Amandas Soaps » Helpful Hints

Learning to Make Candles

admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:34:24 +0000

I am learning the basics of making candles. I have made unscented candles, but now I can make scented candles. It’s always best not to overwhelm yourself so I started with the basics. I made some tea lights and small candles for Christmas. They turned out good. I think I will need to spray a little more mold release because they were a little hard to get out of the molds. They did pop out with a little extra push, not too bad. I would like to add tea lights to my website. I’m working on that. I like the soy wax and the wax crystals. They seem easier to use. Well good luck to me and to all of you candle makers.

Product Testing

admin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:12:24 +0000

I have started doing some product testing. I got a free container of Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions. Coconut oil is great for cooking and I can use it in some of my beauty products for myself. Tropical Traditions has free recipes using their coconut oil. I love coconut and this is all natural oil. I’m sure I will love it. What I loved even more is that they sent me a big jar full of the coconut oil. A lot of times when you ask for a sample the company gives you a small container, but Tropical Traditions gave me a big container. Awesome! Find them on facebook and twitter.
Find us on facebook and twitter.

How to Use Essential Oils to Repel Insects

admin — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:30:02 +0000

Insects like Mosquitoes, Fleas and Gnats can be an annoying problem. No man or beast likes to have them around or to be bitten by any insects. There are many safe, natural remedies that can be used to repel insects.
Citronella essential oil seems to be the most effective remedy to repel insects especially mosquitoes. Some remedies using citronella oil are to place a few drops of the oil on your clothes. A few drops of essential oil goes a long way. You may also wish to put a few drops on your pillow to keep insects away while you sleep. This will keep the mosquitoes and other insects from biting you.
Most insects, especially fleas and ants don’t like the mix of thyme and tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is one of the worst smelling oils but it is the most effective against insects. Flying insects like Gnats don’t like lemongrass essential oils. Mix it with water and place in a spray bottle. Mist the air when insects appear to repel them. You may also mix equal parts of tea tree and thyme essential oils and use as you would the lemongrass.
Fleas that are on dogs or cats are a big downside to owning these animals. A safe way to keep fleas from biting you or your pets is to mix a few drops of geranium and lavender essential oils. Place this mix in a spray bottle and spray on the dog or cat’s fur. This will help you and your animal noy yo be bitten by fleas.
Be careful when using essential oils. You only need a little at a time. They come from plants but should never be swallowed or applied directly to the skin. They should always be mixed with water or a carrier oil like olive oil.
Tweet

Tips for Using Bath Salt

admin — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:35:29 +0000

There are many wonderful recipes for bath salt using different ingredients. Some ingredients may be baking soda, sea salt, citric acid and other items. Bath salts are made to soothe the skin and to help you relax while taking a bath. They are especially refreshing after a long work day or a stressful time. There are some things to remember when using bath salt.
Bath salt is made to be used in small quantities. You do not have to pour the whole bag of salt in to the bath at once. You only need about 1-2 tbs per warm bath. The bath salt should be applied to running, warn bath water so they can dissolve in the water and soak into your skin. Though it is tempting to spend all day in the bath you should never spend more then twenty minutes at a time in a bath. The water can cause salts and other things in your body to become very relaxed, especially if using bath salt. This can cause a person to become very weak, in other words too relaxed if they stay in the bath longer then twenty minutes.
Use caution and have fun. Relaxing with bath salt is a great way to relieve stress. If you use these simple tips your bath experience will be more pleasurable.
Follow @amandassoaps

Removing Warts, Moles

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:12:53 +0000

I tried a remedy found on http://www.herbjournal.info and it worked great. I have a couple of moles on my face that I wanted to remove cheaply and painlessly. One mole is almost completely gone and I have only used the remedy twice so far. Still working on the others but I’m sure I’ll see a big difference in a week.

Essential Oils and Colors

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:53:03 +0000

Essential oils are oils that can be added to soap and bath products. These oils come from plants and have many medicinal uses and they smell good. They are great for using in aromatherapy. Colors make the soap and other products look pretty. mix this with vanilla essential oil and you can make a wonderful smell
very clean smell
calming scent with healing properties
I love lavender colored soap purple is nice too

Soap Colors, Oils and Additives

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:44:40 +0000

Be careful with what you add to your soap. Glycerin is very soothing to the skin but here are some other ideas. Shea butter and aloe vera are very good for moisturizing the skin
Lavender is calming and good for soothing dry or irritated skin good insect repellent
great variety of essential oils

Soap Supplies

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:35:28 +0000

I am always looking for good places to find soap supplies. To make melt and pour soap you need some essential oils, soap base like glycerin soap or goatsmilk, etc, color, a microwave and microwave safe glass container to melt the soap in. Here are some good deals.
great deal for glycerin soap
great deal for more glycerin soap
glycerin soap base good deal makes a lot of soap

Nail Care

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 22:20:58 +0000

With Sea Salt and a few essential oils, you can obtain healthier, stronger and more brilliant nails and soften cuticles.

Ingredients:
For steps 1 & 2
Approx. 3 tbsp Dead Sea Salt (fine grain)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Water
Small bowl
For step 3*
3 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil (anti-bacterial & anti-fungal oil)
3 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil (moisturizes and strengthens)
3 Drops Lavender Essential Oil (anti-bacterial & anti-fungal oil)3 Drops Lemon Essential Oil (whitens and strengthens)
3 Vitamin E Gel Capsules (moisturizes)
1 oz Sweet Almond Oil (moisturizes)
Dark glass bottle
One-
To soften and soothe cuticles, combine 2 tablespoons of fine grain Dead Sea Salt, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and just enough water to allow you to soak your fingers into a small bowl. Soak for 10 minutes.
Two-
For a beautiful shine on your nails, add a little bit of water to a tablespoon of Dead Sea Salt and buff your nails by gently massaging the salt directly onto your nails using circular motions. Then rinse hands with warm water.
Three-
For the finishing touch, which will help to strengthen brittle nails and give them a natural shine, take a small dark glass bottle and add in the drops of essential oils. Then break the Vitamin E capsules and squeeze them into bottle. Finally, add the sweet almond oil. Massage 2 or 3 drops of the blend onto your nails and cuticles.
*This blend will provide you with many uses since you only need to use a couple drops at a time.

Strawberry Recipes

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:11:17 +0000

Strawberries have many wonderful uses. I love strawberries. They are easy to grow and full of vitamin C. Strawberries are great for oily skin and teeth whitener. Here are some recipes using strawberries.

Strawberry Mask

1/2 c very ripe strawberries, 1/4 c cornstarch Mix strawberries and cornstarch to make a paste and apply to face avoiding delicate area around eyes. Leave on for 30 minutes. Then rinse with cool water.

Strawberries and Cream Astringent

For oily blemished skin. 1 handful strawberries, 1 tbs heavy cream Mash strawberries by hand or in blender. Add heavy cream and mix well. Spread thickly on face and neck. Leave on for 10 minutes. Tissue off and splash with cool water.

Strawberry Toner

1/2 c mashed strawberries, 1/2c plain yogurt Puree ingredients in blender at low speed until set mixed and fluffy. Apply to face and neck. Rinse with water after 30 minutes. If too runny after blending set in fridge for 1 hour. Make the day you plan to use it.