FAQs

FAQs

 

We have compiled a list of questions that we are frequently asked.  If you have a question that doesn't appear here, please email us and we will do our best to help you.

 

COURSES

 


Are you affiliated to any other companies?

We work closely with a number of companies who endorse, promote or even sell our products. We have also been awarded the prestigious #SBS membership by Theo Paphitis. 

perfumery art schoolGuild of Craft Soap & Toiletry MakersSBS winner

 

 

IFRA_UKfragrance_foundation_uk

We are also consultant members of IFRA and The Fragrance Foundation.

 

So if I have my course certificate, can I then sell my products?

Nearly, but there are other steps you need to take before you can sell your products. Your course will give you the skills, knowledge and experience required to make the products, but each of your product formulations will need to be safety assessed by a cosmetic chemist to ensure that what you propose to make is safe to go on the skin. There are other obligations that you will be expected to undertake as part of your manufacturing responsibilities and our Cosmetic Legislation course explains all the steps you need to take. We offer this as a workshop or as a home study programme.

 

Do my candles and home fragrance products need to be certified/safety assessed?

No - but they will need to reflect the CLP (Classification, Labelling & Packaging) information on the product label.  This means that you will need to have a technical document (CLP SDS) for the fragrance blend used in the product.  This document also contains the information that you will need to display on the product label.  If you purchase the oils for your blend from Plush Folly then we can arrange to have the CLP SDS created for you for a small fee.

 

What certificate do I get for doing the courses?

We issue certificates on parchment paper with an embossed seal. These are dated and signed according to when you complete your course.  For UK students taking our home study courses, these certificates are issued and posted free of charge. For overseas students we will email you a PDF version of the certificate but you may request a hard copy to be posted to you if you agree to pay the postal charges.

We do not automatically print certificates for students attending our workshops but these can be requested in advance of the course for collection on the day, or you can pay postage ad we will send them to you.

All certificates posted to the UK are in protective hard backed envelopes.

 

Do you offer discounts?

Yes we offer a discount to those who are studying their second, third and subsequent eLearning courses with us.  Click here for further details.

 

When can I start my eLearning course?

As soon as your payment has cleared you will be emailed a link to the course notes so you can commence your studies straight away.

 

How long do I have to complete my studies?

Please see the individual course description on our website to see how long your course access and support period lasts for.

 

What happens if I cannot complete the course in the scheduled timeframe?

If you wish to extend your course you may do so for a fee providing the original end date is no more than 12 weeks previous.  We encourage you to download your course materials so that you can still access them after the course access period has expired.

 

What happens if I forgot to download my course materials?

Ooops.  Please do take the time to download them when you first access your course.  If you email us with your original order number and course details, we can arrange to have the notes sent to you up to six months after your course expiry date.  An admin fee applies.

 

What do the eLearning courses cover?

Please see the individual course description on our website to see a description of the course and it content.

 

Do you provide raw materials to go with the eLearning courses?

No but we do have support packs for some of the courses which contain a variety of ingredients.  Your tutor will alsways be happy to recommend a supplier for an ingredient that you require.

 

How do I get support during my course?

Our 'Complete Guide to...' courses are fully supported and you will have email access to a tutor.  Details of how to access your course tutor will be in the welcome letter sent to you with your course notes.   If you have purchased a self-study course support is offered via our eConsultancy offerings (fees apply).

 

Do I need to take a test at the end of the course?

If you purchased the 'Complete Guide to...' course then you will need to complete an online test and send us your completed course assignment.

If you purchased a self-study module course then you are not expected to take a test. 

 

I am not a student but I do have some questions I'd like to ask about my product development

Please check our eConsultancy offerings as we may be able to help you via this route.

 

More questions and answers re. our eLearning courses.

 

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ON THE PLUSH FOLLY WEBSITE

What is the difference between essential oils, fragrance oils and aroma chemicals?

Essential oils are natural and processed from part of a plant.  Our essential oils are 100% natural and are undiluted.

Fragrance oils are man-made synthetic oils made to smell like their natural counterpart.  They are made of a blend of aroma compounds.

Aroma chemicals (also known as aroma compounds) are individual molecules that are the building blocks of perfume.  Each individual molecule has an aroma profile and characteristics of its own.  These can be blended with other aroma chemicals to create a perfume as well as being blended with essential oils and/or fragrance oils.

 

Are your oils skin-safe?

All our oils are suitable for use in cosmetic products but they must not be applied to the skin in the undiluted form.

 

Can your oils be used in candles and home fragrance products?

Yes all our oils can be used in canldes and home fragrance products as well as in cosmetics and perfumes.

 

Can you provide me with the technical documenation for your oils?

Yes, we can provide you with SDS, IFRA Conformity and Allergen documents.  Please email us your request.

 

Do you sell larger sizes of the products on your website?

For larger volumes of ingredients, packaging and bottles, please email us with your requirement so that we can send you a quote.

 

Some of your aroma oils say that they are restricted for postage.  What does this mean?

The restrictions are imposed on us when we need to ship the oils to you.  If your order can reach you by road then there are no restrictions.  If the order needs to be sent to you via air freight then we are restricted to the size of individual oils and the total volume of oils in one package.  Please see our 'Restrictions' page for more details.

 

 

RECIPES & MAKING PRODUCTS

Do you have any recipes I could use?

We have listed some recipes on our website to give you a flavour for making cosmetics. If you attend one of our courses or take a home study programme you can learn how to design your own recipes.

 

Do you have any product making videos I could watch?

Yes, we have links to a range of videos on our recipe pages. 

 

What do I need to do to include a natural SPF in my creams?

If you wish to sell your product as a sun protection product then your product will need specific im vitro testing which will cost in the region of £5,000. Products such as shea butter, zinc, titanium dioxide all have natural SPF, but not sufficient for you to be protected from the sun for any great length of time. There are purpose-made synthetic sun protection ingredients, but careful research should be carried out to make sure that these ingredients are compatible with your other ingredients. No matter which you use, your product will still require testing before it can be sold legally.

 

How do I make shea butter into a lotion?

Any oil or butter can be made into a cream or lotion by blending it with water and an emulsifying ingredient. Since it contains water, it will also require a preservative if you wish to have a shelf life beyond a few days. See our skin care and body care recipe pages for ideas and recipes.

 

What does usage rate mean?

Usage rate is usually printed on the label of the ingredient and may also be found on the SDS. It is an indication of the minimum and maximum amount of that particular ingredient that you should include in your product. It is usually expressed in %.

 

How can I calculate percentages?

Click here to purchase the Plush Folly guide to calculating percentages. 

 

How can I calculate the shelf life of my products?

Click here to  purchase the Plush Folly guide to calculating the shelf life of your products. Your cosmetic chemist will also be able to advise you on the recommended shelf life of your finished product.

 

Will you help me formulate products?

We do not offer this service as we feel it conflicts with supporting our students who are also designing products as part of their eLearning assignment.  

 

 

 

DELIVERY & PAYMENT


What are your delivery charges?

Our delivery charges start at £6.25 (plus VAT) and go up according to the weight of your parcel. It is possible to see the delivery charges before you commit to finalising the order. Just add the items to your shopping bag, select delivery destination and the system will calculate the costs for you before you pay.


How quickly will I receive my order?

We aim to dispatch on the same day as the order (Monday - Thursday only) providing we have received your order before 1pm. If you are in the UK (excluding highlands and islands) then your order will hopefully be delivered the next day although this is entirely dependant on the courier service or Royal Mail fulfilling their role. If you are out when the courier calls, the courier company will contact you to rearrange delivery. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.


Do you charge VAT?

Yes we charge VAT at the prevailing rate of 20% unless you are in a VAT exempt country. This will be added to your trolley when checking out.


Where are your terms and conditions?

Click here to go directly to our terms and conditions page.


Can I pay by credit card?

You can pay securely by card online.


What payment types do you accept?

We accept bank transfer, PayPal and credit/debit cards.