A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 6, Issue 23
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1. IBN Member Update: Welcome New & Renewing IBN Members!
2. Happy Birthday Members!
3. Subscribe to the Handmade Beauty Business Magazine!
4. Handmade Beauty Recipe: Herbal After Shave Tonic I
5. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question: win a copy of the Handmade Beauty Cookbook!
6. Featured Article: Grooming Is Booming: dM's Father's Day Gift Guide

Birthdays mark special occasions! No matter what your age, if you have been blessed to live another year, it is cause for celebration. Make every day count! And for those of IBN members who are celebrating birthdays this month, on behalf of all of IBN and the handmade beauty community, I wish you lots of joy and happiness on your special day! Here's a list of our June member birthdays and their businesses, with website links, plus a look at an interesting product I found while surfing at their sites (where applicable).

6/2 - Anna Golub, Nature From Europe
6/3 - Deborah Abdulla, Indigo-Daisy-Shack, Indigo Butter Scrub
6/4 - Peggy Deutsch-Knutson, Sinjin & Sage Handcrafted Soap
6/5 - Elizabeth Savard, Thimbleberry Hill Soapworks
6/7 - Jane Pitte, Sheer Miracle, Miracle Repairing Oil (discount on mineral make-up for IBN members!)
6/9 - Marsha McCarthy, Marsha's Cajun Bubbles
6/9 - Randi Aldridge, Cloud Nine Candle and Bath Company, Basil Lime Soap
6/11 - Fae Alonso, The Body Bar Spa and Sanctuary
6/12 - Marcia Elston, Samara Botane, Lemon Balm/Red Raspberry Body Vinegar
6/16 - Susan Soros, Soap Goddess Handmade Soap Company, Australian Mud Masque Soap
6/20 - Erica Shrader, Berkshire Butter Company
6/22 - Demetria Zinga, Herbal DeeScents
6/25 - Lorrie Beach, Canterbury Cabin, Chamomile Soy Candle
6/29 - Lynne Norder
6/29 - Cathryn Swan, B-girl Aromatherapy

It's almost here!

That's right! The premier issue of The Handmade Beauty Business Magazine is in production now! Articles are being written, inside design layout is being created, pictures are being taken -- and as of today, subscriptions are being accepted!

You can subscribe to the world's only full-color print special interest publication serving readers who demonstrate an interest in improving their homes and family life by creating and/or selling handmade beauty products such as soaps, lotions, candles, fragrances and aromatherapy products!

And remember -- if you're an IBN member, your subscription is included in your membership -- because membership has its privileges!! To find out more, click here!!

Herbal After Shave Tonic I was a favorite of many men at Maria Grace Bath Shop in the mid-90's. It takes a while to make, but you have plenty of time to infuse the herbs and get a batch ready by Father's Day!

When you visit MakeYourCosmetics.com, it's easy to buy the ingredients you need by clicking on our Selected Supplier links:

Last Week's Question: State the total number of bones that are contained within the fingers and toes of a healthy set of feet (2 feet) and hands (2 hands).

Last Week's Answer: 56

This Week's Question: In the opening scent of one of my favorite movies, Terms of Endearment (1983 -- I was not born when I saw the move in the theater), Aurora Greenway is putting her newborn baby in the crib for the night, but the baby is not crying. Aurora, turns out to be not a little bit neurotic, tells the baby's father that the baby must be dead since she's not moving. The father (not quite surprisingly) thinks otherwise and tells Aurora, "She's sleeping Aurora. Come to bed." Undaunted, Aurora practically climbs into the crib with her daughter, and proceeds to shake her until the child starts to cry. She then climbs out of the crib, straightens out her neat white suit and says, "There. That's better." If you've not seen Terms of Endearment, rent it with your girlfriends this summer. To win this week, state the full name of the baby's father, Aurora's husband.

State the total number of bones that are contained within the fingers and toes of a healthy set of feet (2 feet) and hands (2 hands).

In case you have been living under a rock for the past few years, I thought I'd tell you that cosmetics are not just for women anymore. Oh sure, there aren't many men who would be inclined to wear Fruity Shea Butter Body Brulee or Lovely Hands Lotion Balm! But if you took those same products and put them in a different container (more masculine of course), changed the color from pink to neutral and changed the names to Citrus Scrub & Groom and Industrial Strength Hand Bar, not a few good men might be inclined to pick it up and give it a try.

Not only is Grooming Booming in the larger cosmetics world, but it's also on the rise in the handmade beauty industry. IBN members are putting the men in their lives to good use by using them as their own personal low cost focus groups, and they are creating a wealth of goodies for the men in your life. I scoured IBN's member directory to bring you some of the ones that I found most intriguing -- some of them are on their way to my husband's bath sink as we speak!!

Everything your man needs (except the kiss from you!) to get out the door in the morning. Lotion, liquid soap, bar soap and after shave, all suited up in this reusable pouch. A gift ready for the giving from Silk'n Shea IBN member since 2002). $38.00

Gentlemen's Gift Basket
I gave this to my brother last year on his first Father's Day so I know from personal experience that it is a Winner! Gentleman’s Bar, Lavender Mint Shaving Syrup and Sandalwood Moisture Therapy provide a perfect solution for a gentleman’s skin care. From Essencia (IBN member since 2000). $29.50

The Well Dressed Man
Carol's Daughter is featuring several Father's Day Gift Sets, one of them The Well Dressed Man, body sprays in 4 "flavors," including fig, The Big Kahuna and Aloe Kiwi. And check out page 132 of this week's People magazine where Carol's Daughter's Mango Body Butter is featured as Jada Pinkett Smith's "addiction". From Carol's Daughter (IBN member since 2004). $59.95

Have A Great Week!!
Donna Maria
Editor, The Handmade Beauty Connection
The Indie Beauty Network | www.handmadebeauty.com

Copyright (c) 2000 - 2005 by The Indie Beauty Network (IBN) and Donna Maria. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction is prohibited. IBN does not necessarily endorse any product, event or ideology featured in The Handmade Beauty Connection (HBC) or on IBN's website. All information is provided on an "as is" basis and no express or implied warranties are given. Any use of the information contained in the HBC or on IBN's Web site, including Recipes, is solely at your own risk. IBN and Donna Maria disclaim any liability in connection with the use of all recipes, products reviewed and other information. Except for sponsorships, HBC refuses compensation from companies to feature or mention their names or products. Opinions expressed in any Product Review are personally those of the reviewer and do not represent the views of IBN, Donna Maria (unless she is the reviewer) or any other person or company.