Thursday, July 5, 2012

DIY: Lip Balm

Ever wanted to know how to make your own lip balms? It's actually a really easy process. At the shop I make lip balms in very small quantities, just to ensure that each batch is perfect. I don't even use a double boiler for it, I just use the microwave! For this post, I thought I would share with you a quick and simple way to make your own lip balm. The ingredients listed below are what I use, but feel free to change them up however you like!

You will need:

Shea butter
Cocoa butter
Kukui Oil
Flavoring
Microwave safe bowl

And here's the recipe:

2 Tbsp Shea Butter
1/2 tsp Cocoa Butter
1/8 tsp Kukui Oil
2 to 3 drops flavoring

Take out a microwave safe bowl, I just use my favorite soup bowl.


Collect all your ingredients where they'll be in easy reach.


Measure out your 2 Tbsp of shea butter. Put it in your bowl. Shea butter is very buttery so you may have to scrape it out of the measuring spoon.


Measure out your 1/2 tsp of cocoa butter. Put it in the bowl. Cocoa butter is rather hard so you'll have to scrape the shavings out of the container then dumped it in!


Measure out your 1/8 tsp Kukui oil. I don't have a 1/8 tsp measuring spoon, so I just use a 1/4 tsp and only fill it half way.


Put it all together in your bowl, then pop it in the microwave.


Now, the key to this part is... put your microwave on a low to medium setting. On this fancy pants microwave it has "power levels". I set the power level to level 4, with 10 being the highest level. Microwave the batch in short 30 second bursts, until you get a liquid consistency. Be sure to stir it between each burst. Sometimes it just takes a little stirring to get a small chunk to liquefy. It should look something like this:


Now add your flavoring. You can use essential oils, candy flavoring, etc. When using essential oils, make sure they are cosmetic grade and approved for use in lip balms. I'm using Sweet Almond Oil essential oil.


Now this recipe says 2 to 3 drops flavoring. I used 10 drops. Start by adding 2 to 3 and seeing how the mix smells to you. If you need to add more go for it. Just remember with things like peppermint, cinnamon, and citrusy things, they can burn the skin if you aren't careful with how much you add. After you've added your flavoring, carefully pour the liquid lip balm into a clean container. It doesn't really matter what you use, as long as it can handle the initial heat from the initial pour. 


Now it's time to let it set. Some people just let it sit on the counter until it is finished. I personally put it in the freezer, one because my home is familiar friendly, and curious little noses could get into it and burn them, or if it is starting to barely set, mar the surface, and two because it makes them set faster. 

Do not put the lid on your lip balm while it is setting. And if you are setting it in the freezer, after it has come out of the freezer it will sweat a little bit. It could take several hours for it to stop sweating, but by this time there is no concern of burning little familiar noses, marring the surface, or getting familiar hair stuck in the balm. Let it sweat out. Once it is finished sweating, put the lip on and it is ready to go! 

As with all lip balms, do not leave them in a hot car. You will get a liquidy mess! And since we added the small amount of Kukui Oil, do not carry it in your pocket either. This will heat it up and cause a mess as well. If you must carry it in a pocket, try to carry it in a pocket that isn't practically glued to your body. 

Well, that's how you make lip balm. Fairly easy, right?! It's lots of fun to make your own lip balm, and can be a great way to make gifts for your family.










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