Melinda Smells FAQ

What is Melinda Smells All About?

Melinda Smells is where sass, suds, and self-care collide. We’re a playful, small-batch bath and body brand with one mission: to make your shower routine anything but boring. From cheeky soap names to our signature purple monkey mascot (hi, Melinda!), every product is handmade with skin-loving ingredients, a dash of humor, and a whole lot of personality.

We believe bath time should feel like an experience—one that smells amazing, makes you laugh, and leaves your skin feeling fabulous. Whether it’s a soap called Harvesting Red Flags or a beard balm with Rat Pack swagger, we’re here to turn the ordinary into the unforgettable.

What's up With The Purple Monkey?

Melinda isn’t just a mascot—she’s family. She started as my daughter’s beloved plushie, “Melinda Monkey,” who’s been tagging along on adventures since she was three. Over the years, this well-loved (and well-worn) sidekick earned her place as the smelly, silly, and oh-so-iconic face of Melinda Smells.

She’s more than just a purple monkey—she’s our brand’s heart, mischief-maker, and the ultimate stamp of approval for anything fun, playful, and a little quirky.

When/How did you start making soaps?

It all started with a random late-night YouTube rabbit hole (thanks, ASMR soap-making videos!). It looked fun, artsy, and easy enough—basically my three must-haves for any craft. After a year of diving into the overwhelming world of soap-making research, we finally made our first batch… and it was a total disaster, lol. But we stuck with it, learned from the mess, and now a couple of years later, our soaps aren't half bad, if Melinda says so herself. Now the smell, we'll that's just absolutely fabulous.

What is your soap made of?

We stick to the good stuff—olive or sunflower oil, coconut oil, mango and shea butters, jojoba, sweet almond, and castor oil. Add a sprinkle of kaolin clay, a splash of scent, and some skin-safe color, and boom—soap magic.

Is your soap all natural and/or vegan?

We’re all about keeping it clean—literally. Our soaps are plant-powered, skin-loving, and usually vegan (no shady animal fats here). If we do sneak in honey or something creamy, you’ll know. Transparency is sexy, right?

What do you color your soaps with?

Purple Monkey Apothecary? She’s all about natural beauty—colored with clays and botanicals. Our other soaps? We let the micas bring the sparkle, because sometimes you just need a little extra drama in your shower.

Do you really make everything by hand?

Absolutely! Every bar, balm, and bubbly creation is hand-poured, hand-cut, and sometimes hand-sassed in our studio. No machines, no soulless assembly lines—just us, some serious elbow grease, and a purple monkey supervisor who takes her job way too seriously.

Will your soaps dry out my skin like other handmade soaps do?

Nope! We pack our soaps with skin-loving oils and butters that cleanse without stripping. Think of it as washing with a moisturizing hug (but one that smells way better than a hug).

Do your products have preservatives?

Most of our soaps don’t need preservatives because they’re solid and self-preserving. But for products like mists or scrubs that mix water with oils, we use gentle, skin-safe preservatives to keep the gross stuff (like mold and bacteria) out.

What’s the shelf life of your products?

Our soaps get better with age, like fine wine or that one leather jacket you refuse to throw out. They’ll last 12–18 months, but we doubt you’ll resist using them that long.

Most of our non-soap goodies—like balms, sprays, and scrubs—last around 12–18 months if kept cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. (Think “spa shelf,” not “steamy shower ledge.”) Products with oils and butters may last longer, but if it ever smells funky or looks off, that’s your cue to let it go.

Do you test on animals?

Absolutely not! The only animals involved are our purple monkey mascot, Melinda and the occasional nosy dog, Tyga. We test on willing humans—mostly ourselves, because if it’s not good enough for us, it’s not leaving the studio.

What’s with the quirky names?

Because life is too short for boring soap names. We believe every product should make you smile before you even open it. If Mooned At Midnight or Monkey Ink Magic doesn’t make your shower routine more fun, we’re doing something wrong.

How do I make my soap last longer?

Give it a dry place to chill between showers—soap hates sitting in puddles. Think of it like a diva: it performs better when pampered.

Can I use your soap on my face?

Most of them, yes! Our soaps are gentle and full of skin-loving oils. But everyone’s face is a little different, so patch test first—your cheeks will thank you.

Are your products kid-friendly?

Totally (except for our sense of humor). Our gentle ingredients are safe for kids, but keep an eye on them—some of our soaps look way too much like dessert.

Why does my soap look a little different from the picture?

Because it’s handmade! No two bars are exactly the same—kind of like snowflakes, but better-smelling and less likely to melt on your bathroom counter.

Do you offer custom orders?

Not at the moment—Melinda the Monkey has us on a strict schedule to keep our regular lineup smelling amazing. We may offer custom goodies in the future, but for now, it’s all about perfecting the mischief in our current collection.

Are your fragrances safe?

100% yes! We use skin-safe, phthalate-free fragrance oils and essential oils, so your skin gets the good smells without the bad stuff.

Why is handmade soap better than store-bought?

Because we skip the detergents and fillers. Our bars are loaded with natural oils and butters that actually nourish your skin instead of leaving it squeaky (and sad).

Will your beard balm turn me into a lumberjack?

We can’t promise that… but you will smell like the kind of man who owns at least three flannels and a killer playlist.

Do you ship internationally?

Not right now—Melinda’s passport is still pending. We currently ship within the U.S. only (but who knows what the future holds?).

Can I eat your products?

Only if you enjoy regret. They look and smell good enough to eat, but please don’t. Trust us, it’s not a snack.

What does Melinda the Monkey smell like?

A mix of childhood memories, sass, and whatever adventure she’s just returned from. (Some days, it’s cookies. Other days… maybe bananas and chaos.)

Will your beard balm make me irresistible?

We can’t make promises, but let’s just say people might suddenly want to “accidentally” sniff you. Proceed with confidence.

Do you have a soap that fixes bad decisions?

Nope. But we do have soaps that make you feel like the main character while you shower away your regrets.

Can I use your products if I don’t have a beard or tattoos?

Absolutely! Our products don’t judge. They're skin loving ingredients, they’ll happily pamper you, beard or not.

Which soap is the purple monkey’s favorite?

She claims she loves them all equally, but we’ve caught her hoarding Cashmere Chaos on more than one occasion.