 | ||||||
CREAM DEODORANT
1 part petroleum jelly
1 part cornstarch
1 part baking soda
Few drops favorite perfume
Store in a small jar.
| ||||||
Notes On Making Bath Bombs
MIXING:
This mixture is VERY dry and crumbly and has to be packed in the moulds quite firmly to keep shape. If you add any other ingredients (such as herbs, epsom salts or dried flowers) you may need to add a bit more almond oil. Be careful not to add too much oil, though, as this makes the bombs soggy and makes a mess of your tub. I mix the liquids into the dry ingredients with my hands. That way I can feel if I need to add more oil. The mixture should just start to hold together when pressed in your hand, like slightly moist fine sand.
Adding epsom salts adds a bit of shine to the bomb and also seems to make the fizzing action more vigorous. It also seems to shorten the drying time required. If you want to add coarse sea salts, I recommend breaking it up a bit with a mortar and pestle or in a blender. The grains should be no larger than those of epsom salts.
SHAPING:
This recipe makes about 4-60 mm round bombs. I use the clear plastic two-part Christmas ornament balls; you can also get an 80 mm ball (these incidentally are the same sizes as the Lush bombs). I find the 60 mm bombs are all you need for a nice bath. I have never needed to oil the moulds beforehand when using these plastic moulds.
I pack each side of the mould quickly, then throw some loose mixture on top and squish the halves together HARD (the mould needn't fit together completely; in fact it shouldn't, because then it is harder to get them apart). DON'T twist the two halves, just PUSH them straight together and smooth off any excess around the crease with your fingers. You can unmold them after a very few minutes onto a baking sheet. Unmould one side at a time, taking the top half of the mould off first (you may need to tap the top gently once or twice), then turn the ball and remove the other side. Avoid the temptation to *twist* the top of the mould, as this can easily split the bomb. If the bomb splits or crumbles, empty out the mould completely and start again. If the bombs crumble and won't keep shape, add a tiny bit more oil (1/4 tsp or less). I usually manage to get three of the four done fine and then have trouble with the last as the mixture is already
beginning to dry out a bit.
Sometimes they crack a little around the seam after a day or so; just gently rub the seam with your (dry) fingers to smooth it. If you have enough left over you can either gather it in a jar or plastic spice bag, or put it in a smaller mould (I use half of a Christmas heart mould). The mixture shows detail very well; other people I have heard
of make smaller bombs by pressing them into candy moulds.
*You could substitute ascorbic acid but it tends to turn yellow with exposure to air, which gives your bombs a freckled appearance. Citric acid is sometimes available in drug stores but it's NOT cheap. If you think you might like to make a few, or if you have a friend who might want to try too, I suggest ordering a kilo or 5 kg pail from a reputable soapmaking supply house.
**Re drying time: I let all of mine dry at least a week, although they should be ready to use after a couple of days. I have heard it suggested that one could speed up this process by baking the bombs for 2-3 hours at very low heat (no higher than 200 degrees F) but I haven't found this necessary and I imagine this would make the whole house smell of them for days, which may not be your preference! They look nice packed in cello bags or you could use spice bags such as are used at the bulk store. Tie with a pretty ribbon or nestle three in a small wicker basket for a nice gift.
I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want - an adorable pancreas?
~Jean Kerr
|
