Happy Friday Everyone!
Today, the Soap Queen readers have a chance to win the Color with Confidence PDF by the fabulous and talented Lori Nova from the Nova Studio. Lori is a two-time award winner (Best of Show at the Soap Guild) and three-time speaker at the Handcrafted Soapmaker’s Guild conferences. And, (eh hum) a fabulous teacher for the 2009 Soap Intensive Weekend at Otion.
Learn about the pros and cons of colors used for cold process soapmaking like Pigments (Oxides, Ultramarines), Dyes (LabColors, Soapalooza, Gel Tones), Lakes, Neons, Pop Micas, and last but not least, the Naturals (Clays, Herbs and Spices).
Retail value of $39.00! Woohoo!
Lori teaching her Coloring with Confidence class at Otion
I’ll bet you’re wondering how to win this fabulous prize, right? Just leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite colorant is to color your cold process soap with! And, if you’re a melt and pour soaper remember that you’re entering a contest to win a cold process coloring book but if you’re still interested, not to worry – just tell me what your favorite colorant blend in your melt and pour soap is!
I’ll randomly pick a winner on Wednesday the 17th!
Good luck and have a fabulous weekend!
Dottie Tobias says
I’m really new to the color but so excited to use and try anything i make Cp soap and have been told the oxides are the best so i have some on ordr to try it i just got a blueberry muffin scent and want to put blue marbles in it …I was also told the micas tend to bleed.So i went with the oxides to try and have fun with….Lets hope it works ..good Luck everyone on this contest..
Anne-Marie says
You are so right – Blue Oxide is the best option for sure.
Micas don’t bleed so much as they tend to be unstable.
A great Blue Oxide that is stable and doesn’t bleed is this one: https://www.brambleberry.com/Ultramarine-Blue-medium-Pigment-P4043.aspx
Though this is also a great color:
https://www.brambleberry.com/Blue-Mix-LabColor-P3011.aspx that is a true blue in CP soap though it does tend to bleed just a little bit in CP soap.
Anne-Marie says
John, I'm sorry I took so long to reply to you on your question.
Re: the Jewelry Box colorants, they will work great EXCEPT the Turquoise Blue which will morph to pink/purple in CP soap.
Amy says
I am enjoying my experiments with pop mica, but I've long used clays and I really like the colors that they produce….
off the hook handcrafted accessories says
Clays are my favorites!
Sharon says
I've been using all natural colorants. My favorite is pink clay. But I love many of them and try to do blends with spices and herbs to achieve other colors also. ANY TIPS would be appreciated :)!
Jentv.tv says
I just started to use mica's to color my melt and pour…and so far my favorite is… gold mica! It adds such a nice warm tint + shimmer…I just love it 🙂
Wild Garden Soapworks says
It has been a long time since I used anything other than herbs and other natural colorants (alkanet root, cocoa powder, etc.) I would love to experiment a little more and get a little more colorful, and would LOVE to get this Color with Confidence ebook to get me started!! Denise
Saponify says
Oxides, Oxides, Oxides!!!!! I love my oxides. Micas and some ultramarines and labcolors can rock my cold-process soap socks, too. I had the best coloring experience a short while ago when I was able to get a 6 color marbly-swirl going on with my oxides and labcolors.
Pickmepickmepickme!!!
France says
I love the subtle hues of Ultramarines, but love the convenience of liquid colours. Still trying to tame MICA 🙂
Thanks for this opportunity!!! Fingers crossed.
Debi Maas says
I have tried several colors of Oxides, ultramarines and natural colorants but I can never get them to blend evenly or swirl successfully.
I need the book to help me solve this problem. I look at the gallery in "the soap dish forum" and I'm GREEN with envy.
My Nature`s Art Adventure`s In Soap! says
oxides and pop micas! I love the lab colors for some of my crazier multi-colors!
Topcat says
Thank you for running such a wonderful contest Anne-Marie! I have tried ultramarine and oxides, as well as natural colourants of all kinds in the past. I still use natural colourants but now my ultimate favourite has to be micas 🙂
Anne-Marie says
Della Rae, Teachers in Central Florida? Not that I know of … but someone that's posting on this thread has got to know someone who can help you out?
If not, there's always the DVD at Brambleberry.com on CP soapmaking that will definitely be a huge help. =)
As for the rest of you, it's pretty clear to me that I need to expand Bramble Berry's natural colorants for you!
Kristen says
I have just started colouring (beyond natural ingredients that is), and like ultramarines so far. I need to learn more.
Roy Burch says
Well, my favorite colorant so far is honey and the coloring effect it has with the soap. Honestly, I haven't used any colorants for my soap yet. I would like to learn more about coloring.
Lindalu Forseth says
I love micas and neons for my CP soaps….
Artisan Soaps says
My favourite colourant thus far (limited experience with colours) would have to be Micas .. I love them for swirling, doing solid or two tones batches, and of course that dividing line that's so simple yet looks so fancy!
Deirdre says
I love using clays, red clay and illite is my fav.
sssoap says
My all time fav is still ~Ultramarie Blue~ it's just a pretty color blended with just about anything~
Beth says
I love lab colors, but POP micas are so much fun I think I'm going to be using those a lot more from now on.
Lori at The Nova Studio says
WOW – so exciting to see so many soapers commenting on your favorite colors! Thanks for participating & sharing!!!
Just a note of clarification… based on my research… the only truly "all-natural" colors are from clays & herbs. It's a popular misconception that oxides and micas are natural. They are not. I still use them (I don't think they are harmful in small quantities), but it's good to know what's what, so we don't get accused of trying to mislead anyone.
Good luck to everyone in the contest!!
Joanne - Cliff Island SoapWorks says
I love Pop Micas! They are so much fun to swirl in my Cold Process Soap, and the colors are fantastic!
Amanda says
I Love me some Pop Micas!!!!!
Jody says
Colouring with confidence. That is soimething I definately need to learn. Nothing ever seems to come out right. I doubt there is hope for me but to woin this would probably go a long way in helping. : )
Emotions Bath and Body Products says
Anne-Marie, I love love love my pop micas. I have used other colorants in the past and pop micas are the best IMO of course! They are vibrant, pretty and stay true in cp for the most part.
I can't say enough about them and how wonderful I think they are.
Brooke says
I'm fairly new to soap making but I do love me some POP micas!
🙂
Helen says
oohhh pick me:-)
I love using Pop Micas. They are my current fave CP (and HP) colourants, but I like oxides and labcolors too.
My absolute fave colour right now is the Blueberry Pop Mica! I used it to make a white and blue layered soap with BB's Rain Cybilla f/o and I'm calling it 'Vancouver Rain'
FooFooBerry says
My favourite is hydrated chromium oxide green. This colour kit looks so cool. Am I too late?
kris says
I'm just starting to dabble with oxides but want to also try the POPs. In the mean time I'm currently using Celestial Colors (FD&C and D&C dyes) and really like them.
Karens-Korner says
Just getting started with soaping and cant wait to try them ALL!!! I'm thinking oxides will be my 1st try!! We shall see…
Karen
Susan says
For my MP soaps, I like to use just enough Lab color to tint it so that it's got color but is still see thru, then I add dash of mica's (usually gold or iridescent)to jazz it up. I like the sparkly stain glass look.
Ayesha from Mosaic Soaps says
Hmm, I haven't tried CP but in my MP soaps, I LOVE micas and clays. I especially love the glossy/iridescent micas. beautiful!
milk and cookeez says
I am only an M&Per right now, but I have to say that my fav colorants are micas.
I love the way a mica can turn from a solid looking powder, with a sheen into a beautiful opalescent type look in m&p soap.
I am eagerly waiting for my kids to get older to try CP-for now Im just an addicted buyer 🙂
Barkley's Mommy says
I'm a huge fan of BB's micas and oxides. I am always trying out new ways to layer and swirl my M&P soap. CP is on my 2010 list of "new projects". What an amazing, and perfectly timed, giveaway!
Jen A says
I, too, love the Pop Micas! They're almost fool-proof! oooh! What a GREAT prize!
Carolyn says
Ultramarine blues are my all time favorite – so versatile!!
Paula says
I love to mix my own custom colors using the POP micas. I love the shimmer and sparkle of micas!
Therese says
I love to use micas! i find them easy to use and they look fun.
[email protected] says
My favorite soap colorants are spices, with powdered cinnamon and cocoa topping the list. I love the deep swirls and contrast of color I am able to create with these powders. On my wish list is to try the POP Micas and dyes.
in-between says
Love pop micas – instant satisfaction in the color. 🙂
Catherine says
I LOVE BRAMBLEBERRY'S Ultramarine Blue and Violet (especially when mixed together – great for lavender and lilac soaps:) Also love Brambleberry's oxides. Pop Micas are also favorites – especially in swirled soaps! Am looking forward to the fun of experimenting with other colorants.
Jennie says
I'm trying natural soap colorants and really enjoy using powdered comfrey…plus it's said to help with bruises/soreness!
Two Rivers Soap Company says
My all time favorites are Lab Colors!
Anonymous says
I like micas colors very much and gold is my favorite color.
Tamera says
I'm all about using oxides & ultramarines =)
Lisa Tarris says
I have been trying my luck lately with Labcolors. So far Flamingo Pink is my favorite in CP soap.
Anxious says
I love the oxides. The micas are so beautiful….I think I may try them today!
Rose says
I like grinding and mixing my oxides – and so far my favorite one is the warm orange I made for my Mango-Papaya soap 🙂
Kathy says
I am so new to this, but I have to say micas and oxides so far. I want to venture, but in time. I would love to win.
cherrychnagan says
Oxides and ultramarines are my favorite colorants. I like bright and substantial colors, and they do the trick.
DellaRae says
I can't give you any info that you want because I am just wanting to learn how to make cold process soap. Do You know of any teachers in the central Florida area?`
SpottedCow says
My preference for many years had been oxides and ultramarines. And while I still use them a lot, I would have to say that the Pop Micas have won me over and are now my fav colors to use in CP soapmaking.
Sierra Snow Soaps says
I have used micas and oxides for years, spices and clays too. But just this last year I have been using some NEON colors and I must say, they are very fun!
Michelle in NV
Heather - Soap Scents & Sisterhood says
I have just started making CP soap and have not quite mastered color yet. So far I have used micas and ultramarines.
Lori says
I am so not good at coloring my soap!
Blogger Grrl says
My favorite colorant is French pink clay. I've been wanting to try Australian washed blue clay, too–not sure how blue it will look. I've also recently ordered some bamboo charcoal for a deep black. Yay!
Amy Kalinchuk
Susan / Bella Fresca says
I make M&P but plan to take Lori's cold process soap class sometime this spring! I love the micas, especially the gold sparkle and light gold.
Sweet Creek Herbs says
My favorite colorants are herbs, especially parsley and cocoa powder. But, I do enjoy the yellow mica, pink and blue ultramarines, and yellow and red oxides
Lisa says
I've used oxides, cocoa powder and just got some Labcolor gels. So far, I like the oxides best, although there isn't a huge range of color. I bought a sample pack and haven't gotten anything else, yet. Trying not to buy everything at once. Soaping is pretty brutal on the budget.
Charity says
I like micas because they give a little shimmer on the surface when the bars are cut.
Jenifer Conerly says
I tend to use more oxides with cold process soap.
Hibryd says
This may not count, but my favorite coloring method is actually to use discoloring fragrances. I love swirling or layering differently fragranced soaps to get a great effect, and I can still say "no coloring added".
Runner up is oxides, but I need to learn how to use clays one of these days.
Indulge says
Just stated soaping, and I'm loving it thanks to BB. I've mostly used the wonderful micas, but tried (with some disastrous results) the brown/black oxides for making chocolate soaps. Will try the cocoa powder – that's a great idea!!
Bella Luna/Shannon says
I've used a bit of everything to color my cp soaps, but my current favorite is clays.
Casco Bay Soap Co. says
love the micas, but I do have some oxides too. thanks for the give-a-way!
cascobaysoap.blogspot.com
Desert View says
I am relatively new to soaping and have not yet gotten brave enough to try cold process but I am working on my nerve!
I have used oxides, lab-colors and my favorite is mica. I think that I feel better able to control the color with micasl
Jean says
I have experimented with lots of colorants. It's hard to pick a favorite – it just depends on the look I'm going for. One of my favorites is burgandy oxide. I also use lab colors quite a bit and like clays for coloring also.
Terra Doce Cosmética e Higiene Atesanal says
Hello! I am Brazilian and I follow all the tips you give!
Here in Brazil we know only one way to color the soaps, and I'm delighted to know that there are great colors in the U.S.. I too could do a course there.
Hug!
Deisi Muller
Scented says
I find myself using a lot of different colorants from Select Shades, to oxides, to ultramarines (ick ha), to micas and various liquids. Once I find the real Red, I'll go in search of a more stable purple I think. I like diversities of most of my colorants and range of colors that can be obtained, but I feel like I have a box of imps. When things start behaving and colors come out like they should, another starts to act up. Ha!
Pamela says
What a grand coloring time in the state of WA!
Currently my favs are liquid pink in M and P and CP and also brick red oxide in CP. Perhaps this has something to do with the season upon us?
I am beginning to add clay colorants to my color cabinet as I think perception is that it perhaps is healthier.
Thank you for all the fun Anne Marie and thanks to Lori also, we appreciate you so!
egassner says
I bought a set of liquid oxides when I started with MP (PJ recommended them to me) and they are WONDERFUL! I still use them in CP soaps, but buy the powders from BB and 'liquify' them myself. You can acchive such great colors! I've also used some micas, but have trouble with them morphing. =(
Amy says
This is so great! I have Big Plans to start making CP soap this year (setting my goals just like you said A-M!)
For now, shimmery micas are my fave for my MP soaps…
Melissa says
Well….since I just started making soap last week, the only color I have used is the LabColor that came in my kit. So I guess that is my favorite!!
in2soap says
Initially, maybe 15+ years ago, I used crayons. (Hanging head in shame, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.) I progressed to wonderful natural colorants such as coffee, cocoa, calendula petals, alkanet, and clays. The oxides and micas, of course, took over after that, but I think my fav is green oxide. I soooo want to learn the techniques that make the professional results that you always show.
I totally LOVE this blog. I used to run the Cansoap group and I thought that was cool! Ha!
Angela says
Oh , this looks wonderful! I only have uses the oxides, ao any more suggestions & ideas I would love to try!!
Sara at Soap Rehab says
I use mostly oxides and ultramarines, but I'd love to experiment more with everything from the more exotic POP micas to the natural clays and herbs. Fun stuff!!
Salome says
I love experimenting with colors, particularly swirling techniques, in cold process soaps. My favorite is Pearl Merlot from Bramble Berry. I swirl it in my Celebration soap, using BB's Champagne fragrance as the base. Absolutely divine!
soapwoman says
I use BB oxides and labcolors, as well as herbs from the garden, cedar needles, kelp and spirulina powder. The difficulty I have is in reproducing what I have already made,or predicting how intense a color will end up being in the finished, cured soap (there's a lot of chemistry happening behind the scenes, and any number of variables!).
Holly says
I've been really successful with grape pop mica so far.
Mariana says
Hello Anne-Marie!!!
I would love to win the Color with Confidence PDF by the fabulous and talented Lori Nova, eventhough I didn't use Bramble Berry YET!!!
I just started my M&P soaping in Spain, I love to buy your colors, because I learnt a lot from you and your team, your tutorial and also I read carefully your blog every day. I am checking Custom Spain regulations to see if I can order your products!!!
I wish you would pick me. As my daughter says in Spanish: porfi, porfi pick me!!!!!!
I use labcolors and my favorite color is a mix of 4 drops of orange and 2 drops of red, I get a wonderful CORAL tone, with a mix of fresh peach, apricot and azahar fragance… it is very fresh and nice for summer…
Jeanine L VanVoorhees says
Love Bramble Berry's oxides. My colors are just what I like in soap.
Nikki says
I use micas right now because I adore the colors and they are natural. However, they are hard to use sometimes in CP.
Sarah says
What an excellent prize! My favorite colorant is French green clay and rose clay. I also use some FD&C colors and lots of cosmetic glitter.
Morgane et Romeo says
Didn't do the big jump into cold press yet but would love to learn. Good Luck!
Heidi says
What a fantastic giveaway!
I love experimenting with color. When I want precise colors I always use lab colors. They turn out perfect and its fun to combine them into new colors.
SingingWolf says
I tend to use oxides and pigments mixed with a little castor oil for a in the pot swirl… although I use the pearly white mica when I'm doing my vanilla soaps.
Mica almost all the way for M&P
soapnut says
I love the natural colorants but have just given your cupcake blog a try and now I am dying to try some new colors the possibilities are endless. Thank you for all of your priceless information!! In the pot this weekend CUPCAKES and hopefully the cocoa lipbalm.
BrittaandGeorge says
I have always struggled with a reasonably priced purple for lavender, but I have been experimenting a lot with naturals like Henna and Orange Wax. Orange wax used very sparingly makes a beautiful yellow.
New Moon Scents says
Although I love brightly colored, artistic soaps most of my color in soaps comes from botanicals. I have played with some oxides in M&P recently.
kitchen-chemistry says
Oxide, pigment girl here. Swirling one or two colors is my "auto pilot" standard, but I always love a challange and will try new things on a whim.
madpiano says
I have fallen in love with Hydrated Green Oxide and Alkanet. I ma getting the perfect blue-green and purple with those. I am awaiting a delivery of POP Micas, so my opinion may change, but being based in the UK, POP Micas are very expensive to get hold of. I would love to win this book as I am very colour challenged and rarely get the result I want, although it still looks good.
loly says
oh it's a marvelous prize!
I like to use in my cold process soap oxyde for colouring my soap, Actually my orange oxyde is my favorite, I found it in a american webstore, because in france where I live its difficult to find this stuff.
Have a great day!
Heavenly Scent Soaps says
HI!
I haven't had a lot of luck with Micas, but I do like the Lab Colorants. Sage Mist is very pretty.
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!
: – )
Audrey says
I'm very new to CP and I'd love to get more information about colorants in general. I've gotten BB's collection of oxides and UMs as well as a few FD&C liquid colorants. Now I need to learn more about how to better utilize them!
La Dame de Savon says
hi, I love using oxides…when I have them…recently moved to serbia and soap supplies are not easy to get by over here, so lately been using lots of clays. personally I prefer more rich colors but its natural and my family loves it! xx
CountryMagik says
I love Oxides! My first soap colorants were an oxide sampler pack from Bramble Berry almost 10 years ago. Very heat-tolerant (I do HP) and they produce a range of rich earthy colors.
Lorrane P says
I would have to say mine would be dark lavender and forest mist labcolor swirls though I am still a beginner and my swirls are not perfected I still love the combo.
Cassandra Byers says
I like to use oxides and mica's together. My favorite mixture is sparkle voilete mica with a smidge if violete oxide, swirled with merlot mica. I am partial to the shimmer of it all. Ahhhhh, so pretty!!
jennie w. says
Ooh, I would love this! I use oxides and clays but I need to expand my repertoire.
twinbuzzle says
i love natural colorants such as clays and powdered herbs (parsley). but i do use ultramarine & oxides the most. would love to dabble in the pop-micas!
would love to win *cross fingers*
thanks A-M
Simone says
I have only been soaping since October and must say I LOVE Brambleberry! I started using cocoa powder as a natural colorant and then bought a few oxides from BB and have had a blast trying to add more than one color. My swirled soap is beautiful and I have had such a GREAT time soaping. I am grateful to our Soap Queen, Anne-Marie for showing me on Soap Queen TV how to make additional fun stuff. So, my favorite color for swirling is definately the BLUE oxide in either the Ocean Rain Scent or the Fresh Snow Scent. I also like to swirl the green and yellow oxides together in the Energy or Yuzu Scents. I just smell the scent and decide which Oxide will go along with the scent. Most of the time it has worked out, but I definately am LEARNING!
Amy W says
I love the red lake dye when I need a non-bleeding color, but I've also experimented with some POP micas, and regularly use oxides, ultramarines, and some FD&C dyes.
John Scarlet says
I've only used oxides and dye and only a handful of colors, as I'm new and trying to focus on the quality and get a firmer grasp on the varieties within the CP process.
But I got into soap making for the creative flair of expression within the realm of Soap-ology(I tend to make up words :p). But my personality flaw is of me needing to seek stability and quality before i unleash my wackiness :]
I did just get my "Jewelry Box" from Brambleberry for which i'll goof around with some MP, not too sure if I can use them in CP though.
jacen381 on Twitter, I'm a fellow BrambleBee :]
Suzie says
My favorite is to swirl different micas then incubate my soap in a warm oven. It comes out translucent and sparkly.
Kelly Taylor says
oooh oooh oooh OOOH!
(pickmepickmepickmepickmememememe)
prettypleezpickmemememememe)
(sorry!)
OK, i absolutely LOVE Brambleberry's micas and oxides.
They are so Glamourous and Mysterious and Wwirly and Romantic and Elusive, and Exotic and did I mention FUN and SWIRLY????
They truly make soap crafting a Class ACT. I kid you not, they are as much fun to work with as Crayola's 64 variety was when I was a kid!
I especially love my Lab Colors set and it is proudly displayed in my area always within arms's reach.
I love to mix the micas with the Lab Colors to make that color swirl swoon and POP!
I have only made Cold Process Soap 4 times and I have used Micas and they rock, and oxides and they rock too.
Now, to get the swirl to swirl at the right moment of trace.
Ha Ha, sounds like a cosmic planetary alignment experiment which it truly is……
xoxoxo Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
NOW! You "random counter, you"!
Pick me already! or else I will Pout!
Merryn says
I love using POP micas – they give me great color and I can trust that they will give me the color that I want.
I do use oxides as well for some of my soaps and I like them – but the POP micas are by far my favorite!
Kim says
I started out using oxides and that's just what I got use to and love using now.
fusionsoap says
I love using oxides but am starting to use more natural colorants lately.
Soap Scent-sations says
What a great prize!!
I use alot of different colorants, but I would have to say clays are one of my favorites as create subtle colors. (But I like bold too and oxides can do that beautifully!!–just learning how to use these effectively)