Beauty
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How Do I Make Lip Gloss?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

You can make lip gloss by mixing petroleum jelly, beeswax, honey, and a wide variety of other ingredients to suit your tastes. Additional ingredients will be based on your tastes and whether you want the lip gloss to have coloring, flavors, and other additions. You can also add vitamins, such as vitamin E, to help soothe the lips while making them shiny and soft. You'll also need a container to keep the gloss in once you've made it, as well as mixing utensils.

One basic way to make lip gloss is to use petroleum jelly and various colors, flavors, and other ingredients. To add both coloring and flavoring, you can use candy melts. Paraffin wax and coconut oil can also be added to give the gloss texture and add greater moisturizing benefits. Although petroleum jelly will give you lips a shiny appearance, using petroleum-based products too often can actually dry the lips. For this reason, if you want to make lip gloss that will double as moisturizer, you might want to consider other ingredients.

One basic way to make lip gloss is to use petroleum jelly and various colors, flavors, and other ingredients.
One basic way to make lip gloss is to use petroleum jelly and various colors, flavors, and other ingredients.

Beeswax is another common ingredient used to make lip gloss. When using this, be sure you're choosing natural wax rather than an imitation made from oils. You can combine the wax with honey, vitamins, natural oils from almonds or coconut, or natural butters. Mix the gloss to the consistency you want and use daily to keep lips looking and feeling soft and smooth. You can also use a commercially made lip balm base instead of using wax or petroleum jelly.

Eyeshadow powder can be blended with petroleum jelly to make lip gloss.
Eyeshadow powder can be blended with petroleum jelly to make lip gloss.

Most of these ingredients can be found at certain health food stores, and others can be found at some beauty supply stores. If you don't care about moisture and just want something sweet or colorful to add to your lips, petroleum jelly can also be combined with a small amount of powdered drink mix, lipstick, or even eyeshadow powder. Essential oils can be added for fragrance and flavors.

Some lip glosses contain beeswax and other natural ingredients.
Some lip glosses contain beeswax and other natural ingredients.

If you want an easier way to make lip gloss, there are kits available on the market with ingredients already added. They can be purchased from specialty stores online. These kits often come with everything you need to get started, including mixing supplies and storage containers for the finished product. Keep in mind that these kits are often no less expensive than buying commercial gloss would be, while making your own out of household items is often much less expensive.

Discussion Comments

literally45

I make an all organic lip gloss on the stove. I warm up all my ingredients -- beeswax, honey, vitamin E and essential oil-- and then transfer it to containers. I keep the heat very low when I do this. The resulting product is great.

stoneMason

@fBolye-- That's a great tip, thanks for sharing! I'm definitely going to try it when I finish a lipstick.

Petroleum jelly is good for locking in moisture but I think I will also add a natural oil to my lip gloss. My lips are usually very dry and petroleum jelly doesn't do much when the lips aren't hydrated. Adding a natural oil like shea butter or coconut oil should solve that problem.

fBoyle

Making lip gloss from left over lipstick was the first beauty recipe I learned. I saw it on a TV show when I was in high school. I still make lip gloss at home when I finish a lipstick.

I'm sure all ladies know what I'm talking about. When I finish a lipstick, there is still some left in the bottom of the tube but it's not possible to apply it anymore. Instead of throwing the tube away and wasting the remaining lipstick, I use it to make lip gloss.

I take the remaining lipstick out with a cotton swab and put it in a plastic bowl. Then, I add some petroleum jelly to it and microwave it for about ten seconds, until everything is melted. I mix it nicely and pour it into a small lip gloss jar. The lip gloss hardens and is ready to use! This is the easiest way to make lip gloss and it's also great not to waste cosmetics!

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • One basic way to make lip gloss is to use petroleum jelly and various colors, flavors, and other ingredients.
      By: blueee
      One basic way to make lip gloss is to use petroleum jelly and various colors, flavors, and other ingredients.
    • Eyeshadow powder can be blended with petroleum jelly to make lip gloss.
      By: phasinphoto
      Eyeshadow powder can be blended with petroleum jelly to make lip gloss.
    • Some lip glosses contain beeswax and other natural ingredients.
      By: alex83ch
      Some lip glosses contain beeswax and other natural ingredients.
    • Honey is a common ingredient in homemade lip glosses.
      By: Nitr
      Honey is a common ingredient in homemade lip glosses.