I enjoy making my own lipsticks using natural ingredients, but sometimes girls just need a little lip gloss. Natural lip gloss can add shine and color to your lips and is easy to make. Learn how to make a natural lip gloss that moisturizes and nourishes your lips.
DIY lip gloss
A popular tutorial for making your own lip gloss involves combining Vaseline (Vaseline) and crayon. Although easy and gives some color, there are some (major) problems with this formula.
Vaseline is a byproduct of the petroleum refining (gasoline) industry and has some potential side effects. Evidence points to toxic hydrocarbon pollution and destruction of collagen in the skin. These toxins accumulate in the body and can also be passed through breast milk.
Now, regarding the crayon issue…
Although crayons are technically non-toxic, they are not meant to be used in skin care (much less ingested). The pigments used are proprietary and there is no way to know what you will get (unlike with DIY crayons). In fact, Crayola is adamant that consumers should not use crayons in their makeup recipes.
So how do you make DIY lip gloss?
homemade lip gloss recipe
There are many safe, natural ingredients you can use to create your own lip care recipes. Lip balm recipes are great for moisturizing your lips, and natural lip glosses can do the same thing. Carrier oils help moisturize, while beeswax and shea butter protect. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for scent and additional benefits.
You can also add tint or clear lip gloss. Beeswax, butter, and oils are naturally colored, so they don’t look transparent in the container, but they become transparent when applied to your lips. As a coloring agent, mica is suitable for adding shine. Another option is to infuse a carrier oil with alkane roots to create a red pigment. Beet powder is sometimes recommended, but it doesn’t give much color and can be grainy.
how to make lip gloss
Now that the crayon/petrolatum jelly option is gone, what ingredients should I use? Traditional lip gloss bases use ingredients like Versa Gel as a base. It is transparent and easily colored, but it also contains tongue twisters such as hydrogenated polyisobutene and pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate. (Yes, that’s really a word!)
I don’t want to drink it even if I put it on my lips!
Instead, this recipe uses a carrier oil, beeswax, castor oil, and (optional) an alkane root for coloring. Actually, castor oil is the secret ingredient. It not only nourishes your lips but also gives them a glossy shine. If you don’t want colored options, omit the alkanet root. Sweet almond oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil all work here. I didn’t use coconut oil because it changes from liquid to solid depending on the temperature. This way, you can still apply lip gloss even when it gets cold at home.
lip gloss container
I often make lip balms for gifts and use twist up lip balm containers and cans. Lip glosses are quite soft so you can’t put them in lipstick containers. Amazon has a lot of lip gloss tubes with applicators, but I could only find the plastic ones. The popular squeeze bottle option is also made of plastic. Instead, I decided to use a glass roller bottle for this lip gloss.
If you don’t have a roller bottle, you can also use a metal can or glass jar. Please note that the product is soft and may get dirty. You can always add some more beeswax to make it more solid in the jar.
How to make scented lip gloss
Essential oils are an easy and healthy way to scent your lip gloss. Certain essential oils, such as cinnamon, clove, and lemongrass, can cause irritation and burns even in small amounts. Limes, lemons, bergamot, etc. are phototoxic. Phototoxic oils can cause burns when skin and lips are exposed to sunlight.
Safe options for your lips (when diluted properly) include:
You can experiment to create your own flavors by combining the scents that work best for you.
DIY lip gloss
This easy lip gloss adds natural color while keeping your lips moisturized. Keep it plain or add mica for a little sparkle.
Yield: 1 oz.
Author: Katie Wells
Add beeswax, shea butter, jojoba oil, and castor oil to the top of a double boiler or glass bowl.
Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until completely melted.
Remove from heat and whisk in vitamin E oil, mica, and essential oils (if using).
Then, if you are using glycerin, add it and stir vigorously.
Immediately pour the mixture into a container.
You can store this in a roller bottle, or you can increase the beeswax to 3/4 teaspoon and store it in a small glass jar. To infuse your lip balm with natural color, try using alkane roots. I added 1 teaspoon of ground alkane root to 2 TBSP of carrier oil. Infuse in the top of a double boiler for 1-2 hours, then strain the powder.
Other natural beauty products
Here are some DIY recipes you might want to try. They make great gifts (and don’t forget to keep them for yourself!).
Have you ever done your own makeup? Which product would you like to see a recipe for? Let us know by leaving a comment.
