Perpetual torement with soap coloring.

[tblack32002]

Ok, so coloring and I don't work well together. Everytime I color a soap, I get a very poor showing. It does not mix consistently and I end up with wavy lines in the coloring. Would like to know what all the soapers' do - because obviously what I have been trying is not working.

What colorants do you use?
When do you add?
Any secrets to making a nice, smooth, consistent color?

Typical process:
1 - prepare coloring with 1 ounce of EVO2 before mixing. Using items like titanium dioxide, green oxide, etc.
2 - Wait until light trace and add coloring.
3 - Mix some more.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Northland Naturals]

i typically use micas from TKB, TD, and liquid colorants (sometimes) from nature's garden. my process is pretty simple. if i intend the coloring to be uniform, i add it to the warm oils and stir lightly before adding lye solution. if it is to be swirled, i add small amounts at a time to a .5 oz of vegetable glycerin (usually 1-2 tsp per .5 oz VG) and stir that in well for a few minutes, then again just before i add to the lightly traced batch. hope this helps!

 

[busymakinsoap!]

I find oxides are fairly hard to combine, but when I do, I mix with a little oil, split my batch (which is at a very light trace) add to the colour and use the stick blender to mix it, then add my FO.
I have seen it recommended that you use a milk frother to mix the colour into the soap - I just dont have one :wink:

I use liquid colours which I find really easy to use, and they can be mixed in by hand.

 

[Bama]

I have found this article by someone on here in LovinSoap website very helpful. I got the colors from Brambleberry and instead of mixing 8 oz at the time I use 1cc with 30cc of water and have been making some really nice swirls.
http://www.lovinsoap.com/?p=1344

 

[opalgirl]

For solid color I add the mica, oxide or liquid color into the oils before the lye. I put my mixer right on the "pile" of color and blend just the oils until I know the color is thoroughly dispersed. Then add lye and mix some more. Very rarely anymore do I have those "pockets or little pits" of color in the finished soap.