Let’s start with this: I’ve always made soap I was proud of. Safe, high quality, and full of ingredients I felt good about using (and sharing with actual humans).
But over time, I started looking a little closer at what went into those ingredients. You know how it goes—you read one article, watch one too many crunchy YouTube videos, and suddenly you’re side-eyeing your mica drawer like it owes you money.
That’s when I realized it was time for a change. Not because what I was using was bad—but because I wanted to go one step further.
From “Good” to “Even Better”
When I first started making soap, I used some seriously nice fragrance oils—phthalate-free, skin-safe, and a far cry from the harsh stuff you find in mass-produced products. And they smelled amazing.
But the longer I worked with natural ingredients (and goats, because of course), the more I wanted to simplify. To let the real, earthy scents of essential oils and natural colorants shine through.
So, I did what any reasonable person with too many goats and not enough free time would do—I tore it all down and started over.
Now, instead of lab-created scents and sparkly micas, I’m using things that feel a little more down-to-earth—clays, herbs, spices, charcoal. Basically, if it can naturally stain my countertops, I’m probably putting it in soap.
The “Why” Behind the Switch
It’s not about fear or fads—it’s about alignment.
My goats eat real food. My garden grows real veggies. My coffee is… well, real caffeinated.
So it just made sense that my soaps should reflect that same idea of simple, natural goodness.
And look, I totally get that natural ingredients aren’t everyone’s jam (or soap, as it were). There’s no judgment here—if you love a good fragrance oil that smells like birthday cake or moonlight magic, please enjoy it with enthusiasm.
This change just felt right for me, my brand, and my slightly chaotic farm life.
What’s Next
Everything I make—from soap to lip balm to the new tallow balms—will now be 100% natural. No fake fragrances, no synthetic colorants, just ingredients I can pronounce (and probably grow or milk).
It’s part of my ongoing “when you know better, you do better” phase—which, let’s be honest, should probably be the farm motto by now.
The Bottom Line
Straw In My Bra has always been about real life, not perfection. Real homestead, real goats, real soap. This shift just brings me a little closer to that ideal—one bar at a time.
And if you’re along for the ride—whether you’re fragrance-free, full-fragrance, or somewhere in between—you’re absolutely welcome here. Just know the chaos is part of the charm.