Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Carrot & Coconut Cream Shampoo Bar


Made another Shampoo Bar, this time with pureed carrots and coconut milk. I kept the oils as simple as possible. I am leaning toward using more and more olive oil in all of my products as that is what this area offers, instead of importing more exotic oils from elsewhere. Well, all of my bars also have Coconut Oil and Castor Oil in them, and most also have Shea Butter as I am in love with Shea Butter. So, I am not giving up importing entirely...!!

This shampoo bar has: Olive, Coconut, Castor, Carrot & Jojoba Oils. The liquid is a 50-50% split carrot purée and Coconut Milk. The essential oils are Bay Laurel, Lavender & Ylang Ylang. Sounds like a beautiful scent combo. Right? Wrong. It is a really odd scent. Not pretty. Won’t do this one again. Oh well, it’s all part of experimenting.


I like the colour. Must come from the carrots and carrot oil although it is not a carrot orange. As you can see, it is more yellowy than orange.

I loved working with the Carrots (first time!!) and coconut cream. The only thing is the soap seems a little dry and bumpy, like this. Do you see what I mean?

I prefer a sleek soap that you just can't stop touching... like my spoon swirl soap...

I love when you slice it and you get that sleek, smooth cut, like Sparklebrooks soaps. I get it more often than not. However, lately I have been getting these odd bumps sometimes. Could it be the climate? Does anyone know why this happens? Somehow I think maybe Guru Cocobong may know...

Also want to take a moment to talk about the “messy swirls” on top. I have had to do these on both of my recent Shampoo bar experiments as the mix got thick real fast.

Although I am a big fan of looking at photos of beautiful swirly-top soaps, when it comes to using a soap or shampoo bar, I much prefer a perfectly smooth bar. I know we all have different priorities in our soap making… some soap makers put scent first, others put appearance first. Our different priorities and focuses is what makes us all so unique!! My main focus, by far, is functionality, feel and result on my skin. So I try to get the tops as smooth as possible now, but when the soap gets thick? I swirl!



Can’t wait to try this one!!

Xo
Jen
at

36 comments:

  1. Tara21 June 2011 at 04:07

    Beautiful soap, Jennifer. I love the colour. I also thin the essential oil blend sounds like it should be a good one. Too bad it isn't.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Lazy Lacquerist21 June 2011 at 06:45

    That looks just lovely - would love to try out a coconut cream in a soap. In fact, I might have some powdered at home!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tierra Verde Handmade Soap21 June 2011 at 07:37

    Ummm, that carrot soap is just gorgeous.Truly gorgeous and that first photo is amazing.You done good girl.(and the Bay is probably made your scent off-it's weird stuff.)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Holly21 June 2011 at 07:48

    Thanks for the mention. *Hugs* The combo of carrots and coconut cream sounds wonderful. I've soaped carrots and cow's cream lots of time and it is one of my most favorite combos. It's hard to keep that orange color. All of mine end up yellow too. I've considered adding a touch of tomato paste to see if I can get a more orange color naturally. I don't know about the bumpiness. I don't really see it but I get that now and again as well. I want to say some of it could be the texture of the additives. No matter how hard I try, my pureed carrots still leave a bit of 'roughness' in the texture of the soap. Though you know I love to do fun tops, I've decided I don't want them to be too high or too triangular because then the soap is not as functional like you said. Gorgeous pics!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Two Blooms Design Studio21 June 2011 at 09:06

    Jen,

    The colour of this soap is divine. I have coconut powder and lots of coconut milk at home. I may have to try a soap with coconut milk soon as I've only tried it a few times. I just received some Bay EO and it's really strong. Bay goes well with: Bergamot, Virginian Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Ginger, Orange, Patchouli, Rosemary, Ylang-ylang.

    I'd omit the Lavender next time and try mxing a tiny bit of maybe Bay and Ylang ylang in a small cup to see if you like the scent. Personally I would stick to the first EO's mentioned above.

    You did a great job :D

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous21 June 2011 at 10:55

    ESTAN PRECIOSOS.UN ABRAZO

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jennifer Young21 June 2011 at 11:00

    Tara, Thank you. Yes, I was surprised about the EO blend. I had tried Bay Laurel on its own a while back and loved it. Then I ordered some more and this is the first time I tried it in a blend. Odd but not that appealing. Will try again.. of course!! Glad you like the colour! xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jennifer Young21 June 2011 at 11:01

    Celine, Go for it! I have tried both Coconut Cream and Coconut milk in soaps and they are both wonderful. I use the liquid milk/ cream and freeze. Let us know how your coco cream experiments go!!! xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jennifer Young21 June 2011 at 11:05

    Michele, Tierra Verde, Thank you so much for the comment on my photos! And from the master!!!! I like natural window light but all of my windows have bars/ rejas on them... so I get shady lines accross my soaps unless I angle them perfectly... Glad you like the look of this soap... You may just get some... ;-) I really can't believe a Texan says "You done good girl"... we say that! My dad says that and he is from a tiny little mining town on Cape Bretton Island, Nova Scotia!!!! Thanks xoxo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jennifer Young21 June 2011 at 11:08

    Holly, I often admire your soaps. Somehow you make it all look simple. I think because of your moulds as well. But the sleek, clean, beautiful cut always amazes me in the photos of your soaps. As my favourite soaps are always purely natural, it is your natural soaps that attract me the most.. I remember you posted about some Pure EO soaps.. and then your carrot and cream which inspired me to make this one. Well, you gave me the idea a while ago, then researching shampoos I see that both Carrots and Coconut cream/ milk are supposed to be good on hair so Voila! Thank you for the inspiration!! xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jennifer Young21 June 2011 at 11:10

    Michelle, Two Blooms, Thank you for the suggestions! I will try again with Bay Laurel. I may try Bay Laurel, Patchouli & Ylang Ylang as they are all meant to be good for hair!! Glad you like the colour. Let's hope it sticks. xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jennifer Young21 June 2011 at 11:14

    Monika, Muchísimas gracias!!!! xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ambra21 June 2011 at 13:10

    I love the colour and tat photo is really good. Too bad about the scent, but hey! learning is good :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. AYU21 June 2011 at 19:07

    Hi Jen!
    I just made orange color soaps too!
    But i didn't use carrots. I used papaya juice. I didn't know that carrot's puree makes this beautiful color! Thank you for sharing. Coconut cream sounds delicious!
    Carrot & Coconut Cream Shampoo Bar looks beautiful!

    =)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cocobong Soaps21 June 2011 at 23:11

    Beautiful looking soap, Jen! The orange from carrot juice/puree will fade with time, turning more of a darker curry color. The bumpys may come from either the carrot puree consistency (even if you've pureed it to a fine baby food quality, texture is still there and will contribute to texture in your soap) or a higher fat content from things like milk. I get bumpys in my sheep milk soap when its fresh from the udder and high in. But coconut milk...? Dunno, my guess for now would be the puree

    ReplyDelete
  16. Alegria Mediterranea 22 June 2011 at 01:19

    Lovely soap !
    Besos
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cocobong Soaps22 June 2011 at 03:46

    forgot..."fresh from the udder and high in fat"...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Heirloom Natural soap22 June 2011 at 05:12

    Hi Jen, I agree w/Michele -that top photo is incredible. I feel as though I can (and want to) pick that soap up somehow -really really nice. I hope the scent mellows out and grows on you and your prospective clients -that happens to me at times. :) ~Becky

    ReplyDelete
  19. Tierra Verde Handmade Soap22 June 2011 at 08:56

    Had to stop by and take a gander at that beautiful carroty goodness. Yum! Love them!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Soaps and Bubbles22 June 2011 at 11:34

    Dear Jen,

    I have missed you so much. I am so sorry for this long long absence of mine...
    I took a look at ur blog...you are doing amazing.

    xxx

    Yo

    ReplyDelete
  21. miscellanea22 June 2011 at 15:35

    I like the colour of the soap especially because it is not all carroty red. This warm curry yellow is so pretty. Even when it grows darker with time, it will be nice.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jennifer Young22 June 2011 at 23:03

    Ambra, Thanks for the colour and the comment on my photo!! xoxo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  23. Jennifer Young22 June 2011 at 23:03

    Ayu, Thank you for the comment! I love the look of your papaya soap as well!! xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jennifer Young22 June 2011 at 23:05

    Cocobong, Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I don't remember your sensational sheep milk soap being bumpy like this but I guess is is one of those things I should accept rather than resist. Each soap is so unique! Thank you!!!! Jen

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jennifer Young22 June 2011 at 23:06

    Becky, You know? The scent is already growing on me? You will get one of these eventually... so you will be able to tell me what you think of the scent!! Glad you enjoy the photo!! xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jennifer Young22 June 2011 at 23:07

    Michele, Thanks again for your comment. I don't know if I will be posting for a few weeks as I am heading to Canada tomorrow... there was so much I wanted to get done before going but God slowed me down with this leg injury... which is getting better but I will most likely be travelling with crutches... oh well. Could have been worse!! Hugs. xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  27. Jennifer Young22 June 2011 at 23:08

    Yo! I can't believe you are BACK! Yippee Yahoo!! How is your new life!! Can't wait to see some posts from you. Sending you a big welcome back HUG!!! xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  28. Jennifer Young22 June 2011 at 23:09

    Miscellanea, Thank you for the comments. Glad you like the colour, just as it is. It is not carrot orange but it is interesting. We will have to see how the colour changes!! xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  29. Nitya23 June 2011 at 10:13

    The carrot coconut cream bars look lovely!! Sad that the scent combo didn't work out...it sounded like a great combination though. Really like the pictures with the blue rug(??) in the background. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Soaps and Bubbles26 June 2011 at 07:52

    OOOhhh Jen; I missed ur blog soso much.
    Last Sunday, I made my first soap in Israel. I am finely back on track, but I don't have enough to make a post.
    I am so happy to read ur blog; ur doing amazingly and I am so happy to see how much you have evolved.

    Miss you

    PS Write to me on email about how it has been. I can't wait...
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  31. Rose Marie Lewis27 June 2011 at 05:43

    I think Cocobong is right about the fat content of the coconut milk. I've made soap with coconut milk before, and it's definitely a different texture than water. I also add the milk at trace, after decreasing the initial water in the lye mixture by that amount. In other words, if I had 210 g of water, and I wanted 30% coconut milk, I'd use 147 g water with the full amount of lye, and 63 g coconut milk, warmed, added at trace. It works beautifully, and you don't have to fuss with keeping the milk cold so the lye doesn't burn it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Jennifer Young29 June 2011 at 08:29

    Nitya, I am so glad that you like the photos! I am hoping that the scent gets better with age... xo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jennifer Young29 June 2011 at 08:30

    Soaps & Bubbles, So nice to have you back... cant wait to see what you have created! I will try to write you and email soon. Currently travelling. xoxo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  34. Jennifer Young29 June 2011 at 08:36

    Hi Rose Marie, Thank you for sharing some of your secrets! I have tried adding milk at trace at some point but haven-t experimented fully with the differences... may get back there at some point. I am currently travelling in Canada. So content at Dad-s place right now... will be a few weeks till I make soap!! Hope you are enjoying the summer. xoxo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  35. anita ko29 June 2011 at 14:59

    Hi Jen,

    Oh~I love the sunshine color! I always love the sunshine yellow and orange colors, make you feel warm and beloved. =) I also love the spoon swirl soap, thanks for sharing the idea. I made a batch of soap using this skill.

    Anita from Canada

    ReplyDelete
  36. maty31 July 2011 at 06:55

    me encanta el aspecto de estos shampoo.... yo no consigo sacar una formula buena !!! se me resisten ..me dejan el pelo un poco apagado.
    estos se ven muy cremosos.
    felicidades
    saludos
    maty

    ReplyDelete