Love Bites Bath Bomb Project
A little red mica transforms heart bath bombs from cute to spooky! Night Violet Fragrance Oil gives them a sultry floral scent.
The splatter effect is created by mixing mica with 99% isopropyl alcohol, and applying it to the bath bombs with a dropper or paint brush. This process can get messy, so we recommend covering your surface before getting started.
Check out more bath bomb recipes and kits.
What You Need:
Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- Sodium Bicarbonate - 1 lb
- Citric Acid - 1 lb
- Orchid Extract - 1 oz
- Polysorbate 80 - 1 oz
- Red Mica - 1 oz
- Night Violet Fragrance Oil - Trial Size
- Witch Hazel - 1 lb
EQUIPMENT:
- Heart Clamshell Mold - 10 molds
Instructions
You will need:
- Heart Clamshell Molds
- 16 oz. Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- 8 oz. Citric Acid
- 1 oz. Orchid Extract
- 0.5 oz. Night Violet Fragrance Oil
- 0.5 oz. Polysorbate 80
- Witch Hazel in a Spray Bottle
Mica Painting:
- Paint Brush or Dropper
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
- Red Mica
Follow these steps:
1
In a large bowl, mix together 16 ounces of baking soda and 8 ounces of citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break them up with your fingers. Thoroughly stir the ingredients together.
TIP: Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure.
2
In a small glass container, mix together 1 ounce of orchid extract, 0.5 ounce of Night Violet Fragrance Oil, and 0.5 ounces of polysorbate 80. Use a spoon to mix all the liquids together.
3
Add the oil mixture to the baking soda and citric acid mixture. Use your hands to thoroughly mix.
4
Test the consistency of the bath bomb mixture. The perfect consistency is similar to wet sand and it holds its shape when squeezed. If it’s too dry, use one hand to spritz the mixture with witch hazel and one to mix. Continue spritzing until the mixture holds its shape.
5
Once you have the right consistency, fill each cavity with bath bomb mixture. Press it firmly into the molds until all the bath bomb mixture has been used.
6
Allow the bath bombs to dry for several hours or up to overnight. Remove from the molds.
7
In small separate containers, mix together about 1.5 teaspoons of Red Mica with 1 tablespoon of 99% isopropyl alcohol. Stir together to get rid of clumps.
NOTE: As you paint, you may find that you need to add more alcohol or mica to the containers. Adding more colorants will make the mica paint more concentrated and thick. More alcohol will make it thinner and more likely to bleed. Feel free to adjust until you're happy with the texture.
8
Cover your surface to protect it from paint splatters. Dip your paint brush in the mica mixture and flick it over the bath bombs to create a splatter effect. Use the droppers to suck up the mica mixture, and drip it over the bath bombs to create a heavier splatter effect. Experiment and have fun! Mix more mica if necessary.
9
Once you’re finished, gently place the bath bombs back into the molds for storage. Once you’re ready to use, place the bath bomb into a hot tub and enjoy.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman
Love Bites Bath Bomb Project
- LEVEL Beginner
- TIME 1 hour
- YIELD About 6-7 bath bombs
Project Description
The splatter effect is created by mixing mica with 99% isopropyl alcohol, and applying it to the bath bombs with a dropper or paint brush. This process can get messy, so we recommend covering your surface before getting started.
Check out more bath bomb recipes and kits.
You will need:
- Heart Clamshell Molds
- 16 oz. Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- 8 oz. Citric Acid
- 1 oz. Orchid Extract
- 0.5 oz. Night Violet Fragrance Oil
- 0.5 oz. Polysorbate 80
- Witch Hazel in a Spray Bottle
Mica Painting:
- Paint Brush or Dropper
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
- Red Mica
Follow these steps:
1
In a large bowl, mix together 16 ounces of baking soda and 8 ounces of citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break them up with your fingers. Thoroughly stir the ingredients together.
TIP: Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure.
2
In a small glass container, mix together 1 ounce of orchid extract, 0.5 ounce of Night Violet Fragrance Oil, and 0.5 ounces of polysorbate 80. Use a spoon to mix all the liquids together.
3
Add the oil mixture to the baking soda and citric acid mixture. Use your hands to thoroughly mix.
4
Test the consistency of the bath bomb mixture. The perfect consistency is similar to wet sand and it holds its shape when squeezed. If it’s too dry, use one hand to spritz the mixture with witch hazel and one to mix. Continue spritzing until the mixture holds its shape.
5
Once you have the right consistency, fill each cavity with bath bomb mixture. Press it firmly into the molds until all the bath bomb mixture has been used.
6
Allow the bath bombs to dry for several hours or up to overnight. Remove from the molds.
7
In small separate containers, mix together about 1.5 teaspoons of Red Mica with 1 tablespoon of 99% isopropyl alcohol. Stir together to get rid of clumps.
NOTE: As you paint, you may find that you need to add more alcohol or mica to the containers. Adding more colorants will make the mica paint more concentrated and thick. More alcohol will make it thinner and more likely to bleed. Feel free to adjust until you're happy with the texture.
8
Cover your surface to protect it from paint splatters. Dip your paint brush in the mica mixture and flick it over the bath bombs to create a splatter effect. Use the droppers to suck up the mica mixture, and drip it over the bath bombs to create a heavier splatter effect. Experiment and have fun! Mix more mica if necessary.
9
Once you’re finished, gently place the bath bombs back into the molds for storage. Once you’re ready to use, place the bath bomb into a hot tub and enjoy.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman