Welcome to the home of SwiftCraftyMonkey Formulating Inc.! Join Susan as she obsesses about cosmetic chemistry and other things (some possibly related to monkeys)! Here you’ll find over 5,000 posts and formulas written over the past 16 years for everything from lotions, creams, and body butters to hair care products to fancy facial products filled with actives and cosmeceuticals! Enjoy the site without distractions – no ads, pop ups, sponsored posts, affiliate links, “one weird tricks” – all supported by readers like you.
So here’s an example of a label I use on my foot scrub bars. I package these in cellophane bags and close it with the label. I like to include three major pieces of information – the name of the product and fragrance, instructions for use (if it isn’t obvious), and a simplified ingredient list....
I like products that don’t need a container! Shampoo and conditioner bars, lotion bars, bath bombs – I can find cute ways to dress them up and it’s not going to cost me a fortune! I have a small problem when I walk into Essential Packaging in Surrey – even though I have no idea...
Again, form should follow function when it comes to caps. What are you dispensing? Disc cap: Ah, the humble disc cap. It’s good for pretty much every product with its tiny opening that allows surfactants, lotions, toners, and all your other products to come out with a squish! It’s not great for thick lotions –...
I know a malibu or tottle bottle isn’t really an alternative to a “bottle” because we consider them to be a bottle, but they are a fantastic way to package hair care products, surfactant systems, and lotions. They’re also cheaper than using a pump bottle for thick creams, but you do run the risk of...
Filling containers can be such a huge pain in the bum! Here are a few things I thought I’d share. Since I am a surfactant junkie, I make a lot of bubble baths, body washes, and shampoos that need bottling. I find the easiest way is to get a funnel and pour it in. With...