Making lip gloss with simple household materials is entertaining and easy. And by creating lip gloss from scratch, you can control the ingredients, avoiding preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and artificial colors which often bother sensitive skin.
You can choose the flavor and color of your lip gloss by using different ingredients, including pure essential and cosmetic grade flavor oils. Using ingredients found in your own kitchen saves the cost of purchasing lip gloss at a higher price from stores. Kids think that making their own lip gloss is fun too.
Making lip gloss can be a simple undertaking, or one requiring time and patience.
An Easy Way to Make Lip Gloss
The most stripped-down method of making lip gloss uses the following ingredients:
- Petroleum jelly
- Powdered drink mix (such as Kool Aid)
- A small container
To make this basic version of lip gloss, follow these steps:
- Put the petroleum jelly into a microwaveable safe bowl, and microwave it for 30 seconds.
- Stir the jelly until it is fully melted.
- Add powdered drink mix to the concoction. This will determine the desired flavor and color of the lip gloss.
- Microwave the mixture for another 30 seconds, and then stir it again.
- Let the bowl cool, then transfer the mixture to a small container and refrigerate it for 10 to 20 minutes.
- The lip gloss is now ready for use.
Another Easy Lip Gloss Recipe, Step by Step
Here’s another quick and easy way to make lip gloss.
- Mix one tablespoon of solid vegetable shortening with one tablespoon of honey.
- In another bowl, mix drink mix with one fourth of a tablespoon of hot water until it dissolves into the drink mix.
- Add drops of the drink mix to the shortening bowl, stirring between each consecutive drop, until the desired flavor and color combination is reached.
- Keep in mind that the amount of drink mix that dissolves in the shortening is proportional to the taste of the lip gloss – more dissolved drink mix creates a stronger flavor.
- When the lip gloss has ideal color and taste, pour it into a clean container and store it in the refrigerator.
This lip gloss will remain good for up to three days. Containers may range from old lip gloss holders or new plastic tubes from the nearest drug or dollar store.
Lip Gloss Recipe Variations
There are a number of variations on this recipe. Substitute petroleum jelly (the type that is pellet-shaped is ideal) for vegetable shortening. Sunflower, almond, or coconut oil are also recommended substitutes.
Food coloring can be used to alter the color of the lip gloss. Different types of tea, hot cocoa mix, crushed candy canes, chocolate chips, cocoa butter, cranberries, apricot kernel oil, essential extracts (lemon, for instance) and a host of other ingredients can add flavor. Remember not to use any ingredients that cannot be safely consumed in the lip gloss.
Feel free to get imaginative with the flavoring ingredients. Any other flavorings you see fit to add, like mint or vanilla extract, can be purchased at the grocery store. To add a bit of sparkle to the finished product, use cake decorating glitter or shimmery eye shadow in the mix.
Homemade Lip Gloss for Chapped Lips
Lip gloss can also be tailored to those with dry, cracked lips or cold sores. Coconut oil and aloe vera gel help soothe the skin by drawing moisture from the environment.
Petroleum jelly acts as a barrier to keep moisture in your lips. Shea butter, coconut butter, or Vitamin E might also prove desirable ingredients, as they too help moisturize the lips.
After you have created your ideal lip gloss, be careful when using the finished product.
As with other skin products, it is a good idea to test the lip gloss for allergic reactions (for instance, to bee pollen). Before applying the gloss to your lips, first test it on a small patch of skin.
Do not use the gloss after it becomes moldy or fuzzy, or has been in the refrigerator for more than three days. In this case, throw it out.
Lip gloss created from scratch may not last as long as store-bought cosmetics, because it is free of the unnecessary artificial preservatives these items contain. Homemade lip gloss is a tradeoff between natural ingredients and longevity.
Making lip gloss from scratch is a fun activity for adults and children (with proper supervision) alike. Instead of spending exorbitant amounts on store-packaged lip gloss, creating your own enables you to save money while incorporating ingredients of your choice.
In this way, you can avoid the artificial chemicals that come in most store-bought lip gloss. Additionally, you can create the desired flavor and taste, experimenting to create your ideal lip gloss.
