Good to the Last Sliver

Ginger Zest meets Cascade Trails

I sometimes hear from customers that they don't know what to do with the last sliver of soap.  You don't want to throw it away, but it gets hard to hold on to and use at a certain point.  I'm happy to report that my R&D department has developed a very simple technique for fusing that last tiny piece to a fresh bar.  (Okay, I admit — I am the R&D department.)

Here's how to do it:

• Wet both the remaining sliver and the new bar.
• Rub them a little to get the surface worked up.
• Press together and allow to dry completely.

Voilà — no more waste!

Smooth my what??

Besides the soap, which is my signature product, I also make a line of shea butter Skin Smoothie lotion bars and Lip Smoothie balms.  These are the perfect complement to the soaps in rounding out a basic skin-care regimen.

The Lip Smoothie is a balm made with shea butter, olive oil, beeswax, vitamin E, and coconut oil, formulated to protect the delicate lip tissue from moisture loss.  It is packaged in a convenient applicator tube that keeps your fingers away from your mouth — especially important in cold and flu season!

The Skin Smoothie may not be as familiar to some of you.  It is a solid bar of similar ingredients, designed to nourish and protect rough, dry skin without feeling greasy.  The bar comes out of the container and you simply rub a thin layer onto the skin.  I use it on my legs and arms after showering, chapped hands, rough heels, and anywhere else that needs heavy-duty moisture.  The oils soak in and the waxes leave a protective layer that feels smooth even after washing.  They are great for travel — the tin fits nicely in your purse so you don't have to worry about a tube of lotion spilling, and they are safe in your carry-on luggage.

Both Smoothie products are available in fragrances to coordinate with my most popular soaps, and I offer discounts on gift sets that combine soap with the Skin Smoothie and Lip Smoothie.  If you haven't tried all three items yet, this is a great way to do it!

These Soaps Are Made For Washing

I hate to be a "soap Nazi" but I have to admit, I die a little inside when someone tells me they want to use my soaps for air freshener in their powder room.  "They're so pretty, I hate to use them!  I just set them beside the sink and they smell so good!"

Why do I care?  You see, each bar of soap that I sell is made by hand, from scratch, with your skin in mind.  I don't start with a pre-made base; I start with rich, pure oils, and go through a somewhat complicated process to turn them into soaps that are as wonderful on the skin as they are on the nose.  The vegetable oils I use create a mild soap that cleanses beautifully and rinses clean to leave your skin feeling soft and smelling fresh.  I hate to see all that potential go wasted.

So if you want to freshen your powder room, may I suggest a nice potpourri or room spray?  Don't worry about using up your soaps, I'll make more when they're gone!