Battered Soap Syndrome

[newbie]

http://yfrog.com/fkimg2172kj
http://yfrog.com/5nimg2173wj
http://yfrog.com/g4img2174emj
http://yfrog.com/mjimg2176j
http://yfrog.com/mwimg2178hj

Any ideas on what would make this soap look bruised?

I used CO, OO, Lard (it was fresh and I used some of the same pound in another soap without this happening),and Castor and used BB Cold Water FO. Used Aquamarine blue and Black Oxide and have done so before and after without this effect. Temps were between 100-105 degrees. I gelled. Distilled water and lye were the same as I always use and soaps before and after didn't have this.

I saw someone else post photos of soap using this FO and with blue swirls (they were really nice!) but the soap had no bruises. Mine was dried in the same place as all my soaps. I did have some strange red oxidation in one of my other soaps but it wasn't even close to this extensive, and I noticed just a touch of this, I think, in one other batch but it was hard to tell because I used pink oxide for swirls. I can't remember exactly how far in I noticed this; this is completely cured (made 9/24) and I just washed it to see if it was very superficial (I didn't think so, but worth checking) and it's not, but they're still a bit damp in the photos, which is why they're so glossy.

Any ideas? I notice it's not nearly so bad on the tops.

 

[IrishLass]

I think it might be the FO. I just checked the reviews for BB Cold Water over on TheScentReviewBoard and one soaper reported some mauve discoloration in her soap.

IrishLass

 

[paillo]

i'm turning you in to the abused soap police!!!!

seriously, without the bruising those are some gorgeous swirls!

 

[newbie]

Hmmm.... I'll have to try it again using a smaller amount, perhaps. It's a great scent; I hate to not use it but it stinks to end up with practically bleeding soap. I swear it wasn't me!!!!

Thanks for the compliment on the swirls. The question is- could I do it again?

 

[cwarren]

I don't know what color you are using..
I got that when I used - TKB - pop colors Liquid ! they are glycerine and glycerine DONT mix with oil .
I tried to incorperate color in oil then in soap. the color sank to the bottom.. it looked like a bruise..

Some people use liq color with ease ... I hate it !!

here are my pictures the 2 on left are bottom side up
http://yfrog.com/gvdsc01647j

 

[loveit_latherit]

I know it wasn't what you expected - But I love 'em!

Sorry that doesn't help with suggestions...

 

[newbie]

I used BB ultramarine blue and black oxide that I premixed in a very small amount of water and then added to the soap batter. I've used these colors before and since without any sinking or bruising, so maybe I just used too much FO or didn't mix it in as well as I thought. It does seem to occur mostly around the colored part, which I thought was weird, but it wasn't exclusively in those areas. Good to know about your experience with the glycerin. I haven't used glycerin in my soaps.

I like the soap overall, but it's part of a big project I have going and I have to use ALL the bars, which means these go out as well. I'm not sure how people will react to it. WE'll see!

 

[SudsyKat]

Just wanted to mention that the last time I soaped, I mixed my micas with a very small amount of glycerin and then mixed with the soap mixture to do swirls. It worked like a charm - the mica was totally mixed/dissolved with no spots. I could see how adding the glycerin/mica mixture to the oils would not be quite so successful, but adding it to the soap solution is a great way to avoid mica spots.