It’s been a year hasn’t it ?
There’s been so much hard stuff happening in the world and in our lives.
It makes me wonder how we got here, and yet, I can’t help but feel hopeful.
It is with a full heart that I send out this missive of gratitude.
Thank you to all of you who have supported Kinfolk through orders, sharing of posts, recommendations, lovely messages and comments – it makes a huge difference to this one woman show and I am deeply grateful for it all.
I love reading your comments, reviews and emails.
I understand how tight finances are for many and the fact that you choose to spend your hard earned dollars with me is beyond wonderful. In choosing to flex your spending power with a small business you not only keep Kinfolk up and running but you also exercise your financial clout to support a business who believes that ethical, sustainable, quality products are for everyone.
Thank You Thank You Thank You
In supporting Kinfolk you have contributed to donations to :
A local aged care facility
Women’s and Children’s crisis services
Two public hospitals
One community health centre
Two public schools
An asylum seekers medical service
Eighteen families who needed emergency supplies
Christmas gifts for twelve people who wouldn’t have had anything to give this year.
Personally, this year has been huge for me. Like most of us, there have been lots of ups and downs. Health issues, supporting aging parents, keeping a small business ticking along during a time of serious financial distress for many, feeling the heart wrenching distress of seeing the world go to hell in a handbasket, dealing with the unending small stuff that drives you crazy and yet…
There was also the absolute joy of :
Being with my beautiful family who I love oh so much
Being a grandmother which is quite possibly the best thing ever
The swooning delight of knowing there is another very special, very loved little one about to join our family
The love, laughs and cups of tea shared with a of a handful of very special friends
My garden, that always brings me so much happiness
Feeling the dopamine hit of a Harry Styles concert with my daughter
Some lovely swims in briny ocean pools
Feeling loved and supported
Being creative and having the opportunity to do things that help me feel most like myself
I hope that you have a beautiful Christmas spent with people you love.
I hope that the smiles outnumber the presents.
I hope the year ahead is peaceful and kind to you
I hope that you get to do what you love
Merry Christmas
]]>If you want to maximise the health of your hair and get those curls and waves bouncing again read on ….
My benchmark for a while now has been – if you can’t pronounce it or don’t recognise it then don’t eat it or put it on your body.
For example, this product call Ouidad Curl Quencher has a bit of a following, especially in the US. It costs around $40 for 150ml and no doubt makes your hair look more hydrated but what’s really in it ?
Water/Aqua/Eau, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Isodecyl Oleate, Decyl Oleate, Polyquaternium-11, Cetrimonium Chloride, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Polyquaternium-46, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, C11-15 Pareth-7, Trideceth-6, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-80, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl PG-Propyl Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citric Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, DMDM Hydantoin, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Fragrance/Parfum.
I don’t know about you, but this looks pretty scary to me. It’s full of chemicals and silicons and I’m not ok with that.
Let’s compare that to the ingredients in Kinfolk’s Pear & Vanilla Moisturising Conditioner – at the significantly cheaper price of $15 for 250ml. Having one product which works in three ways - conditioner, leave in treatment and mask is going to save you lots of money and significantly reduce waste going to landfill.
Aloe vera juice, H20, jojoba oil, macadamia nut oil, panthenol (vitamin B5), castor oil, BTMS (rapeseed derived mild conditioner), cetyl steryl alcohol (plant based
emollient ), wheat protein, essential oils and fragrance oils.
Nothing scary here – just a whole lot of natural ingredients designed to improve the health, texture and bounce in your curls and waves.
Hair product companies want to sell you as many products as they can. We all know that. To me that means lots of expensive and often unnecessary products cluttering up your bathroom and eventually the landfill.
To get started it helps to know your curl type. Knowing your curl type helps you to decide what to use to get the most out of your luscious locks.
I have fine 3B hair so need lots of moisture without weighing down my hair.
Here's a rare photo of me - and my curl type for reference
If you have 4A/B/C type hair you will need to use more product to get the same effect.
For 2A/B/C you will only need a small amount worked mostly through the ends of your hair.
Have a look at the chart below and see where you fit.
Curly hair tends to be dry. The trick is getting lots of moisture into your hair without weighing it down. With that in mind, let’s take a quick walk down sulphate/silicon/paraben lane.
In most commercial shampoos sulphates are used to create lots of lather. Sulphates tend to strip the hair of its natural oils and since curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair, it’s better to stay away from them altogether. They can leave curls dehydrated and prone to breakage. You need to use a shampoo like Kinfolk Pear & Vanilla Shampoo Bar where you can feel confident in the ingredients and regulate the amount of product you use. For example, I have chin length curly hair and wash my hair about once a week with 1-2 quick swipes of shampoo bar across my hair.
A bar of Kinfolk shampoo lasts me more than a year !
Silicones are widely used in hair products to give a feeling of a moisture and slip but in reality, it’s just coating the strands and acting as a filler to artificially make your hair feel smooth. Using silicones on a regular basis causes major build-up and weighs down your hair. By coating your hair it prevents moisture from getting in – like scotchgaurd for your hair – yuck.
Lastly, parabens are a type of product preservative. While parabens allow products to last a long time, they can also enter your body through your scalp. Not to mention that parabens can cause curly hair to dry out and frizz.
So, now that you know your curl type how do you get the most out of your curls and waves.
WASHING YOUR HAIR AND DAILY MOISTURISING
If you’ve been using products that contain silicons you might want to consider changing this. In order for moisture to get in you’ll need to use a clarifying shampoo to strip away all the built up silicon. Once you’ve done this you can get on track with a healthier regime for your hair.
This also applies to anyone who uses gels, mousses or other styling products which can build up on your hair. If you are using these kinds of products consider using a clarifying shampoo once a month for a fresh start and to allow moisture into your hair.
Start using a low foam/low or no sulphate shampoo like our Shampoo Bar.
If you'd like some help with knowing how much to use, I apply a dollop about the size of a 10c piece to my wet hair every morning working it mostly through the ends and leave to dry. This makes my girls feel nourished and defrizzes. If you have thick hair or tight curls you may need to use more.
TREATMENTS
Knowing that curly hair tends to be dry, adding a weekly hair mask to your routine can transform your hair.
This is particularly true for chemically treated hair or hair that has been straightened or heat damaged.
You can use your hair mask after regular shampooing or, if your planning on doing it between washes, simply give your hair a light shampooing with minimal shampoo to open the hair cuticle. Slather your hair in our Moisturising Conditioner and wrap it up in a hair towel or old tshirt
Leave for at least 30 minutes before rinsing.
To up the effectiveness of your mask sit in the sun or give it a blast (through the towel or tshirt- not directly to hair) with a hair dryer to warm and allow more product to be absorbed.
I usually apply the mask, wrap my hair and go to bed then rise it off in the morning.
STYLING
Knowing how your curls and waves work is the first step in getting the most out of them.
There are lots of ways to style your hair such as –
Applying leave in treatment, gently scrunching to promote curls and leaving to air dry.
Using a Denman brush to stretch out wet, conditioned hair then wrapping around the handle of the brush or your fingers to curl.
Creating a cast then scrunching
There are lots of methods and you may need to experiment to find what works best for your hair type. A quick trip to YouTube will get you started.
However you decide to care for and style your curls I hope you can lovingly embrace your natural hair.
If you have any questions about our products or how best to use them for your hair type please get in touch – we love to hear from you.
E- kinfolksoap@gmail.com
]]>It is so helpful to hear what you like. You had some great ideas about things you’d like to see included in our range and we will definitely be thinking about these once the Christmas preparation/Christmas season is over.
We started answering questions individually but there are lots of you with similar queries or ideas so thought we could address them here.
Results
Lots of you love Bargain Bundles (no surprise there).
Most Kinfolkers get their information via FaceBook or Instagram so we’ll keep posting !
We were super chuffed to receive so many compliments and positive feedback and thank you so much for your kindness.
Here's a little sample ....
‘The best soap. It looks beautiful, smells beautiful and feels wonderful. The soap is creamy - a beautiful lather. I look forward to using a new bar but also sad when it's coming to the end. I love that you also incorporate ingredients straight from your garden. Thank you for producing such wonderful products.’
‘Lovely people working ethically. Interesting and beautifully smelling products, both soap and candles. Also love that charity/community care is part of the business.’
‘Beautifully crafted and deliciously scented products. The skin care nourishes and feels lovely to apply. The shampoo and conditioners are great leaving hair feeling not just clean but soft and with less static. Soaps feel nice to use and look so nice on their racks! And the candles burn beautifully and especially with the cold and wet weather have given the house a warm and fresher scent. When I look to buy any products I have a basic criteria: Australian made and owned. Light impact on the environment. Good products and friendly approachable business. And ingredients and scents that won’t cause reactions. Thank you for being all this. 😊’
Requests
Household Cleaners
There were a few requests for household cleaning products like kitchen spray and dishwasher tablets. We are not currently planning on increasing our house products. This is mostly because we don’t want to use plastic bottles and the glass alternatives are very expensive and difficult to post.
We do stock laundry liquid kits and soap flakes.
You might also like to have another look at our Low Tox Cleaning Guide which has lots of cleaning tips and recipes to make your own products.
Guest Soaps
If you are looking for guest soaps can we suggest our Soap Samplers. They come in packs of six guest sized soaps in various fragrances and raw honey. They are the perfect size for guests, travel, BnB’s.
We also sell these wholesale in bulk for businesses if you are interested.
Body Wash / Shower Gel /Bubble Bath
Again, we are reluctant to use plastics and alternative packaging is expensive and difficult to post.
We have sold bubble bath and bubble bars in the past but there wasn’t enough demand to warrant keeping them in stock.
Men’s Range
We try to stock some more ‘masculine’ fragrances and products eg, Wildwood soap, Super Scrub Bars, Beard Oil but our ethos is really one of creating gender free products.
Our skin and hair care products and soaps are great for everyone – old, young and regardless of gender.
Leave In /Styling Hair Products
This is one that’s close to my heart. As a curly girl it can be hard to find products that don’t contain nasties like silicons, dimethicone etc.
We had one request for a hair wax and I am currently using my husband as a guinea pig for this very product. I have made a couple of different pomades but they still need some tweaking so watch this space.
I use our Aloe & Jojoba Liquid Conditioner as a leave in product to tame frizz and create healthy curls.
If you are looking for reduced frizz, more hydration, healthy looking hair give our Shampoo Bars and Conditioners a go.
These are some of our bestselling products. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
Cleanser/Make Up Remover
We have our faithful Facial Cleansing Bar available now but we are working on a cream cleanser and micellar water.
It takes many trials and quite some time to get things to our standard before we are ready to sell so hang tight and we’ll get them to you asap.
I hope this covers everything. If you have any other questions or comments please send them through to kinfolksoap@gmail.com
We love hearing from you.
]]>The gentle grit sloughs off dead or dry skin cells leaving skin smooth, soft and more radiant. Scrubs are best used on the body. For facial exfoliation try a gentler polish.
Scrubs are not always suitable for people with thin or sensitive skin so always do a patch test first. You may still be able to use one if you significantly reduce the amount of sugar in your mix to lessen the abrasion. You can replace the sugar with soothing clays such as kaolin clay.
Most scrubs are either sugar or salt based.
Salt based scrubs, especially if you're using plain table salt, can be drying. If you do want to use salt in your scrub make sure it is a mineral rich, good quality salt like Himalayan or sea salt.
Sugar scrubs are generally better and can draw moisture into the skin. They are less abrasive than salt scrubs. Most sugars are fine to use but coconut sugar is particularly good especially if you have sensitive skin.
To use a scrub simply apply generously to damp or dry skin. Gently work over skin in circles for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly. Follow up with a good moisturiser while skin is still damp.
So how do you make a scrub ? You probably have some these ingredients in your pantry and you can make your scrub as simple or enhanced as you like.
Here's a basic recipe to get you started.
80g coconut sugar (or any other sugar you have. You could also substitute up to 30g of good quality salt here)
15g good quality oil such as almond, avocado, macadamia, shea butter
1gr Vitamin E
You can then add in optional extras if desired and choose depending on your skin type :
essential oils
sea buckthorn powder
epsom salt
hibiscus powder
dried sea vegetable
botanicals - lavender, chamomile, rosemary, peppermint
rose hip powder
ground coffee
ground oatmeal
beneficial clays - pink zeolite, bentonite, kaolin clay
Place sugar/salt into jar or bowl. If using shea butter melt first then add to dry mix with vitamin E. If using oil simply pour over dry mix and add vitamin E. Mix to combine and use as is or add in extra ingredients.
Keep any remaining scrub in the fridge.
]]>I am a naturopath, vegetarian and gardener. It’s fair to say that I love plants.
There are so many impressive plants with incredible properties – beautiful scents, medicinal uses, big blousy flowers, gorgeous hardy natives.
This little missive is in praise of the humble elderflower.
It grows like a weed in the Kinfolk garden. Give it a little sunshine and rain and you have flowers for months. It’s an incredible plant
Here’s a little snapshot of how it’s used at Kinfolk HQ. In true Kinfolk style none of what we grow or pick goes to waste.
We grow it organically in the Kinfolk garden.
Then it's picked and steeped in oil for 12 months to become the hero ingredient in our Elderflower Night Cream. There are so many benefits for your skin – softening, smoothing, anti-inflammatory, hydrating and loaded with omega fatty acids 3 & 6, Vitamin A and B Vitamins.
Surplus flowers are quickly covered in boiling water with citrus rind ready to become delicious cordial the next day.
Leftover stems are flung out the kitchen door to feed the birds nest ferns
Once the cordial is made the strained flowers are dropped into the compost bay to feed the plants later on.
Any flowers that aren’t needed immediately are left to feed our busy bees who love it. It’s a reliable and prolific source of food for them.
Some flowers are left to mature into elderberries which we use to make elderberry tinctures and syrups to provide an immune and healing boost during winter to ease colds and flu or topically for wound heling.
It’s the ultimate no waste, gift that keeps on giving, pretty as a picture plant.
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The effort you put in at the start often dictates how well it looks five years from now.
We obviously want you to take the advice of your tattoo artist but here is some general advice on caring for your ink.
Day 1 :
Fresh tattoo is covered with tattoo film which can be removed after a few hours. At this stage it needs to be treated as the fresh wound that it is so make sure you wash your hands before touching the area.
When you're ready, wash the area with cool water and a very gentle soap such as Kinfolk's Lulu's Baby Bastille Bar, Facial Cleansing Bar or Coconut & Honey Soap. Don't rub the tattoo, just run it under water to gently wash then pat dry with a clean towel or tissue/gauze/paper towel.
Let it air dry and give it some time to breathe.
Day 2 - 14 :
The Day 1 method of cleansing and moisturising should continue to be done 2 or 3 times a day until around day 14.
It takes approximately 6 weeks for a tattoo to fully heal so you may need to extend this cleansing/moisturising regime depending on the size, design and where on your body the tattoo is placed.
Apply a thin layer of KINK Tattoo Cream - it should be just enough to make it look shiny. Reapply at least three times a day until tattoo is healed - somewhere between 4-6 weeks.
Keeping your design consistently moisturised minimises scabbing and flaking and helps your tattoo design to stay intact and clear. Don't scratch or pick at the design !
Once your tattoo is fully healed keep using KINK Cream daily to retain design radiance and to protect against fading.
Using a sunscreen on your tattoo will significantly improve how it ages.
Image : Tattoo by Diana Severinenko
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These almonds have become a firm favourite in our family.
Great for snacking or beribboned in a jar for a waste free, always welcome Christmas present.
We have some baking in the oven right now !
Gingerbread Almonds
1 large egg white, beaten until frothy but not stiff.
3 cups natural almonds
1/2 cup raw sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tsp good quality salt flakes
Beat egg white until frothy.
In a separate bowl mix together sugars, spices and salt.
Add egg white to spices and mix thoroughly with a gentle hand.
Add egg/spice mix to almonds and stir well to coat.
Place almonds in a single layer on lined baking trays and bake at 170 degrees celsius for 25-30 minutes giving them a stir half way.
Remove from oven, allow to cool, then break up with a wooden spoon.
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Here's the answer ! Our low tox cleaning guide is full of ways to clean your home that use ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
No nasties, no bleach, no artificial perfumes.
All you need is a spray bottle, a few cloths and you're good to go.
Click on the link to access your copy.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0376/7350/0717/files/LowToxCleaning.pdf?v=1664530211
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Cold, dry air, super hot showers, not much exposure under layers of clothes - all can lead to dry, dull skin in need of some serious attention.
It's not just for your insanely good looks either. Your skin is your largest organ and it's working hard all the time regulating your temperature, providing a protective barrier against disease and infection, keeping your organs exactly where they are meant to be, not to mention our sense of touch.
So how do we look after our skin. Read on ...
Have cooler showers - I know it's tempting to turn up the steam but all your really doing is stressing out your skin, irritating it and drying it out.
Use cleanser or soap that contains cocoa butter. This miracle stuff will keep your skin supple and moisturised long after you use it. (By the way, we use cocoa butter in just about every product we make from soaps to bath bombs, hand balms, facial bars to hair conditioner)
Try a face serum to lock in moisture. We make our own hyaluronic acid and rose hydrosol face serum. It's such a lovely way to care for your skin. Maybe we will start making it for you ?? Let us know if you're interested.
Keep hydrated - during the cooler months we tend to drink less but heating, fires, air conditioning etc all play a role in drying out our skin and bodies so keep chugging down that water.
Exfoliate - our hot tip is to get yourself a pretan exfoliating glove. I'm not a fan of fake tan but these gloves are the best. Pop one of our super rich soaps into the glove and scrub away. You will be amazed at how your skin feels. Try our Indulgence Soap, Coconut & Honey or Raw Honey Bar.
Use our hand balm daily. It's also great for slathering all over, especially after you've tried our exfoliation glove trick. You'll be tingling and glowing in no time.
Our hand balm is so good because it's full of skin nourishing ingredients (instead of 80% water like most lotions). Don't limit it to just hands though - apply to hands, feet, elbows, pregnant bellies for the best smelling, skin loving balm.
Bath bombs - soak in the tub, not too hot - ours have shea butter and cocoa butter and you will notice the feeling of it on your skin when you get out. Don't towel off - rub in, you don't want to waste all that buttery goodness.
Use a good quality lip balm (like our Honey or Vanilla Lip Balm) and try a weekly gently lip scrub. Simply mix a tablespoon of coconut oil together with a teaspoon each of sugar, raw honey and lemon juice. Rub gently over lips to remove dead skin and moisturise. Rinse off and slather on the lip balm.
Tip : try to avoid using cheap lip balms which are full of petroleum based chemicals, parabens and artificial nasties. Our lip balm is noting but goodness - beeswax and raw honey from our own hives, cocoa butter, shea butter, real vanilla ,coconut oil and vitamin E.
Hair Care Tips
Do yourself the biggest favour and start using our shampoo and conditioner. We promise - once you try it you won't go back. We have them available in Moisturising and Balancing formulas. If you're not sure which one is right for you get in touch and we can help you find the perfect combo.
For dry/curly/colour and heat treated hair try leaving some conditioner on your hair after applying- don't rinse out completely. This will provide some ongoing moisturising and protection. It's like an all day treatment. For my dry/curly hair I rub a little conditioner onto my hands every morning during my shower and massage it into damp hair. I don't rinse it out at all. Just let my hair air dry and I'm good to go.
Try a weekly treatment - cut a 1cm cube of conditioner off your bar and melt either in hands or 10 sec in microwave. Apply to wet, freshly washed hair. Cover with shower cap, loose towel or tshirt ( you want to cover and warm your hair but don't want to drag the conditioner out with an absorbent towel or hair wrap) and leave for 20mins or even overnight. Rinse out and wait for the compliments.
For dry or frizzy ends try some of our beard oil. It's full of hair loving oils like argan and jojoba. Just a few drops rubbed through the ends of your hair can make all the difference.
]]>My 'trio of lovelies' as I have always called them, are the touchstone of my life. Over the last few years my tribe has extended to include my daughter's lovely partner and more recently, our utterly adored grand baby.
Mother's Day is kind of a big deal to me. Not the commercial schtick. Not the saccharine cards and endless lavender scented gifts. What really makes me smile is seeing my family together, being able to stand back and say "These beautiful, kind, clever, funny, deeply loyal and lovely people are my brood. These moments are the culmination of decades of lovingly done hard work and I feel more proud of them than anything else I have ever done'.
I don't take credit for who they are. They are the architects of their lives and the owners of their decisions but I do feel very proud of the fact that I have loved them as hard as is humanly possible and they know they can depend on that like the sun coming up in the morning.
They have given more to me than I can ever repay. Their presence has been the defining role of my life and has made me who I am.
I am deeply grateful for it all.
I am so aware of my good fortune in being able to conceive and birth healthy children. I know that for every person like me there is another out there struggling with years of fertility issues, or a lack of partner/funds/work/opportunity needed to bring their little person earthside. It is a grief I can only imagine and one that must feel immensely heavy to bear. To these people I send all the warmth in my heart and my hopes that Mother's Day is bearable, and that next year you wake up to a different kind of day with your arms as full as your heart.
In this spirit I would also like to acknowledge other kinds of mothers.
The mothers who are still yearning for their babies.
The people who don't want children of their own but who have meaningful relationships with the children in their lives.
The people who bring kindness to the lives of those whose mothers can't or don't mother them well enough.
To the Dad's out there doing it on their own and trying to find a way to be both Dad and maternal when it's needed.
To the same sex partners who have had to work a lot harder than many to create their families.
To the foster parents who love the kids who need it so much.
To the adopting parents, the relinquishing birth parents, to egg donors and surrogates.
To trans Dad's who are giving birth and finding their way in a world that says all mothers are women.
To new Mum's who may be thriving or struggling or both. I hope you find people who support you and love you and leave their judgment at the door.
To the motherless mothers who might be wondering how to navigate their way without a template to work from.
To the step-parents, aunts, friends, grandparents who have stepped up when Mum's are gone, ill or unable to be there for their children.
Wherever you sit on the spectrum of motherhood, I wish you much happiness this Mother's Day.
And to my own daughter, who is now a mother, I am so incredibly proud of you and the parent you are. Your kind, patient, intentional and ever loving way with our favourite little person is miraculous to me and so are you.
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Sharing what you can when you can is where we are at.
To that end, here's a list of community charities and services we support.
Mountains of Joy - Free supermarket Kurrajong Heights
Mountains of Joy - Free supermarket Bilpin
The Women's Cottage - Community based resource and support service for women and girls experiencing domestic violence, isolation, financial distress, parenting distress and other forms of emotional distress or trauma.
If you are a charity or community service and are in need of our products please get in touch to discuss how we may be able to help you .
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It seems crazy that we are paying mostly for water and the costs associated with packaging and transporting it. Then there's advertising and the single use plastic bottle it comes in that ends up in landfill for hundreds of years.
Yeah, no thanks.
Our Shampoo Bars are super concentrated.They contain all the good stuff you need to have beautiful hair and a healthy scalp and contain not a drop of water.
These bars of washing wonder contain no nasties - No SLS, SLES, parabens, silicones or colours.... and of course, no water or plastic. They are cruelty free, vegan are made with certified ethical ingredients.
They are great for travel and can easily be cut if you want to have some at home for work, the gym or to share with a friend.
There is no waste and no plastic packaging. They come in a cardboard box with a paper label which is 100% recyclable, reusable and compostable.
Our shampoo contains only plant based ingredients, nourishing oils and butters, helpful clays and beautiful scented oils.
So how do you use a shampoo bar ?
Using one of our bars is really simple.
Make sure your hair is thoroughly wet before using shampoo. You want it completely drenched. We don't have all that extra water in our product so it needs to be added by you !
Run the bar quickly under water and rub it in your hands for a few seconds to get it wet and lathering.
There are a couple of ways to try ...
1. You can continue to rub the bar in your hands creating a lather which you can then use as you would normal shampoo
OR
2. You can wipe your hands over your hair then swipe the bar down the length of your hair a couple of times.
You don't need more shampoo than this. Don't be tempted to keep lathering away. Remember, it's super concentrated.
Unlike liquid shampoos this shampoo bar isn't made to be a giant frothy bubble fest. It's slightly less sudsy qualities will still do the job oh so well. Most of those big bubbles are created by some pretty nasty chemicals like sodium lauryl sulphate so be comforted that you're not dumping a heap of nasties onto your head.
CONDITIONER BARS
Our Conditioner Bars are handmade using plant based moisturisers, nourishing butters, proVitamin B5 panthenol and oat protein. .
They contain only natural hair loving ingredients to moisturise, detangle, defrizz and soften your hair.
Directions for use : Rub conditioner bar over ends of hair and swipe a few times over crown. Massage into hair and leave for a few minutes before rinsing.
This bar, depending on hair length, provides approx. 60 applications and prevents plastic bottles going to landfill.
Storage : Allow bar to dry between uses. Avoid allowing bar to sit in water as it will begin to soften and dissolve. A soap rack, wire rack or anything that keeps it from sitting in a puddle of water is perfect.
Another great way to care for your hair is to use an apple cider vinegar rinse.
I make my own - here's the recipe
ACV Hair Rinse
Makes 200ml enough for four or five rinses
70ml Apple cider vinegar ( buy a nice organic one with a mother in it - it makes all the difference )
2 ml of nettle extract (optional)
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
3 drops of orange essential oil
130ml demineralised or filtered water.
Put everything in a bottle and give it a good shake.
Simple pour about 40ml into your palm and spread it over your wet hair. Massage in, concentrating on the scalp, then leave for a few minutes before rinsing.
It will smell vinegary when you're using it but the smell goes once your hair is rinsed.
This rinse acts as cleanser, detangled, conditioner and cowash for curly girls.
STORAGE
Like soap, our shampoo and conditioner bars like to dry out between uses. Leaving them sitting in a puddle of water will mean they will get soft and melt away so we don't want that.
You can sit them on a soap rack, place in a tin which has some holes in the bottom or stand them up on a little rack to keep their bottoms dry.
Mine just sits on the wire rack of the shower caddy and seems happy there.
For DIY soap rack ideas see our blog post.
FORMULATIONS
Our Shampoo and Conditioner Bars come in two formulations :
Moisturising - for dry/normal/curl hair types
Balancing - for normal/oily/frequently washed hair types.
If you're having trouble deciding which is best for you get in touch and we can help you find the right product for your hair.
kinfolksoap@gmail.com
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Time to have your mind blown people ! This soap is the most luscious, downright indulgent soap we have ever produced and that's saying something.
This moisturising, cleansing, all round amazing bar is loaded with fresh avocado. In fact we use two whole avocados per batch. Add to this a whopping amount of avocado oil, French green clay and fresh citrusy essential oils and you've got yourself a superstar soap.
So why is avocado so good for your skin ?
It contains lots of antioxidant vitamins A, D & E. These three vitamins affect the structural framework of skin cells. They improve suppleness of dry or aging skin and provide protection against free radical damage.
It also is a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids which help strengthen the integrity of your skin and shore up the natural protective lipid layer skin barrier. This helps your skin retain moisture and reduces the effects of skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
Avocado is high in a naturally occurring plant sterol called sterolin. Studies have shown that sterolin does a great job of softening skin and reduces the incidence of age spots.
This powerhouse fruit also contains lecithin and potassium which are beneficial for the skin and hair. Postassium is a key mineral for retaining moisture in skin cells and supporting that all important lipid layer of skin.
So, grab yourself some of our Super Lush Fresh Avocado Soap and try to include some in your diet too.
]]>Our Top 10 Best Sellers seem to stay consistent and that's why we keep making them for you.
Drumroll please ......
1. Blackberry, Vanilla & Honey - Like a smoothie for your bathroom. This soap is sweetly scented and is a huge hit with everyone from kids to grannies and everyone in between.
2. Quadruple Coconut & Raw Honey - the combination of coconut milk, coconut water, shredded coconut and coconut oil is nothing short of a big long drink for your skin. Add to that a splash of or very own Kinfolk raw honey and you've got yourself a very nice soap.
3. Raw Honey & Oat - Classic, good for your skin, made with honey from our hives and house made oat milk.4. Lavender - we makes lots of variation of lavender soap and they are always a hit.
5. Lulu's Lather - All the parents, including the ones in our family, swear by this gentle, soothing soap for our sweet little people.
6. Chai - Once you try chai there's no going back. Warm, true to it's name. spicy.
7. Champagne Pear - this soap smells so fresh and zingy. It's a pure white bar and we think people just love a classic sometimes.
8. Raspberry Coconut & Cacao - sweet, luscious and a little bit chocolatey. You know you want it.
9. Rose & Clay - Classic, cleansing, gently, nourishing.
10. Lemongrass - it's refreshing and if you close your eyes you can pretend you're in Bali
So, there you have it. Let us know which soaps are your favourites.
]]>Don't be alarmed - this is a good thing. Naturally made, cold process soap contains lots of glycerin. Glycerin is a by product of the soap making process. It is a humectant meaning it attracts moisture. The water, or as the more delicate describe it 'Glycerin Dew', is not coming from your soap but is being drawn out of the air. This same glycerin is one of the many reasons why our soap doesn't leave your skin feeling dry and itchy.
The best way to deal with this is to simply wipe your soap with a towel or place in front of a fan. If it is the soap you are currently using it's getting wet a lot anyway. If it's the soap you are storing for later use it's a good idea to try to place it somewhere well ventilated, standing on it's end so as much air can get around it as possible. It doesn't affect your soap in any way, it can just be a bit messy. Keeping your soap as dry as possible, at any time, not just during humid or rainy weather, ensures that your soap continues to cure, dry out and harden making for a longer lasting bar.
If you live somewhere tropical or are in an El Nino time it can be helpful to place your soap in a container with some moisture absorbing sachets to get you through the very damp days.
To care for the soap you are currently using, place it on a soap rack of some sort so it can dry as much as possible between uses. It doesn't have to be fancy, although if you have lovely soap it's nice to sit it on something glamorous.
You can purchase soap racks from us or pick one up next time you're shopping. If you're inclined to make something of your own, save a few dollars and not contribute to more landfill then we have you covered.
Your soap rack has one role - to keep your soap from sitting in a puddle of soap melting water. To that end you can use just about anything. A container lid with some sturdy rubber bands criss crossing creating a little hammock for your soap, a plate with some rocks that the soap can sit atop or some twigs creating a bridge for your favourite suds. (See pic)
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Where I'm heading with this is that I wish we could have Smello-Vision for our soaps. It's so hard to describe their fragrance and honestly, I rarely do it justice. It all sounds so flowery and overblown. I looked at a few other soap sellers to see how they got their smells across and stumbled upon this doozy...
"Scent : The Rollright Stones of ancient Oxfordshire. Wishes hang from a Cananga tree, dried mandarin peel from spells cast long ago sit beside the king stone, and patchouli leaf softly smoulders in an earthenware bowl casting aromatic smoke rings through the hedgerows."
Oh-kaaayyy. I still don't know what it smells like.
So until we get Smello-Vision or my powers of description improve I am just going to hope you get my meaning and that you feel free to contact me if you need more information.
While I try very hard to make our soaps beautiful to look at, the scent is the thing that really does it for me. I am often asked which soaps are my favourites so here is my Kinfolk Top Ten (in no particular order, please don't make me choose...)
1. Vanilla Patchouli & Sandalwood. This was one of the first soaps I made that I truly loved and I still use it all the time now. It's the one I give to friends when they need a lift. It smells soooooo good. Earthy, sweet, woody.
2. Chai. This spicy little number always makes me swoon.
3. Yuzu. Who doesn't love a fresh, citrusy, weird Japanese grapefruity kind of scent ?
4. Salt Spa Bar. Lots of essential oils in this one - lavender, lemon, orange, ylang ylang, frankincense, Himalayan salt, lemon zest, rose petals. Say no more.
5. Lulu's Baby Bastille. I made this soap especially for my very own little grand baby. This child makes my world sing and I can never be anything but happy when I am with them. Now you know why it's a favourite.
6. White Tea. Fresh fresh fresh
7. Gardener's Soap. I love my garden. I love growing all the herbs that go into our soaps. I love my chickens mooching around my feet. I love grubby hands and all things green so at the end of a day like that you need Gardener's Soap. It feels wholesome and good.
8. Bloom. This one is also crazy full of essential oils - pear, orange, lemon, peony, grass, jasmine, ylang ylang. Then it's topped with zillions of dried petals.
9. Multi Purpose Soap Flakes. Because this humble soap makes my life easier. I use it in the laundry, kitchen, to clean bathrooms. It means no plastic bottles of weird chemicals and I feel like a righteous eco warrior whenever I use it.
10. Coconut. This soap looks so simple but it leaves your skin feeling soooo good.
So there it is, our top ten.
But I've made one I've called Festival Soap and I think once it's ready to use it's definitely going to have to bump someone off the list...
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Many of our Kinfolk products contain botanicals sourced directly from this very garden. We grow organically with no pesticides or chemicals coming anywhere near our plants.
So why and how do we use them ?
Flowers and herbs have been used for hundreds of years to treat all sorts of ailments. We us them to calm inflamed skin, to help support skin healing, as a safe and effective treatment for everything from eczema to nappy rash.
For naturopathic use we harvest at the optimal time, dry them completely then infuse them in the sun over several months in extra virgin olive oil to extract their healing and medicinal properties.
We use them to naturally colour our soap.
And last but not least, for their gorgeous scent.
Our herbs are waste free from start to finish. We seed save from the year before's crop, we plant in our chemical free, organic soil, we dry them in the sun using no gas or electricity and once we have extracted everything we can from them we compost anything left on site and it eventually goes back into the soil to start the process over again.
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Do you want to reduce your waste/plastic use, avoid toxic harsh chemicals ?
Are you sick of sulphates, ammonia, bleach, harsh detergents ?
Is it time to feel like a complete environmental superhero ???
We have you covered !! Read on ....
Our Natural Soap Flakes are made using only natural plant oils and soap nut liquid. They are palm oil free, cruelty free, paraben free, sulfate free, detergent free, biodegradable & vegan. And best of all... they work !
Soap nuts are the seed pod of a berry from the Sapindus Mukorossi or Soap Nut tree, which is opened and dried in the sun, producing a sticky, dark golden shell. These shells (known as ‘soapnuts’) contain a very high percentage of saponins and a natural surfactant which breaks down dirt and oils. They are completely natural, biodegradable and we have been using them in our home for years.
We steep soap nuts in water over days to extract these natural cleaning agents and use it to make our soap. It is then left to cure for up to eight weeks, grated into flakes and ready to be used.
Unlike other soap flakes on the market, ours are not just the offcuts of other soaps we make. Our soap flakes are formulated to be safe for dishwashing and cleaning and contain nothing synthetic at all. They are also super concentrated so a little goes long way.
No synthetic fragrances
No synthetic colours
No harsh detergents
No bleach, ammonia, brighteners
No phosphates
No plastic bottles
Chemicals used in conventional detergents can leave a residue on our clothes and linens that can easily be absorbed by our skin. Anyone who has suffered with eczema, allergies or dermatitis can tell you how much these chemicals can irritate.
Every time we do a load of laundry with conventional detergents, we are putting ourselves in contact with chemical we would never dream of using on our bodies. Have a look at the ingredients list on your washing detergent and it might give you a scare.
These chemicals also have an impact on our environment. Detergents that end up in our waterways are toxic to aquatic life, not to mention the plastic bottles they come in. Conventional detergents also contain phosphates, sulfates, ammonia, naphthalene, phenol, optical brighteners, EDTA, and more. These chemicals can be harmful to our health as well as have long term toxic effects on the environment.
It's important to consider the amount of energy, natural resource and waste that is involved in the mass production and transportation of plastic packaged, chemical detergents. Making a simple switch to soap flakes contributes to your health and the health of the environment in so many ways and is so easy to do.
It also saves you a tonne of money !
Use about 25 grams (a very small handful or large tablespoon) of natural soap flakes for top or front loading washing machines.. These flakes can be used in both hot and cold water. Our soap flakes contain lemon essential oil so make your clothes smell great. If desired, you can add a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil for their antibacterial properties.
Washing is clean. Clothes smell great. No chemicals on you or in the environment. Win !
Use 1 tablespoon of our soap flakes in a sink filled with warm water, stirring until bubbles form. Soak and agitate garments in soapy water then rinse.
Dishwashing :
Add 20 grams to a sink of running water.
OR
If you prefer using dishwashing liquid you can dissolve soap flakes in hot water at a ratio of 1:4 and keep in a bottle to use as needed.
*Not recommended for dishwashers
Household Cleaning Gel :
Mix equal parts of boiling water and soap flakes into a container and stir until flakes dissolve. Leave to cool. The mixture will form a thick paste which can be used for washing kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Use as you would a usual household cleaner.
If you prefer a spray product simply dilute with more water.
For many years I used calendula naturopathically in teas, creams and tinctures to treat sore throats, reduces fevers and ease muscle cramps.
It's now an integral ingredient in many Kinfolk products. It started with making my own infused calendula and chamomile oils to create nappy cream for my little grand baby. It was so effective that it has now been incorporated into soaps, face cleansers and other creams.
Traditionally it was thought that the calendula plant would flower only on the first day of the month which lead to its name, which in Latin means 'little calendar'.
Medicinally, calendula has five main compounds which provide the soothing, healing and restorative skincare properties we love in our products.
Our calendula is grown organically in our garden in the Blue Mountains. We harvest the flowers at their peak and dry them slowly, using no artificial heat, to maximise their medicinal properties. The petals are then removed from the flower heads and steeped in extra virgin olive oil for up to six months. We use this infused oil to make soaps, creams and baby balm.
The calendula plant is a great addition to vegetable gardens. It repels pests like aphids and attracts beneficial bugs. Once it finishes flowering the plants are chopped up and dug back into the soil or composted. It's the ultimate no waste, good for you, good for the garden plant.
Calendula is great for soothing dry skin, easing the inflammation of psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis and is a miracle for nappy rash.
If you're interested in adding calendula to your skincare products you might like to try ...
Lulu's Baby Balm (not just for babies, this balm is perfect for treating eczema, dry skin and dermatitis)
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Soap
Cucumber & Hemp Soap
Lemon & Hemp Liquid Soap
Super Sensitive Bastille Soap
Facial Cleansing Bars
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Let's get this straight right off the bat - hemp oil soap has no THC or psychoactive properties so you won't find yourself failing a drug test if you use it.
What it does have is amazing cleansing, moisturising and soothing properties which work incredibly well in cold processed, traditional soap.
It is loaded with great stuff - moisturising essential fatty acids 3, 6 and 9 which mimic the fatty acid profile of skin. It also acts as an antioxidant slowing down skin damage from free radicals.
It won't clog pores and is great at balancing oil production so is helpful for both dry and oily skin types.
If you are looking for a moisture boost it is hard to go past hemp oil. It also works to calm inflamed skin and ease irritation so it can be helpful for conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Hemp oil soaps are also great as a shaving cream alternative especially if you use a brush to really get a thick lather happening.
Our hemp oil soap is so gentle that you can even use it on your face.
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Our soaps are made with high quality, ethically sourced oils and butters. They are naturally nourishing so no need to add 'moisturisers' or 'lotions' to our products.
Our soaps are special. We make them unique and like nothing you can buy in a supermarket. They smell great, feel lovely on your skin, are designed for beauty and function. We want you to have the best, most luxurious soap at an affordable price.
Kinfolk Soap | Commercially Made Soap |
Made with care in small batches |
Mass produced creating large amounts of environmental waste Excessive packaging, often plastic |
High quality, ethically sourced, traceable oils - olive, coconut, rice bran, almond oil, shea, cocoa butter, macadamia nut oil, hemp seed oil |
Cheap, low grade oils. Often not traceable or ethically sourced |
Naturopathically formulated for every skin type - babies, skin conditions, dry, oily, mature skin. |
Stripped of moisturising benefits of oils to make for easier packaging and shelf life, these soaps aren't really great for anyone. |
No Parabens, Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate, SLSA, Metheylisothiazoninone, Triclosan, Methylchloroisathiazolinone, Cocamidopropyl betaine |
High use of chemicals, hardening agents. Artificial colours and fragrances |
No synthetic detergents |
Synthetic surfactants, petrochemicals |
Naturally enhanced using essential oils, herbs & clays. | Artificial colours and fragrances |
Got up and showered using Kinfolk soap.
Cleaned the bathroom using spray cleaner made from Kinfolk soap offcuts.
Headed to the kitchen for breakfast then washed up using our Dish Washing Solid Bar.
Put on a load of washing using our Make Your Own Laundry Liquid.
Set the dishwasher to go with dishwasher detergent I make myself.
Did a little side hustle making some chilli sambal from some end of season jalapeños ,which I heat preserved in recycled jars.
The effect of all this is not to be smug but to say, having made the switch to using our own cleaning products and seriously auditing the amount of plastic we previously used, things feel pretty good. I did lots of things that many of us do everyday but it didn't require any trips to the supermarket, rubbish dump or recycling bin. And it's really easy !
We have been sold a bogus bill of goods by marketing companies that tells us to nuke our houses with chemicals and fake scents and then think they are clean. There are so many toxic chemicals in your average supermarket detergents and household cleaners. Using these products means your house is probably dirtier than before you started cleaning. Your home doesn't have to smell like fake lemon or eye watering bleach to be clean.
Our house and clothes are squeaky clean in the real sense. Making our own products means no harsh chemicals, no plastics to sit in landfill for thousands of years and a clear conscience. It also saves us a stack of cash that can be put toward things way more fun than stinky chemicals.
No more single use plastics, no more bins full of rubbish and plastic waste, more money in my pocket, house and clothes don't smell like a chemical factory. It's a big win for me, our family and the planet.
If you are trying to go plastic free this July (or forever - yay for you!), then starting with your own home and body is a pretty great place to launch in.
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We have been making our own laundry detergent, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, dishwasher detergent and household cleaners for ages now. Not only is it a lot cheaper, and more fun, but it also means we have avoided putting all those bottles and containers into landfill and nasty chemicals onto our skin or into our waterways.
When we thought about selling our laundry detergent we came up against the problem of finding low waste packaging solutions. Even glass bottles often come with plastic lids. Our reusable hessian bag and recyclable instruction tag makes good sense and saves you lugging all those heavy bottles home from the supermarket.
So here's our solution ....
Make Your Own Laundry Liquid Kits !
Making 4 litres of laundry liquid takes about five minutes and you get to feel all warm and fuzzy for supporting a small business, avoiding single use plastics, saving yourself from all those harsh chemicals usually found in detergents. You can also re-use one of those many bottles we all have at home already.
So how does it work ?
Simply pour the contents of the kit into a saucepan with one litre of hot water and stir over medium heat for a couple of minutes until everything dissolves. Pour this into your container and top up with three litres of cold water. Give it a good shake and you're ready to go. That's it .. super simple.
This is a concentrated mix so you only need 1/3 cup per normal wash or 1/2 cup for a grubbier load. This kit yields enough detergent for approximately 50 loads of washing meaning you're paying only 30 cents per load. Set your machine to eco and cold water and you're getting more environmental gold stars. Stand in the sun and hang it on the line, instead of using the dryer, and your brownie points are skyrocketing. We don't use chemical emulsifiers or stabilisers so you will need to give the bottle a quick shake before use.
Kinfolk Soap laundry liquid is safe for all skin types, we even use it for our little Lulu's baby clothes. In an effort to be truly waste free we use Kinfolk Soap castille soap shreds, other ingredients sourced from a local co-op and essential oils to create this low tox blend.
Compare this to the ingredients on a premium (think $9.95 for 1 litre in a plastic bottle) supermarket detergent which costs around 90 cents per load....
Water, Alkyl Polyglycosides, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Oleate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Fragrance, Benzisothiazolinone, CI 61585.
So, give it a try and let us know what you think.
From our family to yours,
Catherine and Zoe
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They contain a generous amount of Himalayan pink salt and a much higher level of oils and butters.
Salt soaps are formulated differently to other soaps and have a high 'superfat' content which means, after all the soap making processes are done, there is a higher amount of moisturisers left in your bar.
Reasons to try a Salt Soap
1. They are exfoliating without being harsh to skin. We use very fine salt so these bars aren't scratchy but have a gentle exfoliating action.
2. They are super moisturising.
3. They draw out impurities and can be great for blemish prone skin.
4. They are anti-inflammatory so are perfect for conditions like eczema, psoriasis or dry skin.
5. They provide minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iodine, zinc and calcium to soothe irritated skin.
6. They have a fantastic bubbly rich lather that feels like skin lotion
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