If you’re looking for a super luxurious bath experience, these Midas Touch Bath Bombs are the project for you! Covered in King’s Gold Mica, these bath bombs fill the tub with gold shimmer and leave sparkle on the skin. Cocoa butter is added to the dry ingredients to create a barrier on the skin that helps retain and restore moisture. Meadowfoam oil is also used for its moisturizing and non-greasy feel. They are scented with a combination of Champagne Fragrance Oil and Orange Peel Cybilla Fragrance Oil to create a bubbly and fruity mixture that smells just like a mimosa! Watch these bath bombs in action via the video at the bottom of the post.
This bath bomb project takes a little bit of extra time, but the results are worth it. The fizzies need to first dry and harden in the mold for 24 hours. Once completely firm, they are removed from the mold and spritzed with 99% isopropyl alcohol. While slightly damp from the alcohol, the fizzies are rolled in mica for a smooth and shiny appearance. These fizzies are not exactly for the faint of heart; they fill the tub and water with plenty of sparkle (and by ‘plenty‘, I mean, that your skin will be shimmering and glowing with gold sparkle). While the mica does not stain the tub, it will leave sparkle “residue” that will wash away after a few showers or a quick scrub. They do pack a powerful punch of skin-loving oils which can (and does) leave your tub oily so be careful when exiting the tub!
What You’ll Need:
6-8 Bath Bomb Mold & Packages
3 cups Baking Soda
1 1/2 cups Citric Acid
7 mL Champagne Fragrance Oil
7 mL Orange Peel Cybilla Fragrance Oil
1.5 oz. Meadowfoam Oil
1 oz. Cocoa Butter
Coral Orange La Bomb Colorant
King’s Gold Mica
99% Isopropyl Alcohol
Optional: Witch Hazel
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
ONE: In a large bowl, add the baking soda and citric acid. Use your hands to break up any clumps. To help make the mixture extremely smooth, you can strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. =)
TWO: Pour the meadowfoam oil and cocoa butter in a heat safe container and place in the microwave using 30 second bursts until the cocoa butter is completely melted. You can melt the cocoa butter on its own, but I find it melts a little easier when mixed with a liquid oil. Add the mixture of melted oils into the dry ingredients. You may want to allow the oils to cool slightly, as you need they could burn your hands during the next step if they are extremely hot.
THREE: Use your hands to work the oils throughout the dry ingredients. Be careful, as the oils may be very hot. Continue to mix until the oils and dry ingredients are completely combined. This may take several minutes.
FOUR: Add about 10-12 drops of the Coral Orange La Bomb into the mixture and begin working the colorant throughout the mixture. This can take a few minutes, just keep mixing! Add more colorant if you’d like the color to be a little more saturated.
FIVE: Add the Champagne Fragrance Oil and Orange Peel Cybilla Fragrance Oil to the mixture and use your hands to thoroughly mix in the fragrances.
SIX: Check the moisture of your fizzies. When squeezed with your hand, the mixture should hold its shape. If not, add spritzes of witch hazel into each container, mixing between every couple sprays, until each container has a texture similar to wet sand. Try to work as quickly as possible!
SEVEN: Fill two halves of the bath bomb molds, gently pressing the bath bomb mixture in each to make sure they hold their shape. Mound a little extra mixture in the center of one half of the mold. Match the eyelets of each side up, and press together. To avoid any imperfections on your bath bomb, make sure to direct pressure to the edges of the mold rather than the center.
EIGHT: Allow the bath fizzies to harden in the mold for 24 hours. Then, carefully remove them from the package. Fill a bowl with a few tablespoons of King’s Gold Mica.
NINE: Spritz the outside of one bath bomb lightly with 99% isopropyl alcohol.
TEN: Gently roll the bath bomb into the King’s Gold Mica until completely covered. Use your fingers to carefully “brush” off any excess mica.
ELEVEN: Repeat this process for each bath bomb, until all are covered. Carefully place the bath bombs back into the mold and package until ready to use. Before placing them back into the package, you may want to wash the mold for a clean look. Just make sure they are completely dry before placing the fizzy back into the mold!
Unmold the fizzy when you are ready to use it (leaving your fizzies out in the air can often set off the fizzy reaction in humid climates). The bath bomb molds are intended for one time use, but if you are very careful when you unmold them you can re-use them. They are a mold & package all-in-one! This fizzy fills the tub with gold sparkle, and leaves the skin with shimmer. It also leaves oil and sparkle in the tub, so be very careful when exiting the tub as it may be slippery. I also quickly wiped down my tub to make sure that any oil that remained didn’t leave a mess to clean up later. Check out the bath bombs in action below!
What’s your favorite bath bomb additive? I love adding luxurious oils and butters. These bath fizzies are my favorite tub product that I’ve made for … well, a long time! I loved them and want many such luxurious baths in my future.
- 6-8 Bath Bomb Mold & Package
- 3 cups Baking Soda
- 1½ cups Citric Acid
- 7 mL Champagne Fragrance Oil
- 7 mL Orange Peel Cybilla Fragrance Oil
- 1.5 oz. Meadowfoam Oil
- 1 oz. Cocoa Butter
- Coral Orange La Bomb Colorant
- King’s Gold Mica
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
- Optional: Witch Hazel
- In a large bowl, add the baking soda and citric acid. Use your hands to break up any clumps. To help make the mixture extremely smooth, you can strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. =)
- Pour the meadowfoam oil and cocoa butter in a heat safe container and place in the microwave using 30 second bursts until the cocoa butter is completely melted. You can melt the cocoa butter on its own, but I find it melts a little easier when mixed with a liquid oil. Add the mixture of melted oils into the dry ingredients. You may want to allow the oils to cool slightly, as you need they could burn your hands during the next step if they are extremely hot.
- Use your hands to work the oils throughout the dry ingredients. Be careful, as the oils may be very hot. Continue to mix until the oils and dry ingredients are completely combined. This may take several minutes.
- Add about 10-12 drops of the Coral Orange La Bomb into the mixture and begin working the colorant throughout the mixture. This can take a few minutes, just keep mixing! Add more colorant if you’d like the color to be a little more saturated.
- Add the Champagne Fragrance Oil and Orange Peel Cybilla Fragrance Oil to the mixture and use your hands to thoroughly mix in the fragrances.
- Check the moisture of your fizzies. When squeezed with your hand, the mixture should hold its shape. If not, add spritzes of witch hazel into each container, mixing between every couple sprays, until each container has a texture similar to wet sand. Try to work as quickly as possible!
- Fill two halves of the bath bomb molds, gently pressing the bath bomb mixture in each to make sure they hold their shape. Mound a little extra mixture in the center of one half of the mold. Match the eyelets of each side up, and press together. To avoid any imperfections on your bath bomb, make sure to direct pressure to the edges of the mold rather than the center.
- Allow the bath fizzies to harden in the mold for 24 hours. Then, carefully remove them from the package. Fill a bowl with a few tablespoons of King’s Gold Mica.
- Spritz the outside of one bath bomb lightly with 99% isopropyl alcohol.
- Gently roll the bath bomb into the King’s Gold Mica until completely covered. Use your fingers to carefully “brush” off any excess mica.
- Repeat this process for each bath bomb, until all are covered. Carefully place the bath bombs back into the mold and package until ready to use. Before placing them back into the package, you may want to wash the mold for a clean look. Just make sure they are completely dry before placing the fizzy back into the mold!
- Unmold the fizzy when you are ready to use it (leaving your fizzies out in the air can often set off the fizzy reaction in humid climates). The bath bomb molds are intended for one time use, but if you are very careful when you unmold them you can re-use them. They are a mold & package all-in-one! This fizzy fills the tub with gold sparkle, and leaves the skin with shimmer.
I’ve used this recipe twice now, the first for lemon, bergamot, chamomile and sunflower bombs (Summer Sunshine), and the second for violet, hyacinth, and lilac (Flower Explosion) bombs. I love them! Thank you so much for this recipe.
Do you have any suggestions that would make the balls release from their mold a little easier? That’s the only problem we had with it. I tried a batch coating the interior of the mold in vitamin E oil, but that wasn’t terribly successful.
I plan to make a bunch more for the year (just to give away as gifts and whatnot) and that would be super helpful.
Thank you again!-Lex
Absolutely, there are a few tricks to help those bath bombs release a bit more easily. You may try a few drops of cyclomethicone – swirl that around and drain on a paper towel until you’re ready to mold. Vitamin E is slightly sticky so it may want to hold onto those bath bombs, while cyclomethicone has a thinner texture that helps them release: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cyclomethicone-P4560.aspx
The way you pack the bath bombs helps as well. If they’re packed really tightly, they do want to stay in the mold rather than popping out. It can help to pack them a bit more loosely. That way, when you press the halves together they compact into a round shape and pop out a bit more easily.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi if i wanted to use some kaolin clay in they how much would i use? and how much extra oil/ butter would i need.
Thank You
Sam
You can add about 1 tablespoon of clay per cup of fizzy mixture. The extra powder can make the bath bombs a bit more dry, so you can also add about .2 oz. of extra oil to start. If the fizzies are still on the dry side, you can add more oil or witch hazel. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Kaolin clay: https://www.brambleberry.com/Kaolin-Clay-P3235.aspx
can I use shea butter instead of the cocoa butter?
You can! As with the cocoa butter, you’ll want to melt it before adding to the bath bomb mixture. 🙂
Shea butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shea-Butter-P3220.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
At what concentration does cocoa butter begin to impart its scent into the bath bombs? I was not prepared for the intensity of the scent of 100% cocoa butter, and it will work well for hot cocoa bath bombs, but how does its scent work with other scents? Any idea when the deodorized butter will be back in stock? Patiently waiting on my order to arrive tomorrow to begin this adventure! 🙂
The natural scent of cocoa butter can come through even in small amounts. It does work really well with vanilla and sweet scents! If you’re not a fan of that chocolatey scent, dedorized cocoa butter works well. We’re expecting that back in stock March 3rd. Sorry for the wait Lori. Once it’s back in stock, we’ll get the website updated.
Deodorized cocoa butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/deodorized-cocoa-butter-p3199.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Why do you use witch hazel?
Meaning…why do you use witch as opposed to water to spritz the bath bombs?
Witch hazel is perfect for bath bombs because it wets them without causing them to fizz too early. That’s because it’s mixed with alcohol. Water, on the other hand, can react with the baking soda and citric acid and cause the bath bombs to fizz in your bowl. Witch hazel is best! 🙂
Learn more about witch hazel here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello. Do you think you could make a pokeball bath bomb?
Also frogot a 4-star rating 😀
We’ll definitely keep that in mind! Thanks for your suggestion Brennan. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi SoapQueen,
Awesome tutorial. The bestest of the bath bomb recipes I have tried till now. Though had to substitute meadowfoam oil with coconut oil (since I didn’t have meadowfoam oil) and used peppermint & orange fragrances. Didn’t use any witch hazel as the oil did the trick. And maybe the humidity in the air?? They turned out just perfectly hard, not brittle as my other trials. I guess the cocoa butter played a major part in the hardening, right? Am sticking to this recipe from now on. Thank you so much for sharing with us and look forward to learning from you more 🙂
That’s awesome, sounds like the recipe turned out well! Cocoa butter definitely helps wet the bath bombs and give them a little structure. As for the witch hazel, you may find you need to use none or just a little bit on more humid days. If it’s pretty dry, you can spray it until the bath bombs are the texture of wet sand. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Dear Kelsey,
I have tried this recipe, among many others, and have failed. My balls break in half when I take them out of mold, or they crumble. Yet, they feel heavy. I live in Nevada, so I am thinking that perhaps they are too dry, but when I add moisture to any of the recipes I have tried for bath bombs, they don’t hold together either. I am getting frustrated as I cannot seem to be successful with bath bombs!!! I did use a half of a bath bomb (this recipe) in the tub to see how it performed in the bath tub. It did okay. It fizzed, but stayed at the bottom of the tub.
Any ideas or suggestions? I love this particular recipe, and the bath was so luxurious with the half bomb!!!!
HELP!
Natalie
Bath bombs can be tricky. They need to be just the right texture to hold their shape. Depending on your climate, that will mean more or less witch hazel. When your bath bombs break apart, do they feel dry and powdery or wet and soft? Also, what are you using to wet them?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am using witch hazel to wet them, and when they break apart, they seem crumbly on the outside. Some batches feel wetter on the inside. Ugh.
Hmm, I’m wondering if one section of the bath bomb mixture may be getting more wet than the rest. That can cause one part to be fairly wet and the rest to be dry. It really helps to spray witch hazel with one hand and mix with the other. That helps it distribute evenly and prevent any wet spots. Keep spritzing and mixing until the mixture holds its shape when squeezed. It reminds me a lot of wet sand! Then, mold and leave to dry in a cool, dry place. That should help them hold their shape. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! Great tutorial and these smell great! They also seemed the right texture when I molded them and it’s been 24h but to my surprise when I unmolded 1, it didn’t stick together and looks like it might crumble. Should I let them air dry? Can i crumble them all up and mix them back up and re mold them? Thanks!
Hi Christina!
Do the bath bombs feel fairly dry, or are they more wet? Is your environment pretty humid? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot!
Also, the bath bombs can’t be remolded after 24 hours. We do have a really cute tutorial that shows you how to package crumbled bath bombs though. I’ll link that below. 🙂
Save the Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/save-the-bath-bombs-valentine-style/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello, Brambleberry! I’d appreciate a quick chemistry lesson. I just read both of your Sunday Spotlight posts on isopropyl alcohol and witch hazel because I’m trying to understand why you’ve suggested using alcohol to wet the bath bombs before rolling in King’s Gold Mica.
More specifically: If witch hazel makes an excellent binder for bath bombs because it’s low on water content, wouldn’t it be an appropriate substitute for the 99% isopropyl in this application? Why NOT use witch hazel?
Hi Chris!
That’s a great question! We love using witch hazel for bath bombs because it binds the mixture and helps the bath bombs hold their shape. We have used alcohol for bath bombs before and found it can be quite drying. Often, bath bombs made with alcohol can crack. But, because the alcohol evaporates so quickly it’s perfect for adhering the mica! Just a couple spritzes helps the color stick, then the alcohol evaporates. That helps prevent color transfer and smudging. It also helps keep the outside of the bath bomb nice and dry.
Witch hazel should work nicely on the outside of the bath bombs if you want to skip the alcohol! I would recommend using just a couple sprays. Too much on the outside can make the bath bombs a bit more wet. A few sprays should work fine. You may want to test one out just to be sure. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sunday Night Spotlight: Witch Hazel: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
Sunday Night Spotlight: 99% Isopropyl Alcohol: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-99-isopropyl-alcohol/
Why is it that when using the silver molds, you don’t have to wait 24 hours before popping them out, but in plastic molds you have to wait?
Hi Abigail!
That’s a great question! We like to leave the bath bombs in the plastic molds because they double as packaging. During that time they also set up and hold their shape. If you’d like to use them as just molds you can! I would recommend leaving them in the packaging for a couple hours, then removing and placing them in a soft area.
I also like to leave bath bombs in one half of the stainless steel mold overnight! That can help them hold their shape a bit better. Just make sure they stay dry and cool as they set up. 🙂
Get more bath bomb tips here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Plastic Bath Bomb Mold and Package: https://www.brambleberry.com/Bath-Bomb-Mold-Package-Plastic-P5913.aspx
Stainless Steel Bath Bomb Mold: https://www.brambleberry.com/Stainless-Steel-Bath-Bomb-Mold-2-pieces-P4670.aspx
How would the painting go with a combo of mica and glycerine?
Cheers
Jan
Hi Jan!
We have tried this technique with glycerin before! It made a pretty design on the bath bombs, but it doesn’t fully dry and has a sort of sticky feeling. It definitely works great in the tub, but may transfer onto any packaging. I would recommend making a small test batch with the glycerin to see what you think. If you want a more dry finish, you can use alcohol. Witch hazel would evaporate nicely too! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi! I’m excited to make these as favors for a baby shower, and I think I’ll need About 50 of them total. I think most of the ingredients will make that many but could you give me an idea of what items I need more of? Thanks so much!
Hi Bridget!
You’re right, a lot of these ingredients will make 50 bath bombs, such as the oils, colorants and fragrance. You will need to get more molds, baking soda and citric acid. This recipe makes about 6-8 bath bombs, so you will need about 6.5 times the amount. That means about 19.5 cups of baking soda and about 6.75 cups of citric acid. I hope this helps! =)
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
I just did my own spin on the Midas Touch bath fizzy. I used amber fragrance and orange essential oil. They smell divine! I also added in some SLSA, grapeseed oil, cocoa butter, and kaolin clay to make them really nice! They are wonderful! Your original recipe gave me the inspiration. Thanks!
Orange essential oil and Amber Fragrance Oil sounds like such an amazing combination! You’re welcome Olivia, glad this tutorial helped inspire your wonderful recipe. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
10X Orange Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Orange-10X-Essential-Oil-P4441.aspx
Amber Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Amber-Fragrance-Oil-P3882.aspx
I’m fascinated with bath bombs Kelsey! Still learning and made a few mistakes, but now I’d like to try the SLSA with a good recipe. How much SLSA do I need for your recipe of 6 to 8 bath bombs? Also, the last batch I made solidified really well, including a beautiful fizz! But, I didn’t like the smell so much. Maybe I used a little too much Kaolin clay? I let them air out, but there’s still a very faint unpleasant odor. I used the basic recipe with coconut oil. What did I do wrong?
Bath bombs are so much fun to make and use! For SLSA, we recommend using the same amount as your citric acid. That will give you some nice bubbles. 🙂
We used SLSA in these Aloe Bubble Bath Bombs: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/aloe-bubble-bath-bombs/
SLSA: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfoacetate-SLSA-P5244.aspx
Also, what do those bath bombs smell like? Do they smell musty? Or, do they smell sort of like Playdough? Slightly medicinal? Did you use any fragrance? Let me know and I’ll help you troubleshoot!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I only have 91% Isopropyl Alcohol is that OK or will it mess up my bath fizzies?
Hi Jenny!
We have used 99% isopropyl alcohol before for bath fizzies! We found it did help bind the fizzies, but tended to be a bit more drying than witch hazel. My worry with the 91% isopropyl alcohol is that the higher water content may set the fizzies off. Before using it on a large batch, I would recommend giving it a try in a small test batch to see how it works. 🙂
Read more about 99% isopropyl alcohol here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-99-isopropyl-alcohol/
And more about witch hazel here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello! I need this very last minute and I dont have a mold, what could I use as a substitute?
Hi Ray!
Any plastic or silicone mold will work! I have heard of some people using plastic Easter egg containers as molds, or an ice cube tray. Just make sure the mold is flexible so you can unmold the bath bombs easily. I would also recommend making a small test batch in the molds to make sure they work well. 🙂
You can also use any of our plastic molds for bath bombs: https://www.brambleberry.com/Plastic-Molds-C553.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you substitute essential oils for fragrance oils? I have sensitive skin to fragrance and prefer not to use it if I can help it.
Hi Ashley!
You can definitely use essential oil if you like! Keep in mind, certain essential oils can cause irritation to the skin. For instance, cinnamon leaf essential oil can cause irritation if too much is used. Learn more about our essential oils in the descriptions on Bramble Berry: https://www.brambleberry.com/Essential-Oils-C157.aspx
For this recipe, I would recommend adding around 4 mL of the essential oil, then giving the mixture a sniff. If you want a stronger smell, you can add more from there. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can polysorbate 89 be added and, if so, how much?
Polysorbate 80, not 89
Hi Robyn!
You can add polysorbate 80! It helps the oils in the bath bombs mix in with the water. That way there are no pools of oil in your tub. It also helps wet the bath bombs and prolong the fizzing. You can add it up to 6% in your bath bomb. 🙂
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
We used Polysorbate 80 in our Peppermint Candy Bath Bombs to help the oil mix nicely in the tub: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/peppermint-candy-bath-bomb-tutorial/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
These look great, and I’m looking forward to testing before I sell these. One question- since you are sitting in the tub with this mica, it’s going to go “everywhere”. I know that this cosmetic grade mica, safe for eye products, lip products etc. has anyone actually bathed with one of these? Any concerns about possible irritation?
Maybe the glitter is such a small amount it’s not an issue?
Hi Barbara!
We had several people test these bath bombs at home with no irritation! The mica is skin safe and very fine, so it shouldn’t irritate the skin. That being said, everyone’s skin is a bit different. Some people are sensitive to certain colors or fragrances. You may want to make a small test batch to see how it feels! If you notice any irritation, you can leave the mica out of this recipe. It’s an optional step. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks for your prompt response, these came out great by the way, looking forward to doing some personal testing
You’re welcome, so glad the bath bombs came out great! Have fun giving them a try. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have bathed in these. It left a nice glow sheen on skin. I did need to rinse out tub afterwards as it left a bit of ring around it, however, it was worth it
I just made these for the first time 2 days ago. Actually these were the first bath bombs I have ever made. They came out beautifully and they are packaged and on there way to be sold (hopefully!) as I type this.
My only one complaint is that while making them the scent of them, I think it was the Champagne fragrance, really messed up my sinuses. But as they sat on my counter to harden the irritation went away. Of course this is not any ones fault, just my stupid nose I guess! The Champagne fragrance is very strong (I even had to wrap the bottle in plastic so I don’t smell it at all) but as I said once the bath bombs had time to sit the fragrance mellowed out a bit.
Great tutorial, thanks!
Yay, so glad the bath bombs turned out well for you! I hope you sell lots and lots of them. 🙂
I’m sorry that Champagne Fragrance Oil messed up your sinuses! If you like, you can leave it out of the recipe or add a bit less to the recipe. That way it won’t be as strong!
Ginger Ale Fragrance Oil would smell really nice in this recipe, and would still add the nice bubbly note: https://www.brambleberry.com/Ginger-Ale-P4161.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I would love to buy these because I am to lazy to make them myself
We don’t sell these bath bombs on our website, but you can find some great premade ones on Etsy! Just search “bath bombs.” 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made these bath bombs and they ended up terrible. I did exactly what the instructions said and they crumbled and wouldn’t stay together. Because of this i didn’t get to put the gold on them.
Hi Carson!
Oh no, I’m sorry those bath bombs crumbled on you. The good news is you can still use them! They will fizz really nicely in the tub. If you like, you can sprinkle the bath bombs with the King’s Gold Mica and wrap them up in water soluble paper. That way you will still get the beautiful gold shimmer in your tub. 🙂
We did that in the Save the Bath Bombs Tutorial: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/save-the-bath-bombs-valentine-style/
When bath bombs crumble, it usually means they’re a bit dry and need more witch hazel. How much witch hazel you spray will depend on a number of factors, including how humid it is in your area. For instance, we find that when it’s raining here in Washington state, we don’t have to use as much witch hazel!
After all your ingredients are mixed, squeeze the mixture together in your hand. If it sticks together, you are ready to mold! If not, spray 1-2 times with witch hazel, mix and test again. Repeat that process until the mixture sticks together. It reminds me a lot of wet sand.
See that texture in this bath fizzy video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
This post on bath bomb questions and answers may be helpful for you as well: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-bomb-questions-answers/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I use 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol or should I not
Hi Carson!
We didn’t try this recipe with 91% isopropyl alcohol, so I’m not entirely sure! The percentage refers to the amount of alcohol, while the remainder is typically water. So, because 91% has more water, it may want to make those fizzies go off while you’re working with them.
I would recommend trying a small amount of 91% alcohol on the fizzies and seeing how they work! If you notice the mica doesn’t want to stick, or you notice the fizzies going off, you may want to use 99% isopropyl alcohol instead. 🙂
Read more about 99% isopropyl alcohol here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-99-isopropyl-alcohol/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Could i do the same thing but with rose-gold mica? Going to try this, i have a feeling they will fly out of my shop! 🙂
You can! The Rose Gold Mica would look totally gorgeous on these bath bombs. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Rose Gold Mica: https://www.brambleberry.com/Rose-Gold-Mica-P6226.aspx
Hi, I was wondering if you could help me. I wondered if you know (about) how much each finished bomb weighs? I’m just wondering for shipping costs, etc.
Thanks!
Hi Angela!
Absolutely! On its own, the bath bomb weighs about 3.6 ounces. In the packaging, it weighs about 4 ounces.
That will fluctuate a bit based on how tightly the bath bombs are packed, but that gives you a rough estimate. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Quick question. What oil could you substitute if you don’t have Meadowfoam? Would sweet almond oil work? Thanks 🙂
Hi Louise!
Jojoba oil is a great substitute for meadowfoam oil, they have a similar non-greasy feel. If you don’t have jojoba oil, sweet almond oil or avocado oil would feel great in this recipe. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Jojoba oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Jojoba-Oil-Golden-P3219.aspx
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
These look great! I too was curious about how the mica would react in the water. I’ve never used micas or powder pigments in my bath bombs because it is not water soluble and I imagine it will just float around on top of the water and leave ucky stuff to clean up.
Thanks so much Michael, glad you like the bath bombs! The micas tend to mix with the oil and float around on top. Also, it can definitely stick to your tub. I like to keep paper towels handy after the bath to wipe any excess mica off. It cleans off nicely.
Also, you can add Polysorbate 80 up to 6% to help the oil mix in with the bath water. We didn’t test this recipe with Polysorbate, so I would recommend a small test batch. 🙂
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks Kelsey, that’s a great tip.
You’re welcome! 🙂
It mentions a video on the home page? Did I miss it somewhere? I’d like to see how golden the water turns. These are very pretty!
The video is above in this post.
Hi Patti!
You can find that video above in step 11, or you can find it here: https://instagram.com/p/8eMc1tg5pG/
They’re totally fun to watch in the tub! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I love the idea of making these for the holidays!! I have a question though. Would adding a small amount of polysorbate 80 help with the amount of oil left in the tub, or on your skin? I personally love the feel it leaves on my skin, but I have a few customers who don’t! I know I could leave some of the cocoa butter out of the mixture, but I want it in my bath bombs!!
Thanks! 🙂
These would make an adorable holiday gift! Also, you can definitely add some Polysorbate 80 to this mixture to help the oil mix in with the water. You can add up to 6% Polysorbate to that mixture. It also helps wet the bombs, so you won’t have to use as much witch hazel!
Because we didn’t test this recipe with Polysorbate 80, a small test batch would be helpful. 🙂
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Wow those looks really cool! Thanks for posting the video too, I was curious as the the amount of residue it would leave and how it colored the water and the video helped me to get a better idea of how it would act in the tub 🙂
Thanks so much Margaret! We thought the video would be helpful. I won’t lie, we tested another one after that just for fun. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry