Zenobiah Natural Beauty

Contest at Nature's Child

2008-07-03T20:55:00.003+02:00

Just letting you know that there is a fabulous contest going on over at Nature's child where you can win a $250 Speesees organic cotton baby or toddler wardrobe from Nature's Child!

More BPA info

2008-05-14T13:58:00.006+02:00

Just so I don't forget, here is a link to an article on Wired.com which lists more resources for info about Bisphenol and how to find containers and baby products without this.

Apparently BPA has been banned in Canada and the FDA in the US is under investigation for approving it in the first place...

Here is a cheat sheet for which bottles and sippy cups are safe.

Here are the teethers and pacifiers that are safe.

The danger of....packaging?

2008-03-05T10:44:00.006+01:00

I recently read a very interesting article about the effects certain chemicals are having on wildlife. In the article it said:

Pollutants that turn male fish into females have an unexpected effect on starlings: they cause the guys to sing sweet songs that lady starlings find irresistible.

In a study published this week in Public Library of Science ONE, researchers from Cardiff University studied starlings feeding on earthworms at a sewage treatment plant.

The earthworms were chock full of endocrine disruptors -- chemicals that mimic estrogen, a potent female sex hormone, and have been show to affect the behavior and development of exposed organisms.

These chemicals also do similar things to humans. I don't mean that you'll get a fantastic singing voice but it can cause early onset of puberty for your kids or other problems. Now the interesting thing about this is that some of these pollutants come from the cosmetics industry. Apparently some plastic containers contain a chemical called Bisphenol A or phthalates and this leaks out of the containers and into the contents, especially when the food is heated up in the containers. I am sure many of you knew this before but this was news to me!

The Natural Resources Defense Council has a nice webpage with a more detailed explanation about what to do.

In the meantime, especially if you have babies, are pregnant or make cosmetics, here is the list according to Delicious Organics:

Safer plastics are:

#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) - usually for soft drinks, water bottles, ketchup and salad dressing, peanut butter, pickle, jelly and jam jars

#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE) - used mostly for milk, water and juice bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal box liners, and grocery, trash and retail bags

#4 low density polyethylene (LDPE) - bread and frozen food bags and squeezable bottles

#5 polypropylene (PP) - margarine tubs

Plastics to avoid include:

#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) - 2nd most commonly used plastic in the world. Many toys are PVC too and kids put everything in their mouths so watch out for those! Opt for more wooden toys instead - they last longer in play meaning less time in a landfill and the time they are in the landfill is a whole lot less than plastic as they will disintegrate.

My concern also is that so many things we may use regularly are made of polycarbonate including juicers, food processors, dehydrators, and sometimes even blenders and coffee machines. If that product is made of glass, we always choose that instead. Sometimes you can find alternatives in stainless as well. I am checking into Juicers, Food Processors and the like and will post additional information as I learn about it.

#6 polystyrene (PS) - foam & Styrofoam

#7 other (usually polycarbonate) - many drinking cups are made of this, baby bottles, big water jugs (and we thought we were doing a good thing having that full water jug ready for drinking anytime, right?) - these leach as they age and mostly into fatty foods. I think it's probably ok for grains but better to get rid of all of these. There is a link between bisphenol-A and phthalates and early onset of puberty. Puberty and Plastics, Dec 2003, Mothering Magazine Some Tupperware products are made of this but very few. This is the plastic that looks like glass; it's very stiff and doesn't have a "plastic" look to it.

But no matter what container you use, if it is plastic, don't heat anything up in it. Use glass or ceramics in the microwave. Stay away from plastic food wrap as much as you can. However, use common sense and don't go completely overboard with it. It takes a lot of this stuff in order to have an effect, though it is nice to minimize the exposure.

Just moved...

2008-03-04T15:13:00.009+01:00

We recently sold our apartment in a heated bidding war. It only took a day and a half from the showing to the sale (fairly normal in this part of the country). We got more for it than we had dared to hope for. :-)

This weekend we moved into a new (rented) apartment where we will live until after the baby is born. It is downtown on the 4th floor over a posh clothing store. Very nice, although 4th floor with no elevator is not fun when pregnant.

I still have no chance of making any beauty items, but instead I have ordered some from a great seller, SpaTherapy. My dry cracked hands will be happy as soon as the package arrives.

Here are some photos of the apartment we just sold:

LIVINGROOM

KITCHEN

BATHROOM

Herbs to avoid during pregnancy

2008-02-04T12:23:00.000+01:00

Since I am all absorbed in the pregnancy at the moment I found this page to be very interesting.

It tells you which herbs to avoid during pregnancy and some other herbs that can be beneficial. Please be careful, whatever you do. Better to err on the side of caution is my stance on this, anyway.

I am contemplating making my own anti-stretchmark cream from shea butter, tamanu and jojoba oil but I need to find out if the ingredients will make it through the over-zealous customs office first.

Now THAT was a surprise!

2008-01-22T11:14:00.000+01:00

I have been busy with other things unrelated to crafting recently. I just found out I am pregnant! I have a (step) son from before but I have never been pregnant until now. Wow. I didn't think it would work... :-P

So, now it will be a bit difficult planning the move, a bit MORE difficult, I mean. I will have to stay here in Norway, my husband and son will have to move but come back to visit me of course, and then I move after the baby is born.

I just can't believe I am having a baby, that is all. My due date is in the middle of September. I am already suffering from various symptoms, cramping like you would not believe, fatigue, etc. But so far, no vomiting. Hope it holds.

I am staying home as I need to stay in bed for most of the day because of pain, but I can stay up for short intervals.

On another note, my husband tried shaving with my vanilla castile soap yesterday and said it was his best shave EVER. Not a single nick by the razor and he is usually a bloody mess by the time he is done. I have asked him to get me more supplies so I can make more of this great soap. He just lathers up the soap and rubs it on his stubble and shaves with a cheap razor. Now his friends want to try it too. :)

Tips for Craft shows

2008-01-10T08:34:00.001+01:00

First of all let me say sorry for not blogging for a bit there. My husband and I are feverishly trying to get ready for our move to the States and there are just not enough hours in the day.

I came across this amazing list of Craft show Do's and Don'ts today. Once we are settled in and I have my products all figured out I think I will do some of those. If you live in the Carbondale, IL area you may find me there one day!

UPDATE: 06.03.08
I just found a great article detailing how to successfully work a farmer's market.

Overview of Preservatives - updated Dec 23 2007

2007-12-19T14:08:00.000+01:00

This is a list of the various preservatives I have found on soaping supply websites. There are more out there, definitely, but these are the ones that are the most available. Find one that you feel comfortable using. As I am more comfortable using non-paraben and non-formaldehyde releasing preservatives I have added more information to the preservatives that fulfill these requirements, but if you need more information about any of the preservatives, please check out the links at the bottom of this post. Let me know if there are any more preservatives that I have missed and I will add them to my list!

An important note: Vitamin E, Grapefruit Seed Extract and essential oils are anti-oxidants. That means they will keep your oil from going bad but will NOT protect against bacteria and fungus. If you don't use preservatives your products will only be good for 1-2 weeks, even in the fridge. They may look ok, but there are lots of bacteria you cannot see or smell.

Contains no Parabens and releases no Formaldehyde:

Cosmocil CQ
INCI: Water, polyaminopropyl biguanide
Effective against: Bacteria (incl. Gram), yeast and fungi. Not active enough against yeast and mold to be able to be used on its own.
Contains parabens: No
Releases Formaldehyde: No

Note: Do not use Cosmocil CQ in a beeswax-borax emulsification system or in natural liquid soaps. The preservative will coagulate and become brown.

Usage Guidelines: Cosmcocil CQ is stable in heat to 140°C/284°F and may be added to your water phase prior to processing. Standard use rates are .2 to 1.5%. Typical use rate is 1.0%. It is effective in pH 4 to pH 10 media. Its solubility is in water, ethyl alcohol, glycerine and propylene glycol. It is not miscible in oil.

Optiphen
INCI: Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol
Effective against: Gram-positive and Gram-Negative bacteria, yeast, and mold
Contains parabens: No
Releases Formaldehyde: No

Usage Guidelines: Optiphen is a unique liquid preservative formulation which consists of phenoxyethanol and an emollient base. For use in a variety of formulas such as aqueous, anhydrous and emulsion products. Optiphen is a clear liquid preservative that can be easily added directly to the formulation during pre- or post-emulsification, at or below 80°C/176°F. Optiphen has no pH restrictions in formulating, and is compatible with most ingredients used in the personal care industry. Recommended Use Levels: 0.5 - 1.5%

Preservatives that contain Parabens and / or releases Formaldehyde:

Germaben (II, II E)
INCI: Propylene Glycol (and) Diazolidinyl Urea (and) Methylparaben (and) Propylparaben
Effective against: Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as yeast and mold
Contains parabens: Yes
Releases Formaldehyde: Yes

Germall
INCI: Diazolidinyl Urea (and) Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Effective against: Everything
Contains parabens: No
Releases Formaldehyde: Yes

Liquapar Oil
INCI: Isopropylparaben (and) Isobutylparaben (and) Butylparaben
Effective against: Gram-positive bacteria, yeast and mold
Contains parabens: Yes
Releases Formaldehyde: No

Liquapar Optima
INCI: Phenoxyethanol (and) Methylparaben (and) Isopropylparaben (and) Isobutylparaben (and) Butylparaben
Effective against: Gram-positive bacteria, yeast and mold
Contains parabens: Yes
Releases Formaldehyde: No

Phenonip
INCI: Phenoxyethanol (and) Methylparaben (and) Ethylparaben (and) Butylparaben (and) Propylparaben (and) Isobutylparaben
Effective against: Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and molds
Contains parabens: Yes
Releases Formaldehyde: No

Suttocide A
INCI: Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
Effective against: Gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, yeast and mold, even at low concentrations
Contains parabens: Yes
Releases Formaldehyde: Yes (but contains no formal-dehyde donors)

For all of these preservatives, please follow the instructions carefully. Some require that temperatures are under a certain level, some require a particular range of pH-values. Please be careful and keep both yourself and your customers safe!

Sources: MMS, Lotioncrafter, Snowdrift Farms

Busy, busy

2007-12-17T13:10:00.000+01:00

I have been slacking off a bit on the blogging lately. The reason is that I have a huge translation project going on (oh yey, concrete bridges! How fun!) in addition to my full-time work and preparing to move across the planet. A bit busy. :)

I am still working on trying to find a safe preservative that will not allow all kinds of bacteria but still be paraben-free and non-formaldehyde releasing. It is not as easy as I thought. I have found an alternative for most of the products I have planned to make, only the scrubs and deodorants left to work on. Scrubs need preservative because you use them in the shower or tub and put your wet hands into them and that way you get water into them which can cause all kinds of nasties to grow.

I will try to be more regular in my blogging though I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.

Shattered Illusions

2007-12-06T11:12:00.000+01:00

*Sigh*. When I first started becoming interested in making my own natural beauty products I had a vision of being able to do so without using preservatives. I would make lotions, shampoo and scrubs and only use Grapeseed Extract for preservative. I have now learned that this is exceedingly dangerous.

Apparently, all the GSE (Grapeseed Extract) or Vitamin-E does is to keep the oils in the formula from going rancid. It does not keep the product from growing mold, yeast and bacteria. ICK! If a product has the least bit of water in it or is used in the shower it needs a real preservative. So much for being all natural, I guess.

I am quite bummed from learning this. I now have a choice of a) only making products that have no water in them and that are not to be used in the shower, or b)use a preservative or c)not use preservative and make whatever I want and then be sued or have people getting sick and dying from my products.

The lesser evil seems to be using the preservative. But which one is the best one for my use? Which one has less dangerous chemicals in it? This article may help you, as it has helped me. I haven't decided yet, but I have found more info to research, at least.

What do you think about this?

Castile Soap

2007-11-30T10:59:00.000+01:00

I really need to make some soap soon. I have been wanting to make a Castile Soap (soap consisting of 60-100% olive oil) for a long time but time constraints with the move and other things keep getting in the way.

Castile Soap is an interesting thing, though. Some say it has to be 100% olive oil, some say you can add palm and coconut oil for better lather, or even canola oil for creaminess.

If I am able to craft this weekend I think I will make it according to this recipe:

90% Olive oil and 10% Palm oil

I hope it turns out nice. Has anyone else tried using a Castile Soap before?

What to do when bored...

2007-11-27T10:37:00.000+01:00

If you have a hobby like knitting, crocheting, or maybe you walk to work or you're at the gym or doing other mindless, repetitive tasks I have discovered a great way to keep from being bored.

Audio books!

But, you may say, they are so expensive and I can't afford it right now. Well, there is a site you can go to that is totally run by volunteers that read books that are in the public domain. When they are done reading you can download the book for free, put it on your mp3 player or just play it from the computer.

There are lots of classic books that you may have meant to read but never got around to. Like "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott, and they also have all the sequels to it. Or all of Jane Austen's work. There's a lot of Shakespeare on there too.

And if you want to, you can help read the books as well. The people who read are not professionals (mostly at least) so the feeling you get when they read is kind of like when your parents read to you. Which I like, at least. :-)

Oh, the site is LibriVox

Hope you have as much fun with it as I have had!

Photo tips

2007-11-22T15:44:00.000+01:00

Just found a GREAT blogpost for processing photos in Photoshop.

And another one about the whole process.

Oh, and turn off your flash, use the macro setting on your camera and take the photos in natural light if you can.

More research...

2007-11-22T14:15:00.000+01:00

I have been so busy this week I haven't had time to blog. This weekend I was in Oslo for a huge party for my current job (IT). We stayed in the best hotel in town and had a great dinner, a special show and then an all 80's music show with all the top names from the 80's in Norway playing 3 songs each. Amazing.

But I am totally drained and need to get crafting soon to regain some energy.

Today, I have looked at a lot of shops on Etsy and learnt the following:

I will wait with opening my shop until I have quite a bit of stock and really good photos of it. I will also have packaging ready and have stickers and business cards and samples ready for sending with the items I will be selling. And I will have a nice banner for both my shop and this blog (the one I have now is just *ugh*)and it will match my avatar at Etsy.

I have also learnt not to blab too much personal stuff in online forums, at least any forums where I can be recognized as me.

So, I am learning everyday, and when the move is over and we are more settled I will have a gameplan for putting it into action and starting up in an efficient manner. I would LOVE to start up right now of course, but as it is not possible I will use this time for research instead.

Have a great day!

Things I need to start my shop

2007-11-16T14:32:00.000+01:00

1. A camera to take nice photos with. The cell phone camera just doesn't do it.
2. A shop banner that looks nice
3. Labels with ingredients listed for my products
4. An Excel sheet to calculate the cost of the product and the shipping
5. Packaging, boxes, jars, tissue paper, bubble wrap
6. A lightbox to take my photos
7. Ingredients
8. Business cards
9. Stickers to put on the packages

And most of all, time to do all this. I think my research will pay off eventually though. I never knew it would be this much work! I like the thought of it though, even if it is going to take a while for me to get started. I'd rather get started right and have it take longer than start wrong and have to do it over again.

Beautiful design

2007-11-15T13:03:00.000+01:00

Cosmopolitan Girl Scrub at Trunkt

Ok, I found this beautiful design site today. Well, it is not really a design site, it is a site like Etsy but it focuses more on the beauty and composition of the photographs and apparently it is pretty hard to get in there. Definitely a place to consider once I have my products, labels and photos in order.

Oh yeah, I didn't tell you about Etsy, did I? That is where I will have a shop. Or one of the places anyway. Fun place, great people in the forum and tons of interesting things to buy. Most stuff there is handmade and people have their own shops so it is nothing like Ebay. Check it out for yourself and you'll be convinced!

Things I would like to make

2007-11-14T14:15:00.000+01:00

Since making stuff seems to be out of the question for now (except for soap) I have been trying to save tutorials and ideas. Today I have been researching making banners and labels for products.

I have found that most people print labels on inkjets, which is good since I feared I'd have to have things printed on a laser printer. I have also looked at branding and packaging. My hero in this is SpaTherapy. She has the prettiest labels and design I have ever seen.

I am not great with graphics design (can't you tell?) but I do have a friend who works in advertising so I will ask him to give me some lessons.

More research tomorrow.

Moving countries

2007-11-13T10:19:00.000+01:00

I originally started this blog in Norwegian, my mother tongue, but as our family will move to the States within a couple of months I figured it was best to start writing in English.

My husband is American, I am Norwegian but with a half-Norwegian, half-American upbringing. Less of a culture shock that way.

For various reasons we have to move countries yet again. I moved to the States when we got married, 6 years ago. We moved to Norway to be closer to my parents 5 years ago, but my husband is too homesick and we will have to move to the States again in a couple of months. There are other reasons for the move too, of course, many of them beyond our control. Our son has ADHD and is not receiving proper follow-up in school is one of the other reasons for the move.

Anyway, the result is that I will be unable to properly dive into the world of beauty product crafting until after the move, so for now I will only make soap it seems. The less stuff we need to bring over, the better.

I hope this is the last cross-planet move we have to make, I am really tired of getting rid of 80% of my belongings because it is too expensive to ship. If anyone is reading this blog and knows of a cheap international shipping company that ships from Norway, let me know.

Almost winter

2007-11-09T10:32:00.000+01:00

I can feel winter approaching. Not only by the frosty clouds of smoke emanating from my mouth every morning but when I checked my son's face to see if it was clean before he took off to school I saw that his lips were dry and cracked. This happens to him every winter but as I am now making my own beauty products I realize that it is time to approach this problem in a new way; I need to make my own lip balms. The problem is how to find the ingredients in this country, at least without paying an arm and a leg.

So now I am researching the best recipe and the best ingredients and then I will be back with updates for how this is going.

Giving out free samples...

2007-11-08T11:23:00.000+01:00

The last couple of weeks I have given out free samples of my soap to people I know so they can be my guinea pigs. :-) It has been an interesting experience. Some are a bit worried about using the soap. Some like it, some don't. Some dislike the color, others dislike the scent or texture. So I have tried out a few different recipes to see what people like the most.

Yesterday I gave a few of my Peppermint soaps without olive oil to my mom so she and her friends could try them out for me and give me some feedback. Personally, I prefer soap with olive oil as it works better for my skin, but some people like it better without it. It will be interesting to find out what they think about it.

Do you have any preferences for how soap should be? Smell, color, texture, etc? Please leave a comment.

Welcome to my blog

2007-11-08T10:35:00.000+01:00

Hello and welcome to Zenobiah Natural Beauty!

I have made soaps for a little while now and had fairly positive feedback (from people unused to handmade items...). I enjoy it a lot so I decided I might try selling some in order to support my soapmaking habit. Hence Zenobiah Natural Beauty was invented.

Who Zenobiah is?

Zenobiah was a beautiful woman from Roman times. She was married to a Roman ruler of a small kingdom called Palmyra. Zenobiah was so intelligent and beautiful and well-liked that when her husband died she was made ruler in his stead. This fits well with my intention to make intelligent beauty products so I promptly made her my figurehead. Read more about Zenobiah here.

When I say I make soap I don't mean using a soapbase and adding color and fragrance. I make soap from scratch, with lye and vegetable oils and store them for a couple of weeks so that the chemical process called saponification finishes. There is no lye left in the soap when it is ready to be sold. I use essential oils or fragrance oils to give my soap a nice fragrance. I also add coconut milk, cocoabutter or sheabutter to make the products even better for the skin.

Does this sound interensting? Send me an email! As soon as I manage to take some photos I will upload them here so you can see how things look.