Finally I got the Peppermint Shampoo Bar to cut, though I won’t get much sellable bars from it because more than half the batch has crumbly, unattractive edges – much of these bars will likely end up as samples. However, I think next time if I leave it to cure a week, as a loaf, turning every other day, I should be fine. A lot of work for a shampoo bar, but hopefully worth it.
Since I was able to cut it, I tried some this morning. Strange, rubbing a shampoo bar into your hair/foaming up your hands and working it in, and since I have long and rather thick hair it took longer than would traditional, liquid shampoo would. That being said, it was a surprisingly pleasant experience. The peppermint, as I wanted it to be, left a light cooling feeling on my scalp that is continuing on through this morning. It’s cooling like when you dip your hand in cool water and take it out and a random draft gently blows over it. Got that? 
 Cooling just shy of a tingling, which I think is the right amount since too much of this I do think would be, well, too much. I don’t dry my hair, I braid it and let the air do that, so I can’t speak for it’s texture completely until tonight. However, the top parts that are dry are really soft and when I was combing it out it was very not tangly (which I worried it would be since I didn’t use conditioner). I’ll have a better idea of what my hair thinks later.
I made another batch of soap yesterday that I’m still waiting to judge. I used neem oil and though I know it’s smelly I wasn’t prepared for just how much that smell would permeate the whole batch (despite only using a small amount). I scented it with Lemongrass essential oil, and I’m hoping it won’t be a problem. The neem, though, turned the whole batch a dark mustard colour, which I find interesting. I’ve been thinking about trying natural colourants, though I am limited in what colours I can get.
I picked up some new packaging supplies for the soaps. Surprisingly (ha) I’m not happy with off-white paper on off-white soap. I’m also considering using small organza bags (in various colours) to “wrap up” the soaps in. Any opinions?
March 31st, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Eventually, if you do go with the organza bags, you can buy those in bulk at Oriental Trading Co.
I like the smell of lemon grass.
Actually, I think the only smell that I don’t care for is rose. It tends to get cloying quickly.
Oh, and lilac is another good choice.
)
March 31st, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Peppermint shampoo soap? That sounds heavenly. I’m not much of a fan of floral scents, but I would totally buy peppermint.