topic Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~ in Beauty

~Paging BellaCarro~

HappyDaze — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 03:41:41 GMT

I know you are really experimenting with doing your own skincare so I was wondering what websites you use to source your ingredients? TIA!

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

MarenSeattle — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 04:38:21 GMT

Just me kicking this up, HD.

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HappyDaze — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 05:16:24 GMT

Thanks Maren! I know she isn't on very often so I may have to kick it up a few times.

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Meeras — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 05:45:12 GMT

kick it

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HappyDaze — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 18:01:31 GMT

On 1/25/2015 Meeras said:
kick it

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

BellaCarro — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 06:20:30 GMT

Sorry, HD! Had to get a nudge from SQ3 to learn of this. And, OMG, so many sources. It depends on what you are looking for. There are strengths and weaknesses to them all. I've been using about seven, I think. Have my favs but there are insane price differences. If it is just an oil or two post it here and I can answer. If more than that, get my email from you know who (in't she the best) and give me an idea what exactly it is you're looking for.

Are you thinking of dipping your toe into chemistry class? I can not believe how into this I am. Maybe this is how artists and musicians minds work. I literally have formulations and ideas in my head constantly now. It seems to not shut off. And everything just keeps improving! No incentive to stop or even slow down.

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

HappyDaze — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 06:48:04 GMT

Hi Bella! I was just curious what websites you have found that you feel are legit and provide fresh, quality ingredients. I will get your email from her and email you and we can chat more about it.

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

BellaCarro — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 07:44:09 GMT

On 1/26/2015 HappyDaze said:
Hi Bella! I was just curious what websites you have found that you feel are legit and provide fresh, quality ingredients. I will get your email from her and email you and we can chat more about it.

The top two in my mind are The Herbarie in SC and LotionCrafters in WA, I think. I love the customer service from The Herbarie and how sincerely helpful they are. I'm sure LotionCrafters would be also but I haven't had to ask them a question yet. Both have outstanding shipping times. Some suppliers can take weeks to even ship out with very high shipping rates. One had a sale on 12/30. I rec'd my order 1/20. At least they have free shipping. They are about the only ones with free shipping. Happy to chat more about it anytime.

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60sgirl — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:24:12 GMT

not trying to butt into your thread but I know the posters on this thread are usually the ones who are in the know about organic and natural products. I came across a company selling organic skincare at Whole Foods and purchased one of their facial soap bars and it is really, really nice.

I looked and saw they have a website with some really nice looking things so I am going to post it here if any of you are interested in these products. Just one more line to put in your arsenal when looking for good products.

Chagrin Valley Soap

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

BellaCarro — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 18:46:00 GMT

On 1/27/2015 mochachino said:
not trying to butt into your thread but I know the posters on this thread are usually the ones who are in the know about organic and natural products. I came across a company selling organic skincare at Whole Foods and purchased one of their facial soap bars and it is really, really nice.

I looked and saw they have a website with some really nice looking things so I am going to post it here if any of you are interested in these products. Just one more line to put in your arsenal when looking for good products.

Chagrin Valley Soap

mochachino, we were talking more about the suppliers to find the ingredients to make items similar to this vendor. I've taken the plunge and have been formulating skin care products. My focus has been on body care but I'm beginning to look at neck up.

While I try to use organic and "natural" when it makes sense and is affordable for my formulating budget I do not usually 100%. I also question what "natural" really means. I see cetyl, cetearyl, behenyl alcohols, stearic acid, glycerol stearate, sorbitan potassium, etc... in lines that claim "natural" all the time. These are probably all derived from natural origins like coconut but they are processed by a human hand to get the end result. Mind you, I use some of these all the time. In fact, I've tried formulating without them and the result is just nasty. So, I completely understand using them and realize their value but, again, question the "natural" moniker.

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

60sgirl — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:02:48 GMT

yes, I understand BC. I started making my own products in 1973 with ingredients from my own yard like herbs, flowers, etc and have dabbled and experimented ever since but really was never able to make anything I thought was really good.

I just posted that link because if anyone is interested in looking at some other alternatives to organic lines, it is just another source for that.

I found a company online called From nature with love that sells all the ingredients one needs to make their own. I bought meadowfoam seed oil from them and mix it with other moisturizers. Their prices were reasonable but shipping was high.

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

BellaCarro — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:13:53 GMT

On 1/27/2015 mochachino said:
yes, I understand BC. I started making my own products in 1973 with ingredients from my own yard like herbs, flowers, etc and have dabbled and experimented ever since but really was never able to make anything I thought was really good.

I just posted that link because if anyone is interested in looking at some other alternatives to organic lines, it is just another source for that.

I found a company online called From nature with love that sells all the ingredients one needs to make their own. I bought meadowfoam seed oil from them and mix it with other moisturizers. Their prices were reasonable but shipping was high.

Yes, I've looked at them but not ordered. Sorry, if I sounded condescending. Not my intent. Ever order from Camden-Grey? Just got an email with a sale announcement. They have some really nice oils at reasonable prices. Shipping rates aren't insane but the shipping time, well...

My initial stuff was awful! But, I was determined. Now, it is really turning out very nice. I had to dig in and learn a lot, esp. about emulsifying. Oil phase, water phase, heated inversion phase, shearing, etc.... There is a lot of information available now. Check out swiftycraftymonkey.com. She is my hero!

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

60sgirl — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:16:15 GMT

thanks, when I started out I had a couple books I picked up, magazines like Mother Earth and not much else. No one was really into it back then so it was a lot of trial and error. When I read about using lye in soap, I thought about Granny in the Beverly Hillbillies and gave up that experiment then and there!

I will look up your recommendations

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

BellaCarro — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:22:16 GMT

On 1/27/2015 mochachino said:
thanks, when I started out I had a couple books I picked up, magazines like Mother Earth and not much else. No one was really into it back then so it was a lot of trial and error. When I read about using lye in soap, I thought about Granny in the Beverly Hillbillies and gave up that experiment then and there!

I will look up your recommendations

Yeah, CP soap does not grab me either. Now, I do want to try some body wash, shampoo, conditioner.

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

HappyDaze — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:26:21 GMT

On 1/27/2015 mochachino said:
yes, I understand BC. I started making my own products in 1973 with ingredients from my own yard like herbs, flowers, etc and have dabbled and experimented ever since but really was never able to make anything I thought was really good.

I just posted that link because if anyone is interested in looking at some other alternatives to organic lines, it is just another source for that.

I found a company online called From nature with love that sells all the ingredients one needs to make their own. I bought meadowfoam seed oil from them and mix it with other moisturizers. Their prices were reasonable but shipping was high.

I've heard good things about this site but did hear their shipping is kind of high. Thanks for the rec!

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

suzyQ3 — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:37:45 GMT

I, an inveterate non-DIY person, am truly honored to be in the company of those interested in such endeavors, especially given the fact that I just may get to enjoy the fruits of one delightful person's labor.

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

HappyDaze — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:42:49 GMT

Bella, just curious but are you still using Isomers pro lipid (I think that is the name?)?

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LTT1 — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 01:13:12 GMT

BellaCarro... I was hoping you would show up! Quite a few months ago, you asked the question what would be our must-haves in a skin cream. After thinking, it hit me! Could you make a cream based on the ingredients that are the basis of renova? I think it is the base ingredients that work for me b/c the retina A must have expired years ago! I can use a tiny bit and see a huge difference! THX!!!

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

HappyDaze — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 01:51:33 GMT

One thing I've been interested in is being able to add particular ingredients into skincare I already use rather than completely starting from scratch, at least for now. For example, Niacinamide comes in a powder that you can add to a moisturizer you already use and you can mix it to get the % you want in your concoction. I notice that I always have had a hard time finding a product that contains all the ingredients I want within reason (I know some ingredients can't be combined) so the solution to me is adding in the ingredients I want into products I already love (again, when reasonable). Eventually I may want to concoct my own complete product. Funny thing is, it seems the ingredients are pretty cost effective which makes me wonder why so many things are soooo expensive that contain the same ingredients. I know alot of it has to do with fancy packaging, marketing costs, large scale manufacturing costs, etc. Well, I don't really want to pay for all that!

Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~

BellaCarro — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 06:27:50 GMT

On 1/27/2015 HappyDaze said:
One thing I've been interested in is being able to add particular ingredients into skincare I already use rather than completely starting from scratch, at least for now. For example, Niacinamide comes in a powder that you can add to a moisturizer you already use and you can mix it to get the % you want in your concoction. I notice that I always have had a hard time finding a product that contains all the ingredients I want within reason (I know some ingredients can't be combined) so the solution to me is adding in the ingredients I want into products I already love (again, when reasonable). Eventually I may want to concoct my own complete product. Funny thing is, it seems the ingredients are pretty cost effective which makes me wonder why so many things are soooo expensive that contain the same ingredients. I know alot of it has to do with fancy packaging, marketing costs, large scale manufacturing costs, etc. Well, I don't really want to pay for all that!

LotionCrafter, then. I have some niaminicide from them just begging to be added to something. You may also want to look at Formulator Sample Shop or makingcosmetics.com. LotionCrafter has a really nice looking C Serum kit I've been considering (SkinCeuticals dupe). Many sites have kits. It's a nice way to get familiar with the process.

I have found SkinActives to be insanely high.

Edited to add: HD, you need to be extremely careful about adding raw ingredients into an existing product. All the ingredients have to be compatible (some are cationic, anionic, non-ionic), the percentages are going to be incredibly difficult to get correct, the ph level can go off, some ingredients may just completely negate the benefits of the one be added or worse. Sorry bud.

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topic Re: ~Paging BellaCarro~ in Beauty

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