Make Your Own Lipstick: how-to

Clearly, I cannot just abandon my newly acquired double-boiling skills after making a few measly candles. And this is a project I have been seriously itching to try all Winter break. Sadly, I have left my “craft” pans (the wax from the candles have deemed them inappropriate for any culinary use) in Wilmington. So, I’ll have to delay attempting the actual project until I can get my hands on them.

However, this time away has given me an opportunity to do research on which method would be the best. I’ve looked at a few How-To’s and DIY’s, but I was really looking for something that guaranteed lots of pigment and some bold colors. I really didn’t want to just make tinted lip balm. I think this inclination towards making my own lipstick probably stems from the fact that I am NEVER satisfied with any shades that I have owned or currently own. I LOVE the pigments that you see in fashion mags and the ones that grace the runways. It has a lot to do with edge. And let’s face it, a lot of makeup lines don’t carry these particular colors.

Thankfully, one particular makeup line never seems to disappoint in the edge department. I have purchased some pretty wild things (while not wild, my favorite purchase still seems to be their Binge and Empire Ink for Eyes. Highly RECOMMEND.) from Urban Decay. For example, I love their lip stains. I own Envious and it’s the bomb. The color is awesome and it definitely does its job. The fact that I remembered what kind of products and colors the company made gave me the inspiration to base some of my own colors on what they were already doing.

I especially loved these 4 colors from Urban Decay. I know what you’re thinking. Revolution is an obvious pick. But, I really don’t know where all of you are finding these true red shades at, because I have had NO such luck. So I’m opting to make my own.

The next, Trainwreck, I also LOVE. Ever since Warhol inspired lips grabbed attention at Diane von Furstenberg’s show, they have been all I can think about. After seeing an image from the show (like the one below), I tried this look on my own. I read that you can put powdered pigment over balm to get the same bold look, and that’s just what I did. I have to admit, it looked really sweet. My boyfriend even complimented me on it. But after awhile, it started feeling “cakey.” Therefore, I think I will just have to make my own color and avoid the powdered “cakiness.”

Oil Slick. No, this is not a joke. Black lipstick has been out for a while now. And I’ve been curious ever since I first spotted it at Ulta about a year ago (give or take). Maybe it’s my inner Marilyn Manson trying to escape? Or MAYBE it’s just a damn good idea. How about this…you apply the black (sparingly) first, then apply another color. Blend. And in an instant, you’ve created another color to add to your collection. Or you could stick with the whole edgy Marilyn Manson thing. If so, please let me know how this turns out for you.

So MM-chic isn’t your thing? Why not blend Oil Slick with Revolution and end up with a color similar to Gash. I really dig how dark this one is. Great for winter. As with all of the other bold colors, just make sure your face is fresh and not too eye makeup heavy.

If I’ve convinced you that making your own lipstick would be the bomb (and some!) then you should read the little DIY I have compiled.

Materials

-3 nontoxic crayons of your choice (they can all be the same color, or you can mix them to create whichever color you want)

-1 beeswax candle (100% pure, no color added, and 1-inch in diameter)

-3 tbsp. oil (you can use baby oil, soy oil, mineral oil, etc.)

-Hammer

-2 pans (one slightly smaller than the other—for double boiling)

-Small container of empty chapstick/lipstick tube

Instructions

Step One

Remove the labels off of all the crayons.

Step Two

Using a hammer, break the crayons into smaller pieces.

Step Three

Put just enough water in the larger saucepan so that the smaller one rests upon it. Then get the water to a slight boil.

Step Four

Cut a 1-inch segment off of the candle.

Step Five

Once the water has started boiling, place the smaller pan in the bigger one. Then begin adding the crayon bits, the 1-inch piece of candle, and 3 tbsp of oil to the smaller pan.

Step Six

Heat all of the ingredients, stirring occasionally, until all is melted.

Step Seven

Pour the liquid into the container of your choice.

Step Eight

While uncovered, allow the lipstick to cool completely .

Step Nine

Cover or close your new creation. Or, my preference, try it out!:)