How to Make Slanted Layered Soap

By slanting the soap mold, you can achieve a different look to layered soaps. You can also achieve a gorgeous visual appeal by layering colors – you can choose bright colors or different shades of the same color for a subtle effect. In this soap making tutorial, we’ve chosen to do a brown soap which will complement fragrance oils containing patchouli, sandalwood, earthy type scents, and scents with notes of wood. The colors chosen will also make a nice masculine soap when paired with a masculine scent. Read on to learn how to make layered soap…with a slant!

Creating a visually appealing and aromatic layered soap involves selecting the right colors and scents. For this tutorial, we are using:

• Aborigine Amber Mica: This mica gives a light brown hue perfect for the first layer.
• Moonkissed Night Mica: A darker brown mica that complements the lighter shade and adds depth to the soap.
• Patchouli Oud Wood Fragrance Oil: This fragrance oil provides a rich, earthy scent that pairs well with the brown color scheme, ideal for a masculine soap.

These colors and fragrance oils not only create an attractive soap but also ensure a delightful scent experience.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve beautifully slanted layers in your soap:
Supplies and Equipment Needed:

• Microwave-safe glass containers (2)
• Sharp knife to cut soap base into cubes
• Butter knives
• Rubber gloves
• 2 small hand towels
• Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol
• Flexible 12 Bar Silicone Mold (12 cavities, 4 oz each)
• Disposable pipette
• 16 ounces Ultra Clear Melt and Pour Soap Base
• Thermometer
• Aborigine Amber Mica
• Moonkissed Night Mica
• Patchouli Oud Wood Fragrance Oil
• .15 cc Scoop

Step 1:
Add two .15 cc scoops of the Aborigine Amber Mica into a microwave-safe glass container. This will be the light-colored brown. For tips on how to incorporate Micas into melt & pour soap base, see the How to Use Mica Colorants in Soap tutorial.

Step 2:
Add 8 oz of Ultra Clear Melt and Pour soap base into the container and melt the soap base in a microwave for 30 seconds. Repeat if necessary but don’t boil or burn the soap.

Step 3:
Stir slowly until the mica and soap are well mixed.

Step 4:
Add 4 ml of Patchouli Oud Wood Fragrance Oil and stir until everything is blended well.

Step 5:
To create a tilt to the mold, place one end of the mold on top of a small rolled towel. You can place another rolled towel in front of the other end to prevent the mold from moving (make sure the bottom of the soap cavity on this end is resting on the counter and not on the towel). This will create the first slanted layer.

Step 6:
Slowly pour about 1.5 ounces of soap into the tilted mold – just enough to cover the bottom. Spritz the soap with rubbing alcohol to remove bubbles.

Step 7:
It is important not to touch the mold – let soap sit for 15 minutes to form a hardened layer. If the layer is not firm, then a wavy line may form in the finished product. Press gently with a finger to test. If able to form a dent, wait another minute or two. The layer should be able to support the second layer without bowing inward.

Step 8:
While the first layer is hardening, repeat Steps 1 – 4 using 8 ounces of Ultra Clear Melt and Pour soap base, 2 scoops of Aborigine Amber Mica, and 2 scoops of Moonkissed Night Mica (this will create a darker brown) and 4 ml of Patchouli Oud Wood Fragrance Oil. Stir thoroughly.

Step 9:
When the first layer is set, turn the soap mold around and tilt it in the opposite direction.

Step 10:
Spritz the first layer with alcohol. This will help the layers adhere to each other.

Step 11:
Use a thermometer to ensure the soap is not too hot to prevent the first layer from melting into the second layer. The best pouring temperature is 135 to 140 degrees. Make sure the soap mold doesn’t move and slowly pour about an ounce of the soap into each cavity. Spritz with alcohol to remove any bubbles that may have formed.

Step 12:
Let the soap sit for 15 to 20 minutes to form a hardened layer.

Step 13:
Make sure the layer is hardened sufficiently to take the 3rd pour. Spritz the soap and repeat Steps 9 – 12 using the light brown soap. Spritz with alcohol and let the soap harden.

Step 14:
Make sure the third layer is hardened sufficiently to take the fourth pour. Lay the soap mold flat against the table. No need to tilt the mold for the final layer. Spritz the third layer with alcohol and pour the remainder of the dark brown soap. Spritz again and let harden.

Step 15:
Let the soap completely cool and harden before removing it from the mold.
By following these steps, you can create stunning slanted layered soap that not only looks great but smells fantastic too. Enjoy your soap-making adventure!