Colorant help!

[JBB]

I'm new to cp soap making and am wondering what everybody is using as colorants and where they are purchasing them. I am attempting a batch of lavender soap and would like to add come purple/ lavender color to it. Also, any info on other colors that you're using will be helpful.
Thanks a bunch for any guidance you can lend a newbie!

Sonya

 

[lsg]

I use colored clays, ultramarines and oxides in my cp soaps. Brambleberry has high pH labcolors such as Easter Purple, Grape, Lilac & Soft Heather.

http://www.brambleberry.com/Colors-High ... spx?s=Name ASC&c=52&p=0

 

[ClaraSuds]

I'm sticking with cream and brown and every shade in between for the moment because I'm too tight to spend any reddies on colourants. Espresso coffee grounds will give you brown...

 

[Hausfrau007]

In the batch I messed around with last week, I used paprika for red. The soap turned out gorgeously swirled with a rich red, but geez -- paprika might be an irritant, so no question, once it's dried, I'll be trying it on myself first before I hand them out as gifts, lol. Unfortunately, I made a huge huge batch. I'll keep my fingers crossed it won't burn my lady bits.

 

[JBB]

I have read that paprika can be irritating. I hope yours turns out okay! I've looked at Bramble Berry and Wholesale Supplies Plus for colorants. Is there anywhere else that has better prices? Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[Hazel]

I mainly use micas but I have a few ultramarines, oxides and herbal powders (parsley, turmeric, tomato, rosehip, etc). I bought most of the micas from tkbtrading.com but unfortunately they've discontinued their POP micas which I loved because they were so bright. I've also bought some colorants from Bitter Creek North. I think the prices and the shipping are very reasonable from both of these suppliers. People have mentioned The Conservatorie (http://theconservatorie.com/) as having great colorants for soap.

I have Ultramarine Violet from TKB which is beautiful in cold process soap. However, someone mentioned ultramarines eventually fade but I haven't had any of the soap long enough to know if it does fade. The batches I've used it in before were used within a couple of months. The batch I've currently used it in is the Halloween Spider soap which you can see the color in the pics. http://soapmakingforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=33780

The important thing to remember about colorants is you always need to check to make sure they are stable in soap. Some aren't and the colors will morph or fade.

You'll find this discussion very helpful. http://soapmakingforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29509

I want to mention that I posted a link into this topic for BCN's Rainbow micas. BCN discontinued the Rainbow line and have replaced it with Florescents. I haven't used them yet so I don't know how they'll be in soap although it does state they're stable.

 

[JBB]

Just placed my order for some oxides at TKB Trading. Was pleased that the shipping was only $5 and the prices were better than the other source I was looking at. Thanks a lot for everyone's input. I wish I didn't have to wait that much longer to make my soap, but no use rushing it. I'll switch gears for just a bit, back to candle making. http://www.JuneBugBees.com

 

[ClaraSuds]

@Hazel,

I've got a huge stash from TKB which I've never used. I have the POP mica's in 1Oz each. I have a full set of the matte oxides, pearl mica and a full set of the illusion mica's (two tone ones), as well as carmine and the metallics. So I'm thinking I can use them in soap but not really sure how or what I should do with them. I'd like to use them up as $150 worth of colourants sitting under my couch makes me feel bad for buying every time I look at it. :?

 

[Lindy]

Another fan of micas. I also use oxides and ultramarines.....

 

[booboo]

In the batch I messed around with last week, I used paprika for red. The soap turned out gorgeously swirled with a rich red, but geez -- paprika might be an irritant, so no question, once it's dried, I'll be trying it on myself first before I hand them out as gifts, lol. Unfortunately, I made a huge huge batch. I'll keep my fingers crossed it won't burn my lady bits.

I have used paprika and only ever got pinks, never had any problem with it or reported proplems from F&Fs.

Up till now I have only used natural colours but I am now waiting some mircas etc.

 

[Hazel]

So I'm thinking I can use them in soap but not really sure how or what I should do with them.

Most of these will be easy to use. I use a frother to mix all of the colorants. After I've mixed the oils together, I remove a little to add to a container for each colorant. I add the colorant and use the frother to mix it into the oil. Then I add the lye solution to the oils, stickblend until emulsification or light trace and then add soap to each colorant container. Then I use the frother to mix the soap and the colored oil together. I've eliminated specks or clumps of unmixed colorants since I've started doing it this way.

Some ideas for using the colorants

For metallics, you could just brush or sponge some on top of soap. You can also use it as an accent in a swirl. viewtopic.php?f=16&t=23055

Oxides and micas in this soap but I thought it would great with a tiny amount of metallic in it. http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body- ... palm-free/

I don't know if you make MP soap but pearl micas and metallics are gorgeous in MP. I've always been impressed by gemstone soaps. http://library.rusticescentuals.com/ite ... -rocks.htm

 

[Hazel]

Just stumbled across these while I was browsing the lovinsoap blog. I thought they might be helpful for you.

http://www.lovinsoap.com/2011/06/natura ... nder-soap/
http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body- ... #more-7905

 

[JBB]

This is great! Thanks Hazel!