Welcome to my little corner of the world where the magic of soap-making happens! If you’re ever wondered how those beautiful, fragrant bars come to life. I’m excited to take you behind the bubbles and show you the journey from start to finish. From the first idea to the moment we cut the bars, every step is carefully crafted with love, quality ingredients, and a whole lot of passion.
The Inspiration Behind Our Soap Designs
Each bar of soap starts with a simple thought: how can we make something that feels just as good on your skin as it does to you soul? Our soap designs are inspired by nature, the changing seasons, and the idea of treating yourself to a little moment of luxury. Whether it’s the sweet, tropical scent of plumeria, the rich nourishment of shea butter, or the vibrant colors of a summer garden, our soaps are created to bring joy, relaxation, and self-care to your daily routine.
A Step-by-Step Walkthrough of the Soap-Making Process
Now, let’s dive into the heart of soap-making! Here’s how we take a handful of carefully ingredients and turn them into beautiful bars you love.
1. Mixing Oils & Butters
First things first, we start with a blend of oils and butters. We use a mix of sunflower oil, coconut oil, castor oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter. Each one brings something special to the table. Sunflower oil is rich in nutrients, while coconut oil provides that delightful lather. Castor oil helps create that thick, creamy consistency, and both shea butter and cocoa butter offers a deeply moisturizing touch that leaves your skin feeling soft and pampered.
2. The Lye Solution
Next, we combine lye with water. I know, it sounds a bit intimidating, but it’s an essential part of the cold process soap-making method. The lye reacts with the oils and butters to create soap through a process called saponification. This is what makes the transformation happen. Don’t worry- We handle lye with the utmost care, and after the soap cures, there’s no lye left in the final product.
3. Blending the Mixture
Once everything is measured and ready, we carefully blend the oils, butters, and lye solutions together. This is where the magic happens! As the mixture thickens and emulsifies, the oils turn into creamy, beautiful batter. It’s at this stage where we often add micas for beautiful, vibrant colors and fragrances like sweet, floral scent of pikake to make each bar uniquely yours.
4. Pouring & Setting
After everything’s perfectly blended, it’s time to pour the soap batter into molds. This is always such an exciting moment, as I can see the final shape of the bars beginning to form. Once poured, the soap is left to set and harden. I give it 24 to 48 hours to solidify before we move to the next step.
5. Cutting the Bars
After the soap has set, it’s time to slice the large block into individual bars. This is a moment I always look forward to-the smooth, clean cuts, and the first look at those beautiful swirls and patterns. From here, the bars go into a curing process, where they continue to harden for 4 to 6 weeks. This step allows the soap to become milder and longer-lasting.
Why Our Ingredients Matter
When it comes to ingredients, we don’t cut corners. Our soaps are crafted with local, organic, and sustainable ingredients wherever possible because we believe in the power of nature and the importance of supporting ethical practices. Here’s why each ingredient in our soap is so special:
· Sunflower Oil: This oil is packed with antioxidants and vitamins, making it nourishing for your skin. It’s a perfect base for creating a gentle, moisturizing soap.
· Coconut Oil: Known for its natural cleansing properties, coconut oil helps produce that lovely lather we all adore. It’s also super hydrating.
· Castor Oil: This oil enhances the soap’s creaminess, making it feel silky smooth on the skin while also boosting lather.
· Shea Butter & Cocoa Butter: These rich butters are packed with fatty acids and vitamins, providing deep moisture to the skin while helping to improve elasticity. They leave your skin feeling soft and nourished.
Come Visit Our Workspace
The heart of it all is my workspace. It’s filled with the sounds of blending, mixing, and measuring, and the air is often filled with the comforting scents of fragrances. I’m excited to share a few photos with you! From the colorful jars of micas to the tools of the trade, everything in this space is carefully chosen to create the best soaps possible.
Why We Do It
At the end of the day, soap-making is more than just a craft- it’s a way for me to share a little piece of self-care with you. I love knowing that the soaps I create bring a little joy, relaxation, and luxury into your life. Every bar is made with intention, and I truly hope it makes you feel pampered, refreshed, and loved.
Thank you for taking a peek behind the bubbles with me. It’s a pleasure to share this process with you, and I can’t wait for you to experience the soaps we’ve poured our hearts into!