Testing new products

In the last couple weeks I've made a few new products and in case anybody wonders how they are tested, here's how... First of all, I make sure all my ingredients and my mixtures and combinations are safe, Ph balanced and as harmless as I know how to make them... I am experienced enough in soap and lotion making to know how to do that.

Secondly... my family and friends are willing subjects for testing new things I choose to mix up... it's as simple as that!

I recently made an herbal bath tea, gave a canister of it, with its little organza "tea bag" to my daughter, who unhesitatingly made use of it within just a couple hours... she came out of the bathroom after her delightfully scented, skin nurturing soak in the tub, with the Oooohs and Ahhhs I wanted to hear. She loved the stuff, enjoyed the experience.

I gave my granddaughter and my young niece (both toddlers, ages 2 and 4) some fizzy bath bombs during a recent family vacation... when my granddaughter watched the fizzing action in her bath water with her sweet little mouth in a perfect "O" of delight and a sharp, excited intake of her breath, I knew I had succeeded! And my niece, sweet little thing that she is, asked "Can we have another one?" We fizzed up the tub pretty well that day, much to my delight... and theirs.

My concoction of Thieves' Oil was met by family members with "I can't wait to try it in the vaporizer," "Oh my goodness, I have a cold, I'll give it a try now," "Will it help my sinuses?" "Mmmm it smells wonderful" and "It is so soothing." When my granddaughter fell, causing a bit of a goose egg and a bruise to her forehead, a drop of Thieves' Oil soothed her feelings, helped the swelling go down, and the bruising heal faster. It's good stuff!

The all natural shampoo I made was a little less well-received, but not by much. My daughter used it and loved the smell, the lather, the way it made her hair feel... she did say it was a little thin and watery... I learned something! Next batch will be diluted less... simple as that. I was and am grateful for the honest feedback.

On to new adventures in soaping!