Make Your Own Massage Bar!

A massage bar is a solid block of oils that you can apply to your body of someone else's body slowly easing sore muscles while pampering your skin with its wonderful moisturising properties. And they are notoriously easy to make. The simplest recipe I can give you is this:

• 2 parts hard oils
• 1 part soft oils

Hard oils are basically oils that are solid at room temperature and soft oils are liquid at room temperature. However, there are degrees of hardness and softness. For example, shea butter and cocoa butter are both "hard" oils but cocoa butter is more solid so it has a higher degree of hardness.

When I make my massage bars, I always use a very hard oil and a soft oil. For example, I use 2 parts of cocoa butter and 1 part of macadamia nut oil. You could substitute cocoa butter with illipe butter. It's the only very hard oil I know of. But who doesn't love cocoa butter, right? Say no and you must be a man. What?! I am NOT sexist, how dare you! Go change a lightbulb.

Hehe, I'm just kidding! Oh, I got sidetracked. You'll get to know me, I do this very often. My friend says I'm like a radio because I just keep on talking and changing topics and he just keeps on listening. Argh! I'm doing it again! Okay, back to where I was.

So, you've melted your hard oils and then added your soft oils. Add any essential or fragrance oils. If you add too much, it may affect the hardness of your bar so substitute some of the soft oils with the essential or fragrance oils. Pour the oils into a massage bar mould. Or layer the bottom of a normal mould with uncooked chickpeas or azuki beans. Leave it to harden or speed it up by putting it in the fridge, the oils may stay a little soft in summer so keep them in the fridge.
This is a massage bar so scent plays an important part. Try searching the internet for scent blends keeping in mind what kind of effect you're looking for it to have. Energizing, relaxing, and so on.

Relaxing Scent Blend

• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops chamomile essential oil
• 3 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 2 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Now all you need are some candles, clean towels, soft music and a willing partner. Enjoy!
If you prefer, you can toss the massage bar into a nice warm bath minus the chickpeas or azuki beans and use it as a bath melt. In which case you will also need some candles, clean towels and soft music. Willing partner is optional.

Bye!