Smite the Mite

So, it's been a while since I've blogged.  You know.  Life.  But Barefoot Body has had a lovely summer doing two farmer's markets each month.  Check out Upcoming Events to see where we will be next.  In August, that will be the Hatboro Farmers Market and the Pretzel Park Farmers Market.  Make sure to stop by and say hi if you are local!  The decision to put Body Butter on hold for the summer was a sound one as they definitely do melt in the heat.  Along the same lines, two shops had our Vegan Bee Free version of deodorant out on shelves and they melted as well.  So.  It's July.  It's hot.  It's summer.  If you prefer bee free products, just keep in mind that they may need to be refrigerated when the temps rise above 76 degrees as that is the melting point of coconut oil.  Likewise, a customer at Bryn Athyn Bounty gave me some feedback that her travel size deodorant with beeswax got soft while traveling when left in a hot bag in a hot car.  I am going to work on inserts to accompany different products with advice for the best care of your product.  If you've ever forgotten a lip balm in the car, or had it go through the dryer, it will get soft and potentially melt depending on the temperature.  For all of my deodorants and lip balms, the containers should contain the product and if you pop it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, it should re-harden.  I encourage you to contact me via barefootbodybrand@gmail.com as I am happy to work with you to resolve any such issues in the way that works best for you.  If you are concerned over potential leaking of a product, I do suggest putting it in a ziplock type of baggie just in case.  I don't want any bags or clothing ruined!!

Moving right along, I don't usually blog about products in development as, well, you just never know.  But I'm really excited about this one.  Also, you can note that things I get excited about may be very different than things you get excited about.  And that's ok.  So, I have a pretty horrendous dust mite allergy.  Tack that on to pet dander and tomatoes (what?!  I know, I pretty much ignore that one, but that's what the doctor said.) and you have one unavoidable sneeze fest some days.  A few weeks ago, it seemed out of control and I started searching for some better relief.  I have all bedding and pillows encased already and we have ripped up most carpeting in our house.  I was in a carpeted room, and determined that that MUST be the culprit.  The carpeting.  So I looked for ways to rid it of dust mites.  Then I looked at the large, bulging bag of library books.  I am a school librarian and this summer, I'm determined to read as much of the picture book section as possible and determine if some of our books may be on their last legs.  So, I've got a bag of books, some dating back to the late 60's and decided that they perhaps might be a little dusty.  I moved the books out to the garage and just take a few out each night to read.  And determined that was definitely the bigger culprit.  But, in my searching, I also learned that humidity goes hand in hand with dust mite colonies.  And that July and August are the worst months for dust mites.  Ugh.

So, if you don't know dust mites like to eat dust.  And their own poo, three times.  Lovely critters.  In my past research, I knew you could basically put a barrier between yourself and the mites but really ridding your home of dust mites was near impossible.  If you have dust, you have mites.  If you have skin, you have dust.  When I clean, it kicks up dust.  Which sends me into a sneezing fit that could last up to an hour.  Which makes me despise cleaning dust.  Which creates more dust since I'm not cleaning it, which colonizes more dust mites.  Vicious cycle.  Yesterday, I was cleaning.  It is necessary sometimes of course.  Lest you think our house is a den of dirt and dust, let me say that my husband LOVES to clean and therefore, this is rarely an issue.  But I also like to clean, in theory.  So, I was cleaning.  And I was sneezing.  And I'm tired of it.  I thought to myself that there seems to be an essential oil for everything, and for each bugger in particular, so I wondered if there was one that would repel dust mites.  Again, I didn't think you could kill dust mites.  So, handy google research tools to the rescue and there are not just one but like 6 that KILL them.  It was suggested to spray bedding, carpeted areas, air duct vents, and to use it as a wet dust spray.  I mixed it this morning, sprayed like crazy, and I already feel like I can breathe more clearly.  If this works, it will be my own personal miracle!

I also read you shouldn't make your bed, but rather fold the covers down at the bottom of the bed to air out your sheets and mattress.  I had just gotten in the "good" habit of making my bed and now I have to convince my husband it's not good for my health.  Wish me luck!

Stay tuned to hear more about our newest product "Smite the Mite" Spray!  Do you have a dust mite allergy?  Comment below if you are interested in hearing more.

You guys.  I was going to include a dust mite picture.  I just looked and decided against it.  You're welcome.

Bare Body and Belly Butter On Hold

I had read from another seller on Etsy that they don't ship Body Butter in the summer because it will melt.  Which makes sense.  Because it's butter.  But I didn't realize it was summer yet.  Here in Pennsylvania, this week, it has been!!  Last week, I attended a conference in Hershey and my luggage was in my car until it was time to check in.  Lo and behold, when I unpacked, my bare belly butter had melted.  It re-hardened fine, but I like everyone to know the perils.  Transparency is key.  In an effort for this, I am putting listings for Bare Body Butter, Bare Belly Butter, and Bare Baby Bum Butter on hold for the warm spring/summer months.  Look for it to return (better than before?) in the fall in plenty of time for gift giving and dry skin.  I am still happy to make it for those who want to give it a go, but with the knowledge and understanding that it may melt and may need to be refrigerated in the summer.  With that said, I now have both 2 and 4 oz. containers.  The 2 oz. size was selling at $5 so the 4 oz. will be $10.

Also (limited time only!) I have a re-use opportunity.  To make the different types of butter as well as lip balms, etc, I have ended up with 4 empty 7 oz. containers, so if anyone was hoping for MORE, this is an opportunity to get it at a discount.  7 oz. will be $15 in the re-purposed shea butter containers.  Email me at barefootbodybrand@gmail.com for any of your buttery goodness needs.  Below is a picture of the shea butter container.

Contest from Mama Beads and Baby Baubles

Amy Martin from Mama Beads and Baby Baubles is celebrating her 1 year anniversary in business and is hosting a contest including MBBB and 14 other small business mamas.  Check out the contest before it's over for one of 14 chances to win!  Included in the contest is a prize of 2 deodorants and 3 lip balms, a great kick off gift for a newbie or a refill set for a current customer.

Earth Day 2015

So, it sounds corny, but especially since I am a day late here, EVERY DAY is Earth Day at Barefoot Body!!  The other day, my daughter looked at me, very excited and exclaimed, with raised eyebrows and sudden inspiration, "Mommy!  You should start a business!!"  To which I replied, "Oh, honey.  I did."  But I didn't start a business for the same reason most people do.  To make money.  Get ready for more corny.  Money is nice.  My husband would really like for this to turn a profit, but that's not why I did it.  I started a business to make a difference.  And to start a conversation about how certain aspects of our every day life can be different.  From the deodorant we put on to what we are washing down the drain to the re-usability of materials and recyclability of materials.  So, Earth Day (or, ahem, the day after) seems like a fitting time to highlight that conversation and the difference each of us can make through pretty simple choices.  So, let's begin at the beginning.

People often are interested in my logo and name and what it all means.  I like that it can be read different ways but that also lends it to being misinterpreted.  The name is not Bare Body, though I do like to think we are using the bare minimum on our bodies which is good.  The name is Barefoot Body for a reason.  And it has little to do with feet.  Being barefoot puts you in direct contact with the earth.  You are grounded and connected when you are barefoot.  Think of that feeling of your feet on soft grass, or even better, soft sand.  In those moments, you are one with the earth.  The decisions we make are also connected to the earth, in fact everything is interconnected.  Decisions we make impact other people, plants, the water, the air we breathe.  So, make good decisions.  Decisions you can be proud of and smile about all day long.

When I started this journey (not realizing, of course, that I was on a journey) on Pinterest, I found a homemade deodorant for a cream that you could make in a glass jar.  Glass is good.  I love glass.  I don't really like plastic.  But when it comes to deodorant, I wasn't interested at the time in a cream I would spread with my fingers.  Maybe that's just me, but it's true.  Later, I found a recipe for a deodorant I could pour into a plastic container.  At this point, I had no idea a person could purchase deodorant containers and only thought of the re-usability factor of my current deodorant container.  I looked at this container in a whole new light.  Just as it had never occurred to me that a person could make deodorant, I had definitely never thought to refill a twist up container.  I was now looking at lots of things around my house in a new or renewed light.  Lip balm, pump containers, every empty container that had been recycled in the past.  Why not!

So, I reuse containers for my personal use.  I still haven't used the Barefoot Body containers for deodorant yet, because I've refilled my old Tom's and Kiss My Face containers in rotation for the last year.  Likewise, when I mix my own body butter, I put it into the shea butter container that laid empty after making a recipe.  Lip balm.  Same.  Mouthwash.  Ditto.  Bug Spray and #2 Spray, you betcha!

And, here's the fun part.  You can too!  I do not reuse one person's container for a different person.  So, do know that if you choose to go this route, you will only get your same container back.  If you drop off or send me your container, I will refill it for your next purchase.  This can be a barefoot body container, or your old deodorant, mouthwash, lip balm, or jar.

And, if you're not interested in going the reuse route, do know that containers can be recycled through Terracycle's Beauty Brigade.  Naturalistic in Hatboro, PA participates in this program and as I've been getting products on the shelves of new retail locations, I've been telling them about the Terracycle Beauty Brigade program also.  So, if you can't bring yourself to re-use, save up your stuff and drop it off in the Terracycle Beauty Brigade box at Naturalistic and know that you're reducing the waste stream a little bit by having the plastics crafted into neato products.

Other low impact decisions.  Our handle bags are made of 95% post consumer 5% post industrial kraft on the inside and white on the outside.  The white is inked on post consumer kraft.  Our business cards are made from recycled pulp kraft paper and are recyclable (though I'd prefer you just keep passing them around if you're otherwise planning to throw it out :).  And, I highly encourage that you shop with a re-usable bag when at a farmer's market or event but I'm also happy with my bags to provide you with one.  When you're done with your bag, if you see me again, bring back the bag.  I'll totally re-use those again and again!

Yesterday we got a catalog sent to the Barefoot Body Shipping Department Manager.  My husband about died laughing and asked if he was the shipping manager.  I asked where we should make the "shipping department".  He indicated the hefty stack of boxes in the office would be a good corner for that.  But in all seriousness.  So far, I have been fortunate that I've been able to solely re-use boxes for shipping purposes.  I remove all prior labels and send them away.  My mother works at an eye doctor's office and I've found that eyeglass shipping boxes are the perfect size for single deodorants.  I also re-use packing material and filler when needed.  But when that is done, I plan to utilize shredded paper as any fill.  Did I mention that you can bring packing peanuts that are inadvertently sent your way to UPS?!  Any cardboard that doesn't end up in our "shipping department" gets cut into strips and composted in our backyard.

So, those are just a few of the steps I've taken to try to minimize my footprint.  What are some steps you take every day in this direction?  Share in the comments below if you are so inclined.  Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Removing Coffee Scrub Stain From Carpet

This morning, I learned how to remove a coffee scrub stain from the carpet.

Step 1: Don't tell Jeff (especially as he is sleeping)
Step 2: Wet a cloth in warm water and blot/wet the area.  Don't rub (or scrub).
Step 3: Mix 1 Tbs. dish soap, 1 Tbs. vinegar and 2 C. warm water, wet a cloth in the solution and lay over the stain.  Take the back of a spoon and smooth over the cloth to press down into the stain.
Step 4: Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Step 5: Wet a cloth and blot the area again.
Step 6: Apply a dry cloth to soak in any moisture from the area.
Step 7: Put coffee scrub container in a plastic bag.
Step 8: Do NOT put gym bag on a carpeted area.
Step 9: Consider washing gym bag tonight.
Step 10: Go to the gym.

Part of the reason I haven't yet pursued scrubs is because of their oily leakiness.  The containers I put them in for gifts seemed to seep oil out onto the twine I wrapped around the lid and my personal pickle jar has (obviously) not proven much better.  If you have thoughts on a water (really oil) tight container, please share!  I'd like to offer these as I have been incredibly pleased with the results but I don't want to leave anyone with a mess to clean up.  Though if you find yourself in that position, see the steps above.

Here are 3 Reasons to Make Coffee a Part of Your Skincare Routine.  The recipe at the bottom isn't exactly what I used but as you can see it is super SIMPLE to make this yourself.  Give it a go!  I've found that washing my face with an oil based scrub doesn't leave my face oily.  As you might assume it would, right?  I've learned our bodies are defiant little buggers.  Whatever you want to take away, your body will just overproduce it right back.  A lot like a five year old.  So, take oil, for example.  When I wash my face with soap or astringent, my skin either ends up oily after a while or really dry.  What do you do when it's dry?  Apply moisturizer, which might leave you oily.  When I first made this scrub, I considered it for rough patches, heels, elbows, knees, etc.  But I didn't consider it for my face.  Only when people came back and told me how much they LOVED it for their face did I try it.  And then I researched oil based washing.  I was floored by what I learned!  When I wash with oil, my skin is no longer fighting with me.  I don't have to moisturize.  My skin is soft and smooth and lovely.  And the coffee makes for a natural exfoliating agent.  I'm not a coffee drinker, but I love the smell.  And coffee ice cream.  It's a great wake you up in the morning.  I've been alternating with a rosemary mint sugar scrub and the mint is also quite invigorating.  Do you use a scrub?  Share what your experience has been like!

Here's hoping you don't have any carpet stains this morning!!

Lip Balm

And now introducing our lip balm!  For now, I am starting out with Peppermint and Grapefruit Mango, but I am planning to add the following SOON!

• Bare
• Mint Chocolate Chip
• Chocolate (maybe)
• Vanilla
• Lavender (maybe)

I've been asked by one of the retailers I work with to create a Lysine Lip Balm for sufferers of cold sores and I think it is do-able so that will be coming soon too!

Lip Balm as well as all of our products are available on Etsy and right here on this blog through PayPal.  Additionally, many of our items are available at the following retailers:

• Naturalistic in Hatboro, PA
• Doylestown Food Co-op in Doylestown, PA
• Enlightened Path Holistic Center in Pottstown, PA
• Artisan Marketplace in Southampton, PA

Please consider visiting and patronizing a local retailer!  And ask them about Barefoot Body while you are there!

As always, if you have questions about any of our products or special needs, you can always message me about ordering as well!  Be well and keep those lips happy!  

Glitchy Buttons

If you attempted to place an order online using the paypal buttons to the right, please email me at barefootbodybrand@gmail.com .  At least one person reported that they used the button to place an order and it did not work.  At the time, it looked like a bunch of glitchy code (which is probably why it wasn't working).  Either way, please email me directly if this applies to you.  Thank you!

A Fun Experiment

It has been requested that I add other scent options for our BFB # 2 spray.  I wasn't sure it could be done, but after some test kitchen experiments and test bathroom experiments (TMI?) I can confirm that our #2 spray is now available in peppermint, for the holidays!  Lavender and Fragrance Free (I plan to call that one "Silent But Deadly") will be available just as soon as a shipment of more spray bottles arrives, which should be coming this week.  PayPal and Etsy are both updated to reflect these new scent options.

Everyone Poops

It's true,

And now, there is a spray for that!  Ever wish your poo didn't stink?  Or smelled citrus-y fresh?  Now it can!  Currently under the name BFB #2, you can prep your potty and leave the mystery behind.  As with just about everything else I have made so far, this was suggested by a BFB Facebook community member.  As she said, "It's all about less stink!"  I had some ingredients on hand and was able to pick up the rest while grocery shopping on Sunday evening.  I mixed it Sunday night and went to bed.  Eating a mostly vegetarian, high fiber diet, I had the opportunity to personally test this product the next morning (and each morning since!) and it works like a charm.  Based on the Facebook discussion, I had six willing volunteers before lunchtime, mixed more on Tuesday and got it to some of them on Wednesday morning.  So far, feedback is good and I feel confident enough to add this one to our PayPal button and Etsy Page (what's that?  You didn't know we had n Etsy page?  Well, get excited because that hit the inter-webs yesterday too!). Pricing will be the same as other prays so if you get to PayPal before I do, you can order the same size as hairspray and write a note that you would *actually* like BFB #2.  I have two friends who had told me about a product called "Poo-pouri" in the past.  Seemed a little silly to me.  Unnecessary, what's the big deal?  It's just poop. But NOW I'm a believer!  And based on feedback so far, many of you see a NEED for this in your bathroom at home or work.  Better yet, it is hitting the virtual shelves in time for a little holiday shopping and who wouldn't appreciate some BFB #2 in their stocking?  Speaking of "Poo-pouri," have you seen this commercial?  Awesome.  But expensive.  In keeping in line with the pricing of all our sprays, a 4 oz. bottle will be $10 and a 2 oz. bottle will be $5.  Compare that to $9.99 for a 2 oz. bottle of theirs.  That's right.  We are HALF the cost!  I am experimenting to see if I can make a fragrance free version for those sensitive to scent.  I have a theory but I haven't tried it yet.  Perhaps it could be called Silent But Not Deadly.  As with other products, these bottles will also be eligible for a refill discount.  More coming soon on a naming contest for this bad boy and results ARE coming soon from our last naming contest.  As always, if you have any questions about what might work best for you, you can always email: barefootbodybrand@gmail.com .

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday Madness!  Free shipping on orders of $30 or more on all orders placed between 9:00 PM (EST) Saturday and 9:00 PM (EST) Monday.  48 HOURS to take advantage of free shipping!  Stock up for stockings for the whole family!  Email barefootbodybrand@gmail.com with your preferences or place your order through PayPal.  Since I haven't the slightest idea how to set up PayPal to give you that discount, I will send any discount refunds back to your email address to process those orders placed for Cyber Monday There should be space for a note to seller - you can add CM there as your discount code :).  As always, if you have any questions about the available options, just shoot me a message.  http://barefootbodybrand.blogspot.com/p/products.html

Small Business Saturday

In recognition of Small Business Saturday (and our status as a VERY small business) all orders placed between 8:00 PM Friday - 8:00 PM Saturday are eligible for Buy One, Get One 50% off* (50% discount applied to lower priced item if two items are purchased of differing value).  Email barefootbodybrand@gmail.com with your preferences or place your order through PayPal.  Since I haven't the slightest idea how to set up PayPal to give you that discount, I will send any discount refunds back to your email address to process those orders placed for Small Business Saturday.  There should be space for a note to seller - you can add SBS there as your discount code :).  As always, if you have any questions about the available options, just shoot me a message.  http://barefootbodybrand.blogspot.com/p/products.html

Dance 360 Open House

Please come on out to Dance 360 from 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM tomorrow, Saturday, November 22nd for their Holiday Open House.  Barefoot Body will be there!!

Vote for your Favorite

Low BS in Testing (update - production!)

(Update...I started this post on 10/14/14 and just saw it still in draft form...eessh)

A while back, in an effort to combat the irritation that some were experiencing, I tried out a No BS (Baking Soda) version of our deodorant with beeswax.  I had read that Baking Soda can be a skin irritant, especially for those with sensitive skin.  Makes sense.  I also use baking soda to scour my sink, tub, and toilet.  Maybe too much of a good thing is no good.  Sadly, it didn't work.  I would say the main reason anyone uses deodorant is to keep BO at bay and the BS Free version didn't do that.  Back to the drawing board.

(Here's where I left off on 10/14, so I'll continue with that story ^ and then an update on progress to date)

A friend, Julie, and another original tester were both experiencing irritation and I felt more determined to find a solution that worked for people with sensitive skin.  Likewise, I had heard from two people through this blog who had originally been interested in the No BS but, like I said, while it will keep your skin silky smooth, it won't keep the stink away, so what's the point?  I decided to try a no formula with less BS.  After all, less is more.  And it worked!  Julie tested it for me and had this to say:

"Hello. Day 4 of LBS formula...no itch or burning, little to no stink and definitely less stink than my old conventional dove antiperspirant /deodorant. I've used it for stressful and active situations. True test tomorrow is hot yoga. So far so great!"

And this:

"Going to give it two more days for two full weeks, but I'm ready to abandon all other deodorants. I had one day of mild itching, but nothing like last time, and it was one tiny spot. I've been using less swipes- one full back and forth swipe at most.  I am not stinky at all! I have done workouts after work without reapplying. 😊"

BUT on days 13 and 14 she experienced itching for the first hour after application.

So I am planning to try an even lower BS formula to try with her but otherwise Low BS has been a pretty successful experiment.  I relayed to Julie that I never figured I'd be using the Scientific Method so much in my life.  Trial and error.  And then trial again.  In the meantime, I have fixed and updated our paypal buttons to reflect the products we actually offer.  I was getting No BS orders and hasn't even realized that was still on the form and I added our hairspray.  More on the name front soon.

Hoping to make up some labels and have this available at Naturalistic soon too!

http://www.shopnaturalistic.com/ 

What's In A Name: Part II

These Bottles are begging for labels!!

Working full time sure is tricky.  I forgot how much the back to school/ beginning of the year just swallows you whole and spits you back out shortly before Halloween.  And here we are.  Our hair spray has been through "testing" with six volunteers and some of their children.  So far, the results are good.  For starters, no one has lice.  So that's a plus.  But moreover, there have been no reported adverse reactions.  Not that I thought there would be, but I like to get a nice solid consensus on things like this.  I watched the documentary Hungry for Change the other day.  One of the interviewed experts talked about eating for healthy skin cells or slathering our bodies in chemicals.  While I hadn't thought of it *that* way before, it really is interesting that many people are ready, willing, able, and even excited to slather their bodies in chemical laden products that are linked to increased cancer, alzheimers, and numerous other auto-immune disorders.  Sadly, I don't know (though I'm sure it's out there) of specific foods to repel lice.  Maybe garlic?  Yeah, I'll try and feed my five year old who won't eat..much of anything...some straight garlic.  Let's see how that goes :/  Anywho, Cece LOVES the hairspray.  Mostly, she is just tickled that mommy "lets" her use hairspray.  Since she had never equated hairspray with a certain scent, she accepts the smell of the hairspray.  In addition to essential oils known to repel lice, the base of the spray is mixed with Apple Cider Vinegar.  If you haven't read about benefits of ACV, check some out here and here.  I have been using ACV as a hair rinse instead of conditioner for a few months now and it gives the hair a lovely shine.  Since researching further, I've learned that this is because ACV helps to close hair cuticles which does improve the condition of hair, decreasing breakage and giving lustre.  It also helps keep dandruff away.  The more I read, the more I loved it as an ingredient.  But, it DOES smell strong.  At first.  As soon as it is dry, you won't smell a thing.  That was part of the testing too - the big question, will the smell be a deal breaker?  And the response has been that everyone is getting used to it and that no, it does not smell once dry.  The spray can be applied to wet or dry hair.  The combination also makes for a good detangling spray.  I use it as conditioner, so it *could* be considered a "leave in conditioner" too.  So, here's the tricky part.  I'm ready to roll with this spray.  But it remains nameless!  Help!  Lice Repellant Detangling Leave In Conditioner Hair Spray is a mouthful.  But I want to convey that more simply.  Some suggestions from friends include: "No Knots or Nits" from Leah and "Stop Bugging Me Detangling Hairspray" from Brea.  Any other suggestions?  Comment below.  I will create a poll by the end of the week for voting and the winner will get a free bottle of the still nameless hairspray.  In the meantime, the nameless spray will be available at this Sunday's event at Country Creek Winery.  Get all the details here!  Hope to see you there :)

Barefoot Body: Now Available In...a STORE

Naturalistic in Hatboro, PA to be more specific.  You guys.  I can't even begin to explain how unreal this seems to me.  But it is true!  Deodorant and bug spray is out on real shelves in a real store.

I'll begin at the beginning.  I began making deodorant the beginning (I just reread this - that's a lot of "beginning/begans") of June and by the end of June, it had been tested and I was looking to comparison shop and do some "recon".  I searched Etsy and checked out similar products available at a shop in Doylestown.  I was getting ready to mix bug spray and needed some more oils to make it.  I went to Naturalistic in Hatboro and while there scoped out other local suppliers.  At this point, it hadn't occurred to me that BFB might find a home on those shelves.  Joe Grossman, one of the owners of the shop was so helpful in telling me about the different products and I explained what I was working on with deodorant and bug spray.  He told me to let him know when I was ready to go to market and perhaps they could carry the products.  Say what!?!  So, that's been in the back of mind.  Instead of ordering my oils online, I now patronize the store getting all of our oils for bug spray and (the yet to be officially named) lice hairspray locally from Naturalistic.

Fast forward to August.  School is approaching meaning I am somewhat less able to deliver and the idea of a brick and mortar option for customers is pretty appealing.  Add to that the bonus that I *might* help drive traffic to a local downtown Hatboro shop that I believe in and support personally and that's a combination for where I want to be right now.  Instead of calling or emailing, I put together a bag with samples of what we've got and brought it down to the shop.  I spoke to Bonnie Grossman and, like her husband, she was amazing and so helpful.  I waited two weeks before checking back in and a week after that, we are officially on the shelves!  What an incredible leap!

A few notes:

• You can still purchase from me directly if you would like :)
• I will still offer discounts for direct purchases.  Naturalstic participates with the HRA Discount Card program and offer $5 off a purchase of $35 with an HRA Card.
• I will still offer refill of containers for direct purchases but this will not be on the labels of containers in Naturalistic.
• New labels will include ounces!

A HUGE thank you to Bonnie and Joe Grossman for giving us a shot!  Please check out all that Naturalistic has to offer - it is a great store, right in downtown Hatboro!

Naturalistic Hours 

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 10 AM- 6 PM

Wednesday: 10 AM - 6 PM

Thursday: 10 AM - 7 PM

Friday: 10 AM - 6 PM

Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM

Sunday: Closed

Like Naturalistic on FB

If you know of a shop near you that might be interested in carrying some BFB products, shoot me an email at barefootbodybrand@gmail.com

We are already in Naturalistic's online store too!  Buy a small deodorant.  Unintended, but a beginning of the alphabet brand name gets top billing - bonus!

Best Seller

So far, Lavender is our most popular scent with the ladies.  As a result, I make it most often and sell out of what's "in stock" most often.  I'll be mixing a batch tonight or tomorrow, so if you have been wanting to try out our deodorant, now is the time to place an order.

I also have plenty of "bee free" available in all scents and as the temperature turns colder, it will no longer need to be refrigerated so if you've been wanting to try out our vegan offering, act now!

What's in a Name?

I have been thinking lately about names.  For example, what to call Lice Repellant Detangling Hairspray?  That's a bit of an unattractive mouthful!  But seriously - well, actually that is quite serious...any suggestions for that conundrum?

When I started, Barefoot Body wasn't my first brainstorm (but it is my favorite).  No Mo B.O., Elle's Smell, and Zschunke Funk seemed...interesting.  Again, I'm glad I went with Barefoot Body.  It makes me happy.  And the logo can take on two meanings.  It can be read Bare Body as in just what you need and I do so enjoy being barefoot and really feeling the earth beneath me.  Feeling grounded (literally) but also free.  And maybe one day there will be a product that relates more closely to feet.  Not yet, but someday.

When it came to naming the deodorant and bug spray, I also knocked around cute and catchy names, but I felt that the "Less is More" concept kept things simple.  If it's deodorant, call it deodorant.  If it's bug spray, call it bug spray.  I even planned to call Sandalwood "MANdalwood".  Get it?!  No?  That's why I just stuck with Sandalwood.  Getting creative can be fun but it can also get confusing.

My first go round with mixing deodorant rendered what is now the "Bee Free" formula.  I created the "Summer Bee Here" version based on feedback that the fridge wasn't feasible for everyone.  Summer WAS about to be here and, in theory, that version would only be needed in the summer.  Well, as August draws to a close, Fall is about to "Bee Here."  And what then?  Does the name add to confusion?  So, here's what I've been thinking.  Moving forward, "Sunmer Bee Here" = Deodorant.  Labels that are already printed or used on containers will still be used until they run out.  Some of you can live an endless summer vicariously through your deodorant.  "Bee Free" will remain to distinguish it from the version with beeswax.  Bee free is a good option for vegans, and those who may experience a reaction from bees.  Or anyone who really wants to refrigerate their deodorant.  Comments and questions are always welcome.

Lice Repellant Hair Spray

Speaking of back to school...

You guys.  I looked for a picture to include with this post and they all skeeved me out, so I'm going to do us all a favor and make this a picture-less post.

Over the summer, a friend proposed I look into making lice repellant hair spray.  I looked into it and it seems very do-able.

Now, testing it is a different scenario.

Testing deodorant = adults, worst case scenario, you smell bad (actually worst case scenario, you have a skin reaction)

Testing bug spray = adults...and some kids, worst case scenario, you get bit by bugs, like mosquitoes, not lice.

Testing Lice Repellant Hair Spray = kids...or adults, worst case scenario, you get lice.  But seriously, I'm not asking anyone to expose themselves to lice intentionally.  I'm also not sure about actual kids being the first in line as testers.  So...any teacher friends interested in testing it out?  Mostly looking to see if there is any issue with scalp irritation?

The friend who suggested this has taken her daughter to our local Lice Lifters and uses the Nit Nanny hairspray daily.  This would be (hopefully) a similarly preventative measure.  Here is Nit Nanny's ingredient list:

Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Trisiloxane, Ceteth-10, Laureth-4, Quaternium 91, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium, Chloride, Myristyl Myristate, Phenoxyethyanol, Potassium Sorbate, Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil.

I don't know about you but I still spy a bunch of tricky vocab in that list.

I have read of tea tree oil being used solely to prevent lice but after some "research" (thanks, Pinterest!) I have come up with a blend of 7 oils to mix into what could also be used as a detangling spray.

And, similarly to the bug spray, I would suggest this have a shelf life of one "school season" or "camp season" as your needs determine.

So...any takers?

Back to Business

As a new school year approaches (quickly), I will be headed back to my library of a classroom.  Have no fear, Barefoot Body will continue to look for opportunities to get out in the community as well as fill and deliver orders as they come.  Does the Back to School season make you sweat?

I first dabbled with natural deodorant while I was home on maternity leave after my daughter was born.  At the time, I wasn't all that concerned if I smelled...and was lucky if I showered.  When I returned to work after that year, I planned to continue using natural deodorant.  I was starting a new job teaching in the library and I was NERVOUS.  And I sweat.  And since it was the store bought variety which I may have mentioned did NOT work for me, that meant I also stank.  Do you remember any smelly teachers from growing up?  Or sweaty ones?  I did.  And I refused to be THAT teacher.  At that time, in 2010, I resolved that I would simply have to use aluminum laden anti-perspirant during the school day and could revert to more natural alternatives when I was home.  Over time, I was able to phase aluminum out altogether.  But I found myself reapplying deodorant through the day to compensate.  I can say that I am fully confident to start this year sweat and smell free with an all natural alternative.  If I survived the last few days of meetings, the kids on Tuesday will be no sweat.  Get it?!

A few teacher friends have been asking me about this endeavor.  And I've found myself talking more and more about the science involved.  So, to review:

1) Sweat does not smell.  What does smell is bacteria on the skin of the armpits which is activated by sweat.  Address the bacteria (which coconut oil does) and the associated smell never comes to pass.

2) We are supposed to sweat.  BUT arrowroot powder helps to absorb some of the moisture associated with sweat.  Aluminum blocks the pores from making sweat.  You don't want to intentionally block your body's systems.

Any questions?

And just like that, I'm back in school mode.  I'll try not to lecture.