Teach Soap

Alright, so I've decided I need to try my hand at some blends. Mostly I need to figure out what to do with this bamboo teak, and I also want a floral with a very slight vanilla undertone for my shampoo/conditioner.

Just not sure I know what to do! I've seen so many methods!! Can I take a round cotton pad and drip FO/EO on it? Thinking 3 or 4 parts jasmine to 1 part french vanilla... so try 3 drops jasmine and 1 drop FV on a cotton pad and do what? Some say put it in a ziplock baggie for a couple days, some say you can sniff it right away. If I find it needs more jasmine or a second floral can I just add to that same cotton pad? Or do I need to start afresh?

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Hmm, I haven't tried cotton pads. I put drops on the end of a Q-tip and used different Q-tips for different scents. Putting them together in a baggie for awhile definitely develops the scent. It's interesting to try smelling your blend immediately, after an hour, after a few hours, and after 24 hours. Good luck!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

I use q-tips and a baby food jar or a plastic bag.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Ohh q-tips! I can do that!

Thanks!! Hoping I can develop a nice floral scent with a very mild vanilla undertone!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

The Q-tips are also great if you need to remember how many parts of each fragrance you used. For example, if you want to try 3 parts vanilla and 1 part peppermint, you can use 3 vanilla Q-tips and 1 peppermint Q-tip, it really helps to keep track of what you've blended.

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Soap Blog:

Coffee filters work well, too, and you can adjust ratios by controlling the number of drops of each FO/EO you use. I cut them in quarters and put them in a small jar for a couple of days.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I use toothpicks and a small ziplock plastic bag that you can buy in the DIY jewelry section of Walmart. I dip the toothpick and then let the excess drip off. IMO the q-tips soak up too much FO or EO!

Sonya

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I took my two scents I wanted; jasmine and vanilla. And I added other things to them to make something like what I wanted. Took me a few tries to get a good jasmine/vanilla balance though! I tried; violet (to strong), bamboo (nice), grass (too grassy), and peony (perfect I think!). Letting them sit in baggies for a few days to decide. Thinking I may try jasmine, vanilla, peony and pink grapefruit. The blend needs SOMETHING, the florals and vanilla are a bit overly sweet. Any ideas? I have litsea, orange 10X, pink grapefruit, lemon grass and sweet meyer lemon for citrus. Thinking the grapefruit might brighten it up some.

Opinions my dear! Opinions! <3

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

For me litsea is much better then grapefruit as grapefruit is more bitter smelling.

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now know as Gwenann's Sudz...

I shall try one with grapefruit, and one with litsea then! Thanks ladies!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

you're welcome....

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now know as Gwenann's Sudz...

I'm thinking Patchouli or maybe even a spice like cinnamon leaf.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Your scent blend sounds good already. I like both Irena's ideas but really love vetiver. Let us know how your scent experiments turn out. We really need smell-a-vision!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!