I have to say I am just tickled with the review that Beth Byrne wrote about my book in the on-line soapmakers magazine, The Saponifier. When they said they were going to review the book I was happy, but I never expected such a glowing (and long) discussion of the book!

I’ve always been a fan of the The Saponifier. I subscribed to the print version way back when (that was when I first started soaping) and loved getting it. It was a sad thing when it was discontinued for a while.

But now it’s back! Kathy Tarbox, Beth Byrne (and no doubt others) are doing a bang-up job on getting a very professional e-mag delivered bi-monthly. It’s a real asset to the soapmaking community.

The review of my book was published in the September 2007 issue of The Saponifier, an e-Magazine for the soap making community.

Here’s the entire article, reprinted in full with permission of the publishers.

Start of the Gate

End of the Gate

The last two chapters have to do with color additives in cosmetics, and discuss which ones we can use, which are certified, and which ones are not. Content includes where on the body they can be used, and special cases of products with requirements that were not previously discussed, including oral hygiene and vaginal products, animal grooming products, aromatherapy products, sunscreens, and private label products.

Fortunately for purchasers of this book, Marie has included appendices of color additives, INCI names, prohibited and restricted ingredients, and a handy metric conversion chart. She also includes a glossary and a convenient index that will be extremely helpful in locating exactly the information one is interested in.

What hasn’t Marie thought of? Actual correct labels as examples would be nice, but her descriptions and explanations are sufficient. The detail she goes into leaves one with the confidence that correct labeling is possible and maybe even less painful than previously thought. Admittedly, this book is not as absorbing as an afternoon curled up with an intriguing novel would be, but it is clearly written, thorough, and extremely useful. In addition to the book, Marie has wisely also begun a website that is accessible to book owners, where any errors will be corrected, or further information will be available, along with pertinent links to useful websites. I am sure this will prove invaluable to book owners as time goes by.

Are you convinced yet that you need to own this book? To consider the effort required to master the labeling subject matter is almost overwhelming, so we can see how this book is an essential, complete reference for any soap, toiletry, or candle maker’s arsenal; it is sure to become one of the recommended basic books for those in our industry. I am certain that this will prove invaluable to book owners as time goes by, and with the website keeping things current, you couldn’t ask for more. Just think, a readable, understandable, well-compiled reference could be at your fingertips, making the burdensome but necessary job of correct labeling as easy as possible. The only thing that would make this job easier is having a professional labeler do it for you!

Beth has been making soap and body products for several years and is thrilled to come across products that make the experience easier and more enjoyable for both herself and her fellow “soapers,” as well as those of us making ancillary products.