Bubbles And Soap are very proud to launch this new venture – four ‘scentsational’ exclusive fragrances each available in four fabulous products – which will capture your imagination and have you coming back for more!

Designed to create a fragrant ‘aura’ over the whole body these products are created for use by both men and women, as the fragrances are universally appealing. Beware – these are highly addictive.

Australian Sandalwood & Vetyver

Sandalwood is extracted from the heartwood of the Santalum spicatum (a desert tree) by steam distillation. In Western Australian where this tree is grown there are strict controls over harvesting and replanting. This ensures regeneration and sustainability of the sandalwood industry. It means that only a tightly controlled amount of sandalwood can be harvested each year. For every tree that is harvested, 12 sandalwood seeds must be planted in its place.
Sandalwood essential oil has a rich, warm and woody aroma and apart from giving its glorious scent to a product it is often used for its soothing properties on dry skin.
Vetyver is a type of grass that is native to India but is now most widely grown for the perfumery industry in Haiti. Vetyver oil is distilled from the roots of the grass (part of the same family as Lemongrass) and imparts a warm and sensual fragrance with mildly spicy undertones.

West Indian Lime & Black Pepper

Fresh and zesty smelling lime oil is steam distilled from the whole ripe fruit and is great for toning and boosting the skin’s circulation.

Black Pepper oil is steam distilled from the unripened fruit of the plant Piper nigrum and has a warming effect and a piquant fragrance. It is even said that Attila the Hun once demanded a ransom of 3,000 lbs of black peppercorns in order to spare the city of Rome. It’s easy to see why black pepper has always been one of the most highly valued spices…known for its aphrodisiac qualities. This oil helps to increase circulation and is good for getting you going – even when you don’t feel like it!

Brazilian Orange & Petitgrain

The sweet smelling orange oil used here is cold-pressed from the peel of juicy Brazilian oranges (citrus sinensis) that have been discarded as part of the manufacture of orange juice! Orange oil contains a high level of ‘limonene’, which is a wonderful natural cleansing agent.  Petitgrain oil was one of the original ingredients in ‘eau de cologne’ and has a green and almost woody note. This light oil is steam distilled from the leaves and young branches of the bitter orange tree (Neroli oil is extracted from the flowers, Bergamot oil from the peel). Combined here with the tangy aroma of sweet orange oil this delightfully fresh fragrance can really lift your mood with just one sniff! Both orange and Petitgrain are helpful in toning and balancing oily skin.

Indonesian Patchouli & May Chang

Distinctive and memorable, the herbaceous and musky aroma of finest Patchouli oil has a satisfying earthy quality. Steam distilled from the leaves of the flower Pogostemon cablin, the fragrance is very rich and extremely long lasting – meaning everything the wearer touches after use will waft the fantastic scent around them.

Patchouli is reputedly also a wonderful aphrodisiac, and as a great natural fixative (a substance that binds other compounds together) it actually helps to slow down evaporation and makes the fragrance last on the skin even longer. Bliss!

Bubbles And Soap Team

You can buy handmade bath bombs from supermarkets or drugstores, but if you want to make them yourself, you can also do so. If you want to know your options regarding making a handmade bath bombs, here are some types of handmade bath bombs.

• Basic Handmade Bath Bomb. The size of bath bombs varies, so it is up to you how big or small you want your handmade bath bombs to be. You will need citric acid, with hazel, baking soda, colouring, fragrance (optional), and soap mould. Combine baking soda and citric acid in one bowl and make sure that you thoroughly incorporate them. A mixture which is not well-blended will have a grainy texture. What you should try to achieve is a smooth texture. Add the colouring, witch hazel, and fragrance. When you reached the right texture for your mixture (which is sticky), you can now pour it into your soap moulds. After a few minutes in the moulds, take them out and leave for 3 to 4 hours in a dry, clean place.

• Fizzy Milk Bath Bombs. You will need baking soda, citric acid, corn starch, powdered Epsom salts, powdered milk, olive oil, cocoa butter, fragrance, and a mixture of equal amounts of water and witch hazel. Combine all the dry ingredients. Add all the oils and other liquids. Mix thoroughly until you reached a sticky consistency. Put into moulds.

• Water Softening Bath Bombs. The ingredients are similar to that of making a basic handmade bath bomb, but in this case, you have to add starch, which makes it more fragile. After leaving the mixture for a day and it has already become firm, apply witch hazel at the bottom and leave it as is for another day. Applying witch hazel on the bottom part creates a layer of crust, which keeps your handmade bath bomb from breaking.

• Moisture Rich Bath Bombs. Again, ingredients are similar to the ingredients used in making basic handmade bath bombs, but for moisture rich bath bombs, you have to add Epsom salt. You have to mix together all the dry ingredients in one bowl and all the wet ingredients in another bowl. After thoroughly mixing both, mix the two mixtures together in a third larger bowl. Use wire whisk for a firmer bath bomb.

• Super Moisturizing Bath Bombs. These handmade bath bombs are similar to the regular moisturizing bath bomb, but add a cup of dehydrated milk instead of some of the baking soda.

From these several types of handmade bath bombs, you can choose one which you like best and is most appropriate for your skin type. Handmade bath bombs will not only give you a fresh and clean feeling after taking a bath, they also make your bathing experience an interesting and a very relaxing one.

However, if you actually find bath bombs to be quite expensive or you just don’t have the money to spare for such a luxury, you can actually prepare your very own handmade bath bombs at the comfort of your own home. How? Read on to find out.

First things first, you need to have all the ingredients ready before you get started on making your very first batch of handmade bath bombs: citric acid, baking soda, witch hazel, your choice of coloring and fragrance oil, and a dome shaped mold are all you need to make your very own bath bombs.

Once you already have all these ingredients ready, start blending together the citric acid with the baking soda. According to people who are already experts in making bath bombs, this step is actually very important because if you not blend the citric acid with the baking soda very well, you will actually end up with very grainy bath bombs, and surely, nobody wants that? After blending those two ingredients together, then it is time for you to add your coloring – experts suggest making use of dry pigments to get the best results. However, don’t go crazy when in comes to adding the color because if ever you find your coloring to be quite pale, just a dab of witch hazel will already help the color pop up. Also, based on your preference this is also the time when you can already start adding the fragrance oil of your choice.

Now start getting ready for the hard part. With your squirt bottle loaded with witch hazel, start squirting your first batch of bath bombs while stirring together your ingredients with your other hand. You will know that it is time for you to start putting your mixture of bath bombs into the molds when everything starts sticking together when you squish it. It is also imperative that you take note of the time because when the mixture sits out for too long it becomes too hard and you won’t be able to mold the bath bombs anymore but if you squirt on too much witch hazel then you will only spoil your bath bombs as these will start to have its fizzing reaction. Once you get this step right, just simply put your bombs in the mold then wait a few minutes before tapping your finished bath bombs out of the mold then simply let these air dry for around four hours then you now have your very own homemade bath bombs to enjoy or to sell.

Handmade Soap : Glycerin is obtained by the saponification procedure and offers superb moisturizing effect.  It is a bi product obtained naturally.   Glycerin is expensive and it is added to body products like skin ointments and skin creams, which would fetch a higher price.  The commercial soap manufacturers conveniently eliminate glycerin when manufacturing soap. Handmade soap has an advantage in the sense that glycerin is not removed from the soap and hence it lends a moisturizing effect.

Synthetic fragrances are obtained in laboratories by different processes and they are commonly used in soaps. It would be definitely beneficial if essential oils which are naturally obtained from plants, trees, herbs and flowers are added to soaps.  These essential oils contain healing and curative properties in addition to the aromatic fragrance.   When such essential oils are added to these soaps, common skin disorders like acne, eczema and psoriasis can be treated.  The anti fungal and anti bacterial properties of these oils lends a soothing and cooling effect to the skin and a variety of other healing properties.

Most of the mass produced soaps add fillers like SLS for adding bulk.  Parabens are also used for lending long shelf lives to these soaps.  As compared to them, handmade natural soap has liberal amounts of Vitamin E oil, wheat germ oil.  These oils have anti-oxidants in high amounts which lend a longer shelf life.

Handmade soaps have dollops of natural oils like the jojoba oil which lends a balancing effect to the skin complexion. Synthetic colors are not added to handmade soaps.  Natural colors like blue color are obtained from lavender. Natural coloring techniques are used which are available in natural for lending color to the soaps.  These colors are skin friendly and have no side effects absolutely. Even though they have some amount of hassles involved, it is better to go in for something natural that would not harm your skin.  Remember that your skin has to radiate a healthy look for you to feel and appear confident.

Mass-Produced Soap : Ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, parabens and Sodium Laureth Sulphate are added to these soaps so as to fill these soaps.  These chemicals may not be quite safe for your skin.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) : SLS is cheaply available filler which lends bulk to the soaps and is widely used in the cosmetic industry.  They are used in body products like soap, toothpaste and shampoo.  It helps in lending a lathering effect and also helps in removal of oil very quickly.  Hence, it is used lavishly, when it comes to bulk production of soap and soap products.

SLS can be harmful to eyes, especially if your eyes are very sensitive.  It also results in mouth ulcers for ultra sensitive tongues, when used in toothpastes.    SLS lends a drying effect to the hair and skin. It is advised that people with sensitive and dry skin avoid products containing SLS.  It is recommended that SLS free and unperfumed soaps be used for babies, since infants have ultra sensitive skin.

Parabens : These harmful chemicals are quickly absorbed and then stored in the body.  It has been researched that parabens are also found in cancerous tissues.   The long term effects can be disastrous and it is advised that industries stop using these in their production.

This is the reason why you should switch over to a handmade soap right now to protect your skin from allergies. Handmade soaps are good for people with a sensitive skin and who are prone to infections. These gentle skin soothers do not have any harmful chemicals in them. If you check the oil source for these soaps you will be pleasantly surprised that the oils are either olive oil or coconut oil. No body needs an introduction to olive oil and its immense benefit to the human body. The olive oil will gently work out the dirt and grime from the skin surface and work its way deep into the skin. Even the seventh layer of the skin will get the benefit of olive oil and it will be rejuvenated with regular use. Much of the ageing problems will be addressed by using a handmade soap that contains olive oil.

You should understand why the skin becomes dry and therefore becomes light on the surface and becomes wrinkled pretty soon. This is due to the lack of moisture and due to the use of powerful soaps that make false promises and in the end make the skin very dry and prone to allergies. A handmade soap on the other hand uses the gentle glycerine that has the property to absorb moisture from the air and retain it in the skin. When we use a handmade soap with glycerine the natural moisture in our skin will never be lost and so the skin will remain younger. For children this is the most ideal soap because their skin is so tender that it can not withstand the harsh chemicals of a powerful soap. When you use a handmade soap you will get protection from the extreme temperatures and also infections. Every time after using such soap you will find that your skin feels very fresh. Handsmade soaps are now manufactured with very good fragrances to suit all tastes. Enjoy a new bathing experience with handmade soaps.

Learning how to make a handmade soap is not so difficult. The right kind of materials and supplies and following the correct steps below will help you make a perfect handmade soap.

• Prepare all the supplies that you will need—clear glycerine, colouring, additives (sea salt, oatmeal, dried flowers), and fragrance.

Clear glycerine sounds intimidating and difficult to find, but you can actually buy this from a craft store with soap and candle section.

For the colouring, it is preferable to use powdered pigment. Food colouring is fine, but if you do not want your bath tub to turn to a different colour, don’t use this. Powdered pigment is also cheap and does not instantly combine with other colours, which allows you to have swirls of colours in your soap if you want to.

Most handmade soaps are fragrant and smell like different kinds of things—from flowers to foods to anything. You have a wide variety of options if you want your soap to smell like something.

Additives are fine to add interest to your handmade soap, and they also help improve the skin.

• Read the glycerine soap’s package instructions. Your glycerine soap should be in small chunks before placing them in the microwave to melt. Do not boil the glycerine. Avoid those huge bubbles. If it is starting to bubble, stir it gently to remove the bubbles.

• Mix the colour. The colour is completely up to you. You can mix the colour in a separate bowl but you can slowly add it to the melted glycerine until it reaches your preferred colour.

• Add the fragrance and your additives. Remember not to put too much fragrance in your soap because it might smell too strong. You can also choose one kind of additive to add to your mixture.

• Pour your handmade soap mixture into your soap mould. If you will not use the soap immediately, you can leave it overnight. But if you need it as soon as possible, you can just put it inside the refrigerator and let it cool for about an hour until it is firm.

• Remove the handmade soap from the mould. Wrap your handmade soap using some lace or ribbons or tulle for that romantic feel. You can even put tags, especially if you are planning to give it as a gift.

These steps are very easy and simple to do. Not only will you have great gifts for your loved ones, you will also feel natural and healthy and fresh by using one of the handmade soaps that you yourself made.

You can buy bath bombs, but you can also make them yourself. Handmade bath bombs are very easy to make as long as you have the right ingredients and proper tools and equipment. Here are the steps for making handmade bath bombs.

• Prepare your ingredients—a cup of citric acid, 2 cups of baking soda, witch hazel, pigment or colorant, essential or fragrant oils, and soap moulds.

• Mix the citric acid and baking soda really well. Use a mixer if you have one at home, especially if you are planning to make a lot of handmade bath bombs. Incorporating these two ingredients thoroughly prevents you from having a rough bath bomb. You do not want a grainy bath bomb for your bath time. It should be something smooth and firm.

• After making sure that the mixture has been thoroughly blended, add in the pigment or colorant little by little, until you reached the colour that you like. Do not add too much colorant at one time because the real colour will appear after you mix in the witch hazel.

• Depending on your preference, add the fragrance or oil. Some people do not want their bath bombs to have smell, but if you want it to smell really nice, then choose an appropriate fragrance.

• Using a squirt bottle, spray the witch hazel to your mixture. Do this while you are mixing the mixture with your other hand using a wooden spoon or a stirring rod. Do not spray too much witch hazel, unless you already want your mixture to fizz prematurely and to get really wet.

• After the witch hazel, check the consistency of your mixture. If it is sticky already, you can now put it in your soap moulds. Do this immediately if you do not want to have a stone like mixture which you cannot mould. Your soap moulds should be dome-shaped, to create that common bath bomb shape. But you can improvise on your soap moulds. You can use an empty Pringles tube. All you need is a little creativity and imagination to create a unique handmade bath bomb.

• After placing them into moulds, wait for several minutes and take out your handmade bath bombs. Let them dry for another 3 to 4 hours outside the soap mould. This will ensure firm and compact handmade bath bombs. Harder bath bombs are great especially if you take a bath for a long time because they last longer.

There are other recipes which you can make aside from the steps discussed above. You can have a moisturizing bath bomb, water softening bath bomb, or a milk bath bomb. They only vary in ingredients. But all of them are very easy to make and they are a very fun way of cleaning yourself.

Handmade bath bombs are prepackaged balls of bath fizzes, scented with delicious fragrances. Unlike bubble bath, which can be extremely messy and stop bubbling after a short time, bath bombs fizz as they dissolve in water. This gives you a fun and long lasting bath experience without any kind of measuring. Just drop in one bath bomb and relax as it fizzes and releases its aromas in the water and air.

These indulgent little balls come in a wide variety of scents, to fit any mood or stress level. Since they are individually wrapped and premeasured, you can buy an assortment without worrying about mixing scents or losing track. Each bath bomb has a beautiful appearance that lets you know exactly what scent waits for you.

Handmade bath bombs also make great gifts, on their own or as additions to gift baskets. Pack a few bath bombs and handmade soaps with fluffy towels, slippers or scented lotions to create a thoughtful gift basket that easily rivals anything purchased at an expensive department store. Your friends and family will appreciate the unique gift all the more when they finally get to slip into a highly fragrant bath.

The rose and petals bath bomb offers a sensual way to wind down – or spice up – the evening. With the tantalizing scent of fresh roses, it will release a mood-inspiring fragrance into the air as it fizzes gently in your tub. As it dissolves, it releases rose petals into you bath water to create a sexy, indulgent setting.

If you’ve had a stress filled day, unwind with the relaxing scent of lavender. The lavender and seeds bath bomb fizzes this all time favorite scent for stress relief while soothing the skin. You will inhale the soothing fragrance both in and out of the tub, as the lavender scent will cover your skin as you soak and stay with you long after you’ve left.

For those days that have left you feeling tired or down, lift your spirits with a tangerine and grapefruit bomb. This uplifting citrus combination will energize an exhausted body as it refreshes tired muscles. The exciting fragrance will also instantly boost your mood.

These are just a few of the many exciting bath bomb fragrances available. Mix and match these scents with a handmade soap to keep your bath time aromatic, and be sure to keep plenty on hand so a relaxing bath is never far away.