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The 10 Ingredients Beginners Need for DIY Skincare
If you want to start making your own skincare, but you’re overwhelmed by all the ingredients the internet says you need... I get it. When I started making fifteen years ago I spent a fortune on “must have” ingredients, but once they showed up it turned out that most...
Argan Oil & Rose Shampoo Bars
These pretty pink shampoo bars kick out oodles of fluffy bubbles, leave your hair shiny and soft, and smell fabulous. They're an update of a formulation I first shared back in 2020; I still really like the original but I knew one big change would make this...
Jojoba Mint Natural Foot Cream
With summer sandal season right around the corner, now feels like the perfect time to whip up a batch of rich & velvety Jojoba Mint Natural Foot Cream! This beginner-friendly DIY stars some of my favourite oils and butters, and I’ve taken care of all the fussy...
New on Patreon
Mini Formulation Makeover: Immortelle Primrose Facial Serum (c. 2014)
Let's upgrade this L'Occitane inspired formulation! The original used more fancy oils than it needed to and didn't smell amazing; this upgrade includes more skin-loving goodies, is easier to make, and smells much nicer.
How do you know if you should use cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid, or something else?
🗳️ From The Question Box: "Hi! How do you know or what makes you choose between cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid, butter pearls or other fatty thickeners when using one in a formulation?" – Denise
How to prevent graininess in natural balms
🗳️ From The Question Box: "Hi! I’m trying to formulate an all-natural nipple balm using natural butters and oils, with the possibility of using beeswax, cetyl alcohol, or cetearyl alcohol or others. I’m facing crystallization/graininess in the balm. Is...
What to do with pre-blended surfactant mixes
If you've purchased a pre-blended surfactant product like Iselux® Ultra Mild, Plantapon® SF NA, or STEPAN-MILD® BSB and you're not sure what to do with it, here's some guidance on how to figure it out & a simple starter formulation 😄
Live Ingredient List Analysis: Josie Maran’s Whipped Argan Oil Firming Body Butter
This one is surprisingly accessible! I'm really excited to try our starter formulation 😄
Can I re-visit an emulsion the next day to add an essential or fragrance oil?
🗳️ From The Question Box: "Hi Marie. I’m wondering if I can add an essential or fragrance oil to a cream that has been left to « cure » 24 hours after making it without it settling at the top of the emulsion after mixing it in. There have been a couple...
