Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)

Just a quick post here on a subject near and dear to every soaper's heart: LYE.
I am certain that we have all encountered those dear ones who exclaim with fear - "LYE?!!!". "I don't want to use LYE on my skin!!!!".
I have tried for years to explain why lye, or sodium hydroxide, the official name, is integral to soap making. In the words of  soap angel, Kathy Miller: "You can't have soap without lye".
I have failed miserably to get the point across that after a nice long cure of handcrafted soap, the lye is rendered 'benign', no zip, no zap.
Oh well........let's not even go to that place where I try to explain about the lathering agents and scads of toxic chemicals in the detergent and 'cleansers' that many folks embrace for bubbly fun.
Sigh.
One point to this post is that I saw a new, mass-marketed, anti-aging cream. A "breakthrough" miracle worker. Of course, I had to check it out. The list of ingredients revealed that one of the main components was .... LYE!
Lye in an overnight "repair" cream.
Now, THAT is scary.
What? Huh? Why? ????
Why would lye be in a face cream?
Any ideas?

In Love, Truth and Beauty.....

Re-Stock of Two Personal Favorites

I just finished making new batches of two of my personal favorites, "Vata Ayurvedic Cleansing Bar" and "Butter Cream". One or both of these gems are in my soap dish at all times.

I have very thin, fragile, sensitive skin, thus - I started making my own soap!

"Butter Cream"

"Butter Cream" should look familiar, as I post photos of this bar more than any other. It could be overlooked, as it rather 'plain'. Like all things that are truly beautiful, what is inside this bar makes it stellar. Coconut cream, coconut milk, raw, unrefined, organic cocoa butter, castor oil and palm oil combine to make a hard, long-lasting conditioning soap.

The coconut cream and raw, unrefined, organic cocoa butter really elevate this soap to luxury status. 

Over a year ago, I switched to raw, unrefined and organic butters for all of my soap. What a difference! Indescribably decadent and incredibly beneficial for skin.

Below is another, brighter view of "Butter Cream".

"Butter Cream"

The second soap that I made is my "Vata Ayurvedic Cleanser". This is another soap that is a bit plain on the outside, but ooh-la-la, what a slice of heaven! I designed this recipe for very dry, fragile skin that may be sore and angry from wind, harsh weather or chapping.
Good for babies, but better for me (*smile*)!
"Vata" has loads of high-end ingredients like avocado, jojoba, apricot, almond oils, raw, unrefined, organic shea and coconut butters, all blended with orange blossom water (that smells like Paradise!) for an unparalleled skin pampering experience.

"Vata" contains specially selected essential oils and turmeric for additonial benefits.

After washing with this soap, smooth a little organic apricot kernel oil over the skin for overall rejuvenation. This oil is light, but nourishing and sinks in quickly.

"Vata" is a splendid choice for late winter and spring.

Ahhhh.....after this winter, my skin NEEDS this coddling treatment.

"Vata Ayurvedic Cleanser"

In Love, Truth and Beauty.....

So Over Winter!

If you are feeling like this winter has been just a bit too harsh, extreme and long, check out some of my new soaps! 

Lemon Sugar

Black Temple Incense

Orange Vanilla Cream

Green Tea Supreme

Peony-Tuberose

Peppermint Cream

All of the above soaps are now for sale in the Etsy shop. 

Each soap has an enriched, creamy base for moisturizing and conditioning winter-weary skin. These new additions are extremely emollient due to the lavish quantities of raw, unrefined, organic shea and cocoa butters.

The scents for these new soaps are designed to lift winter-weary spirits.

I hope that you are staying well and warm!
Personally, I give thanks to the furnace Gods daily!

In Love, Truth and Beauty......

Surprises and Gifts!

If you purchase any of our fine soaps, please leave a comment during check about how you "found" us for potential special pricing, discounts and surprise goodies!

We love surprises!!!

Did you know that we can be found here http://www.houseofthedivineprince.com/Queen_s_Chamber.html ?

Check it out. There is a wealth of information contained in our beloved friend's website. The Divine Prince knows a tremendous amount about crystals and gem stones. Spend some time there.

We remain very humbly grateful that The Divine Prince hosts Angelic Soap!

Infinite Angelic Hugs....

Tibetan Crystal

In Love, Truth and Beauty....

New Winter Soaps Listed

I was very busy and haggard in December, but my labor has paid off!
Today, I listed a few brand new soaps (and re-listed some old favorites) in the soap shop.
I have been watching my diet like a hawk, so, well, uh, er - most of my soap is "foodie"! Ha!
The base recipes have all been reformulated to include lovely raw, organic and unrefined shea and cocoa butters, coconut milk and/or castor oil (a personal fave).
Here are some of my new soaps, which I designed to uplift skin and spirits that may need extra TLC during this LONG winter.....

Lemon Poppyseed Poundcake

Pink Grapefruit & Apricot Shea

Coconut Honey Butter

Tangerine Temple Incense

 

 

 

 

 

Are you hungry yet?

In Love, Truth and Beauty 

Angelic Hugs!

That was Fast!

The first week of January has flown by on wings!
I am taking a short intermission from soaping.
The soap shop will be open for orders, but no parcels will be shipped until after January 15, 2011.
The stock is getting low!
Only one bar each left of "Hope Chest Shea" (specially priced for January), "Sugared Citrus Patchouly", "Intense Emollient Herb Garden" and "Lullaby Shea". Other soaps are still available - standards like "Honey-Beeswax" and "Butter Cream" - both excellent winter skin delights.

Butter Cream

I will be listing new soaps around January 16, 2011. I cannot wait for you to see the new soaps! I think they will hit that old mid-winter spot! Fragrance and formulations are very nice indeed.
I have devised some new base formulas for winter. Almost every soap has copious amounts of raw, unrefined cocoa butter or raw, unrefined shea butter - organic and free trade sourced. I still use castor oil and coconut milk or coconut cream in nearly every soap for that luxe, dense, incredible lather that you have come to know and love.
Happy January, All!

2011

Best wishes to all for a healthy, prosperous and joyous New Year!
May each of you be touched and warmed by the power of love.
Angelic Hugs!