Alesia Brubaker

Alesia Brubaker needed a volunteer for the next demonstration.
...
"OK, we need two tablespoons of the almond oil," Brubaker said as Hilborn followed the recipe.
...
At first glance, it'd be easy to believe that Brubaker, a librarian for the St. Joseph County Public Library, was teaching a cooking class in the LaSalle branch community room.

In a way, she was.But Brubaker was really showing a dozen women how to make their own soaps, lotions, lip gloss and other beauty products.

"There's a lot of stuff out there for people who might be interested," Brubaker said."And they must be interested lately, judging by the books that people are checking out on cosmetics and toiletries."

Of course, women have always made their own beauty products.
...
"She was making some soaps, and I kind of got interested in it through that," Brubaker said.After about 18 months of learning and refining her own skills, she decided to try to teach other women.

...
Most of the ingredients for making homemade beauty products are available locally, Brubaker said.A list of area stores included Harmony Market on Grape Road in Mishawaka, Down to Earth on Indiana 23 in Granger, and Herbs and Such in the Town & Country Shopping Centre in Mishawaka.

"It can be expensive initially," Brubaker said, adding that much of the cost can be recouped when making larger quantities of the items.

"The small bottles of essential oils cost about $8; the perfume oils are about $6 because they're not as concentrated," she said."Glycerin soap for a 12-ounce bottle runs about $8."

But for many people, she said, it's an investment in a hobby.

"There's a sense of accomplishment," she said, adding that women can personalize the products they create."I think people just like to try out new things, really.You have the recipes, but you can work with them and fiddle with them."

There's also a lot of Internet information on natural beauty products, she said.
...
"Yes, and cook it a little bit longer," Brubaker answered.