Mica and oxide color

by Tamika
(NY,NY)

I was wondering what can you pre-mix the micas and oxides with prior to adding them to the thinly traced soap and how much if mixed with something else?

Answer:

I always mix my oxides into my micas. I tend to use four base colours of mica...white (especially white), green, emerald and ruby. I then will add ultramarines and oxides to make specific colours.

If making a purple colour, I will mix the ruby mica with a small amount of ultramarine blue and a bit of white mica. Using the back of a spoon, I will mix, mix and mix some more until the colorants are the shade I want and have no lumps. The mica seams to keep the oxides from clumping.

Turquoise would be white mica, ultramarine blue and hydrated chromium green oxide.

You must be sure to properly mix the powders and not leave any clumps or there will be clumps in the final soaps.

It's actually lots of fun mixing the colours....I keep little jars (baby food jars work well) of pre-mixed colours around for when I want them. I also keep notes on how much of each type of colour I use so that I can repeat my favorites.

When it's time to colour a soap base I simply add these pre-mixed colours to the soap when it reaches a thin trace and stick blend it in really well.

Hope that helps,
Cathy