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Do you ever feel out of control of your world? So many things are out of our control; the choices that our grown children make, the global economy, the weather – the list goes on and on. But the things that are within your control have a huge impact on your life. Your attitude toward life is what determines your actions, which determine the outcome.

This video visually demonstrates how to assemble Crafter's Choice® Lip Tube Arched Display Box. This box holds twelve standard lip tubes, and are the perfect solution for displaying your handmade lip products at your next craft show or farmer's market.

Today, skin cancer is so prevalent that its making people think twice before they venture outside without some SPF, and an increasing number would rather reach for something that skips the harsh chemicals. As a small business, it is not impossible to produce your own sunscreen products, however, it is also necessary when manufacturing these types of products to keep FDA requirements in mind.

Everything you need to know about Zinc Ricinoleate, a wonderful ingredient in handmade deodorant!

Mother's Day is right around the corner, and since we all "heart" our moms, why not create something special? This tutorial shows you how to make a stunning DIY heart soap gift using Shimmer Dust Glitter, giving the illusion of hearts floating in the soap. It's a simple yet thoughtful present that's just perfect for this special occasion! Microwave-safe glass containers (3-4 if available) Sharp knife (for cutting soap into cubes) Spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol Butter knives (for stirring and spreading) Rubber gloves (for safety) Petite Hearts silicone mold (12 cavities) Disposable pipette (for precise measurements) Thermometer (to monitor soap temperature) 12 oz Ultra Clear Melt & Pour soap base 3 oz White Melt & Pour soap base Shimmer Dust Glitter: Bright Red 006 Shimmer Dust Glitter: Flamingo Pink (neon) 024 Salty Sea Air fragrance oil Heart Soap Mold (3 cavities, 4 oz each) Two .15cc scoops The little hearts in this soap are simply adorable! Using the Petite Hearts silicone mold, you can create the perfect size hearts for this project.Step 1:Take 1.5 ounces of cubed Ultra Clear Melt and Pour soap base and place it in a microwave-safe glass container. Melt the soap in the microwave in 15-second bursts until fully liquified. Be cautious, as this small amount of soap can easily overheat and become rubbery.Step 2:Using a 0.15cc scoop, add 3 scoops of Shimmer Dust Glitter in Bright Red. Stir slowly until well combined. At this stage, no scent is needed.Tip: Always stir slowly when adding colorants, fragrances, or other additives to avoid creating unnecessary bubbles.Step 3:Carefully pour the red shimmery soap base into the Petite Hearts silicone mold, filling approximately 9 cavities. Ensure the soap is cool enough (around 130 degrees) to keep the glitter evenly suspended and prevent mold warping.Step 4:Spritz the soap with alcohol to remove any bubbles that may have formed during pouring.Step 5:Repeat the process with Flamingo Pink Shimmer Dust Glitter, following Steps 1 through 3.Step 6:Allow the hearts to set for about 10 minutes. For quicker release, place the mold in the freezer for 3 minutes. The hearts should easily pop out of the mold.Step 7:Arrange the hearts on your workspace so you can plan their placement in the larger soap mold. Step 8:Working with one mold cavity at a time, melt 3 ounces of Ultra Clear Melt & Pour Soap Base using the same method as in Step 1. No colorant is needed. Add 1 ml of Salty Sea Air Fragrance Oil using a disposable pipette, and stir slowly.Step 9:Ensure the soap base is around 130-135 degrees before pouring a thin layer into one of the cavities of the Heart Soap Mold. Pour just enough to cover the bottom completely. Spritz with alcohol to remove bubbles.Step 10:Let the soap sit for 5 minutes to form a hardened layer. Test with your finger – if you can dent it, wait another minute or two. The layer should be firm enough to support the heart embeds.Step 11:Reheat the clear soap base if needed, ensuring it's around 130 degrees. This prevents warping the mold or melting the embeds. Stir slowly to cool if necessary.Step 12:Spritz the hardened soap in the mold to help the next layer adhere properly.Step 13:Quickly pour about 0.5 oz of melted soap base into the mold. Spritz the heart embeds with alcohol, and place them in the mold, face down. The side you want to show should be at the bottom of the mold.Step 14:Once the embeds are in place, spritz again with alcohol, and pour the remaining 3 ounces of clear soap base over them. Allow the soap to set. Spritz once more to remove bubbles.Step 15:Repeat Steps 8 through 14 for the other two mold cavities, using 3 oz of clear soap base for each. For beginners, it's best to work on one cavity at a time. Advanced users can melt all 9 ounces of soap base at once and divide it among the three cavities, adding 3 ml of fragrance oil to the entire batch before proceeding.Step 16:After completing all embeds, let the soap set for 8-10 minutes. Test with your finger – if firm, it's ready for the next step.Step 17:Melt 3 ounces of White Melt & Pour soap base in the microwave, following the same process as before. Add 1 ml of fragrance oil and stir slowly. Monitor the temperature until it reaches 135 degrees.Step 18:Spritz the soap in the mold with alcohol, focusing on the edges. Slowly pour the white soap base to the top of the mold, and spritz again to remove bubbles. The white layer will make the heart embeds pop visually.Step 19:After the soap has fully set (about 2-3 hours), gently press the bottom of each cavity to release the soap. If it doesn't come out easily, wait another 30 minutes or pop the mold in the freezer for 5 minutes before trying again. Creating these beautiful floating hearts soaps is not only a fun and creative project but also a heartfelt way to show your love this Mother's Day. The combination of shimmering glitter, delightful fragrance, and the personal touch of handmade soap will make any mom feel extra special. Whether you're a seasoned soap maker or trying it out for the first time, this tutorial offers a unique way to craft a memorable gift that's sure to be cherished. So gather your supplies, follow the steps, and enjoy the process of making a one-of-a-kind present that truly comes from the heart.

Beer has become an up and coming ingredient in herbal skin care formulas because of its skin-loving benefits. Try this unique ingredient in some in your own recipes today.

Botanical Extracts pack in the essence of plants in liquid form. Use to increase label appeal while also adding these beneficial plant properties to your cosmetics. Many Botanical Extracts consist of the plant extract with water and glycerin. These are water-soluble and can be used for lotion, shower gel, shampoo and shaving cream. There are also Botanical Extracts that consist of the plant extract with oil, making these oil-soluble. The oil-soluble botanicals can be used in cosmetics such as massage oil or solid lotion bars. Plants are thought to have beneficial properties and many are packed with vitamins and other rich qualities that will allure customers to your products. Read more to learn how to use them!

When September arrives, the air starts to get a crisp feel to it, apple stands abound and leaves start to change color and fall from the trees. We used Fragrance Formulator fragrances to create some blends that would remind us of this wonderful time of the year. These fragrances are specifically formulated to blend well together. Each blend is composed of ten parts and each part represents 10% of the total fragrance. Try these blends in your next recipe or use them as inspiration to create your own customized fragrance blends!

Preservatives are essential in any water-based cosmetic formulation. They prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold, keeping products safe and effective for long-term use. But for many small-batch makers and clean beauty enthusiasts, the desire to avoid synthetic ingredients leads to an important question: Are there natural preservatives that actually work?Yes, natural preservatives do exist, and with careful formulation, they can be effective in extending shelf life while aligning with consumer demand for natural and organic skincare. Whenever a cosmetic product contains water, think lotions, creams, toners, and serums, it becomes susceptible to microbial contamination. This not only shortens shelf life but also poses serious safety risks. Natural preservatives serve the same purpose as synthetic ones, but are derived from plant-based, mineral, or nature-identical sources.Without a proper preservation system, even homemade products can spoil in a matter of days. No. Traditional preservatives like parabens and formaldehyde-releasing agents are effective but synthetic. Natural preservatives, on the other hand, aim to maintain efficacy while minimizing synthetic content. These can include compounds like sorbic acid, benzyl alcohol, and dehydroacetic acid, all considered “nature-identical” by regulatory bodies.Some essential oils also offer antimicrobial properties, though they’re rarely sufficient on their own in water-rich formulas. Here are some widely used natural or naturally derived preservatives commonly found in artisan and small-batch formulations:1. Leucidal Liquid (Radish Root Ferment Filtrate)A probiotic-based preservative derived from fermented radish roots. It’s effective against bacteria but often needs a complementary preservative for full-spectrum protection.2. Geogard ECT (Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin & Sorbic Acid)This broad-spectrum preservative is ECOCERT-approved and suitable for most emulsions and rinse-off products. It combines several naturally derived components for stronger preservation.3. Potassium Sorbate & Sodium BenzoateCommonly found in food and personal care products, these inhibit mold and yeast growth and are effective at low pH levels.4. Gluconolactone & Sodium BenzoateThis duo is ideal for skin-friendly formulations and gentle enough for leave-on products. It’s often used in formulations for sensitive skin.5. Essential Oils (Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lavender)While not full-spectrum preservatives, essential oils like these offer mild antimicrobial support. They can enhance an existing preservation system but should not be relied on alone.6. Vitamin E (Tocopherol)Often mistaken for a preservative, vitamin E is actually an antioxidant. It helps prevent oils in a formulation from oxidizing but offers no protection against microbes.7. Citric AcidUsed primarily to adjust pH, citric acid can support a preservative system by maintaining an environment less favorable to microbial growth. While lemon juice is acidic, it's not a reliable preservative in cosmetics. Its pH varies, and it lacks consistent antimicrobial efficacy. In fact, it may destabilize formulas or irritate skin if not used carefully. There’s no single “best” preservative, choosing the right one depends on your formula’s pH, water content, and intended shelf life. However, Geogard ECT and Leucidal Liquid are popular choices for their wide acceptance in natural formulation circles and ECOCERT certifications. For example, if you're making a lotion with a water phase, using Geogard ECT at the correct percentage provides both consumer reassurance and product safety. To maximize the performance of natural preservatives: Follow recommended usage rates: More isn’t always better, some preservatives are only effective at specific concentrations. Control your pH: Many natural preservatives function only within narrow pH ranges. Use clean tools and containers: Sanitation is critical in small-batch making. Test your formula: If selling your products, microbial testing is a must. At Wholesale Supplies Plus, we provide cosmetic makers with ingredients that align with natural formulation goals. Browse our offerings like: Leucidal Liquid – for probiotic preservation Geogard ECT – for broad-spectrum ECOCERT-approved protection Gluconolactone & Sodium Benzoate – for sensitive skin formulations All our ingredients include specification sheets and formulation guidance to help you create safe, effective natural cosmetics.

The peach (Prunus persica) is a drupe. It belongs to the genus Prunus which includes the cherry and plum, in the family Rosaceae. The outermost layer of the peach is called the exocarp or skin. Red pigmentation in the skin (blush) is packed with anthocyanins that are rich antioxidants. The fleshy part is the mesocarp. Inside the middle of the fruit is the pit. Technically, this is referred to as the stony endocarp. Within the stony endocarp is the seed. Fruits bearing stony endocarps inside them are typically called "stone" fruits. The peach is classified with the almond in the subgenus Amygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated seed shell.

In this episode of 'Soaping in Slippers', Debbie May of Wholesale Supplies Plus and Allison Vought of AliMar make a face mask. This 3C's face mask is packed with Caffeine, Carob and Carrot. We learn how to make this face mask and educational tips along the way!

Travel can help you broaden your horizons, forget about life and business stress and catch up on some much needed “me time.” But disconnecting from a business you own isn’t always simple. In fact, one study of small business owners conducted by OnDeck Capital revealed that though 57% will take a vacation this year, 67% of them will check on work at least once a day during their trip.