The Color Purple

by Mary Thomas
(Southern Texas)

I use the Room Tempature and/or CP method with essential oils to scent and oxides for coloring to make my soaps with much satisfaction. I do have a problem with the iron oxide Violet I use for purple. The other colors: red, blue, green, yellow all remain pretty true but the violet turns an unappetizing dirty shade of mauve. I'm looking for more of a lavender shade, what can you suggest. Thanks.


Answer:

I think the ultramarine violet isn't very stable in cold process soap making.

I mix together ultramarine blue with crimson mica and white mica for my purples. You could try ultramarine blue, ultramarine pink and titanium dioxide if you do not have micas. The amounts will vary depending on the shade you are going for. This is were experimentation and lots of notes will come in handy if you want to reproduce a successful colour again.

Cathy

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starstarstarstarstar 		ultramarine violet in cp soaps is great!
by: Anonymous

I tried ultramarine violet in my cp soaps, at first it turned gray-brown, I added more pigments and it reached the right color! so I think it's great but don't be afraid the correct amount. ;)
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starstarstarstarstar 		Lovely purple
by: Anonymous

I have had great success getting lavender purples with alkenet root power. Use approx 1 tbs of powder for every lb of oils in your final batch. You should diffuse the root in one of your liquid oils first. (I use olive) I also give it a quick 15-30 sec zap in the microwave and then let sit for a day or two shaking occasionally. Strain before using. The oil will be a very dark magenta (don't worry) as the root reacts to the lye and changes purple.

Comment:

Thank you so much for sharing!

Cathy
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same Thing Happens To Me With Purple
by: Shay

The same thing happens to me. I purchased this beautiful Manganese Violet ultramarine oxide colorant from coastal scents and it's the most beautiful purple violet color in the powder form but when I mix it with my cold processed soap it turns a beige brown color, it's not purple at all when used in cold processed soap. I've tried it in 2 different batches and both times it turned out the same. Such a shame as this colorant is the prettiest purple color, very vibrant.

Answer:

If I remember correctly, the violet ultramarines are not stable in CP soap but work fine in MP soap. The only success I have had to achieve the purples is to make it myself using oxides, micas and ultramarine blues.

Cathy

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