Quite a few years ago we holidayed on the Gold Coast and I bought the most beautiful Spearmint + Poppy Seed handmade soap from Broadbeach markets.
It was from a cute little stall called Beautiful Thinghood - and the spearmint soap was so beautiful. I wished I had have bought more back then as the next time we went to the markets (several years later) that little stall no longer existed! I longed for a spearmint and poppy seed soap!
So when I decided to make my own soap I knew the first combo I would make - SPEARMINT AND POPPY SEEDS.
I used a melt and pour soap - I wanted a goat's milk base but they were out of stock and I ended up with a substitute that wasn't as creamy as I wanted but they turned out okay for my first batch.
I used a kitchen knife to chop the soap block into cubes and melted them in a Pyrex jug sitting in a saucepan of boiling water. It did take a little while for the soap mix to melt. Both the soap base came from Bath Bomb World and the soap mould was from Centaur Packaging.
Once the soap mix has melted allow it to cool slightly and stir in your essential oils. I allowed about 10 drops of oil per soap bar. You can also add extra bits like oatmeal, poppy seeds and dried flowers.
I was far too heavy handed with the lavender seeds and as you can see they have a solid layer of lavender on the bottom of each bar!! I guess you could say that'll be good for exfoliating!!
It took maybe 45mins to an hour for the soap to set enough to pop out of the moulds. They peels out super easily and made a really nice hard bar of soapy soap!!
Here's the soaps I made..
SPEARMINT + POPPY SEEDS
- Melt and pour soap base
- 10 drops Spearmint essential oil
- 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds
I cut strips of patterned paper and wrapped them around each bar of soap, securing with double sided tape (or sticky tape will do) and finished by tying a ribbon bow or wrapping the soap with string or cord.. and adding any extra little things like the Christmas berries. They are so easy to make and decorate!
FRUIT + OATS
- 1 teaspoon of rolled oats
- 10 drops Bergamot
- 5 drops Lime
- 10 drops Grapefruit
This one smells so good and the oats add some texture to the soap! Great for exfoliating the skin and the citrus is invigorating and cheerful way to start the day.
FLOWER POWER
- 1 teaspoon of lavender seeds
- 10 drops of Patchouli
- 10 drops Lavender
- 10 drops of Ylang Ylang
Sprinkle the lavender seeds into the mould first and then pour the melted soap on top. I stirred the lavender seeds into the mix before pouring into the mould and they ended up all floating to the top in a big clump!!! Plus I used way too many lavender seeds so next time I'll be sticking to the teaspoon full!
These do make a beautiful gift - especially if you choose to decorate them and wrap them in pretty papers BUT they are also excellent every day soap for you and your family to use at home - replace those harsh commercial soaps and go natural by making your own soap! so easy and no nasties!!
