What ingredients are in your soap? Shampoo? Deodorant?
Some may just purchase what’s on sale or what their mother used at the store, just like Sheila Allen did prior to 2014. But, when Allen learned what was in her deodorant, she decided to make some changes in what she buys.
“At first, I was just trying to make a more natural antiperspirant/deodorant that was aluminum and paraben free but was still effective,” Allen said. “This led me to start reading and researching what ingredients were in our everyday products and the alarm bells started going off.”
The two-time cancer survivor and newly-named “Nana”, Allen set out to find a way to make more natural self-care products with less chemicals for herself and her family.
“I did a lot of research on suppliers and what they stand for,” she said. “I always try to make sure that I know where ingredients come from. For example, our palm oil is sourced from independently certified farms in South America who are committed to sustainable agriculture practices and do not engage in deforestation. We do not use genetically modified (GMO) ingredients in any of our products.”
Allen’s line of hand-made soaps, skin and hair care products, and products for babies and children took off.
She started selling to friends, who referred other friends to buy naturally-scented products for men, women, children and pet owners to Sheila’s Creations.
“Things have changed so much since the beginning,” Allen said. “I am always researching and trying to ensure that I am always using the best practices and quality ingredients to create my products.
“We are continuously adding new products. Our Men’s line has grown every year and this year we added MBP (Men’s Body Powder) along with Shampoo Bars and an All-natural Lotions. We have also added the Vegan line.”
Through research, Allen learned that many soaps and lotions use tallow, the product rendered from animal fat.
“I have some family members that are vegetarians and it just didn’t make sense that they would want to use soap that contained this as ingredient,” she said. “I also wanted a place that would have something for not only vegetarians but for people who were also vegans.”
With a little something for everyone, Allen also offers gift baskets for every occasion:
Some of Sheila’s Creations featured premade gift baskets include:
Women’s Gift Basket
Rosemary and Peppermint Shave Butter, Foaming Bath Salts, All-Natural Lotion, Bubble Bath, Goats Milk and Honey Bath Soap, 3 Bath Bombs, Mango Body Butter, Lavender and Activated Charcoal Face Soap
Mommy to Be Basket-ontains natural products that are safe for expectant mothers and babies. All-Natural Bath Soak, Breast Feeding Boobie Butter, Natural Belly Butter. All-Natural Shave Butter. Goats Milk and Honey Soap.
Baby Shower Basket – contains natural products that are safe infants and children. Baby Wash, Sleepy Time Bubble Bath, Baby Massage Lotion, Soothing Baby Bath Powder, Sleepy Time Baby Lotion, Baby Bottom Diaper Cream, Lamb shaped Baby Soap and a Baby shaped Baby Soap.
Outdoorsman Basket
Hunter’s Soap (smells like dirt), Bug Be Gone Spray, Bug Balm and Lemon Soap for the Fishermen.
Complete Beard Care Gift Set
Sandalwood Beard Wash, Sandalwood Vanilla Beard Oil, Beard Balm and Beard Brush
Men’s Shaving Set
Men’ Shaving Puck, Sandalwood Vanilla Mustache Wax, Mountain Pin Soap
Dirty Dog Basket
Dirty Dog Liquid Shampoo and Dirty Shampoo Bar, Dirty Dog Nose and Paw, Dirty Dog Spritz
Other Premade Baskets
Breath Easy Gift Set, Pampering Face Gift Set, Men’s Skin Care, Bag of Bath Bombs, Men’s Essential Gift Set and More….
Customers can also build their own basket by specifying the products to be included or offering a basket theme with some additional, general information.
A customer can also build their own basket. They can either specify the exact products that they would like included or they can let me know what type of basket they are looking for and some scents that they like and I will put one together for them.
Allen’s attention to detail and desire to offer a quality service has drawn in customers from North Carolina to California.
“(I) can ship anywhere in the US,” Allen said.
As pandemic-related mitigations are lifted, Allen is excited to return to the Homer Farmer’s Market in May and, perhaps, the Covered Bridge Festival in the fall.
“I love knowing that I am making a quality product that is safe for humans, animals and the environment and that my customers can feel good about what they are putting on their body,” she said.
