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.