Essential U Blog

Kitchen Chemistry :: DIY Felted Soap

Use coupon code: SUMMERCLEAR10 to get 10% off CLEARANCE! 6/29 - 7/05

Weekly 10% Discount Coupon Codes for Kitchen Chemistry Items

This week on Kitchen Chemistry, Kayla makes a DIY Felted Soap! You can watch the video here. 

      

Use coupon code: SUMMERCLEAR10 to get 10% off CLEARANCE! 6/29 - 7/05

Safe Cosmetics Act :: H.R. 2359 :: Expected to go Online by Monday

Watch on Essential U for a copy of the Safe Cosmetics Act, H.R. 2359 on Monday.  We will be blogging with a detailed response to the bill as soon as possible. 

The Personal Care Products Council released a press release with their statement regarding the bill on June 24th.  Here is the copy of the PCPC statement. 

STATEMENT BY LEZLEE WESTINE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS COUNCIL IN RESPONSE TO THE SAFE COSMETICS ACT OF 2011 INTRODUCED TODAY IN CONGRESS
BY REPRESENTATIVES JAN SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL), EDWARD MARKEY (D-MA) AND TAMMY BALDWIN (D-WI)

“We agree with Reps. Schakowsky, Markey and Baldwin about the need for certain provisions of the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to be modernized in order to keep pace with evolving science and the growth of our industry.  To that end, we are working with the House Energy & Commerce Committee leadership to propose reasonable, science-based changes to the law that will meaningfully enhance cosmetics regulation without over burdening FDA or imposing costly and unnecessary restrictions on business. 

Pennsylvania Bath Salts Ban is on Synthetic Drug

Pennsylvania and 20 other states have a new laws on the books banning bath salts, but don't panic it is aimed at the so-called synthetic designer drugs known as 'bath salts' and not the kind of bath salts that you put in your bathtub. 

The drugs called 'bath salts' cause delusions, hallucinations and violent behavior.  "Bath salts that have nothing to do with taking a bath or spas, are designer drugs with effects comparable to cocaine or methamphetamine," said Governer Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania.  "We're going to be asking all merchants to pull it off their shelves to not sell it," said Berks County District Attorney John Adams. "This is something they'll have to eat from their profit center."

The Destination Makes the Journey Worthwhile

Recently I was the keynote speaker at the Alabama Soap and Candle Association.  While deciding if I should take the speaking offer I wrestled with the fact that I really wanted to be in two places at once.  I wanted to be at my daughters closing program at school on Thursday night and at the Alabama Soap and Candle Association meeting on Friday morning.  I was having a conflict between mommy duty and business. 

      

I paused, pondered, checked my schedule, rechecked it and so when Sandi checked with me for a final decision I said that I would if I could find a red-eye flight that would allow me to be both places.  Sandi didn't wait for me to look.  A few minutes later I got an email with a Delta flight that would allow me to leave Portland after the closing school program and still land in Alabama at 9 a.m. in time to speak. 

Road to Nowhere or Road to Success by Diane Humke

I think it was Lily Tomlin who said:  “The road to success is always under construction”.  That has never been truer than during the new economy. Frankly the new economy is alarming. Many of us have had to rethink our futures and reality is that the future we planned for and counted on, just might not be there for us when we arrive at retirement. Many people are starting home businesses and many of our customers are among them.  When you can’t get a job you make a job, especially if you are in that dreaded 50+ age group where your knowledge and experience no longer outweigh your demographic impact on a potential employers health insurance rates. 

      

If you have never had a business before things can seem overwhelming.  Where do you start?  What do you do?  How can you make some money and make things better?  There are lots of pyramid schemes and get rich quick scam artists out there with their hand out just waiting to take what little money you have left.  Running your own small business is not rocket science and most people can do it if they apply themselves.  In my experience the best place to start is with a business plan and not just any business plan, but a “One Page Business Plan”. 

Kitchen Chemistry :: DIY Solid Shea Butter Sugar Scrub

Use coupon code: SUGARBAR10 to get 10% off the following products! 6/22 - 6/28

Shea Butter (Naturally Refined) - 4oz

Turbinado Raw Sugar - 11.5 oz

Freshmint Essential Oil Blend - .2oz

Use one of the following:

Basic Soap Base Kit (Melt & Pour) - 6 oz 

Crystal Clear Soap Base Kit (Melt & Pour) - 6 oz

High Sudz Soap Base Kit (Melt & Pour) - 6 oz

 White Soap Base Kit (Melt & Pour) - 6 oz

Weekly 10% Discount Coupon Codes for Kitchen Chemistry Items

This week on Kitchen Chemistry, Kayla makes a DIY Soothing Spray! You can watch the video here. 

      

Use coupon code: SUGARBAR10 to get 10% off the following products! 6/22 - 6/28

Shea Butter (Naturally Refined)

Turbinado Raw Sugar

Freshmint Essential Oil Blend

Basic Soap Base Kit (Melt & Pour)

Crystal Clear Soap Base Kit (Melt & Pour)

High Sudz Soap Base Kit (Melt & Pour)

 White Soap Base Kit (Melt & Pour)

Update on The Safe Cosmetics Act

In 2008 the small businesses in the cosmetic industry joined together to fight the FDA Globalization Act of 2008.  We remained together to fight the FDA Globalization Act of 2009, then the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act in 2010 and most recently the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010.  It has been a long hard battle that has been supported by Donna Maria of Indie Beauty Network, Leigh O’Donnell, Marie Gale, Feleciai Favroth from The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild, myself from Essential Wholesale along with small business owners Anne-Marie Faiola, Lela Barker and thousands of business owners that helped spread the word, educate, sign petitions and so much more. 

     

Even though you haven’t heard much about what is happening with legislation over the past few months there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes.  Most recently Leigh O’Donnell made another trip to Washington D.C. to meet with Congressional staff from Representative Schakowsky, Markey and Baldwin’s offices on June 10th, to continue discussions on the newest version of the drafted Safe Cosmetics Act which may be introduced as early as next month.

Looking Back at the 2011 Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Annual Conference

I always have a blast at the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Annual Conference and this year did not disappoint.  I didn’t get to see all the speakers that I wanted to hear, but that was only because I was preparing for my own demonstration and I had to leave a day early.  I love to learn and this year the speakers were educational and fun. 

     

We were really excited when we heard that the 2012 Handcrafted Soapmakers Annual Conference will be in Portland, Oregon. 

     

I learned the fine art of bubble making at the Essential Wholesale party.