I started making Solid Shampoo bars because I simply wanted to control what I chose to use on my hair. I wanted a preservative-free shampoo that left my hair clean. Not weighed down and oily the next day. Solid Shampoo bars do that for me. They reduce plastic waste and are not harmful to our earth. They take up less space in my tiny bathroom. Best of all, they have replaced one more product for my family in our journey to natural alternatives in our home. Everyone makes them a bit differently. I choose to make mine as natural as possible. Think of them like food for your hair. They have a shelf life. Once you open them and start using them, they need to be “consumed” within 6 months.

I started making Solid Shampoo bars because I simply wanted to control what I chose to use on my hair. I wanted a preservative-free shampoo that left my hair clean. Not weighed down and oily the next day. Solid Shampoo bars do that for me. They reduce plastic waste and are not harmful to our earth. They take up less space in my tiny bathroom. Best of all, they have replaced one more product for my family in our journey to natural alternatives in our home. Everyone makes them a bit differently. I choose to make mine as natural as possible. Think of them like food for your hair. They have a shelf life. Once you open them and start using them, they need to be “consumed” within 6 months.

Our Natural Beechwood Soap Dish can extend the life of your bar of soap – but did you know that you can also extend the life of your soap dish? They are a natural wood, after all. We like to recommend using your soap dishes in pairs. Use one dish for 2-3 weeks, and then wipe it clean with a damp cloth and set it aside to fully dry out while you switch to using your 2nd dish for the next 2-3 weeks. Alternating your natural wood soap dishes this way will prevent mold and mildew from developing and will extend the life of the dish.

Our Natural Beechwood Soap Dish can extend the life of your bar of soap – but did you know that you can also extend the life of your soap dish? They are a natural wood, after all. We like to recommend using your soap dishes in pairs. Use one dish for 2-3 weeks, and then wipe it clean with a damp cloth and set it aside to fully dry out while you switch to using your 2nd dish for the next 2-3 weeks. Alternating your natural wood soap dishes this way will prevent mold and mildew from developing and will extend the life of the dish.

It can’t be denied that by itself, Sodium Hydroxide is neither soothing or skin loving, however it is a necessary part of the soapmaking process. Despite what people may claim, you can’t make soap without it (drives me nuts when people say that too). Soapmaking begins with melted oils/butters, and than adding a mixture of Sodium Hydroxide and water (I prefer rich, creamy milks in my soap). This combo causes a chemical reaction to occur. We call this “Saponification”. The end result of this reaction produces soap, which is actually a salt. (bet you didn’t know that, huh?)

Although Lye is used as an ingredient in the beginning stages of soapmaking, there is absolutely none left in any self respecting bar, because it has all been used up by the chemical reaction of saponification. React A with B and you end up with C – soapmaking works on this principle – the act of causing the chemical reaction changes the original ingredients and creates something completely new. In this case – Soap!

A correct recipe is essential for any soapmaker, (I’ve been making soap for 10 years with my own recipe). Every batch should be measured out in minute detail, always making sure there is more oil in the recipe than called for. Thus resulting in a non-drying, gentle soap for your skin. Thus ends our scientific lesson for today.

It can’t be denied that by itself, Sodium Hydroxide is neither soothing or skin loving, however it is a necessary part of the soapmaking process. Despite what people may claim, you can’t make soap without it (drives me nuts when people say that too). Soapmaking begins with melted oils/butters, and than adding a mixture of Sodium Hydroxide and water (I prefer rich, creamy milks in my soap). This combo causes a chemical reaction to occur. We call this “Saponification”. The end result of this reaction produces soap, which is actually a salt. (bet you didn’t know that, huh?)

Although Lye is used as an ingredient in the beginning stages of soapmaking, there is absolutely none left in any self respecting bar, because it has all been used up by the chemical reaction of saponification. React A with B and you end up with C – soapmaking works on this principle – the act of causing the chemical reaction changes the original ingredients and creates something completely new. In this case – Soap!

A correct recipe is essential for any soapmaker, (I’ve been making soap for 10 years with my own recipe). Every batch should be measured out in minute detail, always making sure there is more oil in the recipe than called for. Thus resulting in a non-drying, gentle soap for your skin. Thus ends our scientific lesson for today.

Hey Guys! A lot of you have probably experienced build-up on your hair and many of you probably think your hair is naturally “oily” or “greasy” because of it. (It should be noted that Oily Hair can sometimes just be a natural result of your scalp over producing Sebum too). However, it’s worth checking your shampoo & conditioner labels to see if any of them contain Silicones. You will recognize some of these specific ingredients by words ending in “-Cone”. Examples would be Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Methicone, etc-.

Now, Manufacturers use “-Cones” in haircare products because they make hair that is dry/frizzy/damaged look and feel like it is healthy and shiny again. However, Silicones are very similar to how plastic coats metal. It sort of “waterproofs” your hair which gives it the illusion of being smooth and silky. It literally coats your hair and builds up over time. This essentially stops your hair from being cleansed when you shampoo and prevents moisture from penetrating your hair shaft. This in turn leads to your hair drying out more, becoming more prone to breakage and of course, the dreaded build-up look of being greasy. No fun, right? Healthy hair is only possible when it’s gently cleansed, its cuticle layer is laying flat and hair is properly hydrated.

So, aside from using a Natural Solid Shampoo bar that is properly formulated to gently cleanse your hair and scalp, most of us will need to help our cuticle lay flat and properly hydrate our hair strands. We do this by using Natural Conditioners, Plant Oils and washing our hair with warm water which opens our cuticle, allowing it to be cleansed of dirt and excess sebum (natural oils produced in your scalp) and then following with a cold water rinse, which closes those Sebum producing pores and helps the cuticle to lay flat. When the Cuticle lays flat, hair will appear much more lustrous and naturally more shiny and healthy. Also, if you can, say no to that hair dryer if possible and let your hair dry naturally. Consider reducing Heat damage from Hair curling/straightening tools, and reduce those Hair styling products to aid in reducing build-up. Go Natural. Your hair and scalp will appreciate it!

Hey Guys! A lot of you have probably experienced build-up on your hair and many of you probably think your hair is naturally “oily” or “greasy” because of it. (It should be noted that Oily Hair can sometimes just be a natural result of your scalp over producing Sebum too). However, it’s worth checking your shampoo & conditioner labels to see if any of them contain Silicones. You will recognize some of these specific ingredients by words ending in “-Cone”. Examples would be Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Methicone, etc-.

Now, Manufacturers use “-Cones” in haircare products because they make hair that is dry/frizzy/damaged look and feel like it is healthy and shiny again. However, Silicones are very similar to how plastic coats metal. It sort of “waterproofs” your hair which gives it the illusion of being smooth and silky. It literally coats your hair and builds up over time. This essentially stops your hair from being cleansed when you shampoo and prevents moisture from penetrating your hair shaft. This in turn leads to your hair drying out more, becoming more prone to breakage and of course, the dreaded build-up look of being greasy. No fun, right? Healthy hair is only possible when it’s gently cleansed, its cuticle layer is laying flat and hair is properly hydrated.

So, aside from using a Natural Solid Shampoo bar that is properly formulated to gently cleanse your hair and scalp, most of us will need to help our cuticle lay flat and properly hydrate our hair strands. We do this by using Natural Conditioners, Plant Oils and washing our hair with warm water which opens our cuticle, allowing it to be cleansed of dirt and excess sebum (natural oils produced in your scalp) and then following with a cold water rinse, which closes those Sebum producing pores and helps the cuticle to lay flat. When the Cuticle lays flat, hair will appear much more lustrous and naturally more shiny and healthy. Also, if you can, say no to that hair dryer if possible and let your hair dry naturally. Consider reducing Heat damage from Hair curling/straightening tools, and reduce those Hair styling products to aid in reducing build-up. Go Natural. Your hair and scalp will appreciate it!

Have you ever noticed that when you smell something, it can change the way you feel? Scent can trigger good or bad memories, emotions, and even change your thoughts and how you feel within moments. In layman terms, recent medical studies have shown that when you inhale an aroma, the nerves inside your nose grab onto that aroma and it travels along to your Central nervous system and from there empties out into your Lymph System. I took the following quote from one of those medical studies. –

“These results suggested that cerebrospinal fluid drained from the subarachnoid space along the olfactory nerves to nasal lymphatic vessels, which in turn, emptied into the cervical lymph nodes. This anatomical route, therefore, allowed connection between the central nervous system and the lymphatic system.” -PMC U.S. National Library of Medicine

Basically, it’s pretty important to pay attention to the types of smells your nose is inhaling. We women, LOVE our perfume, now don’t we? It’s one area that was the hardest to give up for me. A Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Laura Ricci, recommends that if there is one thing we do for our health and hormones, is that we get rid of the Synthetic Fragrances & Perfumes that are not serving us.

Have you ever noticed that when you smell something, it can change the way you feel? Scent can trigger good or bad memories, emotions, and even change your thoughts and how you feel within moments. In layman terms, recent medical studies have shown that when you inhale an aroma, the nerves inside your nose grab onto that aroma and it travels along to your Central nervous system and from there empties out into your Lymph System. I took the following quote from one of those medical studies. –

“These results suggested that cerebrospinal fluid drained from the subarachnoid space along the olfactory nerves to nasal lymphatic vessels, which in turn, emptied into the cervical lymph nodes. This anatomical route, therefore, allowed connection between the central nervous system and the lymphatic system.” -PMC U.S. National Library of Medicine

Basically, it’s pretty important to pay attention to the types of smells your nose is inhaling. We women, LOVE our perfume, now don’t we? It’s one area that was the hardest to give up for me. A Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Laura Ricci, recommends that if there is one thing we do for our health and hormones, is that we get rid of the Synthetic Fragrances & Perfumes that are not serving us.