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Soaps and Scents Star at Sycamore Boutique

Posted by Laura Nelson on January 18, 2010

Angela Nielsen, Owner, Déese, The Sycamore Boutique

Angela Nielsen, owner of Déesse, The Sycamore Boutique, got into designing fragrances about six years ago. She was frustrated and unable to find fresh scents that she liked in body products. Nielsen researched fragrances and suppliers, and has sampled thousands of scents to create her custom collection of soy candles, shea butter soaps, and body products.

“I started out making soy candles,” says Nielsen, which quickly led to shea butter soaps, and then body creams and lotions. “Shea butter soaps are wonderful for dry skin,” says Nielsen. Dozens of delightful fragrances are available in the soaps. Florals include Gardenia, Yellow Rose, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Lavender, Lilac, Lily of the Valley and many more. That’s just the beginning–herbal scents star as well, with Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Green Tea, Hayride, Olive Blossom and Wood Rose among others. Fresh scents include Cucumber, Morning Dew, Irish Linen and more.

Besides shea butter soaps, the shop also carries glycerine soaps. One style is the soap-by-the-slice, and the other is rock soaps in a colorful assortment of gemstone designs.

Fire Opal soap

Scrub soaps are featured too, with loofah qualities in a variety of fragrances.

Finally, African Black Soap follows a recipe from the tribeswomen of Ghana. The base, roasted plantain leaves, cocoa pod shells, and oils is obtained from a dentist working with Doctors Without Borders (to help support women in Ghana). Raw shea butter is added, and the ingredients are cooked together so soap can be made into hard bars for resale. African Black Soap is said to deep clean skin, relieve acne, clear skin blemishes, prevent premature wrinkles and more.

“We ship soaps all over the country,” says Nielsen. “We do suggest that customers come in first to sample the fragrances when possible.”

Déesse, The Sycamore Boutique is at 321 W. State St. (Rte. 64) in Sycamore. (815) 899-9977. www.thesycamoreboutique.com