SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices! That means goggles, gloves and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, and other distractions and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your soaping space. Always soap in a well-ventilated area.

COLOR PREP: To ensure that the Titanium Dioxide blends smoothly into the soap batter, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Please note this is an optional tip but it does help with the titanium dioxide clumping in the soap. =) To micronize colorant, simply use a coffee grinder to blend the colorant to break up any clumps of color and prevent streaks of white from showing in the final soap. We like to use a coffee grinder that has a removable, stainless steel mixing area for easy cleaning. Then, disperse 1/2 teaspoon of the colorant into 1/2 tablespoon of sunflower or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). Then in a separate container, disperse 2 teaspoons of the Queen's Purple Mica into 2 tablespoons lightweight liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to help get rid of clumps. Have the Lavender Mica nearby to sprinkle on the very top of the soap.

FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 2 ounces of Violet Fragrance Oil into a small glass container and set aside.

SHREDDED SOAP PREP: Shred a few leftover or scrap cold process bars with a cheese grater. You can experiment with different grates, but we found the larger holes on the grater worked best and were most visible in the finished soap. For this project, we used about 5-6 ounces of shredded soap but ultimately how much you shred is up to you. For this project, we shredded purple soap made with Queen’s Purple Mica and Orchid Mica. Set the shredded soap aside.

• Slowly and carefully add the lye to the water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool.
• Fully melt the bag of Lots of Lather Quick Mix until there is no cloudiness. Shake to mix and measure out 33 ounces. Once the lye water and the oils have both cooled to 130 degrees or below (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until you reach a light trace. If you’d like a harder bar of soap that releases faster from the mold, you can add sodium lactate to the cooled lye water. Use 1 teaspoon of sodium lactate per pound of oils in the recipe. For this recipe, you’d add about 2 teaspoons sodium lactate.
• Split the mixture into two containers. One container should contain about 2 cups, while the other should contain about 4 cups. To the larger container, add all the dispersed Queen’s Purple Mica. Use a whisk to fully mix in the colorant. Split the purple batch in half; each container should contain about 2 cups.
• To the remaining uncolored soap, add 1 teaspoon dispersed Titanium Dioxide. Use a whisk to fully mix in the colorant.
• To one of the purple containers, add about 1/3 of the Violet Fragrance Oil. It's okay to eyeball it. Use a whisk to fully mix in. If the soap is still quite thin, pulse with the stick blender for a few seconds until it's a medium to thick trace.
• Pour the soap into the mold, and tap firmly on the counter to help release bubbles. Use a spoon or spatula to make divots and peaks in the soap. Because we aren't going for perfectly straight layers, this helps give them a slight "wave."
• Add about 1/3 of the Violet Fragrance Oil into the white soap, and use a whisk to mix in. If the soap is still thin, use a stick blender to pulse the mixture to thicken. Add the shaved purple soap into the white soap, and use a whisk to mix in.
• Pour the white soap into the mold. If your soap is quite thick, use a spoon to plop the soap into the mold evenly. If possible, use a spoon to create peaks and divots in the white layer.
• Add the rest of the Violet Fragrance Oil into the remaining purple soap and whisk in. If necessary, pulse the soap with the stick blender to thicken.
• Plop the purple soap on top of the white layer. Use the spoon to even out the purple soap, and create texture. There is no right or wrong way to do this, just continue moving the soap with your spoon until you’re happy with the look.
• Sprinkle Lavender Mica on top of the soap. You can use your fingers, or a powder duster for a more even look. Then, close your eyes and gently blow on the top of the soap. This will disperse the mica, but be careful…it can get a little messy! Spritz the top of the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol to prevent soda ash and leave the soap in the mold for 2-3 days. Once unmolded, cut into bars and allow them to cure for 4-6 weeks. Enjoy!