First batch ever! (unscented honey soap)

[soapAspie]

I made my first batch of CP soap last night as I was inspired by this post: https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/using-honey-in-cp-soapmaking.47375/

I wanted to see this for myself and I know it is a bit experimental to do that for my first try, but I did a lot of research and made sure I understood what I was doing first, step-by-step, and safety precautions, before moving forward. I needed some support from my partner since I have a developmental disability (and I typically need this anyway) but proud to say I did at least 90% of this on my own. Completed this last night and poured into mold, and unmolded about 17 hours later... I think too early, but that was a lesson for me. They still look okay for a first time. I don't mind what looks like the gel.

I will still have to find out how it looks many weeks later! Maybe I will remember to update you all.

70% Shea
15% CO, fractionated (+5%)
15% Castor oil
2 tbsp honey, added at around 95 deg F in lye solution (at 33.33% concentration)

I wanted to try to add ~1/16 tsp gold synthetic mica to mixture at trace but it doesn't seem to have done much so in the future, I may leave it out. This color you see below is what it already looked like without the mica. Stuff is expensive. Maybe there could be some shimmer in light I haven't noticed yet but I think I will just leave it out for this soap.

 

[Kari Howie]

Beautiful! Especially for your first time!

 

[AliOop]

Great job for your first soap! Are you hooked?

 

[soapAspie]

Beautiful! Especially for your first time!

Thank you. It has lost its color a bit, lightened up, but I still like it. Can't wait to test it in March or so.

Great job for your first soap! Are you hooked?

And thank you too! Yes. Just earlier, I prepared another batch for 2 molds, but a different recipe. This time I didn't need help from my partner though I think it takes me much longer to do the same things a lot of other people do on this forum, including other newbies.

I did find out by doing my second batch that I am blending for too long into thick trace when I don't want to. Getting frosting-like consistency when I don't want to/need to. Makes things more challenging to pour when it's not needed. But, I think it is just going to take practice...

I will probably update later on in the forum with my second batch. It is a black tea and oats soap. I added what I hope to be an appropriate amount of fragrance, 2%. I followed the max usage for soap the manufacturer printed, and went just under it.

Thanks again

 

[akseattle]

@soapAspie congrats on your first soap! Looks great!! So, already on to your second batch? New recipe? Yeah, I'd say you're hooked Keep us posted on how your soap feels after it's cured. Based on soapcalc, should be a nice hard, conditioning, bubbly bar!! what's not to like about that!!??