Clyde's Shaving Soap

Finished Soap

Recently on the forum, Andee hosted a swap. It was called Ye Old Romance Swap. If you have never participated in a swap before, they are fun and addicting. Think of it like a Christmas gift from like-minded individuals. You get plenty of inspiration, feedback and the perfect place to strut your stuff. When Andee announced this swap, I just knew I had to be a part of it.

Weighed Oils

Andee can tell you that whenever something with historical inspiration comes up, I tend to immediately gravitate to the floral aromas, rose in particular. Think of my Valentine’s Day Lotion with Rose Hydrosol. So you can imagine her shock when I said I wanted to do some things inspired by Bonnie and Clyde from the 1930s. You never know what you might be inspired to do when given a theme! Come join me in creating a swirled shaving soap with a fragrance blend just for Bonnie and Clyde.

Melted Oils and Lye Solution

I like to blend my fragrance oils prior to making my soap for the sake of simplicity. I know I won’t forget anything and I don’t need to worry about rushing around like a headless chicken. This also allows me to make enough for all of the projects I may have planned such as soap, lotion and whatever else my heart desires.

Oils are still a little warm

For my soap formulation, I stuck to our simple 6-5-4-1 formula. I used Lanolin as my luxury oil. I added clay, color and fragrance and I swirled my soap! These are all additions we have not made during the Introduction to Soap-making. We stuck with only changing the oils and the basics of soap making. Wow! This soap has a lot more to it!

Recipe:

Measuring Titanium Dioxide

Weigh the two selections of oils into two separate microwave safe containers. Heat gently until liquid. Add the Sodium Hydroxide to two containers of water to form two lye solutions. Allow the oils and the lye to cool to a lower temperature.

Mixing Titanium Dioxide

My temperatures for this soap were between 115°F and 120°F. We do not want to have the soap overheat and volcano. Mix the oils and lye solution and blend until trace is achieved. Add the color at this point. My color was dispersed into glycerin first. Stir well.

Pour each color of soap into the mold. Allow to sit for 24 hours. Cut the soap. Allow the soap to cure. Longer curing time will result in a harder bar. Enjoy!

Adding Black Color to Oils

Ready to Soap!

Adding Titanium Dioxide

Adding Lye Solution to Oils

Adding Clay

Adding Clay to Black Soap

Ready to Mix

Mixing White Soap

Mixed White Soap

Mixed Black Soap

Pouring White Soap into Mold

Adding Black Soap

Adding White Soap

Adding Black Soap

Soap in Mold

Soap Removed from Mold