Soy Wax-Not Just For Candles!

(Got a little oil on the packaging-it didn't arrive that way:)

Oh, about a few months ago, I did a swap with my blogging buddy Jackie of 2 Virgo Designs. She selected 3 of my lip lushes, and I chose something quite different: Soy Wax Lotion Tart with Emu Oil. Okay, that's not a typo. I did say soy wax lotion tart. I must admit, I prefer to use vegan products although I eat meats of all kind-but I've never eaten emu before, lol.




As you can see, the lotion tart comes packaged in a breakaway tart pack just like a traditional wax tart. The packaging calls it a warming hand lotion & room freshener, but I actually used mine as a softener for my heels, knees, and elbows because mine look like I've been walking on all fours-on concrete! I just break off a cube and rub. The tart melts into your skin, and for maximum penetration, I use mine while my skin is still slightly damp. The scent I chose is called Black Knight of Avalon. I can't describe it except to say Ooh La La! It's very sensual and mysterious. I can't stop smelling myself. I even use a little in my hair to give it a beautiful, subtle scent.

Here are the ingredients: soy wax, shea butter, cocoa butter, emu oil, and fragrance. Pure. Delightful. Sexy.

You can find 2 Virgo Designs on Etsy. Check it out and go score!

Does It Really Do That? A Product Review

I can honestly call myself a product junkie. I love to try the latest trends in beauty, and I was recently presented with an opportunity to try Smooth Away. I know you've seen the commercial. It's the one where you slip the little pad on your hand and rub all the unwanted hair away. I was really excited to try this one because I don't like waxing (it hurts like hell), I don't like shaving (not worth it if you're a Sasquatch like me), and I cannot stand Nair or Neet (stinks all to be damned!) We all know the saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is..." Well, I hate to report that in this case, that saying holds true.

The premise of Smooth Away is that you rub this pad of super-granulated crystals in a circular motion over the areas where you have unwanted hair, and the hair is magically buffed away! The process is described on its site as easy, safe & painless. I found the process to be difficult, scary, and painful. I started off small-I wanted to get rid of my moustache (which just aint sexy on a chick). I must have rubbed my skin raw trying to remove the hair on my upper lip. When that didn't work, I moved to my legs thinking a bigger area with longer, thicker hair would be more successful. I did manage to remove a few hairs, but it took maximum effort and about 10 minutes of buffing my leg to an ashy shine. I immediately used the lotion provided with the hair removal pads to soothe my chaffed, still-hairy skin. The moisturizer is key to this product because you will definitely need it after using this product.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend Smooth Away. It did not live up to the expectations it set forth in its ad. It requires maximum effort with minimal results. I do like the moisturizer though. I actually use it after I finish shaving which I've reverted back to. Check out the site and read the FAQ and make the decision for yourself.

These Bath Bombs Are The Bomb!

I love surprises. No, I'm lying. I don't love surprises because I have to always know what it is. Don't tell me it's a surprise because that'll make me all the more curious. I use to find my Christmas gifts as a child and carefully peel off the taped edges so I could see what the package was. I'm terrible, and I digress.....

So, I actually got a surprise in the mail on Inauguration Day to be exact. It was from my good friend Misty over at Burnt Mill Candles & Soaps. I happened to comment on her blog post about her bath bombs, and she so graciously made me one of her surprise testers. First of all I'm thrilled that she would even consider me, and secondly, I love bath and body stuff-especially free bath and body stuff:-D

Let me tell you right off the bat, I do not like taking baths. I've said it a million times on this blog. I have a thing about soaking in my own filth, and it dates back to my childhood. Anyway, I decided to use the bombs in a slightly different capacity. I used them as a soak for my long overdue pedi. I love watching bath bombs twitch and sizzle when I drop them in the water. I only used half of a bomb which was plenty, and not only did it make my water smell divine, it softened the water and welcomed my crusty feet with open arms! I tend to neglect my tootsies when the weather is cold because I wear socks or tights all season long. I probably let my feet soak about 20 minutes, and the flakes literally slid off when I touched my feet. There was minimal effort-just a few swipes with my trusty pumice stone, and I was done!

I recommend these bombs highly-for bathing or for mani/pedis. I don't know where she gets her yummy scents from, but all of Burnt Mill's stuff-candles, soaps, bath bombs.. are good enough to eat. Check her out today!

One Step Ahead...

I always pride myself on being one step ahead of the game (or at least on pace). Case in point: I received my download of the Jan/Feb '09 issue of Saponifier Magazine the other day, and one of the articles was Product Reviews. I was surprised to see that one of the products being reviewed was Brambleberry's Holly Berry fragrance oil. I was so excited because I bought this FO back in November as my one true Christmas fragrance. It's a limited edition FO, so I'm not sure how long it'll be around. The reviewer used her Holly Berry in body cream and MP soap, but I used mine in CP soap. The scent itself is a combo of holly, pine, and red tart berries with supporting notes of cinnamon and cardamom. There was a disclaimer that the soap would discolor to a peach/gold after 8 hours. That would have been so cool, but it didn't happen for me. My soap stayed the red and green I colored it. I really smell the cinnamon and pine more than anything making it perfectly unisex. I sprinkled a little gold soap glitter on it for effect. Believe it or not, I haven't used this one yet. It's going in the shower tonight. Bottom line: It is a nice addition to your holiday/winter collection.

I'm Getting Better!

For those of you who regularly read my blog, you know I often lament about how I suck at pillar candle making. Well I'm happy to report that I'm improving-slightly. I ordered a new type of wax that I've never used before, and I'm quite pleased with it. I went to At Wix End to originally order a drill bit for my pillars, but I not only got that, I bought a 5 pound bag of this wax. I love it because it's a one pour wax, meaning you don't get those pesky sink holes. I hate those damn things! Secondly, the finished product yields this beautiful snowflake effect. I scented this candle in Blackberry Nectarine from Candle Science, but the color doesn't really reflect it. I was testing the wax after all! I give this wax 4.5 stars out of 5. Like all soy and palm waxes, you get that powdered fluff which gets all over the place. I wish they'd package these types of waxes in a container. Those plastic bags they pack them in aren't worth a damn. The tiniest little hole will get that powdered stuff all over the place. Looks like a huge bag of cocaine to me!

I'm off to make a few more candles. Stay tuned...

Give Me Body-Productt Body!

I hope everyone is having fun shopping and selling and eating leftover turkey! I know I am! Since I do work all day outside of my home, I often miss the mailman when I have packages that won't fit in my box, so I get one of those pink slips letting you know that you have a package. When I come home after a hard day of basically hating having to work for someone else (although I am so thankful to have a job right now), nothing makes me happier than getting that kind of pink slip!

Anyhoo, I typically do not buy from other bath and body makers because I view them as the competition, and why the heck should I support the competition right? Wrong! I've made many online friends (at least I consider them friends) since I've started blogging, and they make some damn good stuff! I have a list of folks I intend to buy from, and now that the holidays are here, I'm not only a seller, but I'm also a buyer. One of my favorite blogs is The Soap Bar, and while Joanna basically does product reviews (I have yet to send in a soap. I'm a nervous wreck.), she also has her own beauty site Product Body. I decided to check out Product Body site, and I was blown at all the major press she's received. That's what I'm talkin' bout! I was mucho impressed, so I decided to order the Cream moisturizer in Vanilla Mango. It has shea butter in it, and it smells light and lovely. My ashy, dry skin soaks it right up and there's no sticky feeling either.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Cream by Product Body. Bonus: Joanna also sent me a healthy sized jar of Crush On You scented in Apple Crisp. Thanks Joanna. I'm adding Product Body to my "Loves It" list.