Newbie needs help!

[arhlene.lyons]

I have tried three times to make a pink CP soap. I got it right once and don’t know why. The other times it came out cream colored. I used Rose clay only (3t in 1.5kg oils) -Pink. Then thinking I wanted it a less brick color I added TD. Fail- cream. The third time, I again used Rose clay added a little TD and then added some Pink Mica. Fail-cream. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Obsidian]

I'm not a fan of clays so I can't really help with that. Sounds like its a matter of getting the amount used right.

As for the mica, is it listed as soap stable? How much did you use? For 1.5kg of oil, you might need a couple tsps.

I would really suggest making smaller batches until get your process down, that way you don't have so much wasted ingredients.

 

[shunt2011]

TD will always make it lighter. I have not found pink clay to be very pink. Also, what kind of mica are you using? Is it made for CP soap and High PH stable?
I don't use much in the way of clays as they just didn't perform color wise. So I use micas, oxides and ultramarines.

I also agree with Obsidian that I would be making no more than a pound or tow until you have things figured out.

 

[arhlene.lyons]

I'm not a fan of clays so I can't really help with that. Sounds like its a matter of getting the amount used right.

As for the mica, is it listed as soap stable? How much did you use? For 1.5kg of oil, you might need a couple tsps.

I would really suggest making smaller batches until get your process down, that way you don't have so much wasted ingredients.

Unfortunately the place where I bought the Mica only said suitable for CP. I would really like to use Micas as the colors are awesome. Perhaps I had better buy from a more reputable online supplier. Here in South Africa we Don’t have to many local suppliers. Thank you so much for the advice!

I'm not a fan of clays so I can't really help with that. Sounds like its a matter of getting the amount used right.

As for the mica, is it listed as soap stable? How much did you use? For 1.5kg of oil, you might need a couple tsps.

I would really suggest making smaller batches until get your process down, that way you don't have so much wasted ingredients.

Hi, I used 1,5 t. I suppose looking at that now it was to little and the TD didn’t help. I will try a smaller batch. Really small Thanks

TD will always make it lighter. I have not found pink clay to be very pink. Also, what kind of mica are you using? Is it made for CP soap and High PH stable?
I don't use much in the way of clays as they just didn't perform color wise. So I use micas, oxides and ultramarines.

I also agree with Obsidian that I would be making no more than a pound or tow until you have things figured out.

I will, Thank you

 

[cmzaha]

Any pink clay I have used has made quite a pink color when using enough. In fact most of my pink clays I had to watch out that I did not use too much since it is prone to staining.

 

[arhlene.lyons]

Any pink clay I have used has made quite a pink color when using enough. In fact most of my pink clays I had to watch out that I did not use too much since it is prone to staining.

I used 1t/pound. I’m nervous to use more as I’ve read that the soap can crack. Will up it in a small batch and see. Thanks

 

[Mobjack Bay]

I get good results using rose clay at 1 tsp ppo. One of the early soaps I made with rose clay and a recipe that had a good amount of butters did not crack. I used it until it became a very thin sliver of its former self.

 

[atiz]

I have also had some good results with rose clay, but agree that it is difficult to find what the right amount is. (Based on my experience I also have the slight suspicion that it may depend on the oils as well.)
In general, the wet batter is going to be darker than when it is set. So when you mix, I would aim at a shade or two darker than the intended result; if it's not dark enough, just add a bit more clay (dispersed in some liquid) -- rinse and repeat.

 

[Todd Ziegler]

Ultramarine pink pigment might be a option. Unless you really want to use the clay. You shouldn't have a problem finding a mica supplier in Europe, which might be easier and cheaper than a US supplier. However if you want to order from a US supplier you might consider "mad micas" or "just pigments".

 

[arhlene.lyons]

Thank you Todd. Shipping is the deal breaker. Will try amazon

 

[Arimara]

Thank you Todd. Shipping is the deal breaker. Will try amazon

You might want to avoid amazon unless it is your very last resort. They can be dodgier than a crafting store being an online vendor/warehouse.

Are these vendors feasible for you?
Riverlea Handmade
Fun with Soap
Essentially Natural

It was a huge pain in the bum pulling those 3 sites up. Sorry if this raises more questions.