Colorant FAQs

What is mica powder?

Mica powder is a shimmery colorant used to dye soap, cosmetics, wax melts, and other projects. Mica is a natural mineral that is mixed with ingredients such as titanium dioxide, iron oxide, FD&C colorants, and D&C colorants to give it a pigment. Learn more in our blog Mica 101. 

What can I make with mica?

Mica is a versatile colorant that can be used for many different projects. Head to our blog to learn the basics of using mica powder and to find additional project inspiration.

Can I use mica powder in wax?

Yes, mica powder can be used as a wax colorant. Mica tends to produce a very light color when the wax hardens. However, the beautiful shimmer and color will reappear once the wax is melted. That’s why many people like using mica in wax melts. Visit our blog to read more about using mica in wax.

Can I make candles with mica powder?

We generally don’t recommend using powder colorants in candles because they can affect how well the candle burns. However, mica is great for wax melts.

If you use powder colorants in your candles, you are responsible for testing them adequately to ensure they burn safely. Please be aware that if you have insurance for your candle business, you may want to check with your agent to make sure candles made with mica are covered under your policy. You can read about safe color additives for candles in our blog.

Are your micas lip-safe?

Many of our mica powders are lip-safe. Read our blog about lip-safe mica and browse lip-approved mica powders in our store.

Is your glitter cosmetic-grade?

Yes, all of our glitters are cosmetic-grade. This means you can use it to make DIY beauty products as well as crafts. Whereas craft glitter is often made form particles with sharp edges, cosmetic glitter has round edges.

What can I make with glitter?

Glitter can be used for countless different craft projects. Find glitter project inspiration in our blog.

Can I use glitter in candles?

We generally don’t recommend using glitter in candles because the particles can stick to the wick and affect how it burns. However, some makers have found success using glitter in their candles.

If you use glitter in your candles, you are responsible for testing them adequately to ensure they burn safely. Please be aware that if you have insurance for your candle business, you may want to check with your agent to make sure candles made with glitter are covered under your policy. Learn more about safe additives for candles in our blog.

What is fluorescent powder?

Fluorescent powder is a brightly-colored pigment that can be used to add a pop of neon color to your projects. Fluorescent pigment is sometimes called day-glow powder because of how bright it is. In order to see the full neon glow effect, you can expose the powder to a black light.

What can I make with fluorescent powder?

Fluorescent powder is great for making brightly colored soap, wax melts, resin art, and other projects. These projects will have a day-glow effect under normal lighting conditions. To see a neon-glow effect, use a black light.

Can I use fluorescent powder for bath bombs or cosmetics?

No. Although some fluorescent powder is pigmented with FDA approved color additives, the other ingredients in fluorescent powder are not approved for cosmetics.

Can I make soap with fluorescent powder?

Yes. The FDA categorizes soap differently from cosmetics and drugs. Soap can be safely be colored with fluorescent powder. For tips on using fluorescent powder in soap, watch this video on our YouTube channel.

Can I use fluorescent powder for candles?

We don’t recommend using powder colorants in candles because they can affect how the wick burns. However, some makers have successfully used fluorescent powder in candles. We also sell Fluorescent Candle Dye Chips, which we recommend using instead of fluorescent powder. 

If you use powder colorants in your candles, you are responsible for testing them adequately to ensure they burn safely. Please be aware that if you have insurance for your candle business, you may want to check with your agent to make sure candles made with fluorescent powder are covered under your policy.

What is glow in the dark powder?

Glow in the dark powder is a type of luminescent pigment that glows after being exposed to a light source. To see the glowing effect, allow the powder to “charge” in sunlight, fluorescent light, or incandescent light, then move it to a dark area.

Do I need a black light to see glow in the dark powder?

No. Glow in the dark powder is luminescent, meaning that it glows on its own as long as you’ve exposed it to a light source first. You do not need a blacklight to see glow in the dark powder. However, like fluorescent powder, our glow in the dark powder will also look amazing under a black light.

What can I make with glow in the dark powder?

Glow powder can be used to make soap, resin art, craft projects, wax melts, and more.

Can I use glow powder for cosmetics?

The FDA has approved glow in the dark powder for infrequent cosmetic use as long as the powder constitutes no more than 10% of the total cosmetic mixture. It may be used to make cosmetics including face paint or nail art, as long as you apply these cosmetics very infrequently (e.g. Halloween makeup). It is not approved for eye use. Do not use glow powder to make eye makeup.

Can I make glow in the dark bath bombs with your glow powders?

No. Although some of our glow powders use FDA-approved pigments, the other ingredients in glow powder are not approved for bath bombs.

Can I make glow in the dark candles?

As with other powdered colorants, we generally don’t recommend using glow powder for candles. Powdered colorants can clog the wick and affect how the candle burns. However, many makers successfully use glow in the dark powder to make glowing candles.

If you want to use glow in the dark powder to make candles, please note that the powder is dense and tends to sink in wax. Keep this in mind when designing your candles.

If you use powder colorants in your candles, you are responsible for testing them adequately to ensure they burn safely. Please be aware that if you have insurance for your candle business, you may want to check with your agent to make sure candles made with glow in the dark powder are covered under your policy.

What color of glow powder should I use?

Some of our glow powders look different in daylight versus when they're glowing. Read our blog on choosing glow colors to learn more about getting the perfect shade for your project.

What are candle dye chips?

Candle dye chips are used to give wax a color. When added to hot wax, dye chips dissolve and their pigment mixes with the wax.

What can I make with candle dye chips?

You can use dye chips to make brightly colored candles or wax melts. Dye chips are not intended to be used for bath or body products.

How many dye chips do I need to use?

The amount of dye you need depends on the final color you want your candles or wax melts to be, as well as the type of wax you are using. Because different colors of dye chips have different intensities, we can’t offer specific recommendations.

Paraffin Wax: For most colors, you can get a nice shade by adding 1 dye chip per pound of wax. If you want a more pastel color, you can cut the chips into smaller pieces and add just a tiny amount. To get a more intense color, you can add 2 or more chips per pound of wax.

Coconut Wax Blends: Start with 2-3 dye chips per pound of wax. Please note that because of the properties of coconut wax, colors may not be as vibrant as they are in pure paraffin wax regardless of how many chips you add.

Soy Wax: Pure soy wax often takes up to 5 chips per pound of wax. Like coconut wax, colors will look more pastel in soy wax. This is because soy is more opaque than paraffin wax.

Please note that regardless of the wax you're using, some colors are designed to be softer, while others are designed to be brighter. We always recommend starting with a small amount and working up from there until you reach a color you like. Keep in mind that colors will look darker in melted wax compared to when the wax cools.

As with any other additive, colorants may affect how your candle burns. You may need to re-test your wicks when adding colorants for the first time. See our Wick FAQ and Candle Wicking Guide for more information.  

Can I use dye chips and mica together?

Yes. If you want your wax to shimmer and have a nice color, you can use both mica and dye chips. Mica doesn’t always provide an intense color on its own once the wax hardens. However, the mica pigment will show through nicely when the wax melts. Learn more about using mica in wax.