Making Bath Bombs and Bath Truffles - Trial #1

Not too long ago, my 16 year-old niece mentioned that she loved Lush bath bombs and bath products. So, I tracked down where the nearest store was up here and made a visit. I had never been, and I have to admit I was curious and impressed; their products smelled wonderful and their bath bombs were quite large. Their products were obviously popular, as the store was swarmed the whole time I was there. I also loved their massage bars, truffle bars, and bubble bars, so I bought a few for myself as well as some for my sister and niece.

The only thing I DIDN'T like was their prices....at $7 bucks a bomb, it adds up!

I remember seeing some Pins in how to make homemade bath bombs on Pinterest, so down the rabbit hole I went. After doing a TON of reading and research, I realized that bath bomb making includes everything I love about learning something new: it's science and includes problem-solving, it's creative, it's different, it's an unusual treat or luxury, and it's hard as hell to get right!

Challenge accepted!

Bombs #1

These are not my first bombs I tried making, but the first samples I made that worked well in a mold and hardened enough to go to trial. They look very pretty and were made with a "Lovespell" fragrance (kinda fruity/floral) and organic rose petals.

Pretty no?

Ready for action...

Nice fizzing, but the bath bomb sank and didn't float :-( .

Aaaaand it left a slight "oil slick" on the water surface from the essential oil I added...

Bath Truffle Bar #1 

This Orange Creamsicle Truffle Bar was the first thing I made and it turned out PERFECT. I got this recipe from the Soap Queen website and I adored the scent; it smelled SO YUMMY!

After some research, I knew this bar was going to sink as it is packed with skin-softening oils like shea oil and cocoa butter, but I was really concerned with the resulting "oil slick".

Ready for testing (you can still see a little oil residue in the water from the previous bomb trial)...

Great fizzing and color!

But yep, there's the "oil slick"...

Results and Thoughts:

Some of you might be thinking, "Well, that's not bad. I want those skin-softening oils in my bath." But the problem is, that oil will also cling to the side of your tub, making it SUPER slick, messy, and dangerous, not to mention these oil slicks will not necessarily moisturize your whole body...just the areas it manages to cling to when you are moving around or when you are getting out of the tub. 

Sooo, it's back to the drawing board. I know I need to try another batch of both with a new recipe that includes ingredients to help emulsify the oil  in the water. I'm working on that and I'm patiently waiting for Amazon to deliver those ingredients into my greedy little hands.

Actually, the bath bomb wasn't that bad, but I'm mostly curious as to why it didn't float. They are supposed to and I even added ingredients that are supposed to make it float....hmmm. One thought is that it is still curing and not completely dry in the center. I made it Saturday and tested it today (Tuesday), so this bomb is only a little over 48 hours old. I might save the other bomb and try again with it this weekend.