Olivia's Rose Soap

Melt the Oils

1. First, put only the cocoa butter into your microwavable bowl or pot to begin melting it. In the microwave, heat the cocoa butter for about 3 minutes at 50 percent power. On the stovetop, melt at low-medium heat.
2. When the cocoa butter is partially melted, add the shea butter and continue heating until it is partially melted. Next, add the coconut oil and then the lard.
3. Heat until the butters and oils are completely melted. Then, add the olive and castor oils to the mixture.
4. Prepare the Micas and Fragrance (Optional)
5. While you’re waiting for the oils to melt, you can measure out your micas (colorants) and fragrance if you're using them. Both are completely optional in this recipe.
6. To give the soap a rich, warm swirl pattern, put the gold mica into a small bowl with about 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. Do the same in a separate bowl with the brown mica. Stir both well with a fork or whisk.

Make the Lye Solution and Add It to the Oils

1. To make the lye solution, first put on your safety gloves and goggles. Add the distilled water to your pitcher. Then, gradually add the lye flakes to the water, gently stirring with your stainless steel spoon until the lye is dissolved. Note that lye gives off heat as it dissolves, and working too quickly can cause the mixture to bubble over. Let the lye solution cool for a bit until it's no longer bubbling before proceeding.

Warning

1. Lye is a dangerous chemical that can burn the skin and eyes and is harmful when inhaled. Always wear protective gear when using lye, and work in a well-ventilated area.
2. Then, add the lye solution to the oils. Use an immersion blender to mix the oils until you achieve "trace," which just means that the mixture will hold its form when you drag the blender through it.
3. Add the fragrance if you're using it, and blend a bit more.

Swirl the Micas (Optional)

1. For the color swirl, pour one of the bowls of mica onto one side of the oil mixture and the other mica on the other side.

Mix in the Micas (Optional)

1. Using the immersion blender not turned on, swirl the color into the mixture. You can leave distinct color swirls or mix it in fairly well for more subtle color variance.
2. 
   

Mold the Soap

1. Pour the soap mixture into your soap bar mold, and let it set up. After roughly 24 hours, remove the soap from the mold and let it cure for about three to six weeks before using it.

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