It's Hot Cocoa Season!

With Jack Frost already nipping at my nose (it was 0 degrees outside in Duluth, MN the other day!) and BCN having Hot Chocolate fragrance as the scent of the month, it's the perfect time to make a delicious 'mug' of chocolate delight, only with a wick!

Here is what you need to make these cute candles that smell like a slice or at least a mug of heaven!
IGI 4636 Wax 
IGI 4794 Wax
Brown Color Block
Hot Chocolate Fragrance
60-44-18z Wick
Wide Mouth Mason Jar or any glass coffee mug (the wick will change by changing jars!)

Instructions: Heat your IGI 4636 wax to 175-185*. Once the wax reaches desired temp, add your dye, blend well then add fragrance and again blend well. This wax should be poured between 155-165* into heated containers and cooled as slow as possible for optimal adhesion to glass and a smoother finished candle top.
*For jelly and mason jars or other jars that are taller than they are wide, we recommend pouring the wax at about 180-185* into heated containers and cooling as slow as possible. The increased pour temp will allow for more even cooling and less sink holes. 

 

Allow the candle to cool for about 4-6 hours. Then heat your IGI 4794 to about 175. Add your scent, and then allow to cool until the wax forms a skin on top and start stirring or whipping with a fork. I just allowed mine to get a bit foamy and poured it, you can actually whip the wax so it looks like whipped cream piled high on the cocoa too!

This candle can be done with coffee scents as well making the froth for cafe' au lait! With winter a reality, at least lighting a warm and cozy scent will make you believe it's warmer than it really is ;)



Happy Candlemaking!
Flicker

Lush Lava

What is Lush Lava? It's a Hair & Body Mist with a twist! This month I tried something that I've had in my head for a few years. To try "layering" our Cyclomethicone and Hair & Body Protein Mist. It was a huge success! I like products that can be used multiple ways as do my customers. I always feel that people are more willing to buy when they feel they are getting more bang for their buck. I tend to agree that is how I shop as well.

Lush Lava when shaken prior to use will allow for the products to temporarily 'mix'. Since oil and water don't actually mix this part is essential to get the benefit of both products during use. It is awesome feeling on the skin and when used lightly in the hair has the benefit of a light conditioner AND a shine spray! I love it!

For this project you will need only a few items:
Hair & Body Protein Mist
Cyclomethicone
FD&C Body Dyes
Fragrance
PET Bottle for Packaging
Fine Mist Sprayer

*A Pyrex Measure Cup and a digital scale are also needed.

First, make your Protein Mist.
Instructions for use:
Add 1/4 to no more than 1/2oz. of lotion safe fragrance oil to 1 gallon of base. Add liquid Bath & Body dye in drops until desired color is achieved. Stir thoroughly. Pour into bottles with a funnel. For smaller amounts, there is a measuring chart found here: http://cart.candlesupply.com/Bases-c-332.html This chart is based on 1 oz per gallon so be sure to adjust accordingly!
Caution: Adding more than the recommended amount of fragrance oil may cause separation. Shake well before using! This product has a milky appearance so clouding is not an issue.
Some fragrances will cause separation of this base, please test your fragrances if this may be a problem. Shaking will incorporate it and it is still usable. 

 Next make your Cyclomethicone. Because this may go on both the hair and skin, I used only 10% fragrance. You can use a bit more or a bit less just be certain to check the IFRA percentages for each scent you plan to make because many are not skin safe to 10%! Incorporate the fragrance into the Cyclomethicone by gently shaking. 

*Some scents do NOT blend into cyclomethicone as easily as others. For this project I would recommend only using those that do without any separation. Using the method where you blend with vegetable oil then add to the cyclo may cause the hair or skin to become excessively oily. 

Once you have both products made, it's time to mix! Just pour your Protein Mist into the bottom of the bottle, filling it half way. Once this is done, GENTLY pour (I tilt the bottle) the Cyclomethicone on top of this. Once it settles, there will be two clear layers of product in the bottle. Be sure to note on the instructions to SHAKE WELL before each use to get the full benefits of each product. Your ingredients list will look like this:
Clear Layer: Cyclomethicone J and Fragrance Oil
Colored Layer: Water, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Hydrolyzed Collagen, Dimethicone, Sea Salt, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, FD&C Colorant (which ever one you used) and Fragrance. To the left are two bottles. The one with the white cap shows the product shaken up to show what it looks like "mixed" the second shows it in the layers as it's settled. This is an easy product that is fun to make!


Happy Crafting!
Flicker!