Is this lye?

[Dblondi03]

Hello!
Last night I got a mold that I wanted to experiment with so I made a really tiny batch (4oz) of soap
I mixed the lye and the oils together and separated into two to add a yellow colorant in one of them and leave the other one natural.
This morning I took them out of the mold and saw white spots and lines.. I'm too much of a beginner to understand if this is lye or just the soap without the colorant?
I mixed very well and it was beginning to come to a good trace so I'm a bit confused if this is lye, and how did it not mix...
Thanks for the answers

 

[lsg]

It looks like uncolored soap to me. Have you tried a zap test?

 

[Dblondi03]

It looks like uncolored soap to me. Have you tried a zap test?

What's a zap test? (Just started soaping last week)

 

[lsg]

Stick the tip of your tongue on the uncolored part of the soap. If it feels like your tongue has been zapped then it is probably lye. If all you get is a soapy taste, then the soap should be OK.

 

[Dblondi03]

Thats a cool way.. I think it tasted soapy, I didnt get a zap
Thanks!

 

[TheGecko]

Agree with @lsg that you didn't get your colorant mixed thoroughly

 

[jcandleattic]

Agreed with the above about doing a zap test, but since you are new, you should learn how to do a zap test properly, and not just stick your tongue to the soap.
Here is a great quick tutorial on how to do one.
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/how-to-properly-safely-conduct-the-zap-tongue-test.63199/

 

[Babyshoes]

Wow, I'd never have thought of using my tongue. So to clarify, this is to check for excess lye, not to check if saponification is complete? Or both?

 

[jcandleattic]

Wow, I'd never have thought of using my tongue. So to clarify, this is to check for excess lye, not to check if saponification is complete? Or both?

Both. If saponification is complete and the soap was made right, it shouldn't be lye heavy and zap, however, if it is not completely saponified, it could zap you simply because you checked too soon.
If I suspect lye heaviness I won't do a zap test for at least 72 hours after putting in the mold, even if it is already out and cut, just so I am sure saponification has been completed.

 

[cmzaha]

I agree with jcandleattic, wait 72 hrs.