Dandi Creations Soap Review

Hello, Rose Garden!!

It has been a while, I know, I know. But I am here now and that is all that matters. I have a couple of reviews to do. This post will take a couple of days but we shall start with my first box of soaps from Dandi Creations out of Hermitage, PA!!! Diana is a wonderful soaper. She is so creative and dedicated to the art. I will show you in pictures.

 I was so excited to receive my box!!

 Look at how neatly arranged this is!!

 I made sure to take a picture of their business card so that any and everyone who is looking to order from Dandi Creations will have their contact information. Ordering from the website was super easy!!

 This slice is of Pumpkin Bumpkin smells great!!! Subtle and spicy just like the real deal.

 I have tried out the Pink Berry. I love the lather and the smell. In fact, even my dad wanted a slice of this one so I had to cut the bar into 4 pieces. One for him, one for my daughter and the rest for me.

I have also tried out the Coconut Lime Verbena. The smell is clean and sharp. I have this one in my shower as well. And yes, I had to split this bar with my dad and daughter, too. I don't know how Diana did it but she actually elevated the scent!!

Now, I have to admit that I haven't tried out any of the other soaps but I sniffed Mocha Joe for at least 2 days. I promise you I swear that I could taste a strongly brewed cup of coffee at the back of my throat every time!! Anyone who knows me knows that I love, love, lurve coffee!!!

 

There are 2 other soaps that I haven't been able to give my attention to but as I stated earlier I will make a series out of these soap reviews. In the meantime go to www.dandicreations.com to purchase some (or all) of these awesome soaps. Contact Diana via Facebook at www.facebook.com/DandiCreations. Thanks and tune in later for the next installment.

Education, Education, Education!!

Consumers cannot rely solely on the merchant to educate them about potential allergens in a product. If you as a consumer are roped in by the buzz word 'hypo-allergenic' then you will assume that it will not contain nuts, gluten, or whey, right? But you ARE allergic to bananas or citrus or yeast, correct? Guess what is in your handy dandy new hypo-allergenic product? Yeast, dehydrated banana or plantain peels that are a part of the merchants 'proprietary blend' that they don't have to list on the label. The onus is on the consumer to ask if any of your known allergens are in a product before you purchase.


Me, myself, I try to ask each potential customer for their list of allergens and then I provide a product that has not been manufactured with any utensils that have touched stated allergens. One of my most faithful customers has a laundry list of allergies from bananas to grapeseed oil. Almost none of my non-synthetic products can be used by her. I keep a running list of allergies and when I produce something that she likes but cannot have I warn her. Back in 2006 I gave a peppermint foot soak to a pregnant co-worker because she was complaining about her feet. What she and I didn't know is that peppermint causes swelling the extremities of a pregnant woman and can also stimulate uterine contractions. Thankfully, she just swelled. Lesson learned. After that I decided that I never want to offer any product to anyone that could potentially harm them. The co-worker wasn't upset because she didn't know and neither did I. Had she lost her baby I would have been beside myself with guilt. I can't even begin to imagine how she would have felt. That was a turning point for me. I vowed to never again sell something to someone face-to-face without at least asking if there are any allergies that I should be aware of.


I am listing a few essential oils that should NEVER be used (shower gels, lotions, massage oils or bath oils) if you are pregnant and are wanting to keep your baby.


Celery
Carrot
Basil
Bay Leaf
Listea Cubia
Lemongrass
Marjoram
Parsley
Peppermint
Safflower
Saffron
Peppermint


I was asked if eating these in moderation was safe. My reply was "ask your OB/GYN what is safe for YOU". There is a reason why manufactures caution consumers to ask their doctors before consuming concentrated herbs, spices and essential oils. Thankfully, I posted this in one of my Facebook pages and a pregnant member stated that she was going to take a bath tonight with several of the listed oils. Potential crisis aborted. Educate yourselves.

Pictures!! Pictures!! Pictures!!

These are some of the older colors that I had from The Chemistry Store. They worked great for me last year so I decided to get some new colors.

 

These are the newer colors. So far I have used Santa Red for TCR: Raspberry Mint and Hyacinth for Caribbean Sun.

 

Top Left to Right : 'Uh-oh' blend. I mistakenly added Egyptian Musk FO instead of Pina Colada. TCR Chocolate Orange.

Bottom Left to Right: TCR Caribbean Sun (used Hyacinth and Royal Blue, colors morphed terribly)

 and Green Apple.

Cut pictures will be coming at the end of the week provided we have good natural sunlight.

 

I had previously tried some micas from Bramble Berry. Each and everyone discolored to either grey or a puke-y tan. I was out done. No matter what the FO, EO or blend none of them stayed true to their supposed colors. This time I am attempting to use The Chemistry Store's micas.  I have used Royal Blue and that one has discolored to a lovely Lilac. The blend was TCR Caribbean Sun which has some brown and yellow undertones due to the FOs used. This week I am going to attempt to use the Orange and Bordeaux and see if I have any success.

Now, on to some exciting news. I have decided to place gift bags in salons and boutiques in Lancaster. This week I am planning out the labels, fragrances and sizes.

Fragrance Reviews:
Black Tie (Crafter's Choice): Much hyped but smells sweet and reminiscent of cotton candy with Basil. Haven't soaped it yet but will soon.

Bay Rum (Bath Body Supply): Not as strong or masculine as Bramble Berry's. Doesn't have the staying power in soap like I had hoped. This one will be used for feminine blends rather than masculine.

Yuzu (Crafter's Choice): A very unusual but pleasant citrus scent. I may be able to blend this to bring out the wonderful fragrance in soap. Will have to see.

And We Are Open!!!

Hello, my lovely Rose Garden!!!

How have you been? I have missed you!!! So, I am back in SC and am working on sending out orders that I have received while on hiatus. Fun, fun!!! So what is new with The Chandler's Rose? I will tell you.

The quarterly newsletter is making a comeback!! Sign up at www.facebook.com/TheChandlersRose or thechandlersrose12@gmail.com.

Massage oils are making a comeback!! Yes, yes you can now order for your business your very own massage oils. I understand that not everyone can tolerate blending their own products or even have the nose for it. Good news for you, I do!! I can either do private labeling or you can purchase standard TCR blends for your clients. Contact me for more information.

Soap of the Month club will be phased out at the end of the calendar year. It is not that I don't love making soaps, I do!! I just love blending fragrances for other soapmakers more.

Body Butter of the Month club is being changed to Moisturizer of the Month. Lotions, body butters, body oils, lotion sticks and creams will be part of the monthly offerings. You can receive your 6 month supply at once or you can receive your 12 month supply in to 2 shipments. Shipping is still included in the price.

Deep Mint, Ecstasy, Fantasy, Garden Party, Green Tea, Oriental Purity and Patchouli Sunrise will be added to the website soon. I still have to test them out in soap and body butter before I can post to the website. 

Thank you all for your patience. 

Remember, The Chandler's Rose will only be open from March 1st to August 31st. Be sure to order your oils and products before it is too late.