Here in the Pacific Northwest, the cherry blossom trees are blooming. Their delicate pink petals are the inspiration for these Cherry Blossom Bath Bombs. They’re also inspired by the creative bath bombs by Willow and Honey Gourmet Soap Co. Their abstract style of mica painting is so fun to create – each bath bomb looks unique.

In addition to bath bomb essentials like baking soda and citric acid, this recipe has a touch of lotus flower extract. It adds moisture to the mixture, which can prevent crumbling. The extract also feels great on the skin. Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier that helps the oil and color mix into the bath water rather than pooling on top.

The “paint” is created by mixing mica and 99% isopropyl alcohol. Painting bath bombs can be messy, so you may want to lay down some newspaper to protect your work surface.

What You Need:
6 Cavity Silicone Square Mold
20 oz. Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
10 oz. Citric Acid
0.6 oz. Cherry Blossom Fragrance Oil
0.4 oz. Lotus Flower Extract
0.2 oz. Polysorbate 80
Witch Hazel in a Spray Bottle
Party Pink Mica
Super Pearly White Mica
99% Isopropyl Alcohol
Paint Brushes

Click below to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

ONE: In a large bowl, combine 20 oz. of baking soda and 10 oz. of citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break them up with your fingers. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir everything together.

TWO: In a small glass container, add 0.4 oz. of lotus flower extract, 0.6 oz. Cherry Blossom Fragrance Oil, and 0.2 oz. of polysorbate 80. Use a spoon to mix all the liquids together.

THREE: Add the oil mixture to the baking soda and citric acid mixture. Use your hands to thoroughly mix everything together.

FOUR: Test the consistency of the bath bomb mixture. The perfect consistency is similar to wet sand and holds its shape when squeezed. If it’s too dry, use one hand to spritz the mixture with witch hazel and one to mix. Continue spritzing until the mixture holds its shape.

FIVE: Firmly press the bath bomb mixture into each cavity of the Silicone Square Mold.

SIX: Allow the bath bombs to dry for several hours or up to overnight. Remove from the molds.

SEVEN: In separate containers, mix about 0.5 teaspoon of Party Pink Mica and Super Pearly White Mica with about 1.5 teaspoons of 99% isopropyl alcohol and stir to get rid of clumps. The consistency of the mica paint is up to you. If you want a more saturated color, add a touch more mica. If you want a thinner, less saturated mixture, add more 99% isopropyl alcohol. Test the consistency on a paper towel or piece of paper.

EIGHT: Create a streak of pink across each bath bomb diagonally with a flat and wide paint brush.

NINE: Use a different paint brush to splatter drops of Super Pearly White Mica on top of the bath bombs. There is no right or wrong way to do this, so have fun with it.

TEN: Allow the bath bombs to fully dry. When you’re ready to use, drop them into a hot bath and enjoy.

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Cherry Blossom Bath Bomb DIY

These colorful bath bombs are inspired by cherry blossom trees.

Course Bath Bombs

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 6 bath bombs

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• 6 Cavity Silicone Square Mold
• 20 oz. Sodium Bicarbonate Baking Soda
• 10 oz. Citric Acid
• 0.6 oz. Cherry Blossom Fragrance Oil
• 0.4 oz. Lotus Flower Extract
• 0.2 oz. Polysorbate 80
• Witch Hazel in a Spray Bottle
• Party Pink Mica
• Super Pearly White Mica
• 99 % Isopropyl Alcohol
• Paint Brushes

Instructions

• In a large bowl, combine 20 oz. of baking soda and 10 oz. of citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break them up with your fingers. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir everything together.
• In a small glass container, add 0.4 oz. of lotus flower extract, 0.6 oz. Cherry Blossom Fragrance Oil, and 0.2 oz. of polysorbate 80. Use a spoon to mix all the liquids together.
• Add the oil mixture to the baking soda and citric acid mixture. Use your hands to thoroughly mix everything together.
• Test the consistency of the bath bomb mixture. The perfect consistency is similar to wet sand and holds its shape when squeezed. If it’s too dry, use one hand to spritz the mixture with witch hazel and one to mix. Continue spritzing until the mixture holds its shape.
• Firmly press the bath bomb mixture into each cavity of the Silicone Square Mold.
• Allow the bath bombs to dry for several hours or up to overnight. Remove from the molds.
• In separate containers, mix about 0.5 teaspoon of Party Pink Mica and Super Pearly White Mica with about 1.5 teaspoons of 99% isopropyl alcohol and stir to get rid of clumps. The consistency of the mica paint is up to you. If you want a more saturated color, add a touch more mica. If you want a thinner, less saturated mixture, add more 99% isopropyl alcohol. Test the consistency on a paper towel or piece of paper.
• Create a streak of pink across each bath bomb diagonally with a flat and wide paint brush.
• Use a different paint brush to splatter drops of Super Pearly White Mica on top of the bath bombs. There is no right or wrong way to do this, so have fun with it.
• Allow the bath bombs to fully dry. When you’re ready to use, drop them into a hot bath and enjoy.

The post Cherry Blossom Bath Bomb DIY appeared first on Soap Queen.

Ever since Anne-Marie dyed her hair light pink, we’ve been obsessed with hair color trends. The latest trend to catch our eye is pearlescent hair. The technique involves creating multi-colored locks with a holographic effect. Pearl hair inspired these Iridescent Bath Bombs. They are covered in Rose Gold Mica and Aqua Pearl Mica to create the subtle ombré effect.

The great thing about this bath bomb technique is that it’s simple to do. Apply the mica directly to the bath bomb with your fingers and spread it around until you’re happy with the effect. There is no right or wrong way to do it. The process is a little bit messy though, so gloves and something to cover your surface is recommended.

What You’ll Need:
8-10 Bath Bomb Mold & Package
3 cups Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
1.5 cups Citric Acid
3 oz. Shea Butter
0.5 oz. White Rose Fragrance Oil
0.5 oz. Polysorbate 80
Super Pearly White Mica
Rose Gold Mica
Aqua Pearl Mica
Witch Hazel in a Spray Bottle

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

ONE: Add 3 ounces of shea butter to a small heat and fragrance oil-safe container and melt in the microwave using 30 second bursts. Add 0.5 ounces of Polysorbate 80 and 0.5 ounces of White Rose Fragrance Oil. Use a spoon to fully mix the ingredients together. The Polysorbate 80 is there to help disperse the color in the tub (less chance of color sticking to the sides of the tub).

TWO: In a large bowl, mix together the baking soda and citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break them up with your fingers. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir the ingredients together.

THREE: Add the shea butter mixture to the baking soda and citric acid. Use your hands to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together.

FOUR: Test the consistency of the bath bomb mixture. The perfect consistency for molding is a texture similar to damp sand that holds its shape when squeezed. If it’s too dry, use one hand to spritz the mixture with witch hazel and one to mix. Continue spritzing until the mixture holds its shape when squeezed. Below, you can see that the mixture forms a ball when squeezed. This means that the mixture will hold its shape in the mold as well.

FIVE: Fill the two halves of the molds, gently pressing the bath bomb mixture in each so they hold their shape. Mound a little extra mixture in the center of each half of the molds. Wipe away any mixture that got in the seams 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. Continue filling up the bath bomb molds until the mixture is gone.

SIX: Allow the bath bombs to harden in the mold for 24 hours. Then, carefully remove them from the package. Fill a bowl with a few tablespoons of Super Pearly White Mica. The following steps can get a little messy, so you may want to lay down newspaper or another cover to aid in cleanup.

SEVEN: Spritz the outside of one bath bomb lightly with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Gently roll the bath bomb in the mica until completely covered. Use your fingers to carefully brush off any excess mica.

EIGHT: Once the bath bomb is coated in Super Pearly White, it’s time to play with color! Dip your finger into the Rose Gold Mica brush it onto the surface of the bath bomb. You can always add more color, so start with a light application. Spread the Rose Gold Mica around the bath bomb. There is no right or wrong way to place it, so just have fun. Once you’ve covered about 1/4 to 1/2 of the bath bomb, move on to the next color.

NINE: Dip your finger into the Aqua Pearl Mica and spread it onto the bath bomb in a different area. Once the colors begin to touch, blend them together with your finger. Continue blending the micas on the bath bomb in different areas until you’re happy with the effect. If necessary, sprinkle more Super Pearly White on the bath bombs to help blend the colors, add more sparkle, or lighten the colors.

EIGHT: Repeat this process for each bath bomb until all are covered with color. 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. To use, place the bath bomb into a hot bath and enjoy!

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Pearl Bath Bomb DIY

These super sparkly bath bombs look just like pearls!

Course Bath Bombs

Servings 8 -10 bath bombs

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• 8-10 Bath Bomb Mold & Package
• 3 cups Baking Soda Sodium Bicarbonate
• 1.5 cups Citric Acid
• 3 oz. Shea Butter
• 0.5 oz. White Rose Fragrance Oil
• 0.5 oz. Polysorbate 80
• Super Pearly White Mica
• Witch Hazel in a Spray Bottle

Instructions

• Add 3 ounces of shea butter to a small heat and fragrance oil-safe container and melt in the microwave using 30 second bursts. Add 0.5 ounces of polysorbate 80 and 0.5 ounces of White Rose Fragrance Oil. Use a spoon to fully mix the ingredients together.
• In a large bowl, mix together the baking soda and citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break them up with your fingers. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir the ingredients together.
• Add the shea butter mixture to the baking soda and citric acid. Use your hands to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together.
• Test the consistency of the bath bomb mixture. The perfect consistency for molding is a texture similar to damp sand that holds its shape when squeezed. If it’s too dry, use one hand to spritz the mixture with witch hazel and one to mix. Continue spritzing until the mixture holds its shape when squeezed. Below, you can see that the mixture forms a ball when squeezed. This means that the mixture will hold its shape in the mold as well.
• Fill the two halves of the molds, gently pressing the bath bomb mixture in each so they hold their shape. Mound a little extra mixture in the center of each half of the molds. Wipe away any mixture that got in the seams 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. Continue filling up the bath bomb molds until the mixture is gone.
• Allow the bath bombs to harden in the mold for 24 hours. Then, carefully remove them from the package. Fill a bowl with a few tablespoons of Super Pearly White Mica.
• Spritz the outside of one bath bomb lightly with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Gently roll the bath bomb in the mica until completely covered. Use your fingers to carefully brush off any excess mica.
• Once the bath bomb is coated in Super Pearly White, it's time to play with color! Dip your finger into the Rose Gold Mica brush it onto the surface of the bath bomb. You can always add more color, so start with a light application. Spread the Rose Gold Mica around the bath bomb. There is no right or wrong way to place it, so just have fun. Once you've covered about 1/4 to 1/2 of the bath bomb, move on to the next color.
• Dip your finger into the Aqua Pearl Mica and spread it onto the bath bomb in a different area. Once the colors begin to touch, blend them together with your finger. Continue blending the micas on the bath bomb in different areas until you're happy with the effect. If necessary, sprinkle more Super Pearly White on the bath bombs to help blend the colors, add more sparkle, or lighten the colors.
• Repeat this process for each bath bomb until all are covered with color. 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. To use, place the bath bomb into a hot bath and enjoy!

The post Iridescent Pearl Bath Bomb DIY appeared first on Soap Queen.

After what feels like the longest winter in recent years, I’m ready for spring-inspired colors and scents. And since spring is officially here (warm weather, where are you!?), Easter is right around the corner. These Easter Egg Bath Bombs are a colorful way to celebrate the holiday. They make great gifts; I guarantee friends and family will be thrilled to receive something other than chocolate bunnies!

This basic bath bomb recipe contains baking soda and citric acid to create the fizzing reaction in the tub. Coconut oil adds hydration to the water, and also helps the bath bombs retain their shape. Polysorbate 80 is added to help the coconut oil disperse evenly in the water rather than pooling at the top. It’s an optional ingredient, but I love the way it makes the water feel. Peach Fragrance Oil adds a sweet and juicy scent.

Once the main mixture of bath bombs is created, it’s split into four containers and colored with La Bomb Colorants. La Bomb Colorants are specially formulated bath bombs. They don’t leave any color on your tub and won’t set off the fizzing reaction early like water-based colorants can. Learn more about La Bomb Colorants here.

What You’ll Need:
Easter Egg Mold
2 cups Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
1 cup Citric Acid
2 oz. Coconut Oil
2 mL Polysorbate 80
9 mL Peach Fragrance Oil
Bath Bomb Colorants: Rosy Pink La Bomb, Irish Green La Bomb, Cornflower Blue La Bomb, Daisy Yellow La Bomb
Witch Hazel in Spray Bottle
99 % Isopropyl Alcohol
Super Pearly White Mica
Droppers

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

ONE: In a large bowl, combine the baking soda and citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can break them up with your hands or push the powders through a sifter. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir the ingredients together.

TWO: Add the coconut oil, polysorbate 80, and Peach Fragrance Oil. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the wet and dry ingredients together.

THREE: Once the ingredients are completely mixed, split the mixture evenly into four containers. You can eyeball it or weigh about 7.5-8 oz. in each container. To one container, add 2-3 drops of the Rosy Pink La Bomb Colorant. Use your hands to thoroughly mix until there are no streaks of color.

FOUR: Check the moisture level of the mixture. It should hold its shape when squeezed in your hand. If it doesn’t, spritz the bath bomb mixture with witch hazel and mix after every couple sprays. How much witch hazel you need depends on the humidity level in your area. Once you reach the correct texture, fill one cavity with the pink bath bomb mixture. Pack it firmly into the mold. Use your fingers to smooth the back of the fizzy.

NOTE: You may have a very small amount of each color leftover. Have an extra mold ready to use up the extra and make a tester bath bomb!

FIVE: Repeat this process with each container, adding 2-3 drops of the Daisy Yellow La Bomb, Irish Green La Bomb, and Cornflower Blue to each. After the color is mixed, add spritzes of witch hazel if necessary. Then, firmly pack each color into the separate cavities. Place any extra bath bomb mixture into a separate mold. We found there was enough leftover to create one multi-colored bath bomb in the 6 Cavity Heart Silicone Mold.

SIX: Let the bath bombs dry in the mold for at least 3-4 hours or up to overnight. If they are unmolded too early, they may crumble and lose their shape. To unmold, pull on the sides of each cavity to break the airlock. Then, flip the mold over and press each cavity with your thumbs. Tapping the back of the mold firmly can also help! Once removed, you can leave the bath bombs as is or continue to the next step.

SEVEN: To give the bath bombs a special touch, the details can be painted with a mixture of mica and 99% isopropyl alcohol. We mixed 1/2 tsp. Super Pearly White Mica with 1/2 tsp. 99% isopropyl alcohol and used a small brush to paint the details on each bath bomb. The alcohol dries quickly, leaving the mica behind. You can swap the mica for whatever color you like, but oxides and pigments are not recommended because they’re too large and clumpy. Once you’re done painting, the bath bombs are ready to enjoy!

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DIY Easter Egg Bath Bombs

These adorable Easter Egg Bath Bombs are perfect for Easter!

Servings 4 bath bombs

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• Easter Egg Mold
• 2 cups Sodium Bicarbonate Baking Soda
• 1 cup Citric Acid
• 2 oz. Coconut Oil
• 2 mL Polysorbate 80
• 9 mL Peach Fragrance Oil
• Bath Bomb Colorants: Rosy Pink La Bomb
• Irish Green La Bomb
• Cornflower Blue La Bomb
• Daisy Yellow La Bomb
• Witch Hazel in Spray Bottle
• 99 % Isopropyl Alcohol
• Super Pearly White Mica
• Droppers

Instructions

• In a large bowl, combine the baking soda and citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can break them up with your hands or push the powders through a sifter. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir the ingredients together.
• Add the coconut oil, polysorbate 80, and Peach Fragrance Oil. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the wet and dry ingredients together.
• Once the ingredients are completely mixed, split the mixture evenly into four containers. You can eyeball it or weigh about 7.5-8 oz. in each container. To one container, add 2-3 drops of the Rosy Pink La Bomb Colorant. Use your hands to thoroughly mix until there are no streaks of color.
• Check the moisture level of the mixture. It should hold its shape when squeezed in your hand. If it doesn’t, spritz the bath bomb mixture with witch hazel and mix after every couple sprays. How much witch hazel you need depends on the humidity level in your area. Once you reach the correct texture, fill one cavity with the pink bath bomb mixture. Pack it firmly into the mold. Use your fingers to smooth the back of the fizzy. NOTE: You may have a very small amount of each color leftover. Have an extra mold ready to use up the extra and make a tester bath bomb!
• Repeat this process with each container, adding 2-3 drops of the Daisy Yellow La Bomb, Irish Green La Bomb and Cornflower Blue to each. After the color is mixed, add spritzes of witch hazel if necessary. Then, firmly pack each color into the separate cavities. Place any extra bath bomb mixture into a separate mold. We found there was enough leftover to create one multi-colored bath bomb in the 6 Cavity Heart Silicone Mold.
• Let the bath bombs dry in the mold for at least 3-4 hours or up to overnight. If they are unmolded too early, they may crumble and lose their shape. To unmold, pull on the sides of each cavity to break the airlock. Then, flip the mold over and press each cavity with your thumbs. Tapping the back of the mold firmly can also help! Once removed, you can leave the bath bombs as is or continue to the next step.
• To give the bath bombs a special touch, the details can be painted with a mixture of mica and 99% isopropyl alcohol. We mixed 1/2 tsp. Super Pearly White Mica with 1/2 tsp. 99% isopropyl alcohol and used a small brush to paint the details on each bath bomb. The alcohol dries quickly, leaving the mica behind. You can swap the mica for whatever color you like, but oxides and pigments are not recommended because they’re too large and clumpy. Once you’re done painting, the bath bombs are ready to enjoy!

The post DIY Easter Egg Bath Bombs appeared first on Soap Queen.

Here on the western side of Washington state, we don’t get a lot of snow. Luckily, the mountains are nearby when we want to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or just building a snowman. Personally, I have my fingers crossed for a little snow below the mountains this year; our yard has a little hill that would be perfect for sledding!

The thought of fresh snow led me to create these super sparkly snowflake melt and pour soaps. They would make a great holiday gift. It’s also a fun project to do with family and friends who are staying during the holidays. If it doesn’t snow, I’ll probably whip up another batch with my mom to make our own white Christmas! =)

These soaps are scented with Fresh Snow Fragrance Oil, which is a clean, ozone-y fragrance. It reminds me a bit of clean laundry. A small amount of soap is colored with Slushy Blue Mica and placed in the snowflake details with an Injector Tool. This does take require a steady hand and a little patience. Having a spray bottle full of rubbing alcohol helps the soap “spread” into the details more easily, and a Clean Up Tool is great for fixing any mistakes.

What You’ll Need:
Two Snowflake 2 Molds
27 oz. Clear Melt and Pour Base
0.4 oz. Fresh Snow Fragrance Oil
Slushy Blue Mica
Super Pearly White Mica
Snowflake Sparkle Mica
Fine Iridescent Glitter
Injector Tool
99% Isopropyl Alcohol in Spray Bottle
Optional: Clean Up Tool & Infrared Thermometer

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

PREP COLORANTS: Dispersing powdered colorants in 99% isopropyl alcohol makes them easier to incorporate into melt and pour. It also helps prevent clumps. In a small container, mix together 1/2 teaspoon Slushy Blue Mica into 1/2 tablespoon alcohol. In a separate container, mix together 1 teaspoon Snowflake Sparkle Mica and 1/4 teaspoon Super Pearly White Mica into 1 tablespoon alcohol. Set colorants aside.

ONE: Chop and melt 3 ounces of Clear Melt and Pour Soap in the microwave using 5-7 second bursts. Because you’re melting such a small amount of soap it can be easy to burn, so use short bursts. Once melted, stir in the Slushy Blue Mica mixture.

TWO: Spray the mold cavities lightly with alcohol. This helps the soap spread into the details. Use scissors to cut a small section off the end of the Injector Tool to make the hole slightly larger. Use the Injector Tool to fill in the snowflake details with blue soap. Work carefully but quickly as the soap will begin to cool and harden in the Injector Tool. Throughout the process, spray the soap with alcohol to get rid of any bubbles. If necessary, reheat the blue soap in the microwave using 3-5 second bursts. If you make any mistakes, allow the soap to harden and use the Clean Up Tool to fix any mistakes.
TIP: Have a cup of hot water nearby to clear out the Injector Tool while filling in the details. This helps prevent the soap from hardening in the tool, which is hard to remove.

THREE: Chop and melt 24 ounces of Clear Melt and Pour Soap base in the microwave using 30-45 second bursts. Add the Snowflake Sparkle Mica and Super Pearly White Mica mixture to the soap and stir in with a spoon. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Fine Iridescent Glitter to the soap and stir in.

FOUR: Add the Fresh Snow Fragrance Oil and use a spoon to fully mix in.

FIVE: Check the temperature of the white soap. If it’s above 130 ° F, allow it to cool until it’s about 120-125 ° F. If it’s too hot, it will melt the blue details below. Once it’s the appropriate temperature, spritz each cavity with alcohol to help the layers stick and pour the white soap into each cavity. Spritz the soap with alcohol to help get rid of any bubbles. Allow the soap to fully cool and harden overnight. Release the soap from the mold, and wrap in plastic wrap to help avoid glycerin dew.

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Shimmering Snowflake Melt & Pour Tutorial

These sparkly snowflake soaps are perfect for the holidays!

Course Melt and Pour Soap

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 6 soaps

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• Two Snowflake 2 Mold
• 27 oz. Clear Melt and Pour Base
• 0.4 oz. Fresh Snow Fragrance Oil
• Slushy Blue Mica
• Super Pearly White Mica
• Snowflake Sparkle Mica
• Injector Tool
• 99 % Isopropyl Alcohol in Spray Bottle
• Optional: Clean Up Tool

Instructions

PREP COLORANTS: Dispersing powdered colorants in 99% isopropyl alcohol makes them easier to incorporate into melt and pour. It also helps prevent clumps. In a small container, mix together 1/2 teaspoon Slushy Blue Mica into 1/2 tablespoon alcohol. In a separate container, mix together 1 teaspoon Snowflake Sparkle Mica and 1/4 teaspoon Super Pearly White Mica into 1 tablespoon alcohol. Set colorants aside.

• Chop and melt 3 ounces of Clear Melt and Pour Soap in the microwave using 5-7 second bursts. Because you’re melting such a small amount of soap it can be easy to burn, so use short bursts. Once melted, stir in the Slushy Blue Mica mixture.
• Spray the mold cavities lightly with alcohol. This helps the soap spread into the details. Use scissors to cut a small section off the end of the Injector Tool to make the hole slightly larger. Use the Injector Tool to fill in the snowflake details with blue soap. Work carefully but quickly as the soap will begin to cool and harden in the Injector Tool. Throughout the process, spray the soap with alcohol to get rid of any bubbles. If necessary, reheat the blue soap in the microwave using 3-5 second bursts. If you make any mistakes, allow the soap to harden and use the Clean Up Tool to fix any mistakes. TIP: Have a cup of hot water nearby to clear out the Injector Tool while filling in the details. This helps prevent the soap from hardening in the tool, which is hard to remove.
• Chop and melt 24 ounces of Clear Melt and Pour Soap base in the microwave using 30-45 second bursts. Add the Snowflake Sparkle Mica and Super Pearly White Mica mixture to the soap and stir in with a spoon.
• Add the Fresh Snow Fragrance Oil and use a spoon to fully mix in.
• Check the temperature of the white soap. If it’s above 130 ° F, allow it to cool until it’s about 120-125 ° F. If it’s too hot, it will melt the blue details below. Once it’s the appropriate temperature, spritz each cavity with alcohol to help the layers stick and pour the white soap into each cavity. Spritz the soap with alcohol to help get rid of any bubbles. Allow the soap to fully cool and harden overnight. Release the soap from the mold, and wrap in plastic wrap to help avoid glycerin dew.

The post Shimmering Snowflake Melt & Pour Tutorial appeared first on Soap Queen.

Micas really shine in melt and pour soap (literally!). In a clear base, you can see all the shimmer and dimension in the individual colorants. It’s probably one of my favorite way to use micas. Learn what else you can add them to in Sunday Night Spotlight.

These Romantic Rose Gold Melt & Pour Bars really show off the individual micas. The details in the Tray Floral Wallpaper Mold are filled in with gold, black and pink colored soap. It provides contrast and creates a romantic color palette. The base is colored with a bit of Rose Gold Mica, which is a gorgeous mix of warm gold and dusty pink. Baby Rose Fragrance Oil is added to go with the romantic color palette. Use one of these bars to add some shimmer to your normal bath routine! 

What You Need:
Tray Floral Wallpaper Mold
33 oz. Clear Melt and Pour Base
.5 oz. Baby Rose Fragrance Oil
Luster Black Mica
Rose Gold Mica
King’s Gold Mica
Snowflake Sparkle Mica
Super Pearly White Mica
Optional: Droppers, 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, Clean-Up Tool

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

ONE: Chop 6 oz. of Clear Melt and Pour Soap in small, even pieces. Put 2 oz. of soap into three separate heat safe containers and melt in the microwave using 10 second bursts. Once melted, quickly add 1/2 tsp. Luster Black Mica to one container, 1 tsp. Rose Gold Mica to another, and 1 tsp. King’s Gold Mica to the last. Use a spoon to thoroughly mix in the powders.

TWO: Spritz the Tray Floral Wallpaper Mold with alcohol. Spraying the mold helps the soap easily spread into the design. Using a dropper or an injector tool, begin filling in the design with all three colors. There is no right or wrong way to fill in the design, so just have fun with it! Periodically spray the tray and freshly poured soap with rubbing alcohol to disperse any bubbles in the soap, and to help the soap spread throughout the design.

To help make sure there was an even amount of each color in each bar, I alternated colors while filling in the tray. I concentrated on filling in the larger design elements with pink and gold, and used the black soap to accent and define.

If the soap goes into an area where you did not intend, don’t fret! Allow the soap to harden and use a Clean Up Tool to scrape the soap out of the space. If necessary, place the soap back into the microwave using 5 second bursts to ensure it stays fluid and workable. You may also want to have a few extra droppers nearly; the soap can harden and cool in the droppers.

THREE: Once the pattern is full, allow it to fully cool and harden Don’t wait too long though! Just a few minutes is all you need. If you want too long, the next layer will have a tough time adhering to the small details. Chop and melt 27 oz. of Clear Melt and Pour Base in a heat safe container using 30 second bursts. Once fully melted, add .5 oz. of Baby Rose Fragrance Oil and use a spoon or spatula to thoroughly mix in.

FOUR: Add 1 tsp. Super Pearly White and 1 tsp. Snowflake Sparkle Mica and use a spoon or spatula to thoroughly mix until there are no clumps. Add a pinch of Rose Gold Mica – just enough to add a light pink hue. Stir to mix in. If you get mica bubbles at the top of the container, just a quick spritz of rubbing alcohol will break them up.

FIVE: Allow the melted soap to cool until it’s 125 ° F or below. If the soap is too hot, it may melt the design below. 

SIX: Once the soap has cooled, spritz the bottom layer with rubbing alcohol to help the melted soap adhere. Then, gently pour the pink soap into the mold. 

SEVEN: Spritz the top with rubbing alcohol to disperse any bubbles. Allow to fully cool and harden, then cut along the perforation to create bars. Wrap in plastic wrap or another airtight packaging option to help prevent sweating, aka: glycerin dew. Read more about storing handmade products here.

What’s your favorite color to use in melt and pour soap? I’d love to see this design in purples, yellows and dark blue too.

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Romantic Rose Gold Melt & Pour Bars

Add a bit of shimmer to your bath routine with these Romantic Rose Gold Melt & Pour Bars!

Course Melt and Pour

Cook Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours

Servings 2 pounds of soap

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• Tray Floral Wallpaper Mold
• 33 oz. Clear Melt and Pour Base
• .5 oz. Baby Rose Fragrance Oil
• Luster Black Mica
• Rose Gold Mica
• King's Gold Mica
• Snowflake Sparkle Mica
• Super Pearly White Mica
• Optional: Droppers 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, Clean-Up Tool

Instructions

• Chop 6 oz. of Clear Melt and Pour Soap in small, even pieces. Put 2 oz. of soap into three separate heat safe containers and melt in the microwave using 10 second bursts. Once melted, quickly add 1/2 tsp. Luster Black Mica to one container, 1 tsp. Rose Gold Mica to another, and 1 tsp. King’s Gold Mica to the last. Use a spoon to thoroughly mix in the powders.
• Spritz the Tray Floral Wallpaper Mold with alcohol. Spraying the mold helps the soap easily spread into the design. Using a dropper or an injector tool, begin filling in the design with all three colors. There is no right or wrong way to fill in the design, so just have fun with it! Periodically spray the tray and freshly poured soap with rubbing alcohol to disperse any bubbles in the soap, and to help the soap spread throughout the design. To help make sure there was an even amount of each color in each bar, I alternated colors while filling in the tray. I concentrated on filling in the larger design elements with pink and gold, and used the black soap to accent and define. If the soap goes into an area where you did not intend, don’t fret! Allow the soap to harden and use a Clean Up Tool to scrape the soap out of the space. If necessary, place the soap back into the microwave using 5 second bursts to ensure it stays fluid and workable. You may also want to have a few extra droppers nearly; the soap can harden and cool in the droppers.
• Once the pattern is full, allow it to fully cool and harden. Chop and melt 27 oz. of Clear Melt and Pour Base in a heat safe container using 30 second bursts. Once fully melted, add .5 oz. of Baby Rose Fragrance Oil and use a spoon or spatula to thoroughly mix in.
• Add 1 tsp. Super Pearly White and 1 tsp. Snowflake Sparkle Mica and use a spoon or spatula to thoroughly mix until there are no clumps. Add a pinch of Rose Gold Mica – just enough to add a light pink hue. Stir to mix in.
• Allow the melted soap to cool until it’s 125 ° F. If the soap is too hot, it may melt the design below.
• Once the soap has cooled, spritz the bottom layer with rubbing alcohol to help the melted soap adhere. Then, gently pour the pink soap into the mold.
• Spritz the top with rubbing alcohol to disperse any bubbles. Allow to fully cool and harden, then cut along the perforation to create bars. Wrap in plastic wrap or another airtight packaging option to help prevent sweating, aka: glycerin dew.

The post Romantic Rose Gold Melt & Pour Bars appeared first on Soap Queen.

These Moisturizing Highlighter Sticks focus on the highlighting areas of the face that you’d like to “pull toward you.” Primarily, highlighters are used on the cheekbones and under the eye area. These highlighters are made with moisturizing ingredients such as green tea seed oil and jojoba oil to keep skin hydrated.

Various colors of mica can be added depending on your skin tone. Below, we have formulated a basic highlighter shade with no color, as well as highlighters with a pink and peach tone. You can also add more or less mica, depending on how much highlight and sparkle you like. The amounts below could be considered an “average” amount. The spoon trick is perfect for testing them on your skin prior to pouring them into the containers. To see swatches on the skin, scroll to the very bottom of the post.

What You’ll Need:
Base:
.5  oz. Green Tea Seed Oil
.4 oz. Jojoba Oil
.5 oz. Cera Bellina Wax
9 mL Cyclomethicone
4 Mini Deodorant Tubes
2 Easy Pour Mixing and Measuring Containers

Basic Highlighter:
2 tsp. Super Pearly White Mica

Peach Shade:
2 tsp. Peach Shimmer Mica

Pink Shade:
2 tsp. Rose Gold Mica

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

ONE: In a heat safe container, add the green tea seed oil, jojoba oil and cera bellina wax. Microwave on 30 second bursts until the wax is fully melted. Be careful when removing from the microwave, as the container will be very hot.

TWO: Add the mica corresponding with whatever color highlighter you’d like to create. Use a spoon to fully mix the mica into the oils and wax, making sure there are no clumps. Once the mica is fully blended, add 9 mL of Cyclomethicone and stir well. If you notice the micas settling to the bottom, stir the mixture until it begins to cool. As the mixture cools and becomes thicker, the colors will be able to suspend evenly.

THREE: Once the mixture has cooled slightly, carefully pour the mixture into the deodorant tubes. Let them cool fully and they’re ready to use! Apply the highlighter to cheekbones to give definition to the face. To learn more about how to highlight and contour, check out this blog post from The Beauty Department.

Below, you can see what the colors look like on the skin. On the left, the colors have been applied quite heavily. On the right, the colors have been blended to give a nice subtle shine.

If you haven’t tried this new make-up enhancement trend and want to learn how to highlight and contour, here are some resources: YouTube video, article on Allure about contouring, Make-Up Forever fantastic tutorial (photo and video), and Rookie’s photographic tutorial. 

Have you tried the highlighting and contouring craze that’s going on? I’d love to see your photos. Tweet me @brambleberry or tag me @brambleberry on Instagram to show them to me.

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Moisturizing Highlighter Sticks

These Moisturizing Highlighter Sticks add a hint of shimmer to cheeks and body.

Course Makeup

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 3 -4 highlighters

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• .5 oz. Green Tea Seed Oil
• .4 oz. Jojoba Oil
• .4 oz. Cera Bellina Wax
• 9 mL Cyclomethicone
• 4 Mini Deodorant Tubes
• 2 Easy Pour Mixing and Measuring Containers
• Rose Gold Mica
• Super Pearly White
• Peach Shimmer Mica

Instructions

• In a heat safe container, add the green tea seed oil, jojoba oil and cera bellina wax. Microwave on 30 second bursts until the wax is fully melted. Be careful when removing from the microwave, as the container will be very hot.
• Add the mica corresponding with whatever color highlighter you’d like to create. Use a spoon to fully mix the mica into the oils and wax, making sure there are no clumps. Once the mica is fully blended, add 9 mL of Cyclomethicone and stir well. If you notice the micas settling to the bottom, stir the mixture until it begins to cool. As the mixture cools and becomes thicker, the colors will be able to suspend evenly.
• Once the mixture has cooled slightly, carefully pour the mixture into the deodorant tubes. Let them cool fully and they’re ready to use! Apply the highlighter to cheekbones to give definition to the face. To learn more about how to highlight and contour, check out this blog post from The Beauty Department.

The post Moisturizing Highlighter Sticks appeared first on Soap Queen.

What You’ll Need:
About 2 oz. Suspending Nail Polish Base
4 Nail Polish Bottles (15 mL size)
4 Nail Polish Mixing Balls
Mini Scoops
Gold (light) Mica
Cellini Red Lip Safe
Mica Merlot Sparkle Mica
Gold Sparkle Mica
Gold Nail Polish Glitter
Silver Nail Polish Glitter
Super Pearly White Mica
Optional: Tiny Funnels

• To one bottle, add 16 scoops of Gold (light) Mica.
• To the second bottle, add 8 scoops Cellini Red Lip Safe Mica and 8 scoops Merlot Sparkle Mica.
• To the third bottle, add 16 scoops Gold Sparkle Mica and 16 scoops Gold Nail Polish Glitter.
• To the fourth bottle, add 16 scoops Super Pearly White Mica and 16 scoops Silver Nail Polish Glitter.

FOUR: Insert the brushes into the bottles and twist the black cap over it until you hear a “click.” Once the cap is securely on the bottle, start shaking! Shake the bottle for 3 – 5 minutes to fully disperse the colorant into the nail polish base. FIVE: When the colorant has been fully dispersed, you’re finished. Enjoy! Perhaps create some fun designs with these stand out colors? Some tutorial ideas here, here and here.

 Do you have a go-to nail polish color? I love wearing neutral shades, but for special occasions metallics are a nice change.

The post 12 Days of Christmas: Holiday Glam Nail Polish appeared first on Soap Queen.

This stencil technique lends itself to a wide variety of shapes and ideas. Super Pearly White Mica was used to create a snow-like effect, but you can also use glitter as seen in the Stenciled Glitter Soap Tutorial and Glittered Sparkle Soap Kit.

What You’ll Need:
48 oz. Clear Melt and Pour
12 Cavity Square Silicone Mold
1.2 oz. Fresh Snow Fragrance Oil
Ultramarine Blue Color Block
Super Pearly White Mica
Holiday Label & Stencil PDF
Paint brush
Label stock

FOUR: While the soap cools, use an X-acto knife to cut out the stencil shapes printed onto label stock.

FIVE: Once the soap has fully hardened, remove each bar from the mold. Remove the backing and stick the stencil on the top of the soap, making sure the image is centered. Dip the paint brush into the Super Pearly White mica, and dust off any excess. Carefully brush the mica over the stencil.

SIX: Once the design has been fully covered in mica, carefully remove the stencil. To set the mica, gently spray with aerosol hairspray (although that can make the mica less shimmery looking). Enjoy!

Do you enjoy spending time in the cold weather, or do you prefer to bundle up inside?

The post 12 Days of Christmas: Snowy Stencil Melt and Pour appeared first on Soap Queen.