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Let’s make multi-chrome (3 colors in 1), gel eyeshadow

Let’s make multi-chrome (3 colors in 1), gel eyeshadow

This article (video below), reveals how to create vibrant, mesmerising multi-chromatic eyeshadow.  Each of these color changing gel eyeshadows reflects three different colors depending on the viewing angle – side, straight on, etc., Duochromes (two colors), have been around for a while but dramatic three 

Exploring SeaBalance, a new natural cold process emulsifier

Exploring SeaBalance, a new natural cold process emulsifier

SeaBalance 2000 from CarbonWave is a new COSMOS approved, natural, cold-process emulsifier derived from sargassum seaweed. (INCI name: Sargassum Fluitans/Natans Extract (and) Xanthan Gum (and) Pentylene Glycol).   Above is our second lab video and the video at the end of this post is of our first 

Make a lotion bar which doubles up as a conditioner bar

Make a lotion bar which doubles up as a conditioner bar

Sustainable, solid cosmetics are trending. Our natural, moisturizing lotion bar recipe is easy to make. To make your own, add more emulsifier, butter and thickener in place of water. For an easy to melt, non-greasy bar we like: BTMS-50, berry wax, cetyl palmitate, mango butter, 

Making conditioner with Palm Oil Free CosmeGreen ES1822+

Making conditioner with Palm Oil Free CosmeGreen ES1822+

Hair conditioners contain cationic surfactants which condition the hair. These cationics adsorb (rather than absorb) to the hair, reducing frizz, increasing shine and help detangle. In this video we tested the new cationic palm-oil free surfactant, CosmeGreen ES1822+, from SurfactGreen. Since its release, many French 

Let’s Dupe L’Occitane’s Ultra Thirst-Quenching Gel

Let’s Dupe L’Occitane’s Ultra Thirst-Quenching Gel

To understand the process of how to reverse engineer a cosmetic product, check out the two YouTube videos below which we created with Christine Hwang, Annalisa Branca @skinperspective and Alex Tolstoy for The Ecowell:   Analyzing lotions and creams video  Reverse engineering video    Before 

Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate

Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate

SCI (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate) is a commonly used anionic, sulfate-free surfactant, loved by syndet makers for it’s mildness and creamy lather.  However, due to its poor water solubility it is usually replaced with SLMI (Sodium Lauryl Methyl Isethionate) in liquid products. SCMI (Sodium Cocoyl Methyl 

Test your formulation knowledge

Test your formulation knowledge

As an educator I find giving students practical exercises a powerful, interactive and fun learning tool.   Our fun formulation exercises are aimed at formulators (homecrafters and chemists alike) and have proved very popular.  Go on, have a go and comment in this link with your thoughts on 

Sulfate-Free Surfactants

Sulfate-Free Surfactants

I love this handy chart from Innospec’s presentation: “Formulating High Performance Sulfate-Free Cleansing Products”. ⁣⁣As you can see, surfactants have a working pH range. Some surfactants can hydrolyze at a low pH (SCI, Iselux, Sulfosuccinate). ⁣ As most surfactants are diluted, we have a handy 

Let’s Dupe: Eve Lom Intense Hydration Serum

Let’s Dupe: Eve Lom Intense Hydration Serum

Formulations don’t have to be complex. This one is super simple and a breeze to dupe. Cold process, no oil phase, and all ingredients are easy to get hold of (https://makingskincare.com/cosmetic-ingredient-suppliers/). Ingredient wise, the formula is inexpensive apart from the sodium hyaluronate, (high molecular weight: 

InstaMask™ – Customizable Instant DIY Clay Mask

InstaMask™ – Customizable Instant DIY Clay Mask

InstaMask™ from Vantage won the Silver award for best functional ingredient at In-Cosmetics Global in March last year.  These customizable, instant, encapsulated clay mask granules are easy to use.  Just add the water phase, mix and apply!  We received a sample from Vantage’s UK distributors,