Beach Paradise Soap Project

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Skill Level: Advanced
Time: 2 hours
Yield: About 5 pounds of soap

Project Description

This soap features layers of swirls to bring a little vacation to your bath!

Landscape designs in cold process soap require some practice, but the results are definitely worth the work. This Beach Paradise Soap uses layers of swirls to create a classic beach design, complete with a pink sunset. Walnut shells give light exfoliation and a perfect layer of beachy sand.

The Swirl Quick Mix gives you plenty of time to work, so you can focus on the design. Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil adds notes of orange, pineapple, and vanilla - with no discoloration!

Additional Information

  • Supplies
  • Instructions
  • Reviews
  • Q&A

Supplies

9 Ingredients
2 Tools
For All 11 Items
If an item is out of stock, it will not be added to your cart.
All 11 Items :
Swirl Recipe Quick Mix in a bowl
Swirl Recipe Quick Mix - 54 oz Item#: M900018
$24.99
Get 3 or More and Save 10%
2x points!

$24.99
Sodium Hydroxide Lye
Sodium Hydroxide Lye Item#: IB002149
$14.99

$14.99
Sodium Lactate - 4 oz
Sodium Lactate - 4 oz Item#: IB002096
$2.99

$2.99
A coconut split in half
Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil - 4 oz Item#: IB004655
$12.14

$12.14
Titanium Dioxide Pigment - 1 oz
Titanium Dioxide Pigment - 1 oz Item#: IB002531
$2.99

$2.99
Hot Pink Mica - 1 oz
Hot Pink Mica - 1 oz Item#: IB003404
$3.99

$3.99
Walnut Shells - 3 oz
Walnut Shells - 3 oz Item#: IB003034
$2.99

$2.99
Mermaid Blue Mica - 1 oz
Mermaid Blue Mica - 1 oz Item#: IB002236
$3.99

$3.99
Ultramarine Blue Pigment - 1 oz
Ultramarine Blue Pigment - 1 oz Item#: IB002542
$3.99

$3.99
5 lb Mold With Sliding Bottom
5 lb Mold With Sliding Bottom Item#: IB002134
$65.99

$65.99
Silicone Liner for 5 lb Wood Mold Soap Making
Silicone Liner for 5 lb Wood Mold - 1 mold Item#: IB002820
$25.99
Get 5 or More and Save 10%!

$25.99

Instructions

Beach Paradise Soap Project

  • Skill Level: Advanced
  • Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: About 5 pounds of soap

Landscape designs in cold process soap require some practice, but the results are definitely worth the work. This Beach Paradise Soap uses layers of swirls to create a classic beach design, complete with a pink sunset. Walnut shells give light exfoliation and a perfect layer of beachy sand.

The Swirl Quick Mix gives you plenty of time to work, so you can focus on the design. Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil adds notes of orange, pineapple, and vanilla - with no discoloration!

You will need:

  • 5 lb. Wood Mold with Sliding Bottom
  • Silicone Liner for 5 lb. Wood Mold
  • 54 oz. Swirl Recipe Quick Mix
  • 7.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
  • 17.2 oz. Distilled Water
  • 3.5 tsp. Sodium Lactate
  • 3.2 oz. Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil
  • 2 tsp. Walnut Shells
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Ultramarine Blue Pigment
  • Mermaid Blue Mica
  • Hot Pink Mica

COLORANT PREP: In separate containers, disperse 1 teaspoon of Mermaid Blue Mica, Hot Pink Mica and Ultramarine Blue Pigment with 1 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil. Disperse 2 teaspoons of titanium dioxide with 2 tablespoons of lightweight liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to work out clumps. Set colorants aside. Optional: To ensure the titanium dioxide blends smoothly into the soap, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Use a coffee grinder 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. 

FRAGRANCE PREP: In a glass container, measure 3.2 ounces of Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil. Set aside. 

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

Follow these steps:

1

Slowly and carefully add 7.7 ounces of lye to 17.2 ounces of distilled water. Gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved. Set it aside to cool. Optional: Add 3.5 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the bars harden more quickly.

2

Place the Swirl Recipe Quick Mix bag in the microwave and heat using 60 second bursts until all the oils melt and turn clear. Shake to thoroughly combine. Measure 54 ounces into a large heat-safe bowl. Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 100-120° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend the mixture to a very thin trace. 

3

Split off 400 mL of soap into a separate container and add about 1/5th of the fragrance oil. Stick blend until the soap reaches a light to medium trace, and stir in 2 teaspoons of walnut shells. Once there are no clumps, pour all the soap into the mold and set aside to harden.

4

Split off the remaining soap into the following amounts and whisk in the colorants thoroughly. 

  • Container A (white) 700 mL: 2 Tbsp. dispersed titanium dioxide  
  • Container B (deep blue) 400 mL: 1 tsp. dispersed Ultramarine Blue Pigment
  • Container C (light blue) 400 mL: 2 tsp. dispersed Mermaid Blue Mica
  • Container D (pink) 400 mL: 2 tsp. dispersed Hot Pink Mica

5

Add about 1/5th of the fragrance oil to the deep blue soap (it's okay to eyeball it) and 1/5th to the white soap. Whisk thoroughly. If the deep blue and white soap are extremely thin, give them a few quick bursts with the stick blender to slightly thicken. 

6

Check the consistency of the walnut layer. It needs to be thick and firm enough to support the blue layer above. Use a spoon to create texture. Carefully pour just enough deep blue soap to cover the walnut shell layer - do not use it all. Pour about 1/3rd of white soap into the deep blue soap container and use a spoon to swirl, being careful not to overswirl. Pour this soap into the mold. 

7

Add about 1/5th of the fragrance oil to the light blue soap and whisk in. Stick blend quickly if it's still extremely thin. Cover the deep blue and white layer with light blue soap - it's okay if it breaks through a little bit. Pour about 1/3rd of white soap into the light blue soap container in a few different areas. Pour the white and light blue swirled soap into the mold.

8

Carefully pour the rest of the white soap into the mold, covering the light blue soap evenly. Tap the mold on the counter to help it settle.

9

Add the remaining fragrance oil to the pink soap and whisk. Pour half of this soap into the mold, covering the white soap. Be careful to not break through into the white layer. 

10

Add 1 Tbsp. dispersed titanium dioxide to the remaining pink soap. Give it a few short bursts with the stick blender to help break up chunks. Then, carefully spoon or pour this soap into the mold on top of the darker pink layer. Use a spoon to even it out - it's okay if it doesn't completely cover the darker pink.

11

Use a small spoon to create texture on the top. If the soap is not holding its shape, wait a few minutes and try again.

12

Once you're happy with the top, spritz with 99% isopropyl alcohol to prevent soda ash. To promote gel phase, place on a heating pad for 1-2 hours on medium/high heat. Note: Gel phase helps the colors in these bars pop. If you live in a very hot climate, a heating pad may not be necessary. 

13

Allow the soap to stay in the mold for 2-3 days. Remove from the silicone mold and cut into bars. Allow them to cure for 4-6 weeks and enjoy!

Tutorial credits

Photographer: Amanda Kerzman

Beach Paradise Soap Project

  • Skill Level: Advanced
  • Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: About 5 pounds of soap

Landscape designs in cold process soap require some practice, but the results are definitely worth the work. This Beach Paradise Soap uses layers of swirls to create a classic beach design, complete with a pink sunset. Walnut shells give light exfoliation and a perfect layer of beachy sand.

The Swirl Quick Mix gives you plenty of time to work, so you can focus on the design. Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil adds notes of orange, pineapple, and vanilla - with no discoloration!

You will need:

  • 5 lb. Wood Mold with Sliding Bottom
  • Silicone Liner for 5 lb. Wood Mold
  • 54 oz. Swirl Recipe Quick Mix
  • 7.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
  • 17.2 oz. Distilled Water
  • 3.5 tsp. Sodium Lactate
  • 3.2 oz. Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil
  • 2 tsp. Walnut Shells
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Ultramarine Blue Pigment
  • Mermaid Blue Mica
  • Hot Pink Mica

COLORANT PREP: In separate containers, disperse 1 teaspoon of Mermaid Blue Mica, Hot Pink Mica and Ultramarine Blue Pigment with 1 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil. Disperse 2 teaspoons of titanium dioxide with 2 tablespoons of lightweight liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to work out clumps. Set colorants aside. Optional: To ensure the titanium dioxide blends smoothly into the soap, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Use a coffee grinder 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. 

FRAGRANCE PREP: In a glass container, measure 3.2 ounces of Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil. Set aside. 

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

Follow these steps:

1

Slowly and carefully add 7.7 ounces of lye to 17.2 ounces of distilled water. Gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved. Set it aside to cool. Optional: Add 3.5 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the bars harden more quickly.

2

Place the Swirl Recipe Quick Mix bag in the microwave and heat using 60 second bursts until all the oils melt and turn clear. Shake to thoroughly combine. Measure 54 ounces into a large heat-safe bowl. Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 100-120° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend the mixture to a very thin trace. 

3

Split off 400 mL of soap into a separate container and add about 1/5th of the fragrance oil. Stick blend until the soap reaches a light to medium trace, and stir in 2 teaspoons of walnut shells. Once there are no clumps, pour all the soap into the mold and set aside to harden.

4

Split off the remaining soap into the following amounts and whisk in the colorants thoroughly. 

  • Container A (white) 700 mL: 2 Tbsp. dispersed titanium dioxide  
  • Container B (deep blue) 400 mL: 1 tsp. dispersed Ultramarine Blue Pigment
  • Container C (light blue) 400 mL: 2 tsp. dispersed Mermaid Blue Mica
  • Container D (pink) 400 mL: 2 tsp. dispersed Hot Pink Mica

5

Add about 1/5th of the fragrance oil to the deep blue soap (it's okay to eyeball it) and 1/5th to the white soap. Whisk thoroughly. If the deep blue and white soap are extremely thin, give them a few quick bursts with the stick blender to slightly thicken. 

6

Check the consistency of the walnut layer. It needs to be thick and firm enough to support the blue layer above. Use a spoon to create texture. Carefully pour just enough deep blue soap to cover the walnut shell layer - do not use it all. Pour about 1/3rd of white soap into the deep blue soap container and use a spoon to swirl, being careful not to overswirl. Pour this soap into the mold. 

7

Add about 1/5th of the fragrance oil to the light blue soap and whisk in. Stick blend quickly if it's still extremely thin. Cover the deep blue and white layer with light blue soap - it's okay if it breaks through a little bit. Pour about 1/3rd of white soap into the light blue soap container in a few different areas. Pour the white and light blue swirled soap into the mold.

8

Carefully pour the rest of the white soap into the mold, covering the light blue soap evenly. Tap the mold on the counter to help it settle.

9

Add the remaining fragrance oil to the pink soap and whisk. Pour half of this soap into the mold, covering the white soap. Be careful to not break through into the white layer. 

10

Add 1 Tbsp. dispersed titanium dioxide to the remaining pink soap. Give it a few short bursts with the stick blender to help break up chunks. Then, carefully spoon or pour this soap into the mold on top of the darker pink layer. Use a spoon to even it out - it's okay if it doesn't completely cover the darker pink.

11

Use a small spoon to create texture on the top. If the soap is not holding its shape, wait a few minutes and try again.

12

Once you're happy with the top, spritz with 99% isopropyl alcohol to prevent soda ash. To promote gel phase, place on a heating pad for 1-2 hours on medium/high heat. Note: Gel phase helps the colors in these bars pop. If you live in a very hot climate, a heating pad may not be necessary. 

13

Allow the soap to stay in the mold for 2-3 days. Remove from the silicone mold and cut into bars. Allow them to cure for 4-6 weeks and enjoy!

Tutorial credits

Photographer: Amanda Kerzman

You will need:

  • 5 lb. Wood Mold with Sliding Bottom
  • Silicone Liner for 5 lb. Wood Mold
  • 54 oz. Swirl Recipe Quick Mix
  • 7.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
  • 17.2 oz. Distilled Water
  • 3.5 tsp. Sodium Lactate
  • 3.2 oz. Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil
  • 2 tsp. Walnut Shells
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Ultramarine Blue Pigment
  • Mermaid Blue Mica
  • Hot Pink Mica

COLORANT PREP: In separate containers, disperse 1 teaspoon of Mermaid Blue Mica, Hot Pink Mica and Ultramarine Blue Pigment with 1 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil. Disperse 2 teaspoons of titanium dioxide with 2 tablespoons of lightweight liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to work out clumps. Set colorants aside. Optional: To ensure the titanium dioxide blends smoothly into the soap, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Use a coffee grinder 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. 

FRAGRANCE PREP: In a glass container, measure 3.2 ounces of Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil. Set aside. 

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

Follow these steps:

1

Slowly and carefully add 7.7 ounces of lye to 17.2 ounces of distilled water. Gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved. Set it aside to cool. Optional: Add 3.5 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the bars harden more quickly.

2

Place the Swirl Recipe Quick Mix bag in the microwave and heat using 60 second bursts until all the oils melt and turn clear. Shake to thoroughly combine. Measure 54 ounces into a large heat-safe bowl. Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 100-120° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend the mixture to a very thin trace. 

3

Split off 400 mL of soap into a separate container and add about 1/5th of the fragrance oil. Stick blend until the soap reaches a light to medium trace, and stir in 2 teaspoons of walnut shells. Once there are no clumps, pour all the soap into the mold and set aside to harden.

4

Split off the remaining soap into the following amounts and whisk in the colorants thoroughly. 

  • Container A (white) 700 mL: 2 Tbsp. dispersed titanium dioxide  
  • Container B (deep blue) 400 mL: 1 tsp. dispersed Ultramarine Blue Pigment
  • Container C (light blue) 400 mL: 2 tsp. dispersed Mermaid Blue Mica
  • Container D (pink) 400 mL: 2 tsp. dispersed Hot Pink Mica

5

Add about 1/5th of the fragrance oil to the deep blue soap (it's okay to eyeball it) and 1/5th to the white soap. Whisk thoroughly. If the deep blue and white soap are extremely thin, give them a few quick bursts with the stick blender to slightly thicken. 

6

Check the consistency of the walnut layer. It needs to be thick and firm enough to support the blue layer above. Use a spoon to create texture. Carefully pour just enough deep blue soap to cover the walnut shell layer - do not use it all. Pour about 1/3rd of white soap into the deep blue soap container and use a spoon to swirl, being careful not to overswirl. Pour this soap into the mold. 

7

Add about 1/5th of the fragrance oil to the light blue soap and whisk in. Stick blend quickly if it's still extremely thin. Cover the deep blue and white layer with light blue soap - it's okay if it breaks through a little bit. Pour about 1/3rd of white soap into the light blue soap container in a few different areas. Pour the white and light blue swirled soap into the mold.

8

Carefully pour the rest of the white soap into the mold, covering the light blue soap evenly. Tap the mold on the counter to help it settle.

9

Add the remaining fragrance oil to the pink soap and whisk. Pour half of this soap into the mold, covering the white soap. Be careful to not break through into the white layer. 

10

Add 1 Tbsp. dispersed titanium dioxide to the remaining pink soap. Give it a few short bursts with the stick blender to help break up chunks. Then, carefully spoon or pour this soap into the mold on top of the darker pink layer. Use a spoon to even it out - it's okay if it doesn't completely cover the darker pink.

11

Use a small spoon to create texture on the top. If the soap is not holding its shape, wait a few minutes and try again.

12

Once you're happy with the top, spritz with 99% isopropyl alcohol to prevent soda ash. To promote gel phase, place on a heating pad for 1-2 hours on medium/high heat. Note: Gel phase helps the colors in these bars pop. If you live in a very hot climate, a heating pad may not be necessary. 

13

Allow the soap to stay in the mold for 2-3 days. Remove from the silicone mold and cut into bars. Allow them to cure for 4-6 weeks and enjoy!

Tutorial credits

Photographer: Amanda Kerzman

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