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Creative Cactus Soaps (To Buy or For DIY Soap Making Inspiration)

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May 13, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

Cactus soaps are all the rage these days. Now that unicorns and mermaids seem to be trending down, cacti and succulents are trending up. While it may seem strange to bathe with a soap that mimics a plant with sharp needles, that doesn’t seem to be off putting where artisan soaps are concerned.

Buy them to add a touch of summer to your guest bathroom or to give as simple housewarming or hostess gifts. Or simply gather inspiration for crafting your own unique DIY cactus soaps at home. Plus discover 7 soap making tutorial for making homemade succulent soaps as your next weekend soap making project.

Creative Cactus Soaps for Succulent Lovers

If you love cacti and other succulents, then be sure to shop these amazing artisan soap finds from Etsy. Beautiful cacti and succulent soaps for handmade gifts or DIY inspiration. Here are just a few of my favorite handcrafted cactus soaps. For more soapy inspiration, be sure to visit my collection of artisan soaps on Etsy here.

Clockwise: Desert Blooms Cactus Soap by Grouchy Owl Soaps / Cactus Flower Soap by Skyline Soapworks / Blooming Cactus Soaps by Joan’s Garden / Succulent Garden Soap by Sinfully Scented Shop

Clockwise: Succulent Soap Gifts by BeeUtifully Organic / We’re Rooting for You Succulent Soap Gift Box by Sunbasil Soap / Southwest Succulent Soaps by Soap Etiquette Inc. / Cactus Succulent Soap Favor by Seaside Soap Kitchen

Clockwise: Green Cactus Calendula Infused Soaps by Calendula Skin Soaps / Cactus Succulent Soap Favors by So Cute Soap / Artisan Succulent Soaps by Wild Poppy Soap Co. / Cactus Flower Soaps by Honey Butter Bath Co.

Clockwise: Desert Rose Cacti Soap by Moon Shine Suds / Potted Succulent Soap by Seapoint Trade / Fresh Succulent Soap Garden by Joan’s Garden / Sedona in Bloom By Trinity Soaps

Clockwise: Cactus Succulent Desert Bloom Soap by Land of Soap / Tequila Sunrise Eagles Inspired Soap by A Sea of Soaps / Margarita Cactus Gardeners Soap by Grounded Sage Skincare / Unscented Mini Cactus Goat Milk Soap by Soap Nerd Shop

Clockwise: Rustic Cactus & Sea Salt Soap by The Little Soap Store / 3D Crafted Cactus Soap by Nerdy Soap / Cactus Soap Favors by Sunbasil Soap / Cactus Flower Soap Bar by Wild Elephant Soap

Make Your Own DIY Cactus Soaps

Cactus Soap Making Molds

Ready to make your own DIY cacti or succulent soaps? You can find a plethora of unique and interesting soap molds for making cacti or succulent soaps and embeds here. (Including the cactus soap molds pictured above from Gold Miss Craft Supplies.)

Cacti & Succulent Soap Tutorials

Also be sure to check out this collection of cacti & succulent soap tutorials for even more DIY ideas for your next soap making project.

You can also learn how to make your own custom cacti and succulent soap molds with this soap mold tutorial from Soap Queen. Then use your homemade soap molds to make unique one-of-a-kind melt and pour soaps.

Love these handmade artisan soaps and DIY soap making ideas? Be sure to pin this post for later!

Discover more DIY soap making ideas you can craft for handmade gifts by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Decorating, Homemade Gift Ideas, Shopping, Soapmaking Tagged With: artisan, cactus, cold process soap recipe, cold process soapmaking, crafts, diy, gift guide, gift idea, handmade gifts, handmade soap, melt and pour soap recipe, melt and pour soapmaking, shopping, soap tutorial, soapmaking, succulent

Best Mother’s Day Gifts & Ideas to DIY

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May 7, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

I seriously got the best Mother’s Day gift EVER this year! So I wanted to ~~share~~ mom brag about my son’s gift to me. Plus share a few DIY ideas for the best Mother’s Day gifts you can make for your mom this Mother’s Day.

I got my Mother’s day gift early this year. Words cannot even explain how amazing it is! My son, Cody, graduated valedictorian from my alma mater, Roanoke College, this past Saturday. He’s the first on our side of the family to be headed to grad school.

Cody will be working on a research grant when he starts his major in clinical health and research in the fall at UNC Charlotte. His end goal is to be able to help those in need so they can lead happy and fulfilling lives. I feel so blessed to have a son who cares so much about others and the world around him that he wants to make it his life’s work.

While you may not be in a stage in your life that you can wow your mom with your achievements, I can help you out with a collection of 18 handmade gifts that she’ll totally love. Keep reading to explore the best Mother’s Day gifts & ideas that you can DIY for your Mom this May – even if it’s last minute.

Best Mother’s Day Gifts & Ideas to DIY

Blueberry Thyme Bath Salts Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy Mother’s day gift to make last minute, then try this simple homemade bath salts recipe! It’s formulated with Epsom salt and magnesium flakes to ease your mom’s sore muscles and reduce stress. Plus it smells amazing! Get the recipe.

Rose Essential Oil Bath Bomb Recipe

Another of the best Mother’s Day gifts you can DIY, these fragrant rose essential oil bath bombs make a lovely DIY Mother’s Day gift. Made with natural rose essential oil and fragrant roasted cocoa butter, these bath bombs ar the perfect bath time treat to help Mom unwind and relieve stress. Get the recipe.

Easy DIY Succulent Soaps

These adorable succulent soaps from Everything Pretty are guaranteed to delight your mom this Mother’s Day! Perfect for homemade gifts, these DIY melt and pour soaps look like little potted succulents ready for a sunny windowsill. Learn to make them.

Essential Oil Rose Bath Truffles Recipe

Help Mom take a time out for self care with these skin softening DIY rose bath truffles from Country Hill Cottage. Made with six natural ingredients, these beautiful bath treats infuse bath water with nourishing oils and butters to moisturize Mom’s beautifully maturing skin! Get the recipe.

Natural Magnesium Body Butter Recipe

My mom is embarking into her seventies. Unfortunately that means her arthritis is getting worse. If your mom also suffers from common aches and pains, then she’ll appreciate this natural magnesium body butter as much as my mother does! Made with natural ingredients like roasted cocoa butter and essential oils, this body butter recipe also contains magnesium flakes to ease sore muscle and joint pain. Learn how to make it.

Pineapple Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe

If your mom is on trend with the latest hidden color bath bombs, then she’ll love to receive these pineapple shaped bath fizzies. Formulated to stay together even in high humidity, these hidden color bath bombs will turn your mom’s bath into a rainbow of colors! See the tutorial.

Related: Explore more beautiful DIY Mother’s day gift ideas here.

DIY Crochet Coffee Sleeve

If your mom’s like me then she loves that morning cup of coffee or tea! This crochet coffee cup sleeve from Skip to My Lou is so beautiful. Your mom will use it everyday for that early cup of java. Making it one of the best Mother’s Day gifts you can DIY last minute. Learn how now.

DIY Seashell Wine Charms

What could be more perfect for moms who love wine and entertaining than wine charms? These super cute DIY seashell wine charms from Crafts By Amanda are super simple to make, but look amazing! Plus it’s a great use for those seashells you still have stashed from last summer. See the tutorial now.

DIY Mother’s Day Suncatcher Gift

This suncatcher craft project idea from Darice is super easy to make. It’s also small enough that it can be mailed to your long distance mom if needed. Each bead on this Mother’s Day suncatcher reflects a different child in her life. Learn how to make this memorable best Mother’s Day gift for your mom’s kitchen window. It’s a lovely reminder that you’ll always be in her heart. Learn to make it now.

DIY Solid Rose Lotion Bars

Lotion bars a great way to care for your mom’s maturing skin. Formulated without beeswax, these vegan friendly solid lotion bars are made with natural plant based ingredients for healthy skin care. Get the recipe and helpful tips for creating your own homemade lotion bars for gifts at A Life Adjacent. Get the recipe.

DIY Handwritten Recipe Tea Towel

A handwritten recipe tea towel is the best Mother’s Day gift idea for moms who love to bake! Learn how to transfer a handwritten recipe card from your mom’s recipe collection onto a tea towel with this tutorial from Lyndale Drive. Learn how now.

Hand Poured Citronella Candles DIY

With summer on the way, your mom will surely appreciate these beautiful hand poured citronella candles from Country Hill Cottage. Made using soy wax and citronella essential oils, these patio stable candles make the perfect gift for any mom who loves enjoying time outdoors. There are even printable labels to make this Mother’s day gift even better. Make them now!

Related: Make mom a DIY needle felted wine bag with this tutorial.

Hand Painted Rose Mason Jars

You can’t beat these lovely hand painted rose mason jars as another of the best Mother’s Day gifts & ideas to DIY. Not only are these mason jars beautiful, they also have a number of uses. Mom will love using these decorative jars as vases or to store kitchen staples! Discover the tutorial for making hand painted roses at It All Started with Paint. See the tutorial.

Foaming Salt Scrub Recipe

This homemade foaming salt scrub recipe is a great way to exfoliate, cleanse and moisturize skin in one simple step. A reader favorite recipe, this DIY foaming salt scrub has been reproduced numerous times over the years both to sell and give as homemade gifts. Another win as one of the best Mother’s Day gifts to DIY this spring. Get the recipe.

Natural Essential Oil Perfume Recipes

Essential oils are big right now and for good reason. They wonderful for crafting natural skin care products as well as for use in aromatherapy. In addition, essential oils are also perfect for creating natural gift worthy perfume. Learn how to make five essential oil rollerball bottle perfume recipes that mom will love. Get the recipes now.

DIY Terrazzo Triangle Trinket Box

If you’re lucky enough to have a 3D printer, then this trinket box is a must for a DIY gift for Mom. Gift it with a handmade felt brooch or a novelty enamel pin to customize it even further. Then decorate the outside with temporary tattoos. Don’t have a 3D printer? Try an upcycled cardboard box version instead! Get the pattern to make yours.

Cucumber Mint Sugar Scrub Recipe

Need even more Mother’s Day gift ideas? This cucumber mint sugar scrub recipe is another homemade gift idea that tops the list. Made with ingredients that skin loves like cucumber seed oil and aloe, this homemade body scrub has a refreshing cucumber mint fragrance your mom will love! Get the recipe.

DIY Twig Pendant

This DIY pendant is the best Mother’s day gift idea for jewelry lovers. A DIY reproduction of the wildly popular Door 44 twig pendant, this tutorial from Door 44 Studios walks you through the steps to make your own as a handmade gift for mom. Learn how now.

Do you have ideas for the best DIY Mother’s Day gifts? I’d love to hear your DIY ideas for homemade Mother’s Day gifts! So be sure to share your ideas for the best Mother’s Day gifts in the comments. You can also explore more DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas on my Pinterest board here. Or browse for handmade gifts you can buy for Mother’s Day on Etsy here.

Discover more DIY ideas for the best Mother’s day gifts by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Gift Guides, Holiday DIY Tagged With: bath and body, crafts, diy, gift idea, gift ideas, gift ideas for women, handmade gifts, holiday gift, holiday gift giving, homemade gift, how to, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gifts

Rose Essential Oil Bath Bomb Recipe for DIY Gifts

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

May 2, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Made using a fragrant rose essential oil blend, this essential oil bath bomb recipe makes a lovely DIY gift. Whether you’re looking for handmade spring inspired gifts for Mother’s day or a treat for a summer birthday, this easy essential oil bath bomb recipe will delight your recipient. And give her an excuse to take time out for self care.

Let’s Make Essential Oil Bath Bombs!

Now that it’s May, hopefully we can move on from the “April showers” part of bringing those May flowers. The humidity and rain has been a constant here in Southwestern Virginia. So much, in fact, we often get more rain in a calendar year than Seattle. (I somehow think Seattle got a bad rap on that rain thing.) Anyhow, fingers crossed for sunny days ahead, because this rose essential oil bath bomb recipe makes an excellent DIY gift for Mother’s Day.

I chose to scent my essential oil bath bombs with a rose essential oil blend. Paired with the natural chocolate fragrance of roasted cocoa butter, these essential oils bath bombs offer the perfect combination for Mother’s Day – chocolate and roses. Made with natural rose essential oil, this essential oil bath bomb is the perfect bath time treat to help Mom unwind and relieve stress.

Related: Learn how to make natural essential oil perfumes.

Benefits of Rose Essential Oil

Rose essential oil lends more than just a wonderful fragrance to bath bombs however. According to Very Well Health, rose essential oil, when used in skin care applications, is purported to hydrate dry skin, clear acne, reduce signs of aging, minimize the appearance of scars and help with conditions such as eczema and rosacea.

In addition, rose essential oil has a number of aromatherapeutic uses. It’s believed that rose oil can help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as help with headaches and migraines. Users may also find it lessens the severity PMS symptoms and menstrual cramps. These benefits make rose essential oil especially suited for a relaxing essential oil bath bomb recipe.

I’d love to be able to scent my essential oil bath bomb recipe with nothing but pure rose essential oil. Unfortunately, for me – and likely many of you as well – the cost of rose essential oil makes this prohibitive. As it takes around 10,000 pounds of rose petals to make just 1 pound of oil, rose oil is one of the most expensive essential oils on the market.

Rose absolute offers a less expensive alternative to pure rose essential oil. Alternately, you can also scent your bath bombs with a rose fragrance oil if desired or if rose essential oil is cost prohibitive.

Related: Shop for handmade Mother’s day gifts.

Rose Essential Oil Bath Bomb Recipe

Ingredients:

16 oz. baking soda
8 oz. citric acid
1 oz. Epsom salt
.25 oz. cream of tartar
2.5 oz. coconut oil
1.25 oz. roasted cocoa butter
.5 oz. polysorbate 80
1/2 Tablespoon (lip/eye safe) pink cosmetic mica powder
24 drops rose absolute
16 drops juniper berry essential oil
8 drops frankincense essential oil
8 drops amyris essential oil
dried cornflowers, to suit

Supplies & Materials:

digital scale
round bath bomb molds
two medium glass bowls
fork or whisk for mixing
microwave or double boiler
respirator face mask
disposable gloves

Making Substitutions:

If you want to tint the bathwater with your essential oil bath bombs, then use a pink lake dye (at the manufacturer’s recommended percentage rate.)

Essential oils out of your price range for this project? You can use a fragrance oil over an essential oil blend. Simply replace the essential oils in my essential oil bath bomb recipe with .5 oz. to 1 oz. of rose fragrance oil. Use less for a lighter scent or more for a heavier fragrance.

If you are allergic to coconut oil, you can use another carrier oil of your choice. (I personally love both argan oil and rosehip seed oil for maturing skin!)

Essential Oil Bath Bomb Instructions:

Begin by weighing out roasted cocoa butter and coconut oil. Then combine in a heat safe container. Heat at 30% power in the microwave, or using the double boiler method, until melted. Remove from heat. Then weigh out the polysorbate 80 and stir into the melted butter and oil. Add the essential oils, using a dropper, then mix again to combine. Set aside.

Next, weigh out the baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt and cream of tartar into a separate container. Then measure out and add the pink mica powder to the other dry ingredients. Then add your desired amount of dried cornflowers in with the mica and other dry ingredients. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients for your essential oil bath bombs are evenly distributed throughout.

Now add the liquid bath bomb ingredients to the dry ingredients, slowly, mixing as you go. Mix until the entire concoction is the consistency of wet sand.

To make your essential oil bath bombs, pile the mixture into one half of a round bath bomb mold. Do not pack the mixture into the mold. Leave it loose but piled high. Repeat with the other half of the round mold. Then firmly mash the two sides of the bath bomb mold together. Unmold.

Repeat this process with the remaining essential oil bath bomb mixture. Then set your bath bombs aside in a cool, dry location to dry.

All that’s left is to wrap your finished bath bombs as desired for personal use or to give as DIY gifts.

More Rose Essential Oil Recipes

If you like my rose essential oil bath bomb recipe, then you may also like my other rose scented skin care recipes.

You can also make an anti-aging essential oil rollerball bottle to gift with the essential oil bath bombs if desired. Simply combine 5 drops rose essential oil, 5 drops frankincense essential oil, 3 drops helichrysum essential oil, 2 drops myrrh essential oil and 2 drops lavender essential in a rollerball bottle. Then top with rosehip seed oil. Shake to mix. To use, simply roll on under eyes and gently massage in. This blend also works great on scars!

Looking for an affordable to start and grow your essential oil collection? Sign up for the monthly Simply Earth Recipe Box! Use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE to receive a free bonus box with your first order plus a $40 discount on your next order. Get yours now! Or click here to learn more about this company.

Discover more of my favorite essential oil bath bomb recipes by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on new recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, bath bomb recipe, bath bombs, bath tutorial, crafts, diy, essential oil blend, essential oils, gift idea, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gifts, natural skin care, rose, self care, stress relief

Blueberry Thyme Bath Salts Recipe (A Homemade Mother’s Day Gift Idea)

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

April 25, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

If you’re looking for an easy homemade recipe for bath salts, then make this blueberry thyme bath salts recipe! This bath salt recipe is formulated with Epsom salt and magnesium flakes to ease sore muscles and reduce stress. Plus it smells amazing! (It’s kind of cotton candy like. My friends LOVE this scent.)

Learn how to make this Epsom salt bath salts recipe for sore muscles for yourself or as a delightful homemade Mother’s day gift. This is the perfect handmade gift to help you – and your Mom! – unwind from daily stress or muscle aches and pains. A must for any self care routine.

Moms Need Time Out for Self Care Too!

Both as women and as mothers, we often try to take on too much and brush self care aside. Not only does this put a strain on our emotional wellbeing, it leaves us feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated. Basically on a fast track to burning out. (Are they still calling that a nervous breakdown?)

Recently a dear friend remarked to me how she exhausted she is day in and day out. How nice it would be if someone took of her once in a while. Not only does she push herself to work two jobs, she’s also always on her feet working through chronic pain. Home life isn’t much different. Like many of us, she’s also expected to tackle all the chores and cooking.

It’s easy to understand why she feels so run down. Don’t we all have those days? It can be a challenge to learn how to say no. Or to stand up for yourself and demand things change when you’re caught in a cycle. We all need a break from time to time. We aren’t machines. And we certainly can’t continue to keep doing everything and then some without help. It’s no wonder many of us feel as if we are just surviving.

This homemade bath salts recipe is the perfect way to ~~push~~ gently nudge your Mom into taking some time out for herself. And to remind her that yes, you do appreciate everything she’s done for you. By making this easy bath salts recipe for a homemade Mother’s day gift, you’re not only helping her relax, but ease away tension and sore muscle pain as well. This easy bath salts recipe yields two 8 oz. containers of blueberry thyme bath salts. So you can make one for mom, and keep the other for yourself!

Using Magnesium Flakes for Bath Salts Recipes

If you read my recent posts on how to make pineapple hidden color bath bombs or magnesium oil, then you’ll recall why magnesium flakes are my new favorite ingredient. Not only is this salt, also known as magnesium chloride, more readily absorbed by skin then Epsom salt, it can be used in a number of different ways. You can use magnesium flakes to make a simple magnesium oil recipe to ease sore muscles and restless legs. Or give it a try in a magnesium body butter that calms your body and assists with a restful night’s sleep. It can also be used as a key ingredient in a recipe for bath salts.

Magnesium flakes are better suited than Epsom salt for topical application as they are more readily absorbed by skin. FOr this homemade bath salts recipe I used both magnesium flakes and Epsom salt. I also included a touch of moisturizing shea nut oil. The combination of these ingredients make my easy blueberry thyme bath salts recipe a wonderful remedy for stress relief and sore muscle recovery. It can even help to improve circulation!

Keep reading to learn how to make my blueberry thyme bath salts recipe to gift as a homemade Mother’s day gift for mom!

Blueberry Thyme Bath Salts Recipe

Ingredients:

19 oz. Epsom salt
1.5 oz. magnesium flakes
.25 oz. polysorbate 80
.25 oz. shea nut oil (aka fractionated shea butter)
.25 oz. blueberry thyme fragrance oil
1/2 teaspoon lip & eye safe pink mica powder
dried cornflowers, to suit

Instructions:

Using a digital scale, weigh out the Epsom salt and magnesium flakes into a large glass bowl. (I like to use glass Pyrex measuring cups for mixing. I have them in all sizes.) Mix well to combine. Then measure out the mica powder and mix evenly throughout the salt mixture. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, weigh out the shea nut oil, polysorbate 80 and fragrance oil. (Polysorbate 80 keeps the mica powder from staining your tub.) Mix well.

Now combine the dry salt mixture with the liquid mixture. Mix thoroughly until all of the salt is evenly coated. Then mix in cornflowers as desired to achieve the look you want and to add contrast.

Finally, fill your containers of choice with your homemade bath salts. (I used a thick walled PET amber jar as well as an upcycled soup container that resembles a milk jar.)

Then add stickers, ribbons or gift tags as desired to give your bath salts as a homemade Mother’s Day gift.

To use, simply add the desired amount to warm bath water, sink in, relax and enjoy!

Try Another Easy Bath Salts Recipe

If you love my blueberry thyme homemade bath salts recipe, then try one of these other easy bath salt recipes as well!

More Homemade Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Looking for more ideas for mom? Try one of these other homemade Mother’s day gift ideas. Learn how to make custom Hand Painted Ceramic Vases or an Easy Needle Felted Wine Bag. You can also view an entire collection of the best homemade Mother’s day gifts here. You can also discover more ways to practice self care here.

Discover more of my favorite bath salts recipes by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on new recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, bath salt recipe, bath salts, bath tutorial, crafts, diy, easy, epsom salt, gift idea, home remedies, home remedy, magnesium, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gifts, natural skin care, pain relief, self care, sore muscles, stress relief

Pineapple Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe for Summer Self Care

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

April 23, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Celebrate summer with this pineapple hidden color bath bomb recipe. This blue Hawaiian pineapple bath bomb is perfect for some tropical summer fun – whether you’re on vacation or spending a night in at home. Indulge in a gorgeous colors and fragrance in your bath while you pamper yourself with skin conditioning shea butter and babassu oil.

Pineapple Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe. Celebrate summer with this pineapple hidden color bath bomb recipe. This blue Hawaiian pineapple bath bomb is perfect for some tropical summer fun - whether you're on vacation or spending a night in at home. Indulge in a gorgeous colors and fragrance in your bath while you pamper yourself with skin conditioning shea butter and babassu oil. Discover how to make a simple hidden color bath bomb recipe in a single craft session.

Pin this recipe now.

Keep reading to discover how to make a simple hidden color bath bomb recipe in a single craft session. Plus learn about my new favorite bath bomb molds.

Let’s Make Hidden Color Bath Bombs

I recently purchased an 8-piece bath bomb set featuring a variety of heavy duty bath bomb molds. It included two differently sized sets of round molds, a leaf and a tulips shaped mold, and a pineapple bath bomb mold. Ever since I shared a guest recipe on how to make rainbow bar bath bomb embeds for hidden color bath bombs, I’ve been wanting to try it myself. Unfortunately, bath bombs are not my strong suit. Not to mention the humidity in Southwestern Virginia right now has been insane. (We seriously have been getting more rainfall than Seattle, Washington the past few years.)

Formulating A No Fail Bath Bomb Recipe

When I received my new bath bomb molds, however, I knew it was time to just give it a go. Rather than attempt a two part process where I first make embeds and then make the bath bombs to hide them in, I thought I’d try it as a one step process with a single hidden color inside. I ended up using a blue lake dye (made specifically for bath bombs) for the hidden color. I then used a small amount of mica in conjunction with polysorbate 80 (so there’s no staining or colored bath tub ring) for the surrounding colors. This pretty much makes this bath bomb project for people – like myself – who struggle with practicing patience.

In addition, I formulated these pineapple hidden color bath bombs order to ensure a no fail bath bomb recipe even in humidity. (No joke, I made these during the day with the humidity at 43% because I was tired of putting them off. I then unmolded them the next day with the humidity at 84%.) To achieve this I included moisturizing shea butter and babassu oil – a rockin’ substitute for coconut oil – along with a bit of cream of tartar.

Finally, I also added magnesium flakes for their natural skin care benefits. Also known as magnesium chloride, magnesium flakes are better suited than Epsom salt for topical application. When used in bathwater, magnesium flakes are a great natural remedy for stress relief and sore muscle recovery. They also aid in improving circulation.

Pineapple Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe

Ingredients:

16 oz. baking soda
8 oz. citric acid
1 oz. magnesium flakes
.25 oz. cream of tartar
2.5 oz. babassu oil
1.25 oz. refined (high melt point) shea butter
.6 oz. polysorbate 80
.5 oz. pineapple fragrance oil, or scent of choice
1/2 Tablespoon blue lake dye (or bath bomb colorant)
1 teaspoon (bath bomb safe) green mica or lake dye, of choice
1/2 Tablespoon pink mica powder or lake dye, of choice
eco-friendly glitter, to suit (optional)

Materials & Tools for Making Bath Bombs:

digital scale
heavy duty bath bomb molds
three medium to large bowls (one for each color)
two containers for mixing ingredients
fork or whisk for mixing
microwave or double boiler
respirator face mask
disposable gloves

Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe Notes:

My hidden color bath bomb recipe makes a total of four hidden color bath bombs. I was able to use the pineapple bath bomb mold in addition to the two-part small round mold and the leaf and tulip molds. I started with the pineapple bath bomb mold first. Then, once I had made that bath bomb, I filled the other molds with colors at random.

Instructions for My Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe:

Begin by melting and mixing the liquid ingredients. To do this, weigh out the shea butter and babassu oil. Then combine in a heat safe container. Heat at 30% power in the microwave, or using the double boiler method, until melted. Remove from heat. Then weigh out the polysorbate 80 and fragrance oil. Stir into the melted oil and butter. Set aside.

Next combine and mix the dry ingredients called for in my pineapple hidden color bath bomb recipe. (A face mask is recommended for this step.) Weigh out the citric acid, baking soda, cream of tartar and magnesium flakes. Combine in a large bowl and mix well, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly combined throughout.

Now set out three separate bowls. Divide the dry bath bomb mixture between the three molds – one for each of the three colors.

I used a large amount of the dry mixture for the pink mica. The dry mix for the blue lake dye had the least amount. While the green mica was about double that of the blue. Add the bath bomb colorants to each of the containers and mix well to combine. (The blue lake dye should account for about 28-34% of the dry bath bomb mix. Simply adjust the amount called for as needed.)

If desired, you may also add a bit of biodegradable eco-friendly glitter to any of the bath bomb colors.

Now add the liquid bath bomb mixture to each of the containers. Start with one color at a time. Use just enough of the liquid mixture to give the dry ingredients the consistency of wet sand. Mix well to combine then follow with the remaining colors.

You’re now ready to begin making your hidden color bath bombs.

I started with the pineapple bath bomb as it was the largest of the molds. Begin by loosely piling the green bath bomb mixture into the top of the mold where the leaves are. Then loosely fill the bottom portion of the mold with the pink mixture. Next, gently press – but don’t pack – the pink mixture into the mold.

Now loosely add some of the blue bath bomb mixture to the mold on top of the pink mixture. Press it slightly into the pink bath bomb mixture without packing it into the mold.

Follow with a loose pile of pink to cover the blue. Now firmly press and pack the bath bomb into the mold.

Once you’ve made your pineapple hidden color bath bomb, follow with the remainder of the molds, filling the colors as desired.

Allow the bath bombs to dry overnight or over the course of several days depending on the humidity in your area. (I left all of my hidden color bath bombs in the molds overnight with the exception of the round bath bomb mold. I was able to unmold that one right away.)

Then remove from the molds and package as desired.

Tips for removing the hidden color bath bombs from the molds.

If you have trouble removing your hidden color bath bombs from the pineapple, leaf and tulip shaped molds, simply bang the edges of the molds onto a table or hard surface on each side. At that point the bath bombs should come out of the molds in one piece. (You can also freeze them first to make removal even easier. Simply place the filled bath bomb molds in a gallon sized ziplock bag, then freeze for an hour before removing.)

Want to see this bath bomb in action?

You can see the leaf hidden color bath bomb I made with using this bath bomb recipe in action on my Facebook book page here as well as on instagram here. It goes for about three minutes and fizzes nicely even with the addition of shea butter and babassu oil.

More Bath Bomb Recipes to Try

If you like my pineapple hidden color bath bomb recipe, then you may also enjoy making my other bath bomb recipes.

Or learn how to make one of the tried and true bath bomb recipes from Two Wild Hares. Including her fan favorite DIY bubble bath bomb cupcakes.

Discover more of my favorite bath and beauty recipes by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay updated on new recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, bath bomb recipe, bath bombs, bath tutorial, crafts, diy, gift idea, self care, skin care, skin care products, summer, summer skin care