Friday, February 7, 2014

Beautiful Lip Balm

2 batches of lip balm
I am running out of my tinted lip balm and so I decided that it was time to make some of my own.  I really like the idea of saving money and a healthier solution.  I have made lip balm before, but this was a  bit different because of the tinting.
The base with zinc oxide

I started by measuring out my oils and butters.  I actually prefer using mango butter but I am currently out of stock, so I used shea butter instead.  This recipe is one that I found on Pinterest (don't you just love it) from Frugally Sustainable.  I really like this recipe because it is simple and customizable.

The mica has to be mixed into the oils
I used beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil and vitamin E.  I melted them down in the microwave in one  minute.  I used a small glass bowl to melt the oil and as soon as I pulled it out of the microwave.  Once my oils were mostly melted I put the small glass bowl on a jar warmer to keep the oils melted.  I added the vitamin E oil after everything was melted as well as the essential oils.

I used peppermint essential oil and lavender essential oil.  The peppermint give a nice little bit of a tingle to the balm which I have found that I really like.  The lavender oil is great for helping the lips to heal and with the winter we are having this is a good thing.  These really don't add much in the way of flavor to the balm, but that isn't the reason that I use them after all.

The arrows show how the balm will form holes as it cools
For my base color I used alkanet powder infused in olive oil.  I also use this colorant in my soaps, although it colors much differently in an alkaline environment.   I added a bit of zinc oxide to give the color more coverage.  Zinc oxide is also healing and provides just a little bit of sun protection as well.    I added mica to the mixture after filling about 10 tubes for people like my mom that don't want any noticeable color left behind.  I however have replaced lipstick with tinted balm.  I  really like the way that my lips have improved in the way that they feel.  I continued to add colored mica until I was satisfied with the color that was given when applied.

I love the way it forms beads on the top.
Once I achieved the desired color, I started filling lip balm tubes.  I start by filling to just past the little screw piece in the middle.  I allow this to cool so that I get the best finish on my fill.  Since the base contracts some as it cools You have to allow it to cool and then finish filling.  I fill them until the surface tension is the only thing keeping it from overflowing.  This means that I get a slightly mounded finished fill.  I also fill them individually with a disposable pipette.  I have used the glass droppers, but they are a royal pain to clean.


I love the fact that I can make my own lip balm for about a dollar a tube and this includes the price of the tubes.  Granted I do buy some of my supplies in greater quantity than most people.  I also enjoy being able to supply my family and friends with quality health & beauty products.


I am linking with the following blogs:
http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com                                http://www.bystephanielynn.com
http://blackfoxhomestead.com/                                          http://www.iamannekehn.blogspot.com
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com                                  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
http://littlehomesteadonthehill.blogspot.com/                      http://www.sewcando.com/
http://www.campwander.com/                                          http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://coloradolady.blogspot.com                                      www.aboverubies.net
http://abidingwoman.com/                                               http://www.besimplybetter.com/
http://www.deeprootsathome.com/                                   http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/
http://raisinghomemakers.com                                          http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
http://www.52mantels.com/                                             http://www.the36thavenue.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com                                       http://teachingwhatisgood.com/
http://www.the36thavenue.com/                                       http://seevanessacraft.com/
http://katherinescorner.com/                                           http://cupcake-n-bake.blogspot.com             http://alifeinbalance.net                                                    http://www.hopestudios.blogspot.com
http://thediydreamer.com                                                 http://www.the-chicken-chick.com
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com                       http://www.flusterbuster.com
http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com                        http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
http://www.growinghomeblog.com                                 http://nourishingjoy.com
http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/              http://timeforseason.blogspot.com
http://trayerwilderness.com/                                           http://mylampisfull.blogspot.com/
http://shalommama.com/holistic-home

37 comments:

  1. What pretty colors! I, too, make lip balm, but use very minimal color. After seeing yours, I think I'll try something more vibrant! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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    1. I am glad that I was able to inspire you. Just FYI the color is still not very bright on the lips it add just a hint of a deep plum color. I will continue tweeking until I find the right combination. Have fun!

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  2. This is great.........I make and use salves and coconut oil/essential oils for lots of things, but haven't yet put them in the tubes.....this inspires me to DO IT and also add a bit of color. Thanks. :)
    www.gentlejoyhomemaker.blogspot.com

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    1. I am glad to be a source of inspiration for you. Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Hello! I saw your linky on Think Pink Sundays at the Flamingo Toes blog, and thought I’d stop by to say hi! LOVE your blog! I have to do this!!!

    Gingi at http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by. It really is pretty easy. If you don't have a candle warmer or wax melter you can always use a double boiler setup, just remember to watch for steam. ;)

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  4. I have always wanted to my own lip balm. I would have never thought to tint it. Great idea!

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    1. The lighter color isn't really noticeable, but the darker color give a little bit of a deeper tint to the lips. If you are going to tint your lip balm with mica just be sure that you use one that is certified as lip safe. I get mine from Brambleberry.com.

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  5. I may have missed it, but where do you get your tubes from? This is really neat and I'd like to try is sometime. I'd love it, if you get a chance, to post this on my link up: http://timeforseason.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-favorite-things-saturdays-28.html

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    1. I get my tubes on Etsy from Lipbalmsupplies. They have been the most reasonable for the number I was looking for at the time. They have really good response times.

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    2. Thanks for the info, and thank for linking up :D

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  6. Wow! I didn't even know homemade lip balm was a thing! Very cool. Visiting for the first time from Hope in Every Season link up :)

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    1. It's amazing the information you can find online isn't it! And the recipe I found really is wonderful.

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  7. Love it I want to run our and make lip balm now!

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    1. I know what you mean. I am waiting for some supplies so that I can make a batch of herbal lip balm.

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  8. These are pretty! I've made lotions, body butters, and most recently eye creams at home, but never lip balm. I love that you made these colored too. Definitely a plus! Visiting from Thriving at Home Thurs. Happy to meet you today, Lois! Pinning.

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    1. The nice thing is that the hardest part for me was waiting for the ingredients that I couldn't find locally to come in the mail. You can also reuse lip balm tubes. I found several tutorials for cleaning and sterilizing them on Pinterest.

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  9. I love tinted lip balms, but I've not tried making any of my own toiletries/cosmetics since I was a teenager and made muslin bags filled with oatmeal and something or other (it was some 20+ years ago!) You make it look easy and what great gifts they make.

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    1. They are wonderful gifts. So far everyone that has tried them has loved them. Of course I made an herbal and a chocolate mint on for the guys.

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  10. You are featured this week on Busy Monday! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  11. These are awesome! I am SUCH a lip balm junkie!
    Thank you for sharing these at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy!
    Fabulous DIY project!

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  12. This is fabulous! Thanks so much for the lip balb recipe! I'm going to look for the ingredients this week and make some. It'll make great gifts and stocking stuffers for next Christmas too.

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    1. Be aware that you can switch out the butters or the oils, but only if they are about the same viscocity.

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  13. I love this! I've done homemade lip balm but not with color, I can't wait to add some to my next batch!

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  14. These turned out beautiful. Thanks for linking up at oil me up Wednesdays. I would appreciate it if you would add the linky to your list. Please come and share again tomorrow!

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  15. Great post. i really need to start making my own lip balms - i go through them like crazy. these colors are wonderful. where do you buy the tints?
    Thanks for sharing on Wildcrafting Wednesdays! I hope you'll join us this week and share more of your awesome posts.
    http://www.herbanmomma.com

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    1. I got mine from Brambleberry.com. They have great customer service and their price and selection are good. I would recommend getting a sample size to see if you like the color, also it goes a long way.

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  16. I've just started making lip balm fun to read your post. Thank you for sharing on the HomeAcre Hop hope to see you again tomorrow! - Nancy The Home Acre Hop

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    1. I find that it is a lot of fun to make things for yourself. Thanks for stopping by.

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  17. Loved this! I'm featuring it in tonight's #25 Life of the Party linky. :)

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  18. Great tutorial, I'd love it if you would share this at my link party http://thecraftiestallie.blogspot.com/2014/02/worthwhile-wednesdays-6.html

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  19. Hi! :)

    This week's edition of Wildcrafting Wednesday is all about personal care and cleaning and getting rid of the toxic and disposable items we use every day on our bodies and in our homes. This would be a great addition and I hope you'll share it with us this week on Wildcrafting Wednesday.

    Thanks! :)

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Thank you so much for stopping by.