Shampoo Range 洗头水

Health Fair 2009@ PWTC!. Part 1

This is a fair which took more than 6 months to plan. From the design down to promotion, as we were thinking to do what others would not do and to take in details that others would not notice. But still at the end due to time constraints, we pretty much cheated in some way.

We had 2 booths and wanted to large open spaces hence all the dividers were taken off. Since we were launching our new range of shampoo, we felt the message should be very clear, translating what Yuan's message for the shampoo range to the booth.

The result is something like this (for those who did not manage to visit us at the fair)

Background for the booth. Also part of our shampoo brochure. The rocks and the streams actually made up the word "xin/ 心” which means heart in Chinese. I did not notice the word till much later , I think I got distracted by the fishes swimming up stream. Yuan's words always reminded me to work with my "心”. While working on this brochure and background, we did not realise that we created 3 brochures with the word "心”, this was not on purpose but somehow, Yuan's works alway revolve around his heart.

Ok, out of topic here, but since we are on "心”， I received this earlier this morning from Taiwan, which literally translated to "Using my heart to thank you" (ok, not a very good translator too)

If I am not mistaken, this is something he wrote for the World's AIDS Day.

Soap Guide

Sishen Chinese herbs

BEST FOR MATURE SKIN

Eucalyptus

BEST FOR CLEARING MINDS

Wild Patchouli

BEST FOR HAND ECZEMA

Auspicious

BEST AS A LUCKY CHARM

Forest Pine

BEST FOR CALMING MINDS

Mandarin Orange

BEST FOR HAPPINESS

Cypress

BEST FOR ACNES

Lemon

BEST FOR OILY SKIN

Wild Yellow Sage

BEST FOR ITCHINESS

Oats

BEST FOR DRY SKIN

Mung Bean & Jobs’ Tears

BEST FOR FACIAL CARE

Purple Gromwell & Roselle

BEST FOR DETOX

Wild Mugwort

BEST FOR ECZEMA /UNWANTED ODOUR

Wild Yellow Sage

BEST FOR ITCHINESS

Laundry

BEST FOR DELICATE GARMENTS

Yuan as guest columnist in NEW ICON Oct- Nov 09 Issue

A FULL CIRCLE

Chinese really likes the idea of full and roundness, to signify togetherness. The older I get the more I value such concept. Nowadays, any family, old schoolmates and ex colleagues gathering is a novelty for me and thanks to social network like Facebook and Twitter, one can never be short of topics if a gathering happens.

Happy Mid Autumn Festival! To check out our sites for some gift ideas for this occasions and hope you will have a "full" gathering this Saturday!

Perhaps, Love

Perhaps we could have these chocolate looking soaps for next years' Valentine's.

OUT OF STOCKS!

Yuan Soaps will be out of stock till end of the month due to the current typhoon in Taiwan. For those who already have problems searching for certain variants, we apologised for the shortages.

We promised to iron out the problem and stocks will be streaming in from September onwards.

To our dealers and customers thank you for your patience and continuos support.

News coverage July/ August 2009

Thanks Jefry from Red Tomato for arranging this interview!

Gave a long thought before I thought of posting this up. Thanks Shim for such a nice write up and picture on me! Thanks Nikkie for the earrings and necklace!

Betraying Taiwan: I would Have, if weren't for Huang Chun Ming Novels.

A Taiwanese friend who was working in Hong Kong once told me: “Ah Yuan, it’s just a matter of time that we’ll be like Hong Kong. We’ll become part of China and their people, you’d better get used to it.” He pointed proudly at his new apartment saying: “Not everyone can afford houses like these in Hong Kong, this area comprises of mainly China investors.” (His new apartment is less than 30 sq feet and it costs a little more than NT $27,000,000, and I’ve heard these type of apartments are not considered expensive!) Better yet, a lot of my Taiwanese friends tell me: “ Taiwan is too small, come on, let’s go to China. Yuan Soap will definitely make it big there! Raw materials are cheap and there is an abundance of manpower. Didn’t you know that the population of entrepreneurs like us in Shanghai alone exceeds a million? Taiwan is not competitive anymore.” Sadly, I even think our government has that same mentality that Mainland China is superior to us and does silly things merely to please them. If China wanted to educate us, feel free to calk up our blackboards. If they needed a holiday destination, they’re always welcome here. If its property they seek, we have plenty to offer. It’s as if our government is saying: “If China buys 7 million worth of Taiwanese grown fruits, we will bundle 1.4 billion worth of our local harvests. And if it makes you happy, we will even throw in our traditional Chinese writing method for you, at no cost whatsoever”. Pathetic. But true. The thing that keeps me true to my roots is by flipping through pages from old novels. It makes me wander away into my childhood dreams and teenage ambitions. Suddenly the whole world freezes into silence. All I can hear is the sound of my heartbeat and my dog barking from afar, reminiscing innocence and forgotten feelings. It is these simple thoughts that motivate my life journey, and it eases the challenges I’ll have to face in the future.

Let me explain. Huang Chun Ming novels have been published into numerous new editions. Even though old-school philosophies were outdated in this modern age of time, going through the pages gives me flashbacks of when I was just a kid with my haversack and khakis pants fully equipped, spending hours at the old bookshop, sipping tea through a mug while enjoying my novels. In contrast to the present me - carrying my laptop bag, strolling through the aisle of my farm, harvesting natural resources for the creation of my soaps. In one of Huang’s books “Sayonara, Good-bye”, the main character, Huang Qiun is a man who brings Japanese clients to local prostitutes. Although it’s the pride of his own race that he’s betraying, at least he felt shame and regret…as opposed to our government. Another book called “Days of Gazing at the Ocean” illustrates an 8-year-old adopted little girl named Bai Mei. She too, was sold for prostitution by her stepmother at the tender age of 14. After 10 years of working as a sex servant, a trip back to her hometown made her felt a sudden need of having her own child. Because to her, only in a child’s eye that she won’t be judge. Only with a child, she will have someone to rely on. And only a child would give her meaning to life. Against all odds, she finally gave birth to her own baby girl. She carried her child, bought a train ticket to Yu Kong and never looked back. The train passed through tunnels, with the Pacific Ocean breeze blowing gently through her eyelashes, waves reflecting the winter sunlight as the train steadily heads towards Yu Kong. I sometimes imagine myself as Bai Mei, with the burning desire to be a mother. No matter what people tells me, I still have my soaps and my people to rely and fall back on.

In Taiwan, there are thousands who follow Yuan Soap’s every move. In the office, my people have aligned dreams and we walk cohesively as a team to achieve them. I can’t be selfish to think about how am I going to make it big in China, but I have to be sensitive to the people who supported me from the beginning, Taiwan. How dare you say Taiwan is not competent and not good enough? Isn’t not competing and making peace a good thing? I’ll let you decide. In the 50’s, Taiwanese learned to write calligraphy, growing up listening to music by the likes of Fung Fei Fei, Lee Chung Sheng, Lu siao Feng and Anita Mui. It was as though the skyscrapers in the city grew alongside the old bookstore. Along with our dreams, our hopes, our ups and our downs. Every thing seemed connected. We resemble Bai Mei back then, passively giving away our youth for our master to puppet. However, as I grew older, I developed a passion to life that gives me hope in fulfilling anything I wanted to. Life itself has so many different expressions. Success has different meaning to different people. I have my soaps. I have the sunlight of the ocean. I have the Da Wei Mountain’s cool breeze. When I’m free, I’ll walk my dog and have a cup of coffee.

That’s all I ask for and all I’ll ever need to ask for. Although I still need to pay my rent and my car installment, I’m living my dream in my home soil. It has character. And even though disappointments surrounded me for more than 40 years and there are still many hurdles to come, I would be happier to endeavor them in my homeland. So to all my friends who want to encourage me, please invest in me, instead of asking me to “give up Taiwan, and go to China”.

NOTE: I like reading Yuan's words even thought my Chinese comprehension is at an elementary level. I am sure many of you bought Yuan soap because of his thoughts and philosophies that you read from his site/ brochure/ blog. For those who are like me, I will try to have his monthly newsletter translated to share with all of you. For those who wants a copy of the Chinese version newsletter, email me at info@yuansoap.com.my . Reese

New stocks available!

This Ox set is not new, but it has been popular that we managed to wrestle some extra sets from Taiwan. Price is still RM 128.



祝你辛福种一棵没有年轮的树在土地上,活着就好,留一张没有字的白纸给小孩们,填写未来祝你辛福,是一本无法出版的心书,这句话说了就真, 信了就真......What do you get in the set?

150g Camellia/bitter tea soap (Not available in Malaysia yet)

Suitable for women during confinement period or those are constantly exposed to air conditioner whole day . Mosturising thus suitable for dry skin for for those who loves fresh earth smell.



150g Cypress Soap

Cypress grows on mountains stretching as high as 1,800m to 2,800m above sea level. It secretes an essential oil that has a powerful ability to kill bacteria. Works well for acne, pimple, nappy rash, bed sore, erythema, sebum secretion, itchy scalp, skin inflammation, allergic skin and athlete’s foot; also kills bacteria, stops itchiness and heals wounds.



150g Liquorice Hair Soap

There are many uses for liquorice. Its aqueous solution which has a weak foamability is a natural surfactant. It is strong in inhibiting bacteria growth and inflammation. Raw ginger and pine essential oils have long been proven to be able to fight seborrhea and dandruff. It is also useful in reversing the process of balding. It is significantly effective in promoting cutaneous perspiration and simulating local circulation.



(Usual soaps are 100g each)



Soaps for the whole family



a. Wild Mugwort soap set 300g, RM89

b. Cypress Soap set 300g (picture below), RM89

c. Auspicious Soap set 300g, RM 68

(Available for limited time only)

Comes with a free bamboo knife (picture below)




(bamboo knife)



Cypress soap 300g




Exterior of the box sets for 300g soaps.From left,Wild Mugwort Soap, Cypress Soap and Auspicious Soap.






Soap balls- Wild Mugwort and Mung Bean & Jobs's Tears




Weight: 100g (+-)

A. Wild Mugwort -1 x RM 33
B. Mung Bean & Job's Tears - 1x RM26

Great for face and hand wash.

For order and delivery details, kindly contact me at info@yuansoap.com.my

These items are available online @ http://www.yuansoap.com.my/ and Yuan Soap Store in Central Market while stocks last!

Scent of Soaps

One of the perks working with Yuan Soap, is the lingering scents you get from the soaps.

1. One of my friends could not remember which corridor leads to our office but sniff to know which one is our office. (true story)

2. I smell of soaps most of the time, which means I smell clean all the time.

3. My car smells like a spa.

4. One of my Taiwanese colleague get compliments each time whenever she is in a lift with a stranger. (alright, some times she gets that)

5. I saved on air fresheners in the office , my car and my washroom.

6. Some of Yuan soap customers buy Yuan soap in bulk to leave them in their wardrobe and car.

(too wasteful, use your soaps girls!)

Have you used Yuan Soap or any other natural soaps other than cleansing your body? Do tell!

Newtide promotion July 2009

Read about Yuan's interview at this issue of Newtide Magazine and you can redeem a full size Yuan Soap from July 1 to 31st!! More than 100 bars available! First come first serve with the original redemption form from the magazine!

Yuan Soap Store

We will be launching our first Yuan soap store in Malaysia. Venue? Central Market!

Okay, not many were excited when I told them about the venue, but please do make your way to CM (Central Market) now. I was surprised with the changes when I went there to check out the store a few months ago. I have not been to CM for ages and the current management has been quietly "cleaning up" the whole place. I saw new tiles, shops and stalls are tidier. And where should we not make our mark but in the baby blue powder building where they promote all things traditional and handmade?!

A friend from Taiwan, who has been visiting Malaysia for the last 10 years were not brought to visit CM at all by her friends! She mentioned CM was just like Jiufen (similar concept like CM but outdoor with great scenery), she was so delighted she bought 8 shawls from different stalls. Ok, maybe she was ignorant not to read any of our tourism pamphlets or surf the net for info, or we as Malaysia has not done enough to promote other places of interest except for KLCC, lol!
Ok, back tot the store, well, I was busy arranging soaps on the shelves but was distracted many times by tourists who asked me what was smell in the shop? Apparently, our nice smelling soaps have been quietly directing people to visit our shop. I have to keep informing passerbys that we are not open yet!

Here are some sneak peek to our new store!

Yuan's talk on youtube

For those who missed Yuan's talk in Ikano, you will find some video links here. It might be a bit shaky in the beginning but gradually it will improved. I found the links in youtube and I am grateful for the person who posted the videos.

Relay for Life

More than 10 years ago, my mother contracted liver cancer, it happened not long after my maternal grandmother died of the same disease. From that moment, our family braced through the most difficult and challenging period of our lives, as we could not grasp and understand the situation my mother had to go through.

Today, she brought me to The National Cancer Society office in Kampung Baru, my mother will participate by promoting healthier meals at NCSM's 16 hours Relay for Life this weekend at the Bukit Jalil stadium, hoping to give an idea of a healthier lifestyle to cancer survivors or their families. For years she has been advocating organic food/natural and changing lifestyle to combat cancer.

I will be there as well. Yuan soap will participate too and 20% of proceeds will go to NCSM. But the real support would be having you to help celebrate lives whether for those who had battled cancer or survived, remember those who had lost the battles yet survived in our memories and let us fight back with more knowledge and support.

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From the official website of The National Cancer Society

CANCER IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER DISEASE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

By 2020 it is expected that there would be 15 million new cancer cases worldwide. This means that by 2020; every family will have at least one member suffering from cancer - your parent, your spouse, your sibling or even your child.

You see, cancer can hit anyone at any age. We don't know who it will strike at and when. But we do know for sure that if we do not take action now to educate ourselves on cancer and to do all we can to eradicate this disease; it may be too late.

The National Cancer Society of Malaysia would like to invite YOU to join the fight against cancer by participating in the Relay for Life Kuala Lumpur 2009, from 30th - 31st May at the MSN Training Stadium, Bukit Jalil.RFL is 16 hours of non-stop fun and excitement, where teams of people of all ages and from all walks of life come together for this noble cause by camping out at the stadium and taking turns walking or running around the track. This will be our third year organizing RFL.

In 2007 and 2008, RFL KL attracted over 3,000 and 5,000 participants respectively. This year, WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION we hope to bring in even more participants.

With our tagline Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back! RFL KL offers every one of us the opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.

- We Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and find solace and inspiration in the strength of the survivors as we continue the fight.- We Remember loved ones who have fallen in their fight, at the Relay we walk side by side with people battling cancer to commiserate and find healing.- We Fight Back! By participating in the Relay we aim to raise the bar on the awareness of cancer and put an end to the disease.

Since 1966, National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) has been an active force in advancing the cancer cause in Malaysia. NCSM is the only NGO to offer a holistic range of cancer services in Malaysia at subsidized rates, or in certain cases; at no cost. Our mission is to Educate, Care and Support cancer patients in Malaysia. Through RFL, NCSM will continue to provide such services to the public as such:

Fundraising

The funds raised for RFL KL 2009 will be used for the upgrading of equipment and facilities at our Cancer Treatment Centre (CTC). This will enable NCSM to provide efficient, quality services with state-of-the-art facilities to patients.

Awareness

We hope that this event will bring about an all-encompassing awareness on cancer so that the general public understands the importance of early detection and screening to reduce the risk of cancer.It is also to bring home the point that even if one is afflicted with cancer or is caring for a cancer patient, life is still something to be celebrated.

We provide programmes to reduce cancer risks, detect cancer early, ensure proper treatment and empower people facing cancer to maintain the highest quality of life. We also facilitate post cancer treatment and support mechanisms. Through our services and campaigns such as Relay for Life we have seen many lives changed for the better.

For further details, kindly contact Clare / Elizabeth at Tel: 03-26927705 / 03 - 26987300 or email RFL@cancer.org.my.

Box set

What do you think of these box sets? Very traditional design.

Would you buy these?

Same soap same weight but they are round. More expensive as they need more (hand)time to actually produce these soaps.

I have lots of enquiries regarding these soap balls. These are the ones which you can hang it next to your wash basin in the bathroom for hand wash. However the reasons why its still not here yet its because of the price. It is priced at more than 300NT (can't remember the exact price), roughly converted to more than RM30.

Handmade soap vs industrial soap

Something I found online which is easy to understand and know more about handmade soaps.

Handmade Soap vs Industrial Soap

Skin health problems make people who concern start to seek for alternative for their skin treatment. The chemical substances contained in so many skin care products, including soaps, make people start to use handmade soap that is safer than the industrial soap. However, it doesn't mean that industrial soap is not healthy for your skin. In fact, there are several differences that make handmade soaps is better than the industrial soap.

Before we discuss about the differences between handmade soap and industrial soap, we need to define the term of industrial and handmade soap first. The term handmade soap refers to the soaps that can be made at home and mostly are made of natural ingredients like olive or jojoba oil. The making process is also simpler because the supporting tools are unadorned. On the other hand, the term industrial soap refers to the soap that is made by soap companies in large quantities. It usually contains little amount of oil and limited amount of vitamin since it is made mainly for commercial purpose.

Those two kinds of soap are also different in the making process. Handmade soap is made in cold process soap while industrial soap is in hot process soap. Cold soap making process is implemented in cold room temperature. So, it makes the oil nutrients useful for the skin is still intact. The hot soap making process needs 80-100°C until the saponification phase occurs. Saponification is the process of mixing the water, lye and fat or oil(note from me: Yuan soap uses no sodium peroxide, something similar but costlier and natural). One thing that cannot be denied is that both kinds of soap are using lye or sodium hydroxide in the making process; it is the substance that can turn oil into soap. But when the making process is done, there is no lye left in handmade soap because in the first moment of saponifying reaction, nearly 90% of the lye is eliminated and in the next process the lye is totally gone.

The significant difference between industrial and handmade soap is the glycerin content. Glycerin is the clear liquid that absorbs water from the air. It can soften the skin and keep its health. In handmade soap, the glycerin is kept and formed naturally during the saponification process. As in industrial soap, soap companies usually reduce the glycerin and put it into lotion products. Handmade soap is more skin-friendly than the industrial soap. Therefore, handmade soap is more effective for skin treatment.

by Ricardo Lubis (taken from http://www.purehandmadesoap.com/)

The difference between other handmade soaps and Yuan soaps is we incorporated herbal recipes and wisdom from our ancestors who had used them (and found them effective) from generations. Pleasing no one with synthetic fragrances, colours and shapes.