Build Bath & Shower

Properly storing your soapy creations extends the amount of time the product looks and feels its best. For cold process soap , proper storage includes plenty of air flow. On the other hand, melt and pour soap should be wrapped immediately. Improper storage can promote dreaded orange spots , faded colors and glycerin dew . Luckily, it’s easy to prevent these problems with a little know-how. How products should be stored largely depends on what the product is made of, and the shelf life of the ingredients. For nearly all bath and beauty products , it’s best to store them in a dry and cool place. Excessive moisture in the air can promote DOS (read more about DOS here) and cause bath bombs to prematurely fizz. Extreme heat can cause melt and pour (or even cold process) soap to melt, and the texture of lotions and balms to change. If placed in direct sunlight, soapy colors and fragrances may fade. If you live in a hot climate, find the coolest and darkest area of your home to store your...

Hydrogen peroxide is something that you should always keep in your house. It is extremely useful and can be a complete lifesaver from time to time. Hydrogen peroxide , chemical compound H2O2 , is the only germicidal agent composed of only water and oxygen. It kills disease organisms by oxidation and can eliminate some of the most detrimental germs. It is one of the best cleaning agents to use, and it can also be used for wounds. Applying a little hydrogen peroxide over a wound will kill all the bacteria and pathogens that pose risk for infection. Hydrogen peroxide kills microorganisms by oxidizing them – much like a burning process. It reacts with organic material and breaks down into oxygen and water. That means that it is nontoxic for humans. It can be used to clean cuts and infections, rejuvenating bath water , killing fungi, and more. Here’s the complete list of 65 reasons you should always have hydrogen peroxide in your house: 1. Disinfect Small Wounds Hydrogen peroxide is...

Whether you’re growing out your beard for the first time or have had one for years, it’s common for the hair on your face to get itchy. Beard itching can be mild, and sometimes you may barely notice it. Other times, every inch seems to itch. It can wake you up in the middle of the night or distract you from important events in your life. Beard hair isn ’t like the hair on your head. It’s called androgenic hair , which means that it’s growth is driven mainly by your testosterone. More testosterone causes more growth and thickness of these hairs. Because of this, you need to take care of your beard differently than other hair on your body. The cause of an itchy beard can range from a minor to a more serious infection: Growing out your facial hair When you shave, you leave a sharp edge on the end of each hair inside its follicle, the tiny tube that contains and shields each hair. When the hair grows out, this sharp edge can scratch the follicle, causing it to itch. When you’re growing out...

Bath salts have several nutrients and minerals, and as they dissolve in water quickly, they give you a refreshing shower/bathing experience. It is important to select the right types of bath salts while making sure they do not cause any allergic reaction. You also need to understand how to use bath salts properly . Keep reading to discover more about bath salts and their benefits. Benefits of Bath Salts There are several benefits associated with the use of bath salts. Of course, you need to know how to use bath salts properly to reap maximum benefits . Before you go any further, you need to u nderstand that bath salts are processed and natural. You should opt for natural bath salts because they have all the minerals available to produce great results . Using pure bath salts will prove extremely beneficial for your skin. They contain minerals and several nutrients, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, bromide, and sodium. These nutrients help make your skin look smooth. They also ...

Bruno Goussault, 63, is both a scientist and an economist. He has been training chefs like Fabio Trabocchi at the Ritz-Carlton and Michel Richard at Citronelle, both in Washington, Dan Barber at Blue Hill in New York and Daniel Boulud at Daniel, also in New York, not only how to use sous vide but also to understand the science behind it. Where Escoffier organized the way chefs cook, dividing the professional kitchen into stations (sauces, cold foods, sautéing, pastry), Goussault has reprogrammed their approach to temperature, technique and taste -- their fundamental understanding of cooking. At Charlie Trotter's in Chicago, the intense heat and scrape of pans against the stove is giving way to an almost placid atmosphere, the barely audible hum of water baths that run 24 hours a day. Dufresne, the chef at the innovative Manhattan restaurant WD -50, calls Goussault's contribution to cooking "monumental." The advancements he has made are on par with the invention of t...

Spa-like details such as glass tile and soothing colors are a trend in home bathrooms, as in this one by interior designer Lori Graham . When it comes to the latest in bathrooms, spa- inspired spaces rule . Goodbye, fussy details. Hello, Zen oasis. “Turning your bathroom into something you might see at a luxury resort is really big right now,” says Shannon Kadwell, a designer for Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Cabin John. Spa-like details range from showers with multiple body sprays and rainfall “water tiles” to walls bedecked with dazzling glass tile . But the trend goes beyond finishes and fixtures. “In years prior, a bathroom was just a shower, a toilet, and a sink,” Kadwell says. “The modern bathroom is a multi-function room with separate areas.” Think distinct but connected spaces designated for cleaning, changing, relaxing, and even admiring the scenery. A house’s master suite, she says, has become a living space in which the bathroom and bedroom are connected via dressing are...