topofmurrayhill Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Here's my second soap, which has been curing for a few weeks.The gimmick with this batch is a whopping 6% tamanu oil. I don't know if it's the tamanu or the overall recipe, but I've tried some shavings from it and I think this is going to be a terrific soap. My DGF is excited about it and she's not the only one. I'm a guy who likes to use the good stuff. This one is planed but unpolished. I made some real chunky bars out of it. They were 1 1/2 inches thick before planing. I figure it will probably want a good long cure time.Fragrance is SW Fresh Sugar Cane. The FO melded beautifully with the tamanu oil, which has a slightly spicy pleasant scent to it. My first batch smells like neroli and soap, but the aromas in one this blend smoothly into something exceptionally nice.The scrubbies are a fine apricot kernel meal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christy Doc Holley Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Wow!! Very Nice. Very pretty. That color is gorgeous too and would be great in a salt bar - which I think you should sometime try to make. You have a natural soaping knack! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonne Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Your beautiful soap is even more so with your professional finishing! :highfive: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairieannie Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Beautiful soap, beautiful presentation! I'd about give my right arm to try a sliver of this stuff.. tamanu oil sounds divine! My mom's witch doctor loves the stuff and uses it for a number of different applications lol, I've been meaning to test it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisajo Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 great looking soap! looks like you've made hundreds of soap batches :highfive: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Oh Top, those are just gorgeous - so polished (even tho you didn't) and professional. Sharp! My mom's witch doctor...Now there's a phrase I don't hear too often.OT, but I couldn't help myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbtddr Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 i don't no any thing about the tamanu oil but nice looking soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystical_angel1219 Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Those are gorgeous bars, and finished beautifully. :highfive: I haven't experimented with tamanu oil much. But I can say that Monoi de Tahiti makes a primo bar for the skin. Very silky, and luxuriant. I buy the unscented because I am not a floral fan.I am curious about the Apricot meal, are they very scrubby?I had one in a facial bar and I found it be to a little too abrasive for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasBrat Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugenia Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Just knock our socks off Top! Forget the candles, you've found your calling LOL! I wish more folks would take a page from your book. You did your research, asked a few questions, stepped right in and did it. Outstanding job my friend; I expected nothing less from you. e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heirloomoriginals Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Love the color!Steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elitenaildesign Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 They look very professional looking. Love em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnitaG Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 It looks wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celicagtca Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Top...what can't you do? Your the man of multi talents. Very nice & clean polished bars. :highfive: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 I wish more folks would take a page from your book. You did your research, asked a few questions, stepped right in and did it. eWow- what a concept! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbren Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 simply stunning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon WY Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Nice... I like the color- is that from the oil? I'd never heard of Tamanu oil until now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted May 22, 2007 Author Share Posted May 22, 2007 I am curious about the Apricot meal, are they very scrubby?I've heard people say the apricot meal is scratchy but I haven't been able to evaluate it properly yet. No problem with the trimmings, for what it's worth. I used a very conservative amount and the stuff I bought is finely ground, so I'm guessing it's not gonna be a problem for a body bar.Personally I wouldn't use a scrubby bar for the face. We use Zirh Scrub, which contains super-fine diatomaceous earth and it's a great product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 I tried apricot meal in my latest gardeners' soap. I think it's too rough but I frankly don't get dirty and don't need a scrubby soap. I have it out with a tester, tho, to find out just that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted May 22, 2007 Author Share Posted May 22, 2007 Nice... I like the color- is that from the oil? I'd never heard of Tamanu oil until now!The look of the soap was inspired by tamanu nuts. I lucked out because it's coming out just the way I envisioned it.The tamanu does add a darker greenish cast to your oils, but the effect would be much more subtle if you left the soap uncolored. The color here actually comes from Select Shades. The blueish cast will get just a little more greenish as it cures. I also added a small amount of TD to ensure the soap would be opaque because I wanted a creamy look.Another thing that probably contributes to the opacity is that my first few soaps showed no inclination whatsoever to gel. I force-gelled the first one in the oven and it came out slightly translucent. This one I left alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Girl Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Kick ass soap you've got there Top! I'm loving that color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donita Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 The soap is very beautiful. You are really on a roll. Have you tried the "window sill test" ....soaps that are superfatted with ingredients that help to repair or replenish the skin are my favorites... As far as the apricot meal, I was an estetitian several years ago and learned that being gentle to the face is a good thing. Apricot meal is just too sharp for the face. I also read an article by a doctor that said there isn't exact proof, but he and a lot of other doctors believe that there may be an ingredient in Aloe that helps to repair the cancerous damage the sun does to ones skin. So.....rather than wait around for exact proof I started using Aloe in my soaps and straight on my face everyday.....and most people don't believe I am 62. Or they think I am a very unusual 62 year old. I have been using Aloe for about 20 years. As far as a scrub on the body, apricot meal would be wonderful. Personally I use my own mixture of cornmeal and sugar and salt for my face....not incorporated in a bar, just a little plastic container. Apricot meal is great on feet. I like smooth feet. I am looking forward to other soaps you make. High quality soap is a luxury and most women appreciate a good bar. It is sooooooo worth the money. I prefer bars over liquids. Some men care.....but most don't. I need time to make soap Donita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted May 22, 2007 Author Share Posted May 22, 2007 and most people don't believe I am 62. Or they think I am a very unusual 62 year old.I'm sure you've been unusual at any age darling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwin Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 Those are divine. They are so spa-like. I love the color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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