Hey,
Just a quick update today—I’m in full busy bee mode, recording new videos and typing up fresh formulas for everyone to enjoy! 🐝
I wanted to share a list of affordable beginner must-have equipment to help you follow along with the new formulas I'll be uploading soon. I’m also including one splurge piece of equipment for those looking to invest a little more into their formulation journey.
None of the links I’m sharing are affiliated. While I might consider that option in the future, it’s not something I’m comfortable with right now. When I recommend something, I want you to know it’s because I genuinely love and believe in it, not because I’m earning a commission.
Rest assured, I will never recommend anything just for the sake of making money. Your trust and support mean the world to me, and I would never take advantage of that. To me, recommending products just for commission feels dishonest, and that’s something I won’t compromise on.
NOTE: All prices with the links are in Canadian dollars.
BEGINNER MUST HAVE EQUIPMENT
1) Scale
2) Stainless Steel Bowls
you can buy these at your local Dollarstore for cheaper than Amazon sells them. You will need at least 2 for the oil and water phase of emulsions. The size you buy will depend on how much you decide to upscale formulations when you follow them.
3) Spatulas
4) Stick Blender
Note on Stick Blenders: DO NOT buy an expensive stick blender!! It makes zero difference in how it will emulsify your product. You have to rest your stick blender when using it or the motor will blow, no matter what brand you buy! Power on for 30 seconds, rest for 3-5 seconds, and repeat. I wasted so much money blowing motors on stick blenders before learning this trick. I bought a $15 stick blender that lasted me YEARS once I started resting the motor.
The first option I linked, I recently bought because I stained my white $15 blender that is still going strong. It was a good deal because you can use the frother attachment to blend mica pigments, and the whisk for small-batch anhydrous products.
5) Whisks + Mini Whisks
Note on Whisks: The mini whisks I attached are great! I love that they have a spoon on one end and a whisk on another. They last longer than stainless steel ones as well, which is a bonus! You can buy regular-size whisks at your local Dollarstore cheaper than you can on Amazon.
6) pH Strips
7) Beakers
Note On Beakers: The size beakers you chose with depend on how much you intend to upscale. If you are just getting started and only making products for personal (friends + family) use, then 500ml + 1000ml beakers will probably be your most used sizes. I really like the beakers will handles on them!! They come in handy when having to pour a hot oil phase into water. I have linked both glass and plastic beaker sets. Plastic ones are really affordable and are great to use when formulating products that don't require heat, they are also good for making slurries of humectants and gums.
8) Hand Mixer (For Anhydrous Body Butters, Anhydrous Scrubs, Bath Bombs)
Note on Hand Mixers: DO NOT spend a lot of money on a hand mixer!! The hand held ones all do the same job. If you plan to make large batches of anhydrous products, then a stand mixer is a good investment. I had a Kitchenaid years ago that I loved, and did an amazing job. Sadly when I left my ex husband, I was fleeing severe domestic violence and had to leave behind everything I owned. I purchased a much cheaper stand mixer a few years back and sadly it broke (and wasn't fixable) in less than 3 months.
NOTE: If you plan to use the double boiler method to heat your materials, you will need a pan with some depth to it.
8) Thermometers
Note on Thermometers: you will need at least 2 thermometers! Ingredients are heat sensitive and you have to heat/cook to specific temperatures to create a stable product.
OPTIONAL BUT HANDY
Hot Plates
Note on Hot Plates: I own 2 of the hot plates that I attached. While I was in school, my professor recommended ones from a catering supply for a more even distribution of heat. The more expensive ones also don't heat up as quickly. I could not afford $600 on hot plates, so I bought these. Yes, they heat up quickly! BUT, once I got used to them and learned to use them on lower settings unless I was making a huge batch, they worked great. I suggest buying the individual plates over the set that comes with two attached burners. Having separate burners gives you unlimited flexibility with bowl or beaker sizes since you generally have to heat simultaneously.
If you enjoy making cosmetics, are committed to learning more, or plan to open a small business, the next piece of equipment should be your first splurge investment! I will explain in depth in the note under the link.
SPLURGE INVESTMENT
Overhead Stirrer
Note on Overhead Stirrers: An overhead stirrer is a fantastic investment and should be the first piece of equipment you splurge on. I own both of the machines that I have linked. Some ingredients are sheer sensitive. Sheer sensitive means they have to be mixed with a specific type of equipment. They take the armwork out of mixing in phases, help minimize bubbles when working with surfactants, and help with mixing in your cool-down phase efficiently. If you have any questions on the differences in the machines linked, please don't hesitate to ask me.
DO NOT BUY THIS ONE , it's TERRIBLE!! Both of the ones I purchased stopped working within months of my owning them. I had to throw both out. They were such a disappointment and a waste of my hard-earned money. https://a.co/d/eogZNC8
I will post about advanced formulation equipment down the road.
I will do a post in a few weeks on non-essential but handy equipment for those that have a bit bigger start-up budget. I wasted a lot of money over the years, simply because I didn't know any better. I hope to save you money when and where I can!
PLEASE ASK ME QUESTIONS if you aren't sure about a purchase, ASK! I am happy to help answer any questions you have. When working with a start-up budget, I can confidently advise where your money is best spent.
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