Mica

Who doesn't love a little shimmer in life?!

 

What is Mica?

There are two types of Mica that are supplied here at Irish Wax Melt Supplies (IWMS) - Natural & Synthetic Mica. Natural Mica is a natural stone mineral with shiny flakes that can be ground down to a shimmering powder. It is often referred to as ‘Nature’s Glitter’. Synthetic Mica aims to replicate Natural Mica but can provide a slightly stronger colour than Natural Mica can. 

Mica is widely used in the cosmetic industry for things like lip gloss, nail varnish and eyeshadow. We can also use Mica to colour wax melts, but it is not recommended for use in candles.

How should I use Mica to colour my wax melts?

You only need a very small amount of Mica to colour your wax melts. Aprox ¼ of a teaspoon would colour 1kg of wax. Mix the Mica powder in with your fragrance oil and add to your wax at the usual temperature you would add your oil. You can also use Mica to ‘paint’ your wax melts. When they are fully set, you can lightly brush it on dry or you can mix with something such as rubbing alcohol or coconut oil. More info about painting wax melts

with Mica is available on Youtube if it's something you would like to try.

What will the results be?

A shimmering wax pool in your burner with a hypnotic effect and a delicate colour to your cooled wax melts.

Mica does not give an intense or bold colour to wax melts once they are set. If you want a very intense colour you can use Mica alongside other dyes such as liquid dye or dye chips.

Results will always vary and can depend on lots of things such as the type of wax used and the strength of the colour of the fragrance oil you are using. It's best to add a small amount of Mica to your wax and check what the true colour will be by dropping a small bit onto some white paper, kitchen roll or a white plate and letting it set. You can then decide if you wish to add more mica or use it alongside another dye to achieve your desired look. 

You will not be able to achieve a strong red or black colour in cooled wax by using Mica on its own. If you can try to imagine adding a small amount of red or black paint to a large amount of white paint. The colour will become a lot paler as the white (of your wax) will greatly dilute it. Red Mica on its own tends to go pink or an orangey colour depending on the undertone. Black Mica on its own tends to go grey. As with all elements of wax making and especially using any new products..test test test! 

Since Mica is naturally heavier than wax, it will eventually sink in your burner. If you want to reactivate your Mica you can mix it with a toothpick and your shimmer will start dancing again. A tip to keep your Mica dancing for longer is to heat your burner up before you add your melt to the well. This leaves less time before the wax has melted for the Mica to sink. 

 

Mica is such a fun product to use, it can give you a wide variety of colours and of course brings a beautiful sparkle to your wax pool. 

 

Have you tried our Mica powder yet? It would be great if you shared your results with us on social media!

Instagram: @irishwaxmeltsupplies

Facebook: Join our group for discussions on all things wax! 

All of the Mica powder at IWMS is Cosmetic grade, Bath & Body Safe, FDA approved, REACH compliant, Ethically sourced, Vegan & Cruelty Free. MSDS is also available upon request for each of our colours, and should be referred to for further info on personal precautions you should take when using Mica.