This is a two layer cold processed soap log with a nice dark, forest green for the base layer and Apple Green Pop Mica "blown" across the uncoloured top layer of the log. To make this style of soap, you'll need to use a Wooden Log or Loaf Mould to enable the two tone layering.
The trick to this style of soap is to weigh the two colours of soap (if you want an exact half and half colour combo) and to work carefully to achieve the thickness of trace to enable a nice textured top. It is important to use a Fragrance or Essential Oil that doesn't accelerate trace too much, but some can help you work with a nice textured finish, though extra stick blending will allow you to do this with all fragrances and essential oil blends. (Just check the notes on each of our Fragrances so you know what to expect). Silver Spruce doesn't accelerate, but I mixed it a little longer so trace was nice and thick for the top layer.
Ingredients:
- 100g Shea Butter
- 150g Castor Oil
- 550g Coconut Oil
- 450g Olive Oil
- 184g Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda/Lye)
- 320 - 440 mls/g of Distilled Water (Use larger quantity if you are a beginner)
- We used 35ml (approx 7 teaspoons) of Silver Spruce Fragrance to give this batch its delicious Fragrance!
This log is scented with Silver Spruce Fragrance, we coloured our batch with Deep Sea Green Liquid Dispersion, quite a lot really as I wanted a rich dark forest green, and dusted the uncoloured textured surface of the soap with Apple Green Pop Mica
Method:
For how to make soap from Scratch, please see our Cold Process Soapmaking Instructions Page
If you are a beginner, we recommend you make a few batches before attempting this soap as it can be a little overwhelming remembering everything when just starting out. If you are more advanced, you can follow the instructions below.
- Prepare all ingredients and line the mould as usual
- Ensure the scales are ready as you'll need these during mixing and pouring
- Set aside a spare washed, 1 Litre container for the second part of the batch which you will weigh
- Prepare your workspace and set out the Colour and Fragrance (in glass) ready to go
- Bring soap to thin trace, and then pour half of the soap into the spare container (you can add all the ingredients together and weigh half this - if you used say, 400g of water you'll weigh 900g of traced soap into this container) and set aside
- Return to the main batch portion, and colour this with the Deep Seagreen Liquid Dispersion until you reach the depth of colour you are happy with, and have reached medium trace
- Now add half the fragrance into the main pot and stir thoroughly, but don't increase the thickness of the trace
- Pour carefully into the log mould ensuring a nice flat even level
- Now it's time to work with the uncoloured top portion. Slowly blend in the rest of the fragrance, and this manually keep them mixture moving until the base colour is a little firmer.
- Now pour the top layer over the back of a spoon over the base layer in the mould. The thicker the trace the more easily you can create that textured top
- By slightly moving the soap pot as you pour you can alter the pattern a little if desired
- If you are going to "blow" the mica across the soap, allow it to set up a little until quite firm, but not yet gelling, position the soap in draft or outside. TAKE CARE!!! Don't forget to hold the base AND the top of the log mould if you are moving it - you don't want your soap all over the floor. With a tea strainer, sprinkle a small amount of mica over the top of the soap, then gently blow the excess away. TAKE CARE NOT TO INHALE THE DUST. An exhaust fan is useful, or even a draft through your work area. If you want to avoid "blowing" the mica you can:
- Wait until the soap is unmoulded and brush on the mica with a soft paintbrush. Spray with a little hairspray to help it adhere to the soap.
- Unmould and slice as usual
Note: If you would like a textured top, you need to balance the thickness of trace with its ability to sit nicely on top in that textured look.