Some of the soaps I see here and elsewhere are so beautifully smooth and shiny. Is there a technique to making soaps look like this or does it depend on how the Soap was cut? Mine are not as smooth and I can’t figure out why. Thanks![/ATTACH]
Smooth and shiny
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Some of the soaps I see here and elsewhere are so beautifully smooth and shiny. Is there a technique to making soaps look like this or does it depend on how the Soap was cut? Mine are not as smooth and I can’t figure out why. Thanks![/ATTACH]
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
Cutting at the proper time will make a bar smooth, but to get it shiny you probably either have to give it a water bath, or steam it.
ETA: Smooth bars will also be determined by any additives (or not) added and which method of making was used. I can never get a perfectly smooth HP bar.
ETA: Smooth bars will also be determined by any additives (or not) added and which method of making was used. I can never get a perfectly smooth HP bar.
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You can also buff the soap using a soft cloth. to make it shiny.
If you cut your soap with a wire, the surface is likely to be a little bumpy. You can plane off a thin shaving to smooth the cut surface -- there are people who sell soap planers for this purpose.
If you then want the soap to also be shiny, I'd try the others' suggestions.
If you then want the soap to also be shiny, I'd try the others' suggestions.
Soaps with a higher hardness tend to be able to take a polish better than a soft oil recipe.
Salt bars and brine soaps tend to be less shiny, and beeswax soaps more shiny, so as jcandleattic says, additives make a difference.
Some oils naturally add sheen (rice bran oil is one that springs to mind).
Gelled soaps tend to be more shiny than ungelled soaps.
Polishing soap can be done with a cloth or a gloved finger, and can make even an ungelled soap surface take on a sheen.
Dipping the soap in water (and perhaps a quick rub over the face to smooth it), immediately after the cut, can leave a shiny face on the cured soap.
Salt bars and brine soaps tend to be less shiny, and beeswax soaps more shiny, so as jcandleattic says, additives make a difference.
Some oils naturally add sheen (rice bran oil is one that springs to mind).
Gelled soaps tend to be more shiny than ungelled soaps.
Polishing soap can be done with a cloth or a gloved finger, and can make even an ungelled soap surface take on a sheen.
Dipping the soap in water (and perhaps a quick rub over the face to smooth it), immediately after the cut, can leave a shiny face on the cured soap.
Dawni
Well-Known Member
I can't see very clear but what I do see is very nice looking soap. They actually look nice n "creamy" 
I also noticed soleseifes/brine soaps tend to be smoother.. But SaltedFig gave you good info, just thought I'd add that in case you wanted to try them.
I also noticed soleseifes/brine soaps tend to be smoother.. But SaltedFig gave you good info, just thought I'd add that in case you wanted to try them.
Callie
Well-Known Member
They are very neat, pretty soaps. Well done
SunRiseArts
Well-Known Member
penelopejane
Well-Known Member
Beautiful natural creamy soap. I take each soap immediately after I cut and smooth the sides with a paper towel. Gets my little bumps from the wire out very well. Later I use a clothes steamer on them before putting them away for storage after cure.
Martha
Well-Known Member
They may not be shiny, but they sure are pretty!
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