Spices as Colorants...Scent?

[adoptapitbull]

I've seen that you can use turmeric and paprika to color soap. I'm wondering if any of the scent from the spice remains in the soap? I know that cocoa powder's scent does not, and I'm assuming that these will not either, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

What spices/natural colorants have you used? Any photos of the finished product?

 

[falldowngobump]

I've used tumeric and paprika and coco powder several times in soap. I infuse the spices in olive oil for several days and then strain through a coffee filter before using it in soap. I've never had any smell of the spices come out in the soap--although people swear they can smell coco (I can't)

I used coco powder, tumeric and paprika in this one.

I used coco powder and paprika in this one.

 

[strawberryred]

I tried using anise powder for a smell, but it didn't stay at all! And from everything else I've heard or read it seems like spices don't stay smell wise.

 

[FreeRabbit]

nice job! how do you swirl? do you make color soap or swirl with the infused OO (like people do with colors)?

 

[judymoody]

I've used tumeric and paprika and coco powder several times in soap. I infuse the spices in olive oil for several days and then strain through a coffee filter before using it in soap. I've never had any smell of the spices come out in the soap--although people swear they can smell coco (I can't)

I used coco powder, tumeric and paprika in this one.

I used coco powder and paprika in this one.

Those are stunning! And I'd love to know more about your method. Do you make small separate colored batches and then swirl?

 

[ToniD]

very lovely swirls, falldowngobump!

 

[adoptapitbull]

Yes, please share that technique! Love it!

 

[Northland Naturals]

nary an herb will retain their scent after contact with the lye. lye eats all.

 

[saltydog]

fallingdown, those soaps are soo gorgeous!

 

[falldowngobump]

Awww thanks!! I make a batch of slow tracing soap (cool temps), I bring it to a light trace (actually it's between emulsified and very light trace) pour out some in a separate bowl (or bowls) to be colored for a swirl. I always add the fragrance to the bulk of the soap after I separate it just in case I have FO issues and blend it with a wisk really well. By the time I do all the color and FO mixing the soap is pretty much at a light trace. I always take a small spatula and drizzle a little of the colored soap in the bottom of my mold and then I pour the bulk of the soap on top (I pour over a wide spatula slowly) then I just stream in the colored part from different heights so it will get all through the batter, then I swirl with a bamboo skewer or a small spatula. TA DA I got swirl. The second soap was a Montra swirl-there may be instructions on here how to do it--I used a coat hanger bent to swirl that one.

 

[dcornett]

I've used several spices for color (or flecks) including turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary leaves, lavender, cocoa, mint, poppy seeds, lemon peel, orange peel and spirulina (which I'm certainly glad doesn't leave a lingering scent LOL). I've also used coffee, tea, pumpkin, cucumber, oatmeal and honey...and probably more I can't remember LOL, but I've never had one to leave any scent in the finished soap (even though I wish some would) with the exeption of honey. I use it in an unscented goats milk soap I make and I used enough last time that it was detectable in the finished soap.
There are lots of others I want to try, pics I've seen using alanet root are very impressive, I think it's next on my list.

 

[FreeRabbit]

I've used several spices for color (or flecks) including turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary leaves, lavender, cocoa, mint, poppy seeds, lemon peel, orange peel and spirulina (which I'm certainly glad doesn't leave a lingering scent LOL).

how did you use lavender? lavender buds? put in the water? infused with the oil? I would really like to make lavender soap with lavender color thank you!!!!

 

[JackiK]

I use clove-infused oil and you can definitely smell it, even after a couple of months. I keep a jar working all the time now. I used a really old bottle of ground cloves, too. Can't wait to try it with a new can.

 

[dcornett]

I've used several spices for color (or flecks) including turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary leaves, lavender, cocoa, mint, poppy seeds, lemon peel, orange peel and spirulina (which I'm certainly glad doesn't leave a lingering scent LOL).

how did you use lavender? lavender buds? put in the water? infused with the oil? I would really like to make lavender soap with lavender color thank you!!!!

I'd like to have a natural lavender color too, that's why I want to try the alkanet root. When I use the lavender buds I pulse them in the blender to keep them from looking like bugs in my finished soap because they will turn dark, and add them at trace. They won't actually color the soap, just make for interesting flecks...which I like.