Coming Clean: The Truth About Soap

What Is Soap? Soap is the oldest cleanser around. It is created by a chemical reaction between oils, water and lye. Although lye is used to make soap there is no lye left after saponification the chemical reaction that makes soap is complete. There is no such thing as a bar of soap that was made without the use of lye. Different kinds of soap are made using a variety of different oils. Both animal plant oils can be used in the soap making process, each adding different qualities to the soap. Conventional Bar Soaps Much of the soap available in the store today is not really soap at all, but a detergent. Detergents are a petroleum based product, like gasoline and kerosene. Have you ever noticed how regular soap leaves your skin feeling dry, itchy and tight?

Spa Etiquette - What You Need to Know

Spa-goers visiting the spa for the first time often need to know what is expected of them as they prepare for their spa experience. As the spa strives to provide the client with a tranquil and safe environment so too the spa-goer has certain expectations placed upon them. To make the spa experience as relaxing and enjoyable as possible here are a few simple guidelines to follow: 1. Book well in advance and where possible pick up a brochure from the spa that includes prices and treatments. Call 24-hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule. 2. Request detailed information on the type of treatment booked. 3. Ask about the therapist assigned to you. Do you prefer a male or female spa therapist? An often missed and important detail. 4. Wear suitable clothes and be prepared to undress according to spa treatment you have booked.

Handmade Soap Facts

How many people know what soap really is? Several of the cleansing bars that you buy at the store, for example, are detergents-and not soaps at all. They are called syndet bars, or synthetic detergent bars. They are made from synthesized chemicals and are usually much harsher than soap. Detergents contain petroleum distillates rather than oil. On the other hand, true soap is made from natural oils such as olive, coconut and palm and is a gentle cleansing product more appropriate for use on skin than is detergent. Soaps, unlike detergents, are made by combining sodium hydroxide or lye, oils and water in a process known as Saponification. Some people may question the use of lye in handcrafted soap. The fact is that all soap is made with lye. What needs to be made clear is that once the process of saponification is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerin.

How To Recognize an Essential Oil?

A selection of essential oils is now available from health food shops, chemists and by mail order. When you are buying them, be careful to choose essential oils, not perfumed oils. Although these may well smell delicious they are not benefecial for aromatherapy. An essential oil is: Thin and watery rather than oily. Swift to evaporate and it wont leave a greasemark on paper. Overpoweringly scented when neat, which can be quite unpleasant. Perfumed oils will always smell pleasant whereas essential oils often have more of the effect of smelling salts. All essential oils fall into three basic categories: TOP NOTES : These oils evaporate very quickly. They are generally uplifting and stimulating, with a greenish, fresh aroma. MIDDLE NOTES : These are used to help with most bodily functions and the body s metabolism.

Risks Of Tanning Beds - Not All They Are Hyped Up To Be

The risks of tanning beds aren t all that it s hyped up to now-a-days. For example, all of the skin cancer horror stories that you hear about all came from people who went about tanning the wrong way 20 to 30 years ago. You see, skin cancer has a latency of about 20-30 years. That long ago almost everyone that that getting a sunburn would fade into a nice looking tan, so most people would go to the beach and keep up with a pattern of getting sun burnt. This is what causes skin cancer, the repetitiveness of getting sun burnt. So there is common misconception of the risks of tanning beds. It s not all cancer in a box as many people say. Some other risks of tanning beds are your eyes.

A Lifetime Cruise - An Exotic Hawaiian Cruise Trip

Hawaiian Cruises are everyone s dream cruise to the Hawaiian Islands on an exquisite ocean liner. Being pampered from dawn to dusk with exemplary cuisine, entertainment and fun for all that too for a moderate sum on a Hawaiian Cruise is definitely something out of the world. An increasing number of cruisers and liners are now regularly calling on the Hawaiian ports as also at the neighboring islands of Kaua i, Maui, Kona and Hilo. Hawaiian Islands, a cluster of 137, provide adventure - sports, relaxation and a new insight to oneself. The islands make one wonder whether you are at land or at sea. Hawaiian Cruises transport you to a heavenly state. Because of the tropical latitude, the weather remains the same through most of the year. The eastern side has more rainfall while the western part is the dry land.

White Asian Skin Against Tanning

The paler the skin, the higher the class Pale skin has had an exciting evolution. Greek and Roman women used to do anything possible to whiten their face skin the whiter their face skin was, the more beautiful they were considered. Sun tanning was out of the question. By using lead paints and chalks women put themselves in great danger because that ancient beauty treatment could cause death by slow poisoning. It was only too late when this was discovered. The obsesssion with white, porcelain - like skin evolved beyond cosmetic reasons, becoming more related to social classes. Skin color became that visible definer separating working classes from the ruling classes. A tanned skin disclosed a life of outdoor labor those wishing to be accepted in high-life had to conform to this requirement: white, not tanned skin.

Beaded Earrings Cultivate an Exotic and Sultry Look

When we think beads, we normally think of bracelets, anklets, hair ornaments and necklaces. What about beaded earrings? Well, earrings are mostly made of metal, enamel and precious stones, some of us think. Earrings are fancy and expensive! Fortunately, earrings don t have to be fancy, or expensive, or made of just one extravagant material -- or a combination thereof. A person can be elegant without spending a lot of money, and a person can be elegant without looking so metallic! American Indians used to create very elaborate beaded jewelry for different purposes. Among them were dream catchers -- ritual items placed on cradles and other sleeping areas in order to drive away bad dreams -- and beaded earrings for the women. A common stone involved in the making of bead jewelry is turquoise, which is said to lend strength of conviction and character to the wearer.

Benefits of Spa Treatments

Ladies, when was the last time you were treated like a queen? Whether it was in this millenium or the last, spending the day at a Spa guarantees the Star Treatment. Day Spa s are like hair and nail salons, only better. In addition to hair and nail services, they offer relaxing muscle massages, pedicures, manicures, deep cleansing facials and even body scrubs, all in a comforting, soothing environment. Most offer gift certificates and will combine services into packages at a reduced price. Winter weather wrecks havoc on our skin, especially our hands and feet, leaving them dry and cracked. I don t know about you, but my lotion just ain t getting it! Dead skin cells on your body can prevent your oil and lotion from soaking in, leaving you with a bad case of winter itch.

Homemade Facials, Scrubs, and More

The same stress in our daily lives that makes us yearn for a spa experience often keeps us from taking the time out from a busy schedule to book a day of relaxation. Even with time, a day at the spa can be a big hit to wallet. While I often can t find the time or budget to be pampered in a luxurious spa, I do my best to treat myself with a home spa experience. When I take a few hours out of my schedule to treat myself right, I am rejuvenated and energized to take on the daily grind! I start with an extra-special bath experience by turning off the lights and using candles and incense to set the mood. While filling the tub with great smelling products, like chamomile and lavender for relaxation or rosemary and mint for rejuvenation, I set up the CD player with some groovy tunes and turn off the phone.