Merry Christmas Eve everyone! This week featured fun melt and pour tutorials, including the Blueberry Tart Soaps. The fruit embeds are top are created with the Ultramarine Blue Color Block and the Small 9 Ball Silicone Mold. The bars also feature a soapy crust and cheesecake center. The Blueberry Jam Fragrance Oil makes them smell just like the real thing.
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Blueberry Tart Melt & Pour Soap DIY
During winter, everyone get a craving for fresh berries. But fresh berries are expensive off season. Don’t feel like paying an arm and a leg for a pint of blueberries? Make one of these Blueberry Tart Melt & Pour Soaps instead! Made with Blueberry Jam Fragrance Oil, they smell sweet and juicy.
First, a small layer of brown soap is poured into the Round (Cupcake) Silicone Mold to create the look of a crust. White soap is layered on top, and is finished with blueberry soap embeds and a soap drizzle. The “blueberries” on top are created with the Small 9 Ball Silicone Mold. For this project I used two Small 9 Ball Silicone Molds to create three blueberry embeds for each soap. If you only have one mold, create the embeds in two batches.
Because this soap does involve a few layers, I recommend having a spray bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol nearby. Spraying alcohol between the layers helps the soap stick together. It’s also great for getting rid of bubbles right after pouring. A thermometer is also handy for melt and pour layers. If the soap is too hot, it can melt the layer below. I recommend pouring the top layers around 120-130 degrees F to avoid melting.
Midnight Plum Melt & Pour Soap DIY
Projects with lots of layers, swirls, embeds and more are awesome. But sometimes you just want to make something easy and straightforward, you know what I mean? This no-fuss melt and pour project is just that. But, that doesn’t make it boring! The soap base is colored with a blend of Queen’s Purple Color Block and Black Oxide Color Block for a rich, dark violet hue. Then, lots of glitter and sparkle is added. It reminds me of deep space.
The soap is scented with Bramble Berry’s Alien Type Fragrance Oil, which was inspired by the Thierry Mugler perfume of the same name. It smells absolutely amazing with notes of jasmine, amber, ylang ylang and a touch of patchouli. It’s the perfect scent for the mysterious purple color of this soap. Don’t forget to add the Vanilla Color Stabilizer, because the fragrance does discolor. I used the Stephenson Ultra Clear Soap Base for this project so the sparkle really pops, but any clear melt and pour soap base would work as well.
Talking with Tania of Soapish
Tania of Soapish is a talented soapmaker who resides in California. Before learning to make it, Tania wasn’t a fan of bar soap. But once she tried handmade bar soap, she was instantly obsessed. Tania creates cold process soap, lotions, scrubs, bath bombs and more. All of her gorgeous creations have a distinct point of view. You know it’s a Soapish bar just by looking at it! Tania shares some of her soaping projects on her YouTube channel, and creates stunning soap eye-candy on her Instagram. Learn more about Tania, including her advice for making YouTube videos and how she came up with her business name.
Tania in her gorgeous kitchen, along with a collection of her cold process soaps.
How long have you been soaping for and how did you get started?
I started soapmaking on August 11, 2013. I know the exact date because I posted a picture on Instagram of the first soap mold I built. I was always fascinated by the process of making soap, and I even bought a soap making book years and years ago, but I didn’t try it right away because it seemed so intimidating!
After nervously making my first few batches, I was completely addicted. Soap making was basically all I did and thought about for the next year. I joined a soap makers forum, watched every YouTube video I could find, and read and read anything about soap I could. The really funny part is that I used to hate bar soaps! All of my friends were so amused at my obsession; they all knew how much I disliked soap bars. After I tried handmade soaps, I was hooked.
A beautiful Soapish display, full of soap, lotions and scrubs.
What sort of advice would you give to those soapers just starting their businesses?
The first bit of advice I would offer is to find out and follow carefully all of the labeling and insurance requirements in your area. Next, I’d say to get tons of feedback from people outside of your friends and family. Ask for unbiased thoughts and opinions on everything from the products themselves, your packaging, website, and your social media photos. That helpful advice can give you the perspective you need to successfully sell your products. Lastly, talk about your products to anyone who will listen and always carry samples. You never know when someone may be interested in having local, handmade bath and body in their shop.
What is your favorite type of product to make?
Cold process soaps are my favorite! Although I only make them once in awhile, I really love creating complicated designs that challenge me. My favorites are scented with anything citrus!
Top left, clockwise: Sweet Orange Chili & Blood Orange Soap, Caribbean Swirled Soap, St. Patrick’s Day Soap, a collection of cold process soaps.
What inspires you to create?
Everything around me inspires me! Flowers and plants, fashion, textiles, and photography are the top of my list. I love looking at color palettes and patterns that immediately make me want to recreate them in a bar of soap. I can’t get enough of other soap makers’ photos, because they inspire me to want to create too. I’m also inspired by a challenge or necessity. I’ve found that I’m at my most creative when I’m being forced to think outside of the box.
I love how clean and eye catching Tania’s packaging is. It really complements the soap!
How did you come up with the name for your business?
Coming up with a business name is not easy! Everything clever and catchy having to do with soap, bubbles, and baths was already taken by someone. I think it’s the Los Angeles in me, but I add “ish” to everything I say. That’s probably why “Soapish” just came to me one day. It was perfect because at the time I was starting to add lotions and scrubs to my product line, it tells people I make soap, but not only soap! Now I realize that my business name didn’t have to have the word soap or even have anything bath related in it: it just had to be individual and say something about me.
You share some of your soapy projects on your YouTube channel. What is your favorite thing about making videos, and what advice do you have for those thinking about making videos?
I love making videos because I love watching them. My favorite part about creating videos is that I enjoy teaching, and for those few minutes I get to teach someone something new or at least inspire them to try a technique or create. What I would tell anyone wanting to make good videos is that you don’t need fancy equipment to shoot them. I shoot my videos with my iPhone and edit them with an app right on the phone. My main recommendations for great soap videos is to always have good natural lighting, this means recording during the daytime which isn’t always convenient. I also use the editing program to cut down the long, noisy parts (that stick blender can be loud!) And lastly, always try to have a clean, uncluttered work space so your viewer can see what you’re doing without distractions.
What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?
It’s really impossible to choose just one thing because there are so many that I can’t do without. If I have to choose just one it would be the Ginger Ale Fragrance Oil. It just makes me happy and it behaves extremely well for swirls and designs.
What is your favorite soaping technique and why?
My favorite soap technique is stripes. I love the modern look and I like the challenge of getting the lines perfectly even and straight. I also like that it makes a pretty soap, but not one that’s so fussy people won’t use it.
Left, clockwise: Tiny Triangle Embed Soap, Diagonal Cut Stripe with Swirl Soap
Your photos have such a distinctive look. What tips do you have for photographing soap?
I just try to clean up the soap bars and other products nicely and present them in a way that looks good to me. After that, it’s really all about that natural lighting!
Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself!
People are surprised to find out that I have 4 kids; 2 girls and 2 boys. They pretty much run my life for now, haha. I’m also a power tool loving mama, and I love to build things. My dream girls night out is a stroll through Home Depot with a cup of coffee in my hand.
Top left, clockwise: A collection of Valentine’s Day Soap, Grapefruit & Bergamot Bars, “Hidden Mickey” Soap, Apple Picking Soap
What are some of your other hobbies and interests?
In addition to soap making, I make and decorate cakes with sugar sculpted flowers and figurines. I love to cook and have dinner parties, and I’m also passionate about home renovating and decorating. My husband and I bought a new house a year ago and we spend most of our free time fixing, building, and painting.
What is your number one soaping tip?
My absolute number one soaping tip is to know your fragrance. A badly behaved fragrance oil can mess up even the simplest soap. I’d say that 95% of the batches I’ve botched were due to either accelerating fragrance or discoloring fragrance. Always read the reviews carefully. If you can see photos of test results, that’s even better! If in doubt, make a tester; it could save you a huge mishap!
Tiny Triangle Embed Soap, scented with Energy Fragrance Oil.
Have you ever experienced a horrible soapy fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?
I have definitely had a soapy fail! I think we’ve all had those batches that go wrong. There are batches that are so stressful you start sweating and then inevitably a drop of raw soap finds a spot of your skin that’s exposed, so you have to deal with that in the middle of the chaos. When I’ve had those moments I tell myself “get it in the mold.” If I can do what I have to do to get it in the mold, I can usually make something good out of it the next day. Either I can chop it up for embeds or sometimes it turns out better than I expected. And in the worst cases, my friends get a few bars of ugly soap. These experiences also remind me to wear long sleeves when making soap!
What do you love most about creating bath and body products?
I love it when someone writes me a card or sends me a message telling me how my products have helped their skin. Being able to create these pretty things that are colorful, creative, pieces of useable art and knowing they helped someone…what more could you ask for?
Find Soapish:
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Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (Nov. 19th ~ 25th)
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We definitely did. My sister-in-law hosted the entire family and it was such a treat to just show up with my side and the pie and not worry about all of the hosting details. I owe her for sure (and, next year will definitely be my turn to host again). My aunt made these insane cheese cookie things that she served with a pepper jelly. I probably ate 6 of them? Ooooooof. Eating healthy during the holiday season can be difficult. It really helps to have a support system. If you’d like to focus on healthy habits, join me + 30 others for a special “Best Holiday Ever” 21 day lifestyle challenge. Learn more about the challenge in this post. We are doing our pre-challenge planning right now and everyone is sharing their SMART goals in the private Facebook group.
How to Soap with Accelerating Fragrance Oils
Last week, we put together a list of all the Bramble Berry Fragrance Oils that don’t cause acceleration. There are plenty to choose from, and I hope you find the list handy in the future! But, what if you fall in love with a fragrance and it accelerates? It doesn’t mean you can’t use it, but it does mean you may need to adapt your recipe in order to get the best results.
Tweaking your recipe to account for acceleration is a balancing act, and it takes practice. There are several aspects of the recipe you can change to make the acceleration more manageable, including changing the design and avoiding certain additives. If the fragrance accelerates slightly and you tweak the recipe to include more slow-moving oils, that can also counteract the acceleration. But if the acceleration is extreme enough, no recipe or method can prevent it. Acceleration depends on so many factors.
Change Your Design
Non-accelerating oils are necessary when you’re creating a design that requires lots of time to work. Techniques like the spin swirl, column pour and funnel pour require lots of pouring and movement. If the soap becomes thick and no longer fluid, the design just won’t work. When using an accelerating fragrance oil, choose your design carefully. Some designs actually work better with a medium to thick trace, making them perfect for that fragrance oil. Such designs are spoon plops, textured tops, lots of layers and designs with embeds.
If you’re determined to use an accelerating fragrance oil for a design that needs a well-behaving fragrance, sometimes you can get away with it if you tweak your recipe. But, I also recommend having a plan B in case the soap becomes thick. There have been many times I tried negate an accelerating fragrance oil with slow-moving oils, only to have it become pudding halfway through.
The Spin Swirl Technique is next to impossible with an accelerating fragrance oil. I learned this lesson when I tried to use Flower Child Fragrance Oil in the soap above. Notice it got too thick by the time I was done pouring!
One instance that really stands out was attempting the spin swirl. I was determined to use Flower Child Fragrance Oil (which accelerates) for the Psychedelic Spin Swirl Cold Process Project. How perfect would that have been!? But, even using a recipe with plenty of slow-moving oils and working quick, my soap was thick halfway through. After two attempts, I threw in the towel and used a combination of Kumquat Fragrance Oil and Patchouli Fragrance Oil. It worked great. The end result was a bar that had the look I wanted and still smelled great. Moral of the story? Sometimes you have to compromise either the design or the fragrance. Changing the recipe doesn’t always solve everything.
Change Your Oils
Tweaking the oils in your recipe makes a huge difference in how long it takes for soap to thicken. Some oils are considered “slow-moving.” Generally, these oils are lightweight and liquid at room temperature, like olive oil, rice bran oil, sweet almond oil and canola oil. If the oil or butter is solid at room temperature like palm oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, etc., you can assume it will make your soap thicken more quickly.
Firm oils like palm oil, coconut oil and butters tend to speed up trace.
When working with an accelerating fragrance oil, I plan my recipe around it and include more slow-moving oils than normal. I may avoid butters, because they can be a little bit more temperamental. I definitely stay away from beeswax and also soap with castor oil at 3% or less in the recipe. I have found that more than 3% castor in my recipe tends to speed up trace slightly. If I’m trying to avoid acceleration, my recipes are usually about 60% or more slow-moving oils, and 40% or less fast-moving oils.
Change Your Temperatures
The temperature of your lye solution and oils affects soap in many ways. For most soapers, the preferred temperature of soaping lye and oils is about 120-130 ° F. In general, warmer soaping temperatures speeds up trace, causing soap to become thick more quickly. If I’m creating a design that requires a lot of time to work, I tend to soap a little bit cooler than normal, around 100-120 ° F. If your recipe is moving a little bit faster than you’d like, try decreasing your soaping temperatures by 10-15 ° F. It can make a huge difference!
Change Your Additives
Some ingredients cause acceleration. If you’re using a fragrance that accelerates and want to prevent it as much as possible, skip these additives. Ingredients that contain sugar like honey, beer, wine, milk and purees increase temperature, which can speed up trace. Salt also speeds up trace, whether it’s added to the lye water (as shown here) or at trace (as shown here). Interestingly, I’ve found that sodium lactate (which is type of salt), doesn’t have a huge effect on trace when used at the correct usage rate. I use it in every single recipe, including recipes with accelerating fragrances and more complicated designs.
Additives with sugar (like honey) cause temperatures to increase, which will accelerate trace.
Ingredients that are known for their absorption properties also speed up trace. Such ingredients include clays, activated charcoal and titanium dioxide. Dispersing clay and other absorbing ingredients in distilled water can help negate some of the acceleration, but avoiding them completely is the best way to prevent acceleration.
Put Down the Stick Blender
Accelerating or not, I whisk in just about every fragrance oil at the very end. If I don’t care about the soap becoming thick, I might stick blend the fragrance oil in. But, if I’m trying to avoid acceleration at all costs, I put my stick blender down and use it very sparingly. Using the stick blender accelerates soap, because it speeds up the emulsification process. The fragrance oils at Bramble Berry are tested by whisking in the fragrance into the batter. If you choose to use the stick blender instead, be ready for the batter to become thicker whether or not you’re using an accelerating fragrance oil. =)
Avoid the Water Discount
Water discounting your recipe has a lot of benefits. It helps soap release from the mold faster and prevents glycerin rivers. But, removing water from the recipe causes soap batter to thicken more quickly. A water discount combined with an accelerating fragrance oil can lead to some pretty thick soap very quickly. If you’d like to learn more about how to water discount your soap and how it affects your batch, check out this post.
When you’re working with an accelerating fragrance oil, how do you tweak your recipe or design? Or, do you embrace the acceleration and use it to your advantage with textured tops, layers, etc.?
Soapy Social Media Roundup
This week has been quite the whirlwind, hasn’t it? The team and I filmed Soap Queen TV videos on Friday. It’s always a fun, but long day. We filmed three videos, including melt and pour, bath bombs and a cold process recipe. I can’t wait to share them with you! What kind of Soap Queen TV videos would you like to see in the future?
Next week , get ready for more dessert-inspired projects using fragrance oils from the limited edition Seasonal Sweets Fragrance Oil Collection. The collection will be gone after the 18th, so don’t miss out on the chance to save on these amazing fragrances! If you missed out on the live introduction on Facebook this week, check out the video below. =)
LIVE on #Periscope: Introducing the limited edition Seasonal Sweets Fragrance Collection! https://t.co/LykgvzEKvv
— Anne-Marie Faiola (@brambleberry) November 8, 2016
Top left to right, clockwise:
- This DIY Abstract Brushstroke Mug is beautiful! Love the bright, cheery colors.
- A sushi sandwich? Yes please! This method of wrapping the sushi looks so easy.
- This quote really resonates with me right now. Everything is easier with a positive outlook.
- How cute is this Spiked Punch Soap by Small Batch Soaps? I love the texture on top and fun embeds.
Instagram:
This month’s fragrance oil sample is Blueberry Jam. It’s such a fantastic scent and it performs wonderfully in soap. For ideas on how to blend it, and instructions for these cute blueberry cheesecake melt and pour soaps, click here.
It’s so exciting to see people make recipes from my newest book, Pure Soapmaking. Karen of @mookamadethis created the Dark Ale Loofah Bars and hit it out of the park!
YouTube:
Speaking of Pure Soapmaking, did you catch the latest Soap Queen TV video? In the video, I share the Annatto-Yarrow with Embeds Soap. It is a more challenging recipe that results in a totally unique looking bar.
- There is something about a soft, cozy T-shirt that brightens up your day. I wear this shirt often when I need a little morale boost.
- Is bar soap better for the environment?
- I love, love, love kale. Before the kale craze in 2013, Pizza Hut was the largest consumer of kale. But they didn’t put it on pizza!
- It can be tempting to want to create it all. Soap, body butter, bath fizzies, lotion, scrubs, balms…the list can go on and on. But, focus is your friend. Here are tips for focusing your product collection.
- I’m so excited to be speaking at the Grit and Resilience event in Seattle.
- Mark your calendar on November 20th! Kevin of Devinely Designed will be soaping live and giving away some Bramble Berry goodies.
- This Sugar Cookie Scrub Tutorial is such a cute holiday gift idea.
To keep up with soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Snapchat. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat. Don’t forget to tag your soapy projects on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare so I can see your projects!
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (Nov. 5th ~ 11th)
This week the blog featured several tutorials using the new Seasonal Sweets Fragrance Collection. It has four dessert-inspired scents perfect for the holidays, including Red Berry Rhubarb Fragrance Oil. That scent inspired the Red Berry Melt and Pour Soap Tarts, which have cute red and pink layers and an embed on top.
Now until November 18th, you can try the four 2 oz. fragrances in the Seasonal Sweets Collection for just $18.45. That’s over 30% off the price of buying them separately.
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (Oct. 22nd ~ 28th)
The holidays will be here before you know it, so now is the time to start thinking of gifts. This week the blog was full of handmade gift ideas. The Melt and Pour Gem Soaps are a great option. They’re easy to make and customize with your favorite colors and scents. Find more inspiration in the Holiday Project Ideas post.
Soapy Social Media Roundup
It’s that time again…another week almost over! Every time I write a weekly roundup, it makes me realize just how quickly time flies. Speaking of time moving at the speed of light, I stumbled on this photo of Lily below and can’t believe how grown up she looks. The baby of the family is no longer a baby, she is a full fledged “kid.” In the photo below we are hanging out at the doctors office (nothing serious, just a check-up) and even during mundane trips she is all smiles.
Next week, look out for a holiday project and a new Soap Queen TV video. I’m also working on a business post about trademarks and business licenses. Not the most riveting subject, but I know how confusing that can be for new business owners. If you need some links to fuel your internet surfing, check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams below.
Left to right, clockwise:
- How stunning is this fall inspired table setting? It would be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, and looks pretty easy to put together!
- I’m in love with these Berry Bewitching Artisan Soaps by Sv Soaps. The swirls, soap frosting, and witch-y embeds all come together perfectly.
- Soap will always be my first love, but my love for paper products comes in close second. This love is part of my inspiration for Best Day Ever, which sells paper goods like cards and planners. This Best Day Ever card is perfect for birthdays, or any special occasion.
- It’s definitely soup season. This Cannellini Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Toasts looks great for a cold day.
Instagram:
How amazing is this soaping studio? It belongs to Jill who is participating in my nutritional challenge for Best Day Ever. It’s so incredibly organized and clean! It makes me want to overhaul just about every room in my home.
The Chamomile & Coconut Oil Body Balm Tutorial was designed to be easy to make and multipurpose. The coconut oil is infused with chamomile herb, and the balm does not contain any fragrance oil so it can also be used for the lips.
In need of a little sparkle? Whip up some Sparkling Bath Crystals! They are really easy to make, and can also be used as potpourri if you fragrance them heavily. I think the pink might be my favorite, which is yours?
- If you have 10 minutes, you have time to start practicing mindfulness.
- Anybody else ever get lost in soapmaking videos on YouTube? Check out this video of Stacey of Yellow Cottage Soapery making watermelon cold process soap.
- Not sure how I feel about robots making my pizza. I think people do a pretty good job already.
- If you need a “awh” moment, this video of a baby elephant coming to the rescue of a man in a river (who didn’t actually need rescuing) really delivers.
- Working in customer service can be difficult, no doubt about it. Learn how to keep your sanity.
- Decorate your house for Halloween with this awesome Bloody Candle Tutorial!
To keep up with soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine, YouTube and Snapchat. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat. Don’t forget to tag your soapy projects on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare so I can see what you’re making!
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (Sept. 24th ~ 30th)
It’s hard to believe October is here already. This week the blog featured fall-friendly tutorials like the Crescent Moon Cold Process Soap. The bars are all about contrast. They have a dark gray base and a bright yellow embed made with the Mini Moon Silicone Column Mold. They also have a touch of Gold Sparkle Mica sprinkled on top. For a smoky and complex scent, the soap has Tobacco & Bay Leaf Fragrance Oil.
Purées & Fresh Ingredients in Melt and Pour Soap
I love how a block of melt and pour soap base can be transformed into so many things. If you take a peek at the melt and pour section of this blog, you can see just how many possibilities there are. From color and fragrance to exfoliants and embeds, there are so many design options. It’s easy to understand why crafters of all skill levels enjoy it!
Despite the vast possibilities for melt and pour, there are a few additives that don’t work well. Fresh ingredients like purees and milk are at the top of the list. To understand why these ingredients don’t work, it’s important to understand what melt and pour soap is. Melt and pour soap is ready-made soap that has gone through the saponification process. That means sodium hydroxide lye, oils, glycerin (and sometimes other ingredients) were combined together to make the base – just like making cold process soap! If you’re unfamiliar with saponification, this video explains the process further.
The fact that saponification has already occurred in melt and pour soap is what makes melt and pour soap “easy.” You don’t have to worry about working with lye. Melt and pour soap is ready to use once fully cooled and hardened, so it’s fast too. No cure time is needed for melt and pour. But, because saponification has already occurred, it means that you don’t have as much control over the ingredients in the soap. Ingredients that require saponification to become part of the soap (lye, oils, butters, purees, milk, eggs, etc) don’t work well when added to melt and pour.
Crescent Moon Cold Process Soap Tutorial
Fall officially started last week, which means it’s time for Halloween projects! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. It’s an excuse to embrace dark colors, moody fragrances and spooky themes. For this Crescent Moon Cold Process Soap, I wanted to create a bar of soap that would be appropriate for Halloween and beyond.
These bars are a sophisticated take on Halloween with a striking yet simple design. Black Oxide gives the bars a dark gray hue. If you want a darker color, feel free to add more colorant. Just keep in mind the more you add, the darker the lather will be. The crescent moon shape is created with melt and pour soap and the Mini Moon Silicone Column Mold. Gold Sparkle Mica on top really pops against the dark gray. The bars are scented with Tobacco & Bay Leaf Fragrance Oil, which is a wonderfully smoky and complex fragrance. It’s great for both men and women.
This project is appropriate for both beginning and intermediate soapers. It requires a medium to thick trace, so you don’t need to worry about over blending with the stick blender. But, keep temperatures in mind. Melt and pour soap begins to melt around 120-130 ° F. If this soap gets too hot, the moon embed could melt. I recommend soaping around 100-110 ° F and not insulating the soap to keep temperatures cool.
Facebook and Instagram Photo of the Week (Sept. 17th ~ 23rd)
More projects made with the Autumn Frost Fragrance Collection were shared on the blog this week, including the Vermont Maple Melt and Pour Soaps. They have a classic orange and yellow color scheme, as well as plenty of shimmer dusted on top. The Vermont Maple Fragrance Oil gives them a complex and comforting scent.
The Vermont Maple Fragrance Oil is part of the limited edition Autumn Frost Fragrance Collection. It features four new fall and winter fragrance oils, and is only available until September 30th. Don’t wait – you save $10 when buying the kit rather than buying the fragrance oils separately. See the kit here.