In this melt and pour soap tutorial, we’ll create a vibrant pink soap loaf with colorful embeds, shimmering details, and a refreshing fragrance. This project combines creativity and precision, making it a great way to learn how to layer colors, embed soap pieces, and achieve professional-looking bars.
Whether you’re an experienced soap maker or just starting out, this fun and easy melt and pour soap recipe teaches how to reuse soap shavings, blend mica powders, and work with fragrance oils safely.
Materials List
You’ll need the following materials and tools for this soap-making project:
Soap Bases
- Clear Melt and Pour Soap Base (about 12–14 oz)
- Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base (about 8–10 oz)
Colorants and Fragrance
- Mica powders in purple, yellow, blue, and pink
- Fragrance oil: Energy (use approximately 5 ml per pound of soap base)
- Isopropyl alcohol (70%–91%) for mixing mica and adhering layers
- Bio-glitter (optional, for decoration)
Tools
- Funnel cups
- Pipettes (3 ml for fragrance and alcohol)
- Digital scale
- Thermometer
- Square soap mold (4″ × 3.5″)
- Pink silicone 6 cavity mold for embeds or leftovers
- Gloves
- Wave cutter or straight soap cutter
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Melt the Soap Base
- Cut about 12–14 ounces of clear glycerin soap base into small cubes.
- Melt it in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between intervals to prevent overheating.
- Avoid letting a skin form on the surface—overheating can cause bubbles or cloudiness.
Step 2: Mix Colors and Fragrance
- Check the soap temperature—it should be around 145°F before adding fragrance.
- Add 1.25 ml of fragrance oil to each color batch using a pipette.
- In small cups, mix each mica powder (purple, yellow, blue, and pink) with a few squirts of isopropyl alcohol until smooth.
- Stir the colored mica mixtures into your melted soap portions.
Step 3: Create the Colorful Embeds
- Pour each colored soap into your pink silicone mold or small sections of a loaf mold.
- Allow them to harden completely before unmolding.
- Once set, cut the colored soaps into small cubes or shavings to use as embeds.
Step 4: Prepare the Main Base
- Melt shea butter melt and pour soap base (around 8–10 oz) for the main body of your soap.
- Add fragrance at about 145°F, following the same 5 ml per pound rule.
- Incorporate your colored embeds into the melted shea butter base, stirring gently to distribute them evenly.
Step 5: Pour and Set
- Pour the embed mixture into your soap loaf mold.
- Lightly spritz the top with isopropyl alcohol to remove any surface bubbles.
- Add a sprinkle of bio-glitter for an elegant finish.
- Let the loaf sit undisturbed until fully hardened—this may take several hours or overnight.
Step 6: Unmold and Cut
- Once the soap is firm, carefully remove it from the mold.
- Identify the longer 4-inch side to ensure even cuts.
- Use your wave cutter to slice four uniform one-inch bars.
- Admire the colorful embedded design and sparkly surface.
Pro Tips & Temperature Guidelines
- Fragrance oil: Add when your soap base cools to around 140–145°F to prevent scent loss.
- Mica mixing: Use 70%–91% isopropyl alcohol—the higher concentration helps layers adhere better.
- Avoid overheating: Clear bases burn easily above 160°F, which can cause discoloration.
- Reuse shavings: Save leftover soap from your funnel cups—these can be remelted or used as embeds in future projects.
- Wave cutter tip: Cut slowly to maintain the curved shape and avoid cracking.
Troubleshooting
Problem: Soap forms a skin while melting
Solution: Reduce microwave time and stir between intervals. If skin forms, remove gently before pouring.
Problem: Fragrance scent fades
Solution: Add fragrance only when the soap has cooled slightly (around 145°F).
Problem: Soap layers separate
Solution: Spritz with 91% alcohol between pours and pour the next layer while the previous one is still slightly warm.
Problem: Air bubbles on top
Solution: Spray alcohol immediately after pouring to smooth the surface.
Variations
- Color Palette: Try teal and coral for a tropical look or lavender and cream for a spa-inspired bar.
- Fragrance Ideas: Experiment with scents like Citrus Burst, Vanilla Bean, or Ocean Mist.
- Finish: Instead of glitter, top with fine mica dust or a textured swirl pattern for a handmade aesthetic.
- Embed Shapes: Use silicone molds with hearts, stars, or geometric patterns for fun variations.
Final Results
The finished bars have a bright pink base filled with colorful embeds that catch the light beautifully. The wave-cut edges add a whimsical touch, and the subtle shimmer from bio-glitter gives each bar a unique sparkle.
Scented with the lively Energy fragrance, these soaps make perfect gifts, shower favors, or cheerful additions to your bathroom.
Conclusion
Making this Pink Fun Melt and Pour Soap is a joyful way to experiment with colors, embeds, and textures while mastering melt and pour techniques. With careful temperature control and creative freedom, you can turn simple soap bases into eye-catching artisan bars.
For more melt and pour soap tutorials, visit KoalaSoap.com for step-by-step guides, supplies, and inspiration for your next soap-making project.
