How To Use Our Micas

For cold process (CP) soap, a good starting point for mica usage is 1 teaspoon of mica per pound of oils. This amount gives a vibrant color without overdoing it.

Additional Tips:

• Pre-mix the mica with a small amount of oil (taken from your batch) to avoid clumps when adding to your soap batter.
• For lighter or pastel colors, use less, around ½ teaspoon per pound of oils.
• For bolder or more saturated colors, you can use up to 2 teaspoons per pound. A few shades, mostly oranges and some reds, need more than that to reach full depth, so follow the use rate on the product page rather than a blanket number, and do not go past it: too much mica can cause staining or affect lather.

Always test in small batches first, since mica color results can vary based on your base oils, fragrance, and additives.

For melt and pour (MP) soap, ½ teaspoon of mica per pound of soap base is the rate listed on most of our mica product pages. Use less, around ¼ teaspoon, for a lighter tint.

Here's how to get the best results:

• Start at ¼ teaspoon per pound for lighter colors and increase gradually for deeper or more vibrant shades.
• Mix the mica with a small amount of glycerin or rubbing alcohol before adding it to the melted soap base. This helps disperse the color evenly and prevents clumping.
• White or opaque bases mute the color, while clear bases make colors appear more vivid and shimmering.

Always stir thoroughly and test in small batches.

For bath bombs, a good starting point is 1 to 2 teaspoons of mica powder per pound (16 oz) of dry ingredients. This gives a noticeable color without overloading the formula. You can adjust the amount based on how intense or subtle you want the color to be.

• Disperse in a liquid first: Mix your mica with a small amount of a liquid carrier like isopropyl alcohol or sweet almond oil before adding it to your dry mix. This helps avoid clumping and improves color distribution.
• Use polysorbate 80: Add about 0.5 to 1% polysorbate 80 to help the mica disperse in water and prevent it from floating on the surface or sticking to the tub.
• Start small and build up: Mica can look more intense once the bath bomb hits water, so test in small batches to find the right level.
• Combine with lake dyes for bold color: Mica adds shimmer and soft hues, but pairing it with lake dyes gives a brighter, more saturated bathwater color.
• Test in water: Always test your finished bath bombs in a tub or large bowl of water to ensure the color disperses well and doesn't leave residue.

Not every mica is approved for bath bomb use; see our Bath Bomb Colorant FAQ for which colors qualify and why.

To use mica in lip gloss, follow these simple steps to create beautifully tinted, shimmery glosses:

• Choose Lip-Safe Mica: Use a mica whose approved-use row lists lips; our Lip & Bath Bomb Colorants collection gathers them. Some pigments used to coat mica are not approved for lip use, so check the row rather than judging by the color.
• Add Mica to Base: Start with a clear lip gloss base (store-bought or homemade). Add mica gradually using the following guideline:
• Amount: Use about 1 to 3% mica by weight. This is roughly ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon per 10g of gloss, depending on the desired intensity.
• Stir thoroughly until the mica is fully dispersed and evenly colored.

Only micas whose approved-use row lists eyes belong in eye products. Most of ours do, and the row on each product page says so.

Mica can be used alone or mixed with a base to improve texture, adhesion, and wear time. Here's how much to use depending on the type:

Loose Powder Eyeshadow:

• Use 40 to 100% mica.
• You can apply pure mica or blend with fillers like sericite mica, kaolin clay, or magnesium stearate for better texture and adhesion.

Pressed Powder Eyeshadow:

• Use 10 to 30% mica blended with binders (like zinc stearate) and fillers.
• Add a few drops of binder (e.g., jojoba oil or isopropyl alcohol with a binding agent) before pressing into pans.

Cream or Gel Eyeshadow:

• Use 5 to 15% mica
• Mix into a creamy base of oils, waxes, or gels like aloe or shea butter.

Mica adds a beautiful shimmer to nail polish and nail art. Here's how to use it:

• Amount: Mix about 5 to 10% mica by weight into a clear polish base, or dust it dry over wet polish for a chrome-like finish.
• Choose Nail-Safe Mica: Nail polish counts as an external cosmetic. Every mica with an approved-use row on its product page lists general body use, which covers it.
• Mix Thoroughly: Stir or shake well to avoid clumping or uneven color.
• Let It Dry: Let a base coat fully dry before dusting on loose mica to prevent smudging.

Using mica powder in epoxy resin is a fantastic way to create shimmering, metallic, or pearlescent effects in resin art, jewelry, coasters, river tables, and more. Here's how to use it effectively:

Recommended Ratio: Use about 1 to 2% mica powder by weight of the total resin mixture. For example, in 100g of resin + hardener, use 1 to 2g of mica powder.

• Less mica (0.5%) = more translucent, subtle shimmer.
• More mica (3%+) = deeper, more opaque, metallic look.

More Tips for Using Mica in Epoxy Resin:

• Prepare your resin according to the manufacturer's instructions (mix resin and hardener thoroughly).
• Add mica powder to the mixed resin slowly.
• Stir well until the color is evenly distributed.
• Pour and work quickly: mica doesn't affect cure time, but resin does have a working window.

Here's a guide to using mica powder in paint, whether you're crafting art, customizing décor, or adding shimmer to DIY projects:

• General Use: Use 1 to 5% mica powder by weight of the paint or medium. For example, for 1 ounce of paint, start with ¼ to ½ teaspoon of mica. Increase to 1 teaspoon for a more intense shimmer or metallic look.
• Clear Mediums (e.g., gloss varnish or polyurethane): Mica shows up best in clear or lightly tinted mediums. Use up to 10% mica in clear coats for bold shimmer effects.
• Opaque Paints: Mica adds a subtle sheen but may be muted by the base color. Use less if you're after just a light glimmer.

More tips on using mica in paint:

• Mix Thoroughly: Mica can clump. Stir or shake vigorously to distribute evenly, or pre-mix in a small cup before adding to your paint.
• Use Clear Bases for Maximum Shimmer: Mix mica into clear mediums or apply over a dry base color for more brilliance.
• Layer for Depth: Apply thin layers of mica-infused paint. Let each layer dry before adding the next to build up shimmer gradually.
• Strain for Spray Applications: If using a spray bottle or airbrush, strain the mica mix through fine mesh to avoid clogging.
• Seal Your Work: Once dry, apply a clear sealer to protect the shimmer and enhance depth, especially for furniture, canvas, or crafts.
• Test First: Mica can appear differently depending on the paint base, lighting, and surface texture. Always test on a small area first.

Mica powder can add a beautiful shimmer to candles and wax melts, but it's best used as a decorative accent rather than a functional dye. Here's how to use it effectively:

• Surface Decoration: The most effective way to use mica in candles is to dust a small amount into your mold or onto the surface of your container before pouring the wax. Once the candle sets, the mica creates a shimmering layer on the outer surface for a striking visual effect.
• Swirled into Wax Melts: Mica is more suitable for wax melts than burning candles. You can mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon of mica per pound of wax for a shimmery effect. It won't clog wicks in wax melts since they don't use one.
• Avoid in Wick-Burning Candles: Mica does not fully dissolve in wax and can clog the wick, leading to poor burn performance or extinguishing the flame. If you do choose to use mica in a container candle, use it sparingly (under ⅛ teaspoon per pound) and test thoroughly.

More Tips For Using Mica in Candles & Wax:

• Always stir thoroughly to distribute the mica evenly.
• For stronger color payoff in candles, pair mica with a liquid candle dye for base coloring.
• Mica = sparkle in candles, not pigment. It's great for visual shimmer, but not ideal for primary coloring in wick candles.