Butters and Oils...Where Do You Get Yours

[Maelyssa]

I"d like to start experimenting with Butters and Oils.
Everything from shea to coconut and mango and sweet almond. I want to find what works for me and play around a bit BUT everything I seem to come across is someone else's mix that's really expensive.
I do have a business license so I'm really curious to hear about wholesale stuff that some of our hair business owners may work with. I have me and 5 long, curly haired daughters at home so we blow through stuff like there's no tomorrow.

Suggestions or links?

[renia22]

The quality of Mountain Rose Herbs products is fantastic:

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/wholesale.php

[breezefaerie]

That's good to know. I've been planning on making some lotion bars to give as gifts this holiday season and was wondering about the quality of the butters there.

[Chromis]

I've always just gone to hippie food stores! Much cheaper than paying shipping for mail order and many will let you buy in bulk and pick it up at the store here. I've never needed a wholesale type of amount though, so I am no help there. Things would go off before I finished them. One tub of coconut oil lasts me for years.

[wildkratt]

You should see if there are any Indian grocery stores near you. They have EVERYTHING for hair. I have a whole bunch of Pakistani stores around here (basically the same as Indian) and I could just get oils or henna from there.

[CurlyCap]

Amazon

I have a prime membership (no shipping costs) and can usually find just about anything at a decent price.

[Stray_mind]

I get my oils in the mall. I recently found a natural products' shop on the internet in my country, called "cleopatra bella". I bought castor oil from there. It works wonders on my eyebrows and eyelashes :) I haven't noticed any changes in my hair yet though...

[In2wishin]

My favorite sellers are:

http://www.camdengrey.com/
http://www.ingredientstodiefor.com/
https://www.soapandthings.com/default.aspx
http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/Soap-Making-Supplies.aspx
http://www.texasnaturalsupply.com/default.asp
https://www.thesage.com/catalog/fullcat.html

Each one has advantages and disadvantages. If you are just looking for oils and butters, I would go with Camden Grey, Wholesale Supplies Plus, or Texas Natural Supply. Camden Grey has a $25 minimum order. Wholesale Supplies Plus has no minimum, but free shipping for orders over $30 if they are going to the 48 contiguous states.

[jillosity]

I second Mountain Rose, I've been making organic vegan lip tints (also solid perfumes and hair balms, but offered seasonally) for many years and their quality is unparallelled.

[In2wishin]

I second Mountain Rose, I've been making organic vegan lip tints (also solid perfumes and hair balms, but offered seasonally) for many years and their quality is unparallelled.

I keep going to their website but just can't get over how high their prices are compared to other sellers for comparable items (almost double in many cases).

[jillosity]

I keep going to their website but just can't get over how high their prices are compared to other sellers for comparable items (almost double in many cases).

Most of their products are organic and/or fair trade, sometimes wildcrafted, and they're worth it. They also offer more obscure butters and oils. It depends on what you're making (and your target market for those who create to sell).

Be careful when buying butters because it's become a buzzword sort of ingredient, a big company called crafters choice is making all kinds of "made up" butters like "argan butter" which is just hydrogenated vegetable oil (aka crisco) with some argan oil. bad vibes!

[In2wishin]

Most of their products are organic and/or fair trade, sometimes wildcrafted, and they're worth it. They also offer more obscure butters and oils. It depends on what you're making (and your target market for those who create to sell).

Be careful when buying butters because it's become a buzzword sort of ingredient, a big company called crafters choice is making all kinds of "made up" butters like "argan butter" which is just hydrogenated vegetable oil (aka crisco) with some argan oil. bad vibes!

I am aware of all that which is why I used the word "comparable". When purchasing for my business, I research the company and the ingredients and compare apples to apples.

[nobeltonya]

I'm not sure about some of the other butters and oils, but I buy a 1L jug of pure coconut oil at an Indian grocery for like $6-7. And that lasts me at least 2 months, but I use it by itself.. you can also mix it with other oils. :disco:

[prettyinpink]

I use to get coconut oil for my skin from whole foods, then Mariano's, the I found its cheapest at Sam's :D

[mscm]

Iherb.com! The best:)

[renia22]

When purchasing for my business, I research the company and the ingredients and compare apples to apples.

Do you have a lot if various items you will be buying? Do you prefer to get them all in one place? Mountain rose herbs is more expensive for some items (I noticed they no longer have the regular jojoba oil, just the organic, which costs a pretty penny). Some of their items are comparable to other places (many of the other bulk oils, essential oils, clays), and some items cost less (many of the other oils; for example grapeseed is only $4.25 for 8 ounces; aloe $4.25 for 8 ounces), so it does tend to even out cost wise. I don't know if you are interested in tinctures or herbs, but those are not only potent & fresh, but the cost is very reasonable. You do have to pay for shipping, though, so I only order from them when I need a bunch of different things. The quality is superb, though, I really notice it when I stray & buy from other places. I also know some Herbalists who use them & swear by them. Don't know if overall it would be profitable for you to use them, or if you can get things cheaper?

[In2wishin]

Do you have a lot if various items you will be buying? Do you prefer to get them all in one place? Mountain rose herbs is more expensive for some items (I noticed they no longer have the regular jojoba oil, just the organic, which costs a pretty penny). Some of their items are comparable to other places (many of the other bulk oils, essential oils, clays), and some items cost less (many of the other oils; for example grapeseed is only $4.25 for 8 ounces; aloe $4.25 for 8 ounces), so it does tend to even out cost wise. I don't know if you are interested in tinctures or herbs, but those are not only potent & fresh, but the cost is very reasonable. You do have to pay for shipping, though, so I only order from them when I need a bunch of different things. The quality is superb, though, I really notice it when I stray & buy from other places. I also know some Herbalists who use them & swear by them. Don't know if overall it would be profitable for you to use them, or if you can get things cheaper?

re: what I highlighted. I use a fair amount of grapeseed oil and I pay $7.00 for 32 ounces at Ingredients To Die For or $9.00 for the same amount at Camden Grey. Both are good companies that carry high quality products. Their typical customer is more the larger production purchaser so their prices are lower.

When I have a larger order, what I do is fill shopping carts at all of my preferred sellers (including Mt Rose), then start tweaking by adding and subtracting items until I can get everything I need at the lowest overall cost to me that still gives me the quality I look for. I am willing to pay a little more for a specific item if I can order from fewer places and save on shipping. Some items are carried by only a few places, like kokum butter which is an essential in my lotions and babassu oil which I use instead of coconut oil because it is not comedogenic, and some are carried by everyone. I would love to be able to get all of my needs from one place, but it hasn't happened yet.

[renia22]

Wouldn't it be great if you could find one place that had good deals on most of your ingredients? Yeah, it sounds like shopping around is your best bet. I do love mountain rose herbs, but it would probably be tough to turn a profit on those prices.

[In2wishin]

Wouldn't it be great if you could find one place that had good deals on most of your ingredients? Yeah, it sounds like shopping around is your best bet. I do love mountain rose herbs, but it would probably be tough to turn a profit on those prices.

Yeah, it would be great. I expect to have to go to a different seller for my actives than I do for the basics like oils and butters but I would love to be able to get all of my basics one place.

ETA: I love Mt. Rose and think they are a great company. Purchasing from them just hasn't been practical for me yet.

[Shatam1]

I'm in Canada so the best place I found to buy butters ,and only butters because the rest I can find in Indian or Asian stores is; http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/index.php
They are the cheapest for Canadians and everything is top notch, quality and service.

[duchess67]

Thank you so much Shatam1 for the link. I too live in Canada, found that very helpful...went to that site and placed orders for some essential oils.

[In2wishin]

I'm in Canada so the best place I found to buy butters ,and only butters because the rest I can find in Indian or Asian stores is; http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/index.php
They are the cheapest for Canadians and everything is top notch, quality and service.

Have you ever tried http://www.voyageursoapandcandle.com/default.asp ? They carry a good selection of high quality products and I have had great service from them.

(Even though they are in Canada, their shipping to the US is not unreasonable and they are the best source I have found for Turkey Red oil, plus they have some nice packaging options)

[Shatam1]

Thank you so much Shatam1 for the link. I too live in Canada, found that very helpful...went to that site and placed orders for some essential oils.
U are very welcome Duchess67 :)I'm glad I was able to help ... Enjoy your shopping

[Shatam1]

Have you ever tried http://www.voyageursoapandcandle.com/default.asp ? They carry a good selection of high quality products and I have had great service from them.

(Even though they are in Canada, their shipping to the US is not unreasonable and they are the best source I have found for Turkey Red oil, plus they have some nice packaging options)
I find http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/index.php is much cheaper especially on the butters I use, it is virtually half the price on Shea butter and cocoa butter.. Check them out u will see what I mean. I looked and searched all over for anyone cheaper but couldn't find..and their service is amazing..shipping fees are reasonable considering they are already unreasonable in Canada LooooooooL :)

[kdaniels8811]

This is a bulk place but I really like Soapers Choice, they have great prices but you buy larger quantities. I just ordered 40 pounds of coconut oil for soapmaking.

[In2wishin]

I find http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/index.php is much cheaper especially on the butters I use, it is virtually half the price on Shea butter and cocoa butter.. Check them out u will see what I mean. I looked and searched all over for anyone cheaper but couldn't find..and their service is amazing..shipping fees are reasonable considering they are already unreasonable in Canada LooooooooL :)

I shop New Directions/US but have never ordered from them for the same reason I haven't ordered from Mt. Rose (never worked out to be an advantage).

I just remembered another place I have ordered from: http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/default.asp

[noludoru]

I've always just gone to hippie food stores! Much cheaper than paying shipping for mail order and many will let you buy in bulk and pick it up at the store here. I've never needed a wholesale type of amount though, so I am no help there. Things would go off before I finished them. One tub of coconut oil lasts me for years.

This! Whole Foods type stores. I got Argan oil and Jojoba oil from wegmans. I got my coconut oil from a friend. My castor oil was from WF.

[Maelyssa]

Wow so many great responses! I've been a bit busy but wanted to stop in to say thanks to everyone. I'm going to be surfing these sites in the next few weeks to place some orders. I'll let you know how it went.

[jonnaps]

I have lately ordered all my oils from iherb, because thay are really great products and cheap!

There's few I have ordered lately: Sheabutter, jojobaoil and coconut oil: http://www.iherb.com/tr/cb?pcodes=NOW-07758_HRP-83082_COC-02080

[MadeiraD]

I get mine off amazon