Formula Girls

Megan, Molly and Christine dive into this minimal, eco-conscious conditioner bar featuring Cola®Lac SLB . Molly explains how this solid-format bar delivers rich conditioning and smooth comb-through without excess packaging or water. Christine shares her firsthand experience testing the bar and loving the results!

Megan and Molly discuss this sulfate-free waterless shampoo for quick cleanups and on-the-go touchups for your favorite pet. Molly discusses this biobased, dense-foaming shampoo that works in both pump-foamer and spray bottle. Includes some conditioning and anti-microbial properties. Megan has field-tested this formulation on her dog, Chata with excellent results!

Megan, Molly, Christine and Jim the Producer celebrate 100 podcasts together by reminiscing their favorite formulations, putting some general formulating questions before Molly and thinking back about how this all started. This is a special extended version that offers some interesting details about how formulating works in a chemical company R&D lab.

Megan and Molly talk about this gentle, plant-based pet conditioner formulation that is simply prepared with a combination of nourishing coconut oil and a ready-to-use conditioner concentrate, Cola®Lac SLB . Megan talks about how shiny the conditioner left her dog's coat and that she wants to try it on her cat - who used to enjoy water but has become disinclined with being wet.

Molly and Megan talk about this high-biobased sudsy pet shampoo made from plant-based ingredients and specially designed with mildness in mind. pH balanced for your pet's skin, this cold-mix formulation builds a rich lather to clean a variety of coats. This formulation was field-tested at a local animal shelter (see our website for more details)!

Molly and Megan talk about Colonial's very own Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse formulation that cleanses and conditions without stripping away natural oils. Megan talks about her own very personal experience with this product and Molly does a deep dive into how it all comes together. *Spoiler* Listen to the end to hear about what kind of apples are used in this hair rinse!

Molly and Megan talk curls! And how to hydrate and strengthen curls without weighing them down by using this new palm-free, deep-conditioning hair mask. Molly goes deep to discuss how Colonial's products smooth and detangle, improve the feel and gloss, and reduce breakage. Megan (and other users) testifies it works for her! Formulation #1066 here.

Molly and Megan talk about making a sulfate-free dry tooth powder with Suga®Nate 160 Dry for cleansing with exceptionally low irritation potential and neutral flavor profile. Molly includes a lot of useful information about typical foaming, the procedure for including flavor and safety testing that's been done with the dry surfactant. Megan describes her experience using a tooth powder for the fir...

Molly and Megan describe this plant-based, purifying shampoo designed to free hair of built-up product residue and pollutants without over-drying. Non-irritating ingredients build a rich lather that effectively removes impurities. Molly goes into useful detail about building a foaming, viscous formula with sulfate-free properties. Megan talks about good hair days that follow purifying shampoo wash...

Molly and Megan talk about an easy-to-process pearled body wash that highlights safe, plant-based ingredients and effectively removes dirt, sweat, and excess oil without the use of harsh sulfates. Molly passes along some very helpful tips of formulating with these liquid blends including building viscosity and adding additional ingredients for a customized finished product. Features Suga®Det LSDG...

Molly and Megan discuss this sulfate-free toothpaste featuring Suga®Nate 160NC for cleansing, foaming, low irritation and neutral flavor. Molly gives a deep dive into how these tested ingredients work together to produce a pleasing, next-generation toothpaste.

Megan and Molly discuss how a little can go a long way and help reduce plastic along the way too. This formulation features plant-based, sulfate-free ingredients and is easily made with a cold process. Molly talks solids and ways to avoid bringing in water - helping to make this shampoo even more concentrated - and still keep typical viscosity for a shampoo.

Molly and Megan talk about this no-salt-added, foamy shampoo formulation that's been carbon tested at 90%! Using Cola®Det COCO and Poly Suga®Quat TM8610P , it provides rich lather with light conditioning. Molly describes how hemp-based Cola®Teric HBS helps to boost viscosity and Megan talks about her passion for Pomegranate.

Megan and Molly discuss this highly biobased face wash, designed with gentle, non-drying ingredients and easily made with a cold process. Both agree this formulation has a great fragrance and doesn't leave you tight-skinned. Features ultra-mild sulfate-free  Suga®Citrate L1C , foam-boosting Suga®Det LSDG , and skin-conditioning Cola®Lipid C .

Molly and Christine discuss this two-phase conditioner that's loaded up with nourishing oils, a palm-free conditioning aid and Quaternium-80 for silky locks and enhanced shine. Doesn't weigh down hair or make it greasy and features an all-new nature-scented fragrance!  Also great for coarser or curly hair.

Molly and Christine talk about this plant-based balm that features detoxifying kaolin clay and moisturizing butters to melt away makeup, dirt, sunscreen, and anything else when you're feeling lazy. This oil-based alternative cleanser comes as a solid and doesn't strip the skin.

Christine and Molly talk about this detoxifying black lava sea salt and fresh sugar scrub using low-irritation, sulfate-free ingredients. The formulation creates a foamy lather that allows for an easy, clean rinse-off. Molly and Christine discuss personal dislikes for scrub applicators.

Molly and Christine set aside the bottle and head to the bar to talk about this quat-free, eco-conscious conditioner that leaves hair soft, bouncy and doesn't "glob up" like others. Features palm-free ingredients and doesn't require a bottle. Molly personally recommends this bar from frequent use.

Molly and Christine discuss a new mask formulation that comes in powdered form, mixed easily and water and creates a mild foam when rinsed off. This episode also is featured here in video on YouTube .

Christine and Molly talk about a highly-concentrated hand wash formulated with ultra-mild, plant-based ingredients for use in refillable bottles, allowing for reduced plastic waste. Christine recites the longest INCI list in the history of podcasts and Molly gives a hint about more formulations to come!

Molly and Christine talk about this PEG-Free, Sulfate-Free foaming oil face wash that transforms into a creamy milk with water. Gentle foam lifts away dirt without stripping skin and leaves it silky smooth. Molly discusses how oil cleaners use "like dissolves like" and Christine throws in a great suggestion for use.

Christine and Molly talk about this sulfate-free AHA facial cleanser that gently removes dead skin without harsh abrasives. Molly discusses the higher biobased content in this cold-mix formulation that foams, thickens easily and is ready-to-go in a pump bottle.

Christine and Molly talk about an indulgent, bubbly bath bar that's more than just a fizzy color show. Sulfate-free surfactants used to make foam along with the inclusion of both Epsom and Himalayan Pink Salt - and doesn't leave a slick oily ring around the tub! 

Christine and Molly discuss a calming lavender face wash made with safe, mild, and effective ingredients to give you a clean slate. Featured ingredients include Cola®Det EQ-18 and Cola®Teric OAB for a sulfate-free, economical cold-mix formulation. Molly goes into detail about how fragrances can affect viscosity.

Molly and Christine talk about getting rid of unwanted odor in hair (both human and pet) with this formulation featuring a gentle, creamy lather. This is not a formulation packed with fragrances to mask any malodors - it features Soyethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate to neutralize specific organic molecules and remove bad smells. Podcast mascot Chief approved!