Testing Beldi Soap

Not long ago, I was introduced to something called Beldi soap.

Rebecca, my colleague at Formulators Kitchen, has been making soaps for years and her interest in Beldi comes partly from her background, and partly from her insatiable desire to understand how things work. (Can you guess why we get along like a house on fire?)

Rebecca (who wrote this shampoo bar book with me) has just published a book about how to make Beldi soap. While she was developing formulas, she asked me if I would mind testing a few of the Beldi’s that are featured in her book.

Three guesses as to my reply.

A Bit About Beldi

Beldi is a type of castile soap originating in Morocco. If you have ever heard of or experienced hammam bathing then you probably already know Beldi soap. It is soft - almost jelly-like - and needs to be packaged in a tub or pot where the contents is scooped out.

Traditionally, the olive oil based soap is applied to moist skin using an exfoliating glove and is then massaged around the skin. It is then allowed to sit while enjoying a steam bath. Finally, the soap is rinsed off, leaving the entire body feeling refreshed and fabulous.

Rebecca told me it is traditionally enjoyed about once a week - kind of like a body mask.

What to do in an everyday home situation with no steam bath? Simply enter the shower or bathtub, apply Beldi, massage skin, then rinse off.

Rebecca's Beldi Soaps

Classic Beldi has a brownish color (like the swirl pictured top left above) one would expect to smell woodsy, but the scent is quite refreshing. Rebecca informed me that her soaps are all her own interpretations of Beldi soaps, so we're looking at a modern version of an age old classic.

I have fallen quite in love with this ‘new’ kind of soap and can’t decide which of this collection of self pampering beauties I like the best.

And because I couldn't possible wait A WHOLE WEEK between testing these, I've been using them daily. (tip: they are great for daily use too)

Rebecca's series of Beldi's incorporates various ingredients and scents - the picture at the top is just a few of the soaps that are going to be featured in her book - artfully arranged by yours truly for your viewing pleasure.

The Antioxidant Jelly Beldi has a deliciously fresh scent, and the Green Avocado Beldi is not only velvety soft on the skin but turns the rinsing process into an herbal spa experience.

There's even a Bling Beldi that has gold!

If you want to know more about Beldi soap and Rebecca's book, then visit her site, Botanical Formulations, right here, or pop straight over to the page where you can get your own copy of the Little Book of Beldi

Now excuse me while I pop off to the shower to finish testing these beauties.

Do Tell

Have you ever tried Beldi soap?

PS: Below is the book Rebecca and I wrote together. Click the picture to learn more.