Hi everyone

I thought I would introduce myself since I have been reading around the forum for about a week now...

My name is Ly and I am originally from Luxembourg, but have settled down in Fife, Scotland...

I decided a few weeks ago to make my own creams and body butters as I am disgusted with the amount of products that are tested on animals. I have been making a few things but the one I am most satisfied with is the one I made last night: Shea Body Butter (from the recipes section) ...  ... It's maybe a bit hard so can't wait to give it another try to get the texture just right.

Will also be trying some MP soaps this weekend so will let you know how I get on.  If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear from you.

Ciao for Niao!
Ly.

hi Ly, you may want to add a bit of coconut oil to the shea butter fractionated is good, it won't  be so hard then, but it is a case of just playing around to see what suits you.

I will give that a try Thanks for the suggestion

Hello Ly,

Lovely area Fife (one of the best bits is Luvians in Cupar!!) - I spent 4 years travelling back and forth when Child was at St. Andrews.

Not many MPers about ATM (everyone trying soap seems to be making CP or HP) - before you have a try checkout the article I did on the effects of botanicals in MP soaps.
http://www.fresholi.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=230&Itemid=51

You can put all sorts of stuff into MP - I've tried powdered goatsmilk, honey, beeswax, aloe vera, olive oil, various butters and solid oils, botanicals, fruit powders,oatmeal and other exfoliants.

Try with just 100g if you're adding any of the above and try about 5 - 10% but less for botanicals and exfoliants.

There's lots of info in resources and everyone's very friendly.

Hi Ly, welcome to the board. there's a lot of info here, you'll be a whiz in no time!

Hi Ly....enjoy! xx

Hello Ly 

A really warm welcome from me    Some of your experiments sound very interesting indeed.  Mai's right, add more oil (fluid oil) to your butter will soften it.  You could melt your finished butter down and add the oil to it (just make sure you make notes so when you get it right, you can repeat it  ).

Elaine is queen of M&P and there isn't much she can't help with this.  She has created some of the most interesting soaps using this method.  The only probelm with the link she gave is that is registered to 'Special' so is only accessible to 'Authors'.  You are currently 'Registered' but if you look on 'Guests....  What's Hidden' board & 'Acquiring Author Status' at the top end of the main board, you will see the different ways you could become an author (you'll get access to many more resources then Ly  ).

I hope you enjoy it here, there are lots of lovely people with such a mix of skills, it is very inspirational indeed.

Glad you joined us, its great to have you here 

Helen

Sorry Ly - but if you want to use herbs or dried flowers do a test run (or ask) as many do weird things, rose petals and lavender flowers go a yukky khaki!

Hi all,

Thank you so much for the warm welcome... that put a big smile on my face  !

I know, Elaine, Luvians in Cupar is just great.  Both me and my husband went to St And., so I am quite pleased that we ended up here...  thanks also for the % tips, I will keep that in mind... I have dried some orange peels and powdered them last night...I'm wondering whether I should add these...

Helen, regarding experiments, I think I should write in my diary: "if you bother using fresh orange juice make sure you use the lotion quickly or else it goes mouldy" 

Thanks to all again for the lovely messages
 

He he....  I had something yuckie happen to a banana cream and a bit of a disaster with blueberry juice (interesting indeed  :mwaha:). 

Jones and I were marooned in Luvians one afternoon during the week we had a holiday up there (graduation and steam rally by Aberdeen) as the heavens opened. Water in the road was level with the kerb stones in next to no time.

We were by the whisky shelves (where else??) and I remearked to the young gentlemen that it sounded as though the rain was inside - he replied that ther was a peculiar downspout in the area outside the whisky shelves.

"No", said I, "Look up by the Lagavulin - there's water dripping!"

Great panic as the investment whiskies were ranged along the top shelves.

Re the orange peel - I don't think I've tried that; use 3 or 4g in 100g of base and see what it looks like after a week, some colour changes can take a day or two or three. If you're putting it in a clear base add some calendula petals - they'll provide good colour.

When you're adding bits to MP you need to stir gently until it's near to thin jelly looking then pour (otherwise the bits sink or float depending on their weight).

Welcome Ly.  Hope you enjoy it here too. 

Hi Ly 
Glad you came to join us. Have you made your M&P soap yet? Do share!
Look forward to chatting to you.
Corrie

I'm waiting for Chrissie to pop in and spot Ly's guineapig pic - do you have many Ly?

That's just what I thought when I saw the piggie  :mwaha: