LIBRARY JOURNAL STARRED REVIEW
This book by artisanal soap maker Boué (founder of the French soap company Savon en Bullant) charmingly introduces readers to the art and science of making eco-friendly cold-processed soap, a craft she delved into as a beginner 10 years ago. The book is divided into two parts. In the first, readers learn about the history of soap and the types of soap out there, including the elemental basics behind them. Boué explains the logic behind the cold-processing technique that her book uses: there’s no heat involved, so the properties of the ingredients are preserved to the extent possible. There’s also guidance on equipment, ingredients, safety measures for working with caustic lye, and adapting existing soap recipes or developing unique ones. The second half offers 20 recipes to make a variety of soaps: a basic olive oil bar and one based on honey and beeswax, plus marbled shea butter soap and scent combos like Peppermint Cordial and Summer Garden. For each soap recipe, Boué explains whom the soap is best suited for and for what purpose. (For example, in addition to washing hands and body, some of the soaps can be used to cleanse hair and brush teeth.)
VERDICT An easily accessible guide to soap making, with color photographs that clearly show every step of the process. A must for DIYers.
BOOKLIST (American Library Association) for Handmade Spa: Natural Cosmetics, and Natural Soaps
These two titles from the Handmade Spa series, focusing on eco-friendly recipes to make at home, are beginner ready and divided into three, easy-to-work-through sections. With beautiful photography of both processes and finished products, each book begins with an introductory chapter on definitions, ingredients, needed equipment, and safety practices. Both books include recipes for face, body, hair care, hygiene, and general well-being items and accessibly explain the organic ingredients used on a chemical level. Reader-crafters will find fun, inspiring, and creative alternatives to harsh soaps and beauty products.
French skincare company founder Duménil guides readers in making their own cosmetics. First, she goes over skin types and basic cosmetic textures, including emulsion, gel, balm, lotion, and treatment oil. Then come the recipes, which contain notes on length of time needed to make, if they are good for all skin types and suitable for children, how long finished products will keep, how to use the finished product, intended benefits, such as cleansing or moisturizing, and tips for customizing with essential oils. Recipes for hydrating detox masks, nourishing lip balm, cleansing lotion, and roll-on deodorant are well explained and approachable.
In Natural Soaps, Soapmaker Boué educates readers on the process of making beautiful and environmentally safe soaps. She first explains how soaps are made and what equipment is required before delving into recipes for soaps using almond milk, honey, beeswax, spirulina, and marigolds (for baby). Recipes are straightforward, include information on each soap's best uses and the skin type it benefits and note product suitability for children and pregnant women. Step-by- step photos are vibrant, beautiful, and helpful. — Nataya Culler
BOOKLIST Young Adult: Skin care and earth-friendly products are a hot commodity for teens; these titles pointthem in the right direction.
