oils, but they haven't even charged my card yet so I'm not too sure when they'll be arriving on my doorstep.
So while I wait I've been down to Auroma in Hawthorn and have come home with a bag full of goodies. Sweet almond oil, vegetable glycerin, grapefruit seed extract, emulsifying wax, bergamont essential oil (non-phototoxic), raspberry cream flavour oil, lip balm jars and plastic cosmetic jars. I dropped into the shops on the way home and picked up some pure lavender oil, round labels and some sticky tape.
So what are all of these ingredients going to make?
Firstly, I'm going to make up some lip balm with cocoa butter. Bergamont (orange), Raspberry and Lemon Myrtle. Its a shame you can't get raspberry essential oil, so flavour it has to be.
Secondly, into the cosmetic jars will go a batch of face cream. Lavender and geranium oil are amazing together but the geranium oil is on order so I might have to see what I can put together with the oils I have already.
What is the plan?
My plan is to make up a batch of lip balm for each of the different flavours to send to Royal Doof to be sold on the stall being organised. I have 40 tubs so maybe 10 of each to begin with. To make the tubs look interesting I'm going to make up some labels to put on them. One for the bottom with ingredients and another for the top with the flavour. I'm not a designer so I don't know how great they'll look, but sometimes simple is best so I'll see how I go.
Why did you choose bare skin?
I chose the name bare skin because bare implies 'the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable'(1). I want the things that I make to be free of complex, unnecessary or hidden ingredients. Products that contain only natural perservatives and colours. With the pollutants in the air and the products we put on our skin every day it seems all the more important for the first moisturising layer to be natural. That is what I am trying to make.
Alright, time to whip together my first batch. Here we go...
So while I wait I've been down to Auroma in Hawthorn and have come home with a bag full of goodies. Sweet almond oil, vegetable glycerin, grapefruit seed extract, emulsifying wax, bergamont essential oil (non-phototoxic), raspberry cream flavour oil, lip balm jars and plastic cosmetic jars. I dropped into the shops on the way home and picked up some pure lavender oil, round labels and some sticky tape.
So what are all of these ingredients going to make?
Firstly, I'm going to make up some lip balm with cocoa butter. Bergamont (orange), Raspberry and Lemon Myrtle. Its a shame you can't get raspberry essential oil, so flavour it has to be.
Secondly, into the cosmetic jars will go a batch of face cream. Lavender and geranium oil are amazing together but the geranium oil is on order so I might have to see what I can put together with the oils I have already.
What is the plan?
My plan is to make up a batch of lip balm for each of the different flavours to send to Royal Doof to be sold on the stall being organised. I have 40 tubs so maybe 10 of each to begin with. To make the tubs look interesting I'm going to make up some labels to put on them. One for the bottom with ingredients and another for the top with the flavour. I'm not a designer so I don't know how great they'll look, but sometimes simple is best so I'll see how I go.
Why did you choose bare skin?
I chose the name bare skin because bare implies 'the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable'(1). I want the things that I make to be free of complex, unnecessary or hidden ingredients. Products that contain only natural perservatives and colours. With the pollutants in the air and the products we put on our skin every day it seems all the more important for the first moisturising layer to be natural. That is what I am trying to make.
Alright, time to whip together my first batch. Here we go...
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