When it comes to basic formulations, such as lip balms, lotions, and bath bombs, that statement is pretty accurate. To make most products you need mixing bowls, pyrex beakers, whisks, measuring spoons and cups, spatulas, and a kitchen scale. I also like to have a double boiler and a hand or stand mixer available. Ideally, I like to keep my beauty equipment separate from my food equipment to avoid any overlap of essential oils or fragrance oils, but not everyone is as fastidious about that. Really, it's up to you, and how well you wash your dishes. If you start making soap, you'll want to dedicate a pot, a stick (immersion) blender, and some basic utensils to that hobby only, as saponification is serious business.

Hi Nicola. Glycerin can be added to soaps as a humectant, something that draws moisture to the skin. It can be added to liquid soap formulations at a rate of around 5 - 7% Aloe Vera can be added at a similar rate.

How to add them depends on what type of soap you are working with. If you are working with a finished soap base, you can stir in either ingredient directly. If you are making liquid soap from scratch, you'll need to work the additives into the formulation. Here are some links on making liquid soap from scratch.

http://chickensintheroad.com/house/crafts/how-to-make-liquid-soap/

http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/form_liquidsoap.html

Hi Jackie. In order to store products that contain essential oils in plastic, it has to be a heavy duty plastic, like HDPE or PET. Depending on how strong the essential oils, or the type of essential oils they are, they could still eat through even those strong plastics. Citrus Oils are especially corrosive.

Hi Cynthia. We have a great article on bath bombs, but we don't have a bubble bath recipe available. Most of them rely on detergents like SLS to make them foam, and since we don't carry that ingredient, we've never formulated a recipe for it. I did find a link for someone elses recipe, though, if you are interested in taking a look!

Bath Bombs: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2011/07/a-guide-to-making-bath-bombs.html

Solid Bubble Bath: http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/bubblebath/

Hi Kate. While you are in the steam room, it's best to keep your skin clean and bare. That will allow the steam to fully open your pores and do its work. However, after the steam bath ends your skin will be especially receptive to facial masks, toners, or treatments. I'll give you some links to a few recipes and articles to help you find something for after the steam bath.

Taming Troubled Skin, Naturally: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2009/07/taming-troubled-skin-naturally.html

Fresh Herb Facials: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2010/08/the-gardeners-spa-using-fresh-herbs-for-beauty-.html

Detoxifying January Facial Mask: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2012/01/detoxifying-january-facial-mask.html

The ratio I give in this article is meant to work as a starting point for creating your own formulations using the oils and butters of your choice. Some oils and butters will produce softer or harder final products, so you'll need to rework the balm to get it right. Try melting it again and adding another portion of oil. That should soften it up. If it's still not soft enough, melt it again and add another portion of oil. I'm afraid I don't have notes on the balm I made for the photo in that article, as it was quite a few years ago, but I can tell you that when you're using a hard butter, like Shea, it's best to use a little extra liquid oil to offset its hardness. Good luck with your recipe, and let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Hi Nancy. I really like our PET Jars for Salt Scrubs. They are heavy duty, but cost less than $2 each. Here's a link: http://tinyurl.com/83u58es Whatever packaging you use, just make sure it is sturdy and leak proof.

Hi. Here are some links that might help:

Making Powdered Milk Baths: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2011/06/making-powdered-milk-baths.html

Creating Everyday Facial Cleansers:
http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2011/09/creating-everyday-facial-cleansers-from-natural-ingredients.html

Hi Crystal. When using essential oils around kids, it's best to use the lowest doses possible. The Body Mousse recipe was formulated with adult use in mind, so it would probably be too strong for a child to use. Chances are, a child getting into the cream once in a while wouldn't be a really big deal, but it's best to be avoided if possible. Also keep in mind that Bergamot is a photo-sensitizer, and could have a stronger affect on kids' sensitive skin.

Definitely Vanilla. The scent and flavor blends with so many wonderful things.

Hi Lisette. Good question! You would want the total EO portion to add up to 2%, whether that 2% is a combination of oils or just one.

Hi Bell. It sounds like what you are looking for is a private label manufacturer. Try doing a Google Search for "private label cosmetics manufacturing". You should be able to find quite a few options.

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A. The best source of it in a natural ingredient is in Broccoli Seed Oil. Other forms of vitamin A can be found in Murumuru Butter, Carrot Seed, Cranberry, Cherry, Pequi, and Raspberry Oils. Try creating creams, lotions, or facial serums using ingredients rich in Vitamin A and Retinol.

Clay may help bond the oil and honey, but it is not guaranteed to keep it together. To pick a preservative, check out the articles linked on the following page: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/preservatives.html

Hi Crystal. While I don't have any conditioner recipes of my own on hand, I think you should enjoy the recipes at the following link. http://hairrecipes.homestead.com/deepconditionerrecipes.html

Hi Razan. When it comes to sensitive areas, it's best to play it safe and consult your physician before using any homemade formulations, especially that contain essential oils. Try talking to your gynecologist, or a naturopathic doctor.

Hi Destingirl. While there are no rules on how to combine and blend Fragrances, there is a method to putting a great blend together. Here's a link to an article we featured on our blog about building a great Fragrance. http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2007/10/building-an-aro.html

Hi Destingirl. Some great Carrier Oils for hair care are Broccoli Seed Oil, Amla Oil, and Black Cumin Seed Oil. You can add a very small amount to an 8 oz. batch while boosting its moisturizing qualities. I would suggest adding a teaspoon of Carrier Oil to begin with. See how you like the texture, than add more or less in your next batch. As for the Silk Peptide Powder, it is recommended that you add between 2 and 5% to a shampoo or conditioner. That works out to about 1 - 2 teaspoons. Make sure you dissolve the Silk Powder into a small amount of hot, sterilized water before adding it to your base. This will help it do mix in easily.

Hi Destingirl. Refrigerating your ingredients is totally optional. As long as you keep them in a cool, dry place they should be fine. If I were to refrigerate any of the ingredients you mentioned, I would go with the most fragile ones. That would be the Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil Ricebran Oil, Avocado Oi, Apricot Kernel Oil, Shea Butter, and Mango Butter. The other ingredients are quite shelf stable, so they should be OK as long as they aren't under extreme conditions.

I love sharing the gift of DIY Bath & Body by giving my friends Body Care Craft Kits! Check out our selection here: http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/soap/kits.asp