A layered lavender soap designed to showcase the beautiful differences purple colourants can create in opaque and transparent melt & pour soap bases. Alternating layers of creamy white shea soap and crystal-clear transparent soap allow each shade to shift in depth, softness, and vibrancy throughout the loaf. Finished with a delicate lavender drizzle, shimmering mica accents, and dried lavender sprigs, this project creates an elegant artisan bar with a calming Lavender aroma.
This project is ideal for intermediate melt & pour makers looking to explore layering techniques, mica dispersion, and decorative soap finishing.
Makes ~ 4x 160g bars
Recommended Equipment:
- Digital scale
- Heat-safe measuring cups
- Microwave
- Stirring spatula or stick
- Small mixing cups
- 0.15 cc measuring spoon
- Spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol
- Short (Small) Loaf Silicone Soap Mold
- Cutting tool or knife
Formula:
| Ingredient | Usage Rate (%) |
Weight (g) |
| Stephenson Shea Butter Melt & Pour Soap | 56.6 | 430 |
| Stephenson Natural Transparent Melt & Pour Soap | 41.4 | 315 |
| French Lavender Fragrance Oil | 2% | 15 |
| Ultramarine Purple | 0.5-1x 0.15CC Scoop | |
| Majestic Violet Mica | 0.5-1x 0.15CC Scoop | |
| Blackberry Wine Mica | 0.5-1x 0.15CC Scoop | |
| Purple Orchid Mica | 0.5-1x 0.15CC Scoop | |
|
Dried Lavender Sprigs |
Decorative | 4 Sprigs |
Featured Ingredients:
Stephenson Shea Butter Melt & Pour Soap
Stephenson Shea Butter Melt & Pour Soap Base is a vegetable-derived opaque soap base enriched with nourishing shea butter, known for its skin conditioning properties.
Its creamy white appearance creates a beautiful contrast against transparent soap layers while offering a rich, luxurious lather and smooth skin feel. The high glycerin content helps provide moisturizing properties, excellent fragrance lift, and abundant foam, making it an ideal choice for artisan melt & pour soaps.
Stephenson Natural Transparent Melt & Pour Soap
Stephenson Natural Transparent Melt & Pour Soap Base is a premium high-foaming base that leaves skin feeling soft, hydrated, and refreshed. Its crystal-clear appearance allows vibrant mica colours to shine beautifully, making it ideal for layered and artistic soap designs.
Formulated with a 99.9% natural composition and a 100% natural detergent system, this sulphate-free base also contains a natural solubilizer to help maintain exceptional clarity and colour dispersion. Dermatologically and clinically tested, it is gentle on skin while providing excellent performance for handcrafted soap projects.
Lavender Fragrance Oil
A soft and calming floral fragrance inspired by fresh lavender drifting through warm summer air. This classic scent adds a relaxing and elegant aromatic profile that pairs beautifully with botanical and spa-inspired soap creations.
Ultramarine Purple
Ultramarine Purple creates delicate lilac and soft violet tones in melt & pour soap and cosmetic applications. This versatile purple pigment offers beautiful pastel effects in opaque soap bases while developing richer depth in transparent bases.
Suitable for use in soap, cosmetics, nail polish, and other bath and body creations.
Majestic Violet
Majestic Violet Mica is a shimmering cosmetic-grade purple mica that creates elegant violet tones with beautiful luminosity and depth.
In white soap bases, it produces soft pastel lavender shades, while transparent bases reveal deeper and more vibrant jewel-toned purples. This mica is approved for a wide variety of cosmetic applications and remains stable in both melt & pour and cold process soap.
Blackberry Wine
Blackberry Wine Mica is a rich violet-purple cosmetic mica inspired by the deep tones of ripe wild blackberries. It creates luxurious layered colour effects ranging from muted lavender tones in opaque soap bases to dramatic berry-purple shades in transparent soap. This versatile mica performs beautifully in melt & pour soap and remains stable in cold process applications.
Purple Orchid
Purple Orchid Mica is a unique shimmering purple mica with subtle pink undertones and a soft reddish-blue afterglow that adds dimension and elegance to decorative soap finishes. This mica performs especially well in melt & pour soap, where its luminous tones remain vibrant and eye-catching. In white soap bases it creates soft floral purple shades, while transparent bases reveal richer jewel-like depth.
Instructions:
Step 1: Cut and weigh 90g of Stephenson Natural Transparent Melt & Pour Soap base.
Step 2: Melt the soap base using short microwave bursts, stirring between intervals to avoid overheating. In a small cup, disperse 0.5 (0.15cc spoon) of Ultramarine Purple with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol until smooth and lump-free. Add the dispersed colourant to the melted soap base and stir thoroughly until evenly coloured.
Step 3: Add approximately 2g of Lavender Fragrance Oil and stir gently but thoroughly. Pour the first layer into the mold. Lightly spritz the surface with isopropyl alcohol to remove surface bubbles. Allow the layer to fully set before continuing.
Step 4: Cut and weigh 90g of Stephenson Shea Butter Melt & Pour Soap base.
Step 5: Melt the white soap base in short intervals. Disperse 0.5 (0.15cc spoon) of Ultramarine Purple colourant with isopropyl alcohol, then mix into the melted white soap base until uniform. Add approximately 2g Lavender Fragrance Oil and stir well.
Step 6: Lightly spritz the surface of the previous layer with isopropyl alcohol to promote adhesion between layers. Carefully pour the second layer and allow it to fully set before proceeding.
Step 7: Melt 90g of transparent soap base. Disperse 0.5 scoop of Majestic Violet mica with isopropyl alcohol and mix into the melted soap base until evenly coloured. Add approximately 2g Lavender Fragrance Oil and stir gently.
Step 8: Spritz the previous layer with isopropyl alcohol and carefully pour the third layer. Allow the soap to fully set.Step 9: Melt 90g of shea butter soap base. Disperse 0.5 scoop of Majestic Violet mica with isopropyl alcohol and add to the melted base. Add approximately 2g Lavender Fragrance Oil and stir thoroughly.
Step 10: Spritz the previous layer with isopropyl alcohol and pour the fourth layer. Allow to fully set.
Step 11: Melt 90g of transparent soap base. Disperse 0.5 scoop of Blackberry Wine mica with isopropyl alcohol and blend into the melted soap. Add approximately 2g Lavender Fragrance Oil and stir gently.
Step 12: Spritz the previous layer with isopropyl alcohol and pour the fifth layer. Allow to fully set.
Step 13: Melt 90g of shea butter soap base. Disperse 0.5 scoop of Blackberry Wine mica with isopropyl alcohol and blend thoroughly into the soap base. Add approximately 2g Lavender Fragrance Oil and stir gently. Spritz the previous layer with isopropyl alcohol and pour the sixth layer. Allow to fully set.
Step 14: Melt 90g of shea butter soap base and add approximately 2g Lavender Fragrance Oil. Leave this final layer uncoloured for contrast. Spritz the previous layer with isopropyl alcohol and carefully pour the seventh and final layer. Allow the loaf to fully cool and harden.
Step 15: Arrange 4 dried lavender sprigs evenly across the top of the soap loaf, spacing them approximately 1 inch apart to plan the final decorative placement. Trim sprigs if necessary for a balanced appearance. Remove the sprigs once placement has been finalized.
Step 16: Melt approximately 20g of transparent melt & pour soap base. Add a small amount of Lavender Fragrance Oil along with a pinch of Purple Orchid mica and stir thoroughly. Allow the soap to cool slightly until it thickens enough to create a controlled drizzle. Lightly spritz the top soap layer with isopropyl alcohol, then drizzle the coloured soap across the loaf in a zigzag pattern.
Step 17: Immediately and gently press the dried lavender sprigs into the drizzle, following the staged layout prepared earlier.
Step 18: Lightly dust a small amount of Purple Orchid mica across the top of the loaf for a soft shimmering finish.
Step 19: Allow the soap loaf to fully harden before carefully unmolding.
Step 20: Cut the loaf into approximately 1-inch thick bars. Melt & pour soap does not require curing and may be used immediately or packaged for gifting, display, or sale.
How to Use
Wet the soap bar with warm water and work into a rich lather between hands or onto a washcloth. Rinse thoroughly.
For best appearance, remove the decorative lavender sprig prior to use.
Allow the soap to dry between uses to extend the life of the bar.
Advanced Maker Notes
Alternating transparent and opaque soap bases creates dramatic shifts in mica appearance, allowing each purple shade to display unique depth and tone characteristics.
Dispersing mica in isopropyl alcohol before adding it to the soap base helps minimize clumping and promotes smoother colour distribution.
Spritzing each layer with isopropyl alcohol improves adhesion and helps reduce layer separation.
Avoid overheating melt & pour soap bases, as excessive heat may reduce clarity, create skin formation, or increase sweating.
Decorative dried botanicals should remain exposed on the surface rather than embedded inside the soap. Embedding dried lavender directly into soap may allow moisture to rehydrate the plant material over time, potentially leading to discoloration or spoilage.
Attaching botanicals to a surface drizzle helps create a decorative finish while minimizing direct moisture exposure.
Note:
These formulations are provided as a guide and may be used for personal or commercial applications. Voyageur Soap & Candle Company Ltd. accepts no liability for the performance, effectiveness, or outcomes of products made using these formulations. Users are responsible for proper testing, safe formulation practices, and compliance with all applicable regulations.
If you have any questions regarding this recipe, please email us at customerservice@voyageursoapandcandle.com or call us at 1-800-758-7773.