Bizarre Lab Color Soap! What did I do wrong?

qualitycaprine · Apr 26, 2011

I was trying to color my soap for the first time a couple days ago. Naturally, my milk/25% olive oil soap is a cream to very light tan color. I bought the red velvet lab color that was suggested for high olive oil soaps. The scent I used was Berry Wine from Brambleberry. I added my diluted lab color and scent at trace. The soap was a lovely red color as I poured it in. However, I went to cut my bars and the outside is a lovley red, but the inside is a light tan color. What did I do wrong?

soapbuddy · Apr 27, 2011

Hoe much color did you use per lb. of soap? It's possible that you didn't use enough color.

agriffin · Apr 27, 2011

I wonder if the fragrance has vanilla. It doesn't say on the website...but I wonder. Since it says it does have some sweet notes.

I haven't tried that lab color, so not sure about that. Are you on Facebook? They're very active about answering these type of questions on FB.

newbie · Apr 27, 2011

I know Berry WIne doesn't have vanilla, as I've used that one a number of times and it doesn't discolor in any other way. I don't have a clue as to why the color would disappear on the inside, unless it was how your poured. I've had times when the color drifts to the edges of the soaps and doesn't really stay central if you pour a certain way. Otherwise, I don't know. The mysteries of soaping.

opalgirl · Apr 27, 2011

I use Red Velvet Lab color all the time with no probs. I have had color go to the edges a little bit but not as drastic as it sounds. Not sure if this makes a difference, but I blend my color in my oils before adding the lye. I get much more even color that way. Give it a few days. Maybe as it's exposed to air it will darken up a bit. Post some pix.

agriffin · Apr 27, 2011

The only other thing I can think of is that some lab colors need to be heated gently and shaken before use. Maybe it's one of those...but not sure.

qualitycaprine · May 1, 2011

It has been several more days and it is a dark tan color with red on the edges. I used what the website said. I diluted 10 ml in 4 oz warm water. I used 1 oz of the warm water at light trace. The soap was such a pretty color when I poured it. I will try it again tonight, but use more color and mix my color in my oils.