July 4, 2019

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? What better time to enjoy your favorite summer treats! And now you can breathe in those amazing treats as well as taste them. Our soap store is offering a variety of fragrances that please the senses in celebration of your favorite ice cream flavors.

Don’t miss out on these delights! Soak them up while you can. Our current offerings include the following incredible selection:

• Bar soaps: Wash off the summer heat and sweat with your favorite scents that honor National Ice Cream Month. Lather up with orange peel, strawberry vanilla or peppermint.
• Sugar scrubs: Nothing says “summer” like a refreshing orange sherbet delight. Or try our warm vanilla sugar scrubs—you’ll be amazed at the pleasing aroma.
• Candles: Enjoy unique scents this summer with Turkish mocha, café au lait and pumpkin souffle. Take yourself away to an island of paradise with coconut vanilla. These pleasing aromas are sure to enhance your summer.
• Wax melts: Do you prefer wax burners to candles? We have you covered. Choose warm vanilla sugar, Turkish mocha or pumpkin souffle. And if you’re in the mood for Christmas in July, choose candy cane!
• Cupcake soaps: What goes great with ice cream? Birthday cake is the perfect companion! In fact, many people like to combine these two with birthday cake ice cream. It’s a common favorite flavor. In honor of this popular pairing, check out any of our cupcake soaps.

National Ice Cream Month

Are you wondering how all this got started?

Your local soap store did not initiate this celebration—it is truly a national event. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day and the month of July as National Ice Cream Month. He encouraged all Americans to observe these celebrations with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.” We believe soaps and candles qualify!

Shop Our Favorite Flavors
 

Join the Ranks

Of course, ice cream in its many forms has not always been available like it is today. Still, this summertime favorite has quite a lengthy history. Famous figures through the ages as early as the Roman emperor Nero are known to have enjoyed ice-cream-like treats. Nero collected ice or snow and flavored it with honey. Alexander the Great is reported to have enjoyed icy drinks with honey flavor as well.

May 30, 2019

Father’s Day will be here before you know it, and you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to show your dad how much you appreciate him. Dads can be notoriously challenging to shop for, and you don’t have much time to find that perfect gift, but there are a few great ideas out there that are sure to impress your dad. Read on for more ideas about how you can surprise your dad with one-of-a-kind Father’s Day gifts.

Soaps, scrubs & scents
for Father’s Day

A lot of people assume that their fathers want grilling equipment, power tools and car accessories for Father’s Day, but you can also give your dad the gift of relaxation and self care. No matter who you are, everyone can use a little bit of pampering every once in a while, and you can help your dad unwind with soaps, scrubs and scented products.

Facial hair looks great, but it can be difficult to keep it growing healthy. Whether your dad shaves his facial hair or not, you can give him the gift of a soap made with olive oil and shea butter to provide lasting moisture and a great lather that’s perfect for shaving or trimming facial hair. Soaps that are fortified with olive oil, shea butter and other naturally moisturizing elements can help your dad keep his skin healthy while he cares for his facial hair.

Another great gift option for your dad is an exfoliating sugar scrub. Sugar scrubs contain abrasive components as well as moisturizing ingredients and scents for a complete rejuvenating experience. Sugar scrubs can work through facial hair to leave your dad’s mustache and beard feeling, looking and smelling great, while providing lasting moisturizing effects for facial skin.

At the end of the day, everyone needs to take more time for self care. While your dad might not be in the practice of pampering himself, it would likely do him some good to relax and unwind with some specialty bath products. You can remind your dad about how much you love and appreciate him and encourage him to take care of himself by buying him a gift that he can use and enjoy every day. Regardless of what his specific preferences may be, you can get him something that he really loves.
Find Father’s Day gifts

At Soaps & Scents, we know how important it is to find a great gift for Father’s Day, and we are here to provide you with the perfect items to wow your dad. We offer a wide variety of products, including several specialty Father’s Day gifts, like a brown wood shaving soap box with luxurious shaving soap and a soap brush included. We also offer several popular soap scents for men, including teak sandalwood, frankincense and myrrh and lemongrass.

Our Father’s Day gifts will be ready for pickup on June 8, so make sure to get your order placed soon! Give us a call to find out more about everything that we have to offer.

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April 30, 2019

Mother’s Day is coming up soon on May 12. Do you know how you’re going to honor everything the special women in your life have done for you? Your mom might be the most important person in your life and she’s certainly invested so much of her time and energy into your developing needs!

According to Pew Research Center, in 2018 mother’s bear even more responsibility (read: stress) than decades before. Consider that one-in-four mothers are raising children on their own. And 82% of new mothers are between the ages of 23 and 38—the age when many young women are finishing degrees, establishing a career, or still establishing their own goals.

It’s time to help Mom relax and rejuvenate with the help of a soap store in El Cajon, CA. Soaps and Scents has a wide array of luxurious scents and home-spa favorites that can show how much you appreciate her investment in you! Here are some scents designed to enhance relaxation.

• Lavender: This is an essential oil
  containing a multitude of calming qualities specifically targeted to eliminate stress. Give your mom the gift of lavender and witness its soothing effect, relieving nervous tension along with treating stress-related headaches.
• Jasmine: This is a commonly used scent for relieving the effects of depression. That’s because of properties associated with feelings of positivity, confidence, and restorative energy.
• Tangerine: Citrus scents are perfect
  for enhancing concentration and contains qualities that will put Mom in a
  restful state of mind. It also contains properties ideal for fighting viruses and bacteria, so if the kids have brought home a cold, this might be the best choice for the immune system.
• Peppermint: If you want to spark your brain’s creative energy, then try peppermint. This scent supports mental activity and is a great energy booster.
• Rosemary: Here’s one to help Mom improve memory retention as rosemary is perfect for fighting against exhaustion. It provides a pick-me-up without the nervous jitters associated with caffeine.
• Cinnamon: This scent is best for warding off mental fatigue. Try cinnamon and watch that cloud disappear, sharpening concentration and focus.

Are you searching for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Try a soap store in El Cajon, CA! When you come in to Soap and Scents, Lynette will discuss how to show your matriarch you want to take away some of their burdens and stresses to express your gratitude. You can show Mom how much you care, without having to go through all the hassle of making a big meal or putting on a show. Help her relax with some lovely scents!

Just listen to what our loyal customers from around the country have to say:

• “The best Mother’s Days are when we take away the pressure to make it fancy.”
• “My ideal Mother’s Day is one where I don’t have to do dishes.”
• “For Mother’s Day, I just want to relax.”

Call us now or stop by our shop today to find a great gift! Refreshments are available to any visitor who wishes to stop in and mold your ideas of the perfect gift.

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April 1, 2019

What are your plans for April? Did you know it’s National Couple Appreciation Month? It’s time to celebrate! What better way to honor couples than with some special spa time for relaxation and rejuvenation? Your local soap store in El Cajon, CA has a few great ideas to make your month special.

Spa Day

Build a spa day for each of you. You don’t even have to leave home! With the products available on the market today, you can easily create an in-home oasis that de-stresses and romanticizes even more effectively than a trip to the spa. Gather the following supplies to create your spa day:

• Bath bombs: Homemade bath bombs in El Cajon, CA turn your ordinary bath into an effervescent experience. Simply drop one in your tub to create some bubbling excitement for your spa day.
• Whipped body frosting: Created with shea and cocoa butters, these frostings absorb into the skin to leave it feeling nourished (and non-greasy)!
• Body lotions: Body lotions in El Cajon, CA are ideal for maintaining healthy skin. They’re also the perfect accent to your spa day. Your local soap store in El Cajon, CA offers body lotions made with aloe vera, glycerin, vitamin D and vitamin A, which are essential to maintain healthy skin cells.

Husband Appreciation

April 20^th is Husband Appreciation Day. You know your hubby always wants a foot rub, so pick up the perfect gift pack at your soap store in El Cajon, CA to provide his dream massage. It’s the perfect way to say, “I appreciate you!”

Stress Awareness

April is full of reasons to visit your soap store in El Cajon, CA. It’s also the National Month of Stress Awareness. With so many things in our lives that add stress to our days, it’s important to take the time to de-stress on occasion. The right body lotion in El Cajon, CA can help. Whether you spend an hour in a luxurious bath with bath bombs in El Cajon, CA or light a scented soy candle, you’ll feel better in May if you take some time to relax in April.

Expert Input

Not sure how to show your special someone you care? Visit Lynette at your local soap store in El Cajon, CA to discuss how you can let them know you want to take away some of their burdens and stress. It’s easy to show your appreciation or create an in-home getaway that will make your month extra special. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Make the Most of April

Visit Soaps & Scents to get everything you need for this month of appreciation. We’ve been making beautiful handmade soaps for over 20 years. We have bar and liquid soaps in a variety of fragrances and even some fun soaps, such as our Ducky or Cupcake soaps. We use the highest percentage of essential oil and fragrance oil possible, so the products will maintain their wonderful scent even years later. In addition to our soaps, we also offer bath bombs, body lotions, room sprays and more!

March 27, 2019

March Is National Crafting Month!

Throughout March, Soaps & Scents has been celebrating National Crafting Month, an event that throws a spotlight on all sorts of crafting, whether it’s making beautiful notecards, decoupaging a small box for mementoes or making your own soap products. Whatever types of crafting you enjoy, March is the month to set aside some time to practice them. Crafting is a fun way to boost your own creativity and relieve stress all at the same time.

Another way to celebrate National Crafting Month is to purchase handmade items from local crafters, like handmade soaps in El Cajon, CA. Soap-making is an ancient practice that has developed a lot over the years, and purchasing beautiful handmade soaps allows your body to enjoy a special treat.

History of Soap-Making

Soap is historically made from a combination of fats (usually from animals) and ashes. Humans have been making soap since ancient Babylonia, around 2800 B.C. Though Babylonians were the first group of people to master soap-making, many other cultures also followed suit with their own versions, including the ancient Egyptians, the Phoenicians and the Romans.

The Romans are in fact credited with giving soap its name, which apparently comes from stories about Mount Sapo in Rome. The story goes that when animals were sacrificed on Mount Sapo and a rain followed, the rain would push animal fat and ash down to the Tiber River. Women washing clothing in the river noticed the clothes became cleaner following one of those heavy rains.

The method of combining animal fats and ash lasted for thousands of years, until around the 1800s in France, when a man named LeBlanc found a way to chemically produce soaps that cut down on its cost. Today you can still buy soap made from that chemical process, as well as soaps made in a more traditional way.

Handmade Soaps

With so many soaps on the market, it can be tough to know what to choose. However, it’s often beneficial for your skin to purchase something gentle and natural, and lots of companies have jumped on this bandwagon and advertised “natural” products without many natural ingredients.

The best way to purchase natural soaps is to head to a business that is dedicated to the true craft of soap-making. Luckily, Soaps & Scents has offered this exact model for over 20 years! At Soaps & Scents, we handmake all of our soaps in small batches, which allows us to focus on each ingredient and ensure that our customers have the best possible health experience while using our products. We can also consult with you about your skin’s needs to find gentler or fragrance-free soaps to suit your individual needs.

Since 1994, Soaps & Scents has brought the local community a variety of handcrafted items, including body lotions, bath bombs and handmade soap in El Cajon, CA. You can even pick up a beautiful soap shaped like a cupcake or a ducky, which makes the perfect gift to celebrate the hard work of crafters during National Crafting Month. Stop by and see us today!

February 4, 2019

Even though the weather in winter tends to be a little drier than in other seasons, it’s our springtime activities and hygiene habits that are most likely to dry out our skin as the season changes. In fact, the changes of seasons are the most crucial times to condition your skin to accept moisture so it doesn’t suffer from dryness all year long.

At Soaps & Scents, we advocate product safety and being environmentally conscious as you give your skin the best products to keep it from drying out. Here are just a few tips we have for people to get the most out of their skin care routine this spring:

Exfoliation:
The start of the spring can be a great time to exfoliate, because the winter weather combined with constant access to snow, sludge and salt can do a lot of damage to the skin and result in a buildup of dead skin cells. A light micro-dermabrasion followed by a moisturizing mask can help you get rid of the dead skin cells you built up over the winter months so you can rejuvenate your skin for the spring and keep it smooth and hydrated.

Use lighter lotions:
The winter months generally require thicker creams and serums to protect the skin against harsh temperatures and wind chills. Now, however, as the weather is warming up, you can swap out those heavier products in favor of lighter lotions. This will be especially important as the weather starts to get a bit more humid.

Use sunscreen:
Really, you should be using products with SPF all year long, but it becomes especially important as you start to expose more of your body to sunlight. Spring is a very high-risk time for sunburn and skin damage caused by UV exposure. This is because the sun doesn’t feel quite as powerful because the weather is so mild. You should still be sure to apply sunscreen (or other lotions with SPF) every day and reapply before activities outdoors.

Pick up some new products:
You’re going to be spending more time in the sun once spring rolls around, so why not take the change of season as a time for you to go out and pick up some new products to add to your skin care regimen? Here are just a few of the products we suggest—all of these are available from our soap store:

• Sugar scrubs: These all-natural exfoliating scrubs make your skin feel soft using cane sugar, vegetable glycerin, jojoba, shea butter and various essential oils.
• Loofa soaps: A glycerin soap with loofa captured within, these soaps will naturally exfoliate your skin as you wash and expose the loofa.
• Shea butter creams: Known as Whipped Body Frostings, these creams are seven percent shea and cocoa butter, and absorb quickly without leaving a greasy film behind.

For more information about the products we have to offer for your skin care regimen this spring, contact Soaps & Scents or visit our soap store today.

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January 3, 2019

Now that we’ve made it through Christmas and New Year’s, the next big holiday we have to look forward to is Valentine’s Day. As you see holiday stockings and ornaments switched out for chocolate hearts and rose petals on store shelves, it’s a great time to start thinking about what you will do for that special someone on February 14. If you’re looking for a unique gift that your loved one will really get some use out of, it’s worth it to consider picking up some scented bar soap. Artisan soaps make beautiful gifts, and when you get your soap from Soaps & Scents, you can select from a number of romantic aromas that are perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day soap scents

Scent is an incredibly powerful sense. Some of our best memories are tied to specific smells, and there are a number of scents that we intuitively connect to love and romance. At Soaps & Scents, we know how powerful scent can be, which is why we offer a wide range of aromatherapy products. Here are a few of our best scents for Valentine’s Day:

Champagne:
One of the most iconic ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day is by breaking out a bottle of bubbly. You can experience the smell of a sweet, dry glass of champagne with our champagne-scented bar soap. This soap is perfect for a relaxing bath and allows you to enjoy a champagne-inspired aromatherapy experience that’s almost as good as the real thing.

Bordeaux:
If you prefer a rich red wine over a glass of bubbly, our Bordeaux Blend soap is perfect for you. We utilize a blend of scents inspired by the richness and warmth of the best red wines. This aromatic soap bar can make any bath or shower feel more luxurious. If you have a wine lover in your life, our Bordeaux Blend soap is a fantastic gift.

Rose Petals:
Nothing is quite as quintessentially romantic as red roses. Our Rose Petals soap has a sweet, delicate rose petal scent that’s great for year-round use. In addition to the beautiful aromatic blend of fragrances, this soap is also topped with real rose petals, making it a gorgeous gift to present to someone you love.

Strawberry Vanilla:
Fresh strawberries are a popular Valentine’s Day dessert option, and our Strawberry Vanilla soap is just as sweet. We use a blend of fragrances to create the fresh, fruity scent of strawberries and add in warm, sweet notes for a rich vanilla scent.

Valentine’s Day soap scents

At Soaps & Scents, we have been perfecting our line of aromatherapy and skin care products for 25 years, and we continue to add new products to our inventory. Whether you’re looking for something special to treat yourself with or you are searching for a thoughtful gift for a friend, family member or loved one, you can find what you’re looking for in our online store. Browse our inventory today and reach out to us if you want to find out more about what we offer.

December 3, 2018

The holidays are coming, and you may be wondering if your home is up to the task of hosting a number of people. Whether it’s for a party, hosting family members for a holiday meal or having guests for an extended visit, you want your space to be inviting and welcoming.

Why not try investing in some high-quality room spray? At Soaps & Scents, we use all-natural ingredients to achieve a delightful scent that will brighten up any room. Room fresheners banish bad and dirty odors, making every room smell great. Let’s take a look at all the reasons why right now is the best time for bringing in room sprays:

• Masking smells:
  You may clean your house fairly frequently, but even if you do, there are still going to be some odors left behind. That’s where a room spray comes in. It can remove those less desirable smells instantly, covering them up and replacing them with a more pleasant scent.
• Flexibility:
  You can use room sprays in any part of the room and still achieve the same effect. You may want to use it in a high-traffic area, then in a musty part of the house that doesn’t receive as much air. You can do that easily, meaning that you’re customizing the use of scent to your space as you see fit.
• Safe and natural:
  Unlike bulky oxygen fresheners, room sprays and fresheners are easy to hide, use natural ingredients and can be made inaccessible to pets and children. This allows the freshener to be out of the way and doing what it does best: making your home smell great.
• A complement to other strategies:
  Along with using a room spray, there are other ways to keep every room in your home smelling great. Place your favorite fragrant flowers around in vases, or use your favorite spices, like whole cinnamon or cloves, and simmer them on the stovetop. Allow the smell to circulate throughout the home. Leaving an open box of baking soda in stinky places will help absorb the bad odors as well.

Are you looking for a provider of room sprays? Soaps & Scents is your ideal source. Everything we carry is handmade and distributed in small quantities. We only use quality essential oils and fragrance oils that maintain a wonderful scent even years later. We’ve been making beautiful handmade soaps and other products for more than two decades. Our extensive selection of bar and liquid soaps includes a variety of fragrances and even some fun soaps, such as our Ducky or Cupcake soaps.

If you haven’t had a chance to try our wonderful soaps and other products, you’re in for a treat. In addition to our soaps, we also offer bath bombs, body lotions, room sprays and more. Stop by today for your first Soaps & Scents bar. We look forward to helping you find the ideal room spray or soap to help you welcome guests into your home this holiday season. We are available on Saturdays by appointment!

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October 30, 2018

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means you’ll probably need to prepare for some parties. It’s customary to bring a hostess gift to a social event hosted at a person’s home. Unfortunately, not everyone understands what makes a good hostess gift, or how to graciously give and receive one.

To avoid any social taboos this holiday season, brush up on your hostess gift-giving etiquette and learn what makes a hostess gift truly special.

Hostess gift etiquette basics

A hostess gift is typically a household item that the hostess can use when hosting others or a small gift for her to enjoy on her own. These gifts are typically small and not extravagant; however, careful thought and consideration should still be made when selecting the gift.

Here are some etiquette rules to keep in mind:

Wrapping isn’t necessary: You don’t need to wrap up your hostess gift like a Christmas present. However, the gift should be neatly presented, perhaps with a pretty bow or in a simple gift bag with a tag.

Don’t expect a thank-you note: One major hostess gift faux pas is the gift giver expecting a thank you note for their gift. In reality, your gift to the hostess is your way of saying thank you for the event and invitation.

Remain discreet: You don’t want to loudly announce to other guests that you brought a gift for the hostess. This is not only embarrassing, but can make other guests who did not bring a gift feel uncomfortable. Instead, discreetly give the gift to the hostess when you are welcomed into the home or when you have a minute alone.

Leave expectations at the door: Another common hostess gift issue is the gift giver expecting the hostess to use their gift immediately. This is especially common with gifts of wine and food, even though the drink and meal selections for the event have been chosen. Flowers also fall into this category when brought to the event, because the hostess must then spend time arranging the flowers rather than entertaining guests.

Types of gifts that are perfect for your hostess

With all of these unspoken rules of gift etiquette, you may be wondering about some appropriate types of hostess gifts to avoid an embarrassing situation. Here are some great ideas:

Handmade soaps and product gift sets: Small gift sets that include a handmade soap, hand cream or lotion and room spray make excellent gifts for hostesses. The hostess can choose to keep the items for personal use or make them available for guests in the restroom.

Wine: Wine is a customary hostess gift for dinner parties and similar events. Choose a wine you think the hostess will like, or select your favorite and tell them that you wanted to share your top choice with them. Just don’t expect them to serve it then and there!

Candies or chocolates: A decorative candy dish filled with candies or a box of gourmet chocolates is also an excellent hostess gift. The dish might be presented to guests for a post-dinner treat, or the hostess may choose to keep them for herself to indulge in later.

Pick up your hostess gift at a local craft show this November!

If you’re looking for a fantastic hostess gift for Thanksgiving dinner parties, shop Soaps & Scents’ selection of handmade soaps and luxurious spa products at various craft shows this November. Soaps & Scents will be at the Season of the Heart craft show and many others

click here to view the schedule.

September 26, 2018

Here at Soaps & Scents, we get started on preparing for the holidays a little earlier than you probably do at your home. We know how many people enjoy purchasing homemade soaps and bath bombs for their relatives for Christmas, so we’re working on our production of our holiday fragrance soaps now so they can be ready for you with plenty of time to go before the big holiday shopping season hits.

So what fragrances can you expect this year? We’ll be sure to provide a full list of our holiday-themed soaps when they’re available for purchase, but here are just a few that you might like to pick up this holiday season:

Northern Pine:

Who doesn’t love the scent of a real pine or fir Christmas tree? While this soap is ideal for year-round use, as it evokes the fresh, pleasant smell of a pine forest, it’s especially good for use in bathrooms during the holiday season, when you want to spread that pine scent to get people in the holiday spirit.

Frankincense and Myrrh:

Frankincense and myrrh are traditional holiday gifts because of their roots in the biblical Christmas story, so we decided we would combine their scents into a single soap bar. This gives the soap a wonderfully spicy yet still soft and pleasant fragrance, and an appealing look with its gold mica streaks throughout the bar. There’s no better time of year than the holiday season to have this soap out for use in your home!

Sleigh Ride:

This special blend of ours is exclusively meant for the holiday season, as it balances several different holiday scents. A light mint smell is perfectly balanced with a general clean smell that makes one think of freshly fallen, pure white snow. It even looks like a soap meant for the holidays, with a creamy white base that is cut with greens and reds. Use it in your bathrooms during the holidays and your friends and family will certainly get in the spirit of the season.

Sugar Plum Fairy:

The name of this soap, of course, comes from The Nutcracker, a world-famous Christmas ballet. Its rich, sweet smell immediately brings Christmas to mind, which makes it a perfect soap to bring out when you have family or friends over to visit during the holiday season. Its smell lingers on the hands pleasantly to keep the smells of Christmas nearby at all times.

Champagne:

With New Year’s Eve just a week after Christmas, you can add to the festivities by using some of our Champagne soap. That’s right—with every shower, bath or hand washing, you can break out the bubbly with our soap that has the sweet yet dry aroma of a glass of champagne. It’s truly one of a kind!

These are just a few of the best homemade soap options we have available for the holiday season. If you’re interested in learning more about our products, contact us at Soaps & Scents today.

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