Welcoming Holiday Guests with Handmade Glycerin Soaps

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Dec 122009

For most, the holiday season is a time of entertaining. From dinner parties to having drinks with friends to family members visiting for a few days, the time can fly by in a blur of events. It can be too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of both attending and preparing for all that is happening over the holidays. The details of getting everything ready can take away from actually enjoying your own event.

Of course, if you’re the host, you want everything to be perfect, everyone to feel welcome and comfortable during their time with you. By incorporating some handmade soaps into your preparations, you can ensure that everyone who is a guest will feel special during a stay at your home. Nothing is more welcoming than being greeted by fresh towels adorned with a beautiful bar of handmade glycerin soap after a long day of travelling, shopping, visiting or attending other festive events.

With so many different colors, styles and scents to choose from, you can provide a unique handmade glycerin soap for each of your guests. You can choose a soap based on the person, or with the wide range of holiday soaps, you can easily find some that will match with your overall decor. Peppermint, cranberry, cinnamon, orange clove and myrrh are just some of the different soaps you can choose from. There are even snowmen and snowflake shaped soaps if you have children visiting or you want to add a little whimsy to a stay with you.

No matter what you decide, not only will the handmade glycerin soaps be appreciated when they are first received, but they will act as a subtle reminder of this special time of year throughout the following months.

Body Butter Benefits

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Dec 072009

What is Body Butter?

Photo by abreathoffrenchair

Body butter is a type of skin moisturizer used by many for extremely dry skin, particularly in the winter. It is usually much heavier than creams and lotions as it is made with a lot less water. Most body butters use a seed or nut oil as their base ingredient to produce the most hydrating formula possible and because it is made with nutrient-rich ingredients, it protects as well as hydrates the skin.

To make body butter, the seed or nut of choice is ground up to release its oil. The oil is then extracted from the pulp and mixed with other ingredients to produce the fragrant body butter.

Benefits

There are many different benefits to using body butter, when compared to creams and lotions. Natural body butter is made using only natural ingredients, which are better for your skin and your body in general. They contain a higher level of emollients, which are absorbed into the skin and keep it moisturized. Body butter forms a protective layer over the skin, helping reduce the effects of the sun and hot and cold air. Many find that their skin is much softer and less prone to cracking or becoming inflamed when they use body butter.

Shea body butter, created from Shea nuts, has high levels of vitamins A, E and F. These vitamins help to keep the skin moisturized and clear, plus they help to protect and rejuvenate the skin. Shea body butter can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and is beneficial for many skin complaints, including sun damaged skin and some skin conditions, such as eczema.

Shea nut oil smells great on it’s own, but it is also very versatile. Other fragrances can easily be added to shea butter without being overwhelming. With a range to choose from, why not indulge your skin with a treat of one of the Magic Senses’ shea body butters?

Giving Gifts with a Personal Touch

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Nov 302009

If you are looking for a special gift to give to family and friends, why not include a handmade soap?

Why Handmade Glycerin Soaps Make Great Gifts

With so many colors, designs and scents to choose from, you can really add a personal feel to your gift. Based on the person you are buying for, you can choose a soap that is unique to their tastes. Plus, with the large range of choices, everyone on your list can get something different.

The fact that you have taken the time to pick the perfect soap for each person is just one way to show how much you care. Added to that is the fact that handcrafted glycerin soaps are much better for the person using it. Gone are all the nasty chemicals that can be found in commercially produced soap. Instead, all natural ingredients are used to make each soap.

With vegetable glycerin used as the base, the soaps are highly moisturizing, making the skin of all who use them much softer. Everyone will love the feel of the soft lather of the glycerin soaps and will be thanking you for the improvement of their skin. The tone, the texture, everyone about the person’s skin will look healthier and younger.

Handmade glycerin soaps are truly the gift that keeps on giving. Each time the soap is used, thoughts will turn to you and your thoughtful gift. From gift baskets to stocking stuffers and everything in between, the personal touch of adding a handmade glycerin soap from Magic Senses will be felt by all.

Myrrh Handmade Glycerin Soap

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Nov 232009

Probably one of the quintessential fragrances of Christmas is myrrh. Known by many as one of the gifts provided by the three wise men to at the birth of Jesus, the use of myrrh dates back much further. As far back as 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians used myrrh resin for embalming their dead, as an antiseptic treatment and for burning during religious ceremonies. What many don’t realize is that, of the gifts provided, myrrh was recognized as the most highly valued, even more so than frankincense and gold!

Today, myrrh is a popular fragrance that is added to incense, soaps, candles and massage oils. With its sultry and seductive vanilla undertones, myrrh is popular with both men and women alike. It is known to help relieve feelings of stress and apathy, or of being stuck in a rut. The lingering scent is of great benefit both emotionally and spiritually. Combined with our all natural vegetable glycerin soap, this is a great way to lather away all your cares and concerns.

The whimsical design of our myrrh glycerin soap brings to mind ribbons and celebrations, making it an ideal addition to your Christmas bathroom. Guests will love the scent that fills your rooms, helping to make what can be a stressful time a lot more relaxing.

This soap is a great gift idea for the holidays. Add it to the stockings of your loved ones, so the lovely fragrance will fill the room even before the gifts are opened. Family and friends will always want to stay with you, if you include it with their linens on arrival. With the quality of the scent and look of our myrrh handmade glycerin soap, you will be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t love it!

Orange Clove Handmade Glycerin Soap

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Nov 122009

Orange Clove Glycerin Soap

It’s really no surprise that the Orange Clove Glycerin Soap is one of our most popular holiday soaps, if not the most popular. In 2007 and 2008, it was the top selling soap for the holidays and when you breathe in the fragrance of this soap, you’ll know why. The combination of cloves with oranges, and a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon, are traditional scents used during the holiday season. If you hold this soap under your nose, close your eyes and inhale, you’ll think it’s that time of year already.

Although some soaps and candles have an orange fragrance that can be a bit sweet and overwhelming, this isn’t the case with the Orange Clove Soap. By using orange scented fragrance oil, the soap has a fresh, sharp orange smell. It’s almost as if you had peeled an orange yourself or poured a glass of cool Florida orange juice.

Saying that, the sharp zing of the orange scent, makes this an ideal soap for starting your day. While the cloves have a smooth, sultry fragrance, especially when combined with nutmeg and cinnamon, it’s the orange that will get you moving. The combination of scents used in this soap is something to experience, as the initial smell is of the cloves and it ends with the orange.

As with all our soaps, this not only smells great, but it’s handmade using vegetable glycerin, so it’s pretty to look at and great for your skin. But remember, this is a seasonal soap, so it isn’t made all year round. We currently only make it from September to March, so don’t miss out on your chance to enjoy this popular glycerin soap!

Note: It is our Featured soap of the month in November. It is also featured in our Mini Holiday Gift Set, next to Myrrh. On the website, it can be found under our Holiday Soap Collection or Fruity Glycerin Soap Category. Buy yours today!

Mountain Rain Handmade Glycerin Soap

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Nov 052009

Mountain Rain is one of the latest additions to the Magic Senses family of handmade glycerin soaps. As with all of our other soaps, the time taken to perfect the look, feel and smell of Mountain Rain is more than evident.

By using gardenia, Mountain Rain has a floral scent that is refreshing instead of overwhelming. Just leaving the soap out in your bathroom will make it one of the best smelling rooms in the house. Plus, the blue and green “raindrops” mean that not only is the soap functional, but it’s pretty to look at also.

The undertones of lavender, patchouli and vanilla make using this soap a relaxing and calming experience. When you lather up with Mountain Rain, you will feel like you have been whisked away to a fragrant English country garden in the spring. By closing your eyes and breathing in this lovely fragrance, your cares will just melt away.

Of course, because our Mountain Rain soap is predominantly made with vegetable glycerin, it is extremely moisturizing. Whether using it as a hand soap or when you are in the shower or bath, the soap will quickly form luxurious foaming bubbles. Not only will the scent relax you, but your skin will thank you. The more you use any glycerin soaps, the softer your skin will become. As an added benefit, not only will your skin be moisturized, it will be healthier and look younger!

One thing to remember is that glycerin-based soaps are soft soaps. This means that they can melt easier than other soaps, so it may not last as long as harder, commercially produced soaps. On the other hand, the fact that Mountain Rain soap smells and feels so great will probably mean that you will want to use it more anyway!

Benefits of Glycerin-Based Soaps

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Oct 282009

Glycerin is a key ingredient in many soaps, but what is glycerin and what are the benefits of using glycerin soap?

photo courtesy of foxiq

What is Glycerin?

Glycerin is actually a by-product of the industrial soap making process. It is a colorless, odorless liquid that is very thick at room temperature with a sweet taste. It has a high boiling point and it can be frozen to a paste-like substance. The industrial process of making soap involves reacting a fat or oil, such as olive oil, with lye. During this process, glycerin is produced, which is often removed to add to lotions and creams. Most handmade soaps differ from industrial as the glycerin is not removed, and in some instances further glycerin is actually added.

Why Add Glycerin to Soap?

Glycerin is known as a humectant, which means that it attracts water. It is said to be hygroscopic as it can absorb water directly from the air. Pure glycerin will remove water not only from the air, but from anything it is placed on. Should you place pure glycerin on your skin, it would actually dry out the area since was removing the water.

When glycerin is diluted with water and other products, it has the opposite effect on skin. Instead of drying out the skin, it acts as a moisturizer. It is unclear whether the additional moisturizing results from the fact that glycerin attracts water to your skin or it is due to some other unknown property of glycerin. Either way, the result is that glycerin is highly moisturizing, which is why many companies remove it from their soaps and add it to their higher priced lotions and creams.

So, the key benefit to using soaps that contain glycerin is that they will cause your skin to be softer and smoother, and even improve its appearance. Also, glycerin soaps are an excellent choice for those with sensitive or delicate skin as they dissolve a lot easier and are not as hard on skin as other soaps can be.

Why Use All Natural Soap?

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Oct 232009

While many of us pay close attention to what we put in our bodies, we are not as vigilent about what we are using on it. Our skin is the biggest organ of our body, and although it provides a protective barrier to the outside environment, what we use on our skin can both damage it and also be absorbed into our systems.

Say NO to petroleum based soap

Many soaps are petroleum based, which can clog the pores in your skin. Coupled with the many chemicals added to the soap for color and fragrance, the natural moisture of your skin can be depleted. As the moisture is removed, the ability of your skin to renew itself decreases, which in turn can lead to further skin damage and premature aging. This doesn’t just apply to the skin of your face, but to that of your whole body.

Choose Glycerin soap

With all natural soaps, you know exactly what is being used to create the soap. Instead of a petroleum base, nourishing oils or glycerin make soaps moisturising and help your skin renew and replenish itself. Glycerin is actually a by-product of the soap making process, yet many producers actually remove it to use in their creams and lotions. By using glycerin to make soap, moisture will be attracted to and trapped in your skin, making it look smoother and healthier and feeling softer to the touch.

Oils

The addition of natural oils can have many benefits, besides just providing an attractive fragrance. Oils from nuts such as almonds and shea are excellent for dry and sensitive skin, as they soften and protect the skin. Eucalyptus and tea tree oil have many medicinal benefits including being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic. These types of oil are great for problem skin types. Lavender can actually calm the nervous system and help with insomnia. All of these examples are naturally occurring and can easily be used to create soap, instead of using a chemical alternative.

So, before you go out and buy your next bar of soap … isn’t it worth considering purchasing an all natural one instead? Your whole body will thank you for it.

Welcoming Holiday Guests with Handmade Glycerin Soaps

Body Butter Benefits

What is Body Butter?

Benefits

Giving Gifts with a Personal Touch

Why Handmade Glycerin Soaps Make Great Gifts

Myrrh Handmade Glycerin Soap

Orange Clove Handmade Glycerin Soap

Mountain Rain Handmade Glycerin Soap

Benefits of Glycerin-Based Soaps

What is Glycerin?

Why Add Glycerin to Soap?

Why Use All Natural Soap?

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