Colourant issues

[AussieSoaper]

I'm hoping someone can help me pleaseeeee!

I've just made a batch of soap and used Ultramarine Violet. My soap is an ugly shade of grey
I mixed the UM Violet with oil before adding to my pot but it was still grainy. Why? Didn't I mix it well enough? Or should I have mixed it with distilled water instead of oil?

Also, I'm in Australia, and would like to know where to buy nice colourants from? I don't think I really like ultramarines, I haven't had any soap where I really liked the colours.

Are oxides better than ultramarines? I know mica isn't good in CP soap so I haven't tried them because I can't afford any waste if they mutate.

Maybe I should ask Santa for soap supply credit!

 

[Traceyann]

mmmm I use ultramarine violet all the time with no problems, I do however mix it with water before mixing in my oils, are u sure its not manganese violet ? as this will turn grey instantly

And I buy my colourants from either Aussie soap supplies or escentials of Austraila.

 

[Relle]

UM are not as bright as some of the colourants, they do take a bit of mixing, you might have not put in enough oil if it was grainy. I'm not using um's as much now because I want brighter colours.

Try Heirloom in Sydney and order some liquid colour, then you won't have to worry about mixing. They are not that expensive. I use oxide as well but you will still have to mix in the oil to get it to a paste.

You might have to ask Santa for that credit. Get your wish list ready to go on the site then maybe Santa will oblige .

 

[AussieSoaper]

Thanks.

It's definate UM violet, and I bought it from Simply Natural Soap Making Supplies. The website says to mix with oil. I must not have used enough oil then.

With the liquid from Heirloom, does it bleed or fade? I want some really pretty colours. Sick of dull ones I have

 

[Relle]

I've had no trouble with bleeding or fading.

 

[LadyM]

I mix my ultramarines into my lye/water mix just before combining with my oils and they are beautiful every time!! I use blue and purple.

 

[carebear]

Purple can be funny. Sounds like you didn't add enough, especially if your oils gave your soap a yellowish hue.

 

[Dragonkaz]

I've had problems with UM Violet turning a grey shade ... more grey than purple. I've changed to Aussie Soap Supplies Pop Micas and use them in most of my soaps and find the colours amazing. The Grape Pop Mica produces a great purple shade in CP.

 

[agriffin]

I've noticed a couple of things with UM violet.

1). If I don't blend it in with a stick blender then I get gray.
2). Usually if the soap doesn't go through gel phase then I'll get gray.

 

[AussieSoaper]

Thanx everyone. I think I will just throw the ultramarine violet in the garbage

I want a pretty, bright, but not neon, pink. I have looked at the suppliers in Australia and haven't seen this available anywhere

Are there suppliers overseas that post to Oz, anyone can recommend please...

 

[foresthome]

I am also having color issues. I have been trying to get a birght blue, for a soap I am calling Sapphire, after a nearby mountain range. I want it scented with Brambleberry's Moroccan Mint, but I have tried 2 different blues both ultramarines, one turned pink and the other turned a very pretty purple. I have a client that wants guest soaps of this scent and the blue color. Any suggestions?

 

[Relle]

What about these - I know you didn't want neon, but you could just put in a little.

http://www.aussiesoapsupplies.com.au/wh ... ndex2.html

 

[Dragonkaz]

Raspberry Pop Mica - which is for sale at Aussie Soap Supplies is a nice pink and the brightness is connected to how much you use.

Aussie soaps have liquid brites for CP soaps ... and that pink is amazing, it's not neon, but it's very bright.

There's no need to go overseas!

 

[Elly]

I like the UM pink from scentials of australia, it is very strong you only need to use a small amount, I used too much in this soap, sorry photo a bit blurry

[/url]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/img]

 

[Traceyann]

Im the same as Elly, I use the UM pink and add TD and I get a really soft pink

 

[Elly]

That's a good idea Tracey I never thought of using TD with it, I bet that gives a nice pastel pink. I love this colorant because it is very strong and holds really well.

 

[Traceyann]

it sure does, very nice when used with rose geranium, very lady like lol

 

[dOttY]

Well I've used liquid from Heirloom and it bled. I have used it in soap I gelled, and had success. But for the most part I don't gel, and if I use their liquid colours, I find they bleed.

I have used a neon pink from Big Tree Supplies, and that too bled. (non gel again)

I have the PoP Micas from A.S.S and find them to be pretty good. However I am unsure of their Raspberry, as I've had it disappear completely in a batch. I am guessing I didn't use enough, even though my soap batter was pink when I poured....

 

[Relle]

Well I've used liquid from Heirloom and it bled. I have used it in soap I gelled, and had success. But for the most part I don't gel, and if I use their liquid colours, I find they bleed. quote]

I use them in non gelled soap and no issues here - all good . Give them a call and complain if your not happy, otherwise they don't know.