Making Tinted Lip Balm
Originally posted on 3 July 2019
With the addition of just two more ingredients, you can transform the lip balm recipe in our kit into a tinted lip balm or lipstick. Mineral pigments are available for order on our website. With your order you will receive two packets: zinc oxide and the color blend of your choice. Zinc oxide creates opacity, so adding a small amount will make a sheer tint, and adding more will make a full-on lipstick.
To transform your regular lip balm kit into a fancy schmancy lippy kit, follow the directions for melting and combining the oils, then jump over here.
1. After your lip balm is fully melted and mixed, remove from heat and add pigment. Guidelines below for amounts based on desired color:
1/4 tsp zinc oxide for sheer color
or up to, or anywhere in between
1 tsp zinc oxide for opaque color
and
1/4 tsp pigment for delicate color
or up to, or anywhere in between
1 tsp pigment for intense color
2. Mineral pigments are insoluble, meaning they do not dissolve in liquid. Instead we must suspend them, like fruit in a gelatin mold. Whisk mixture frequently as it cools, to keep the pigment from settling at the bottom of the cup (there will always be some at the bottom, try not to let it sit there too long).
While each lip balm kit comes with pipettes for children, nervous Nellies, and over-caffeinated friends, the pipette method is a bit more challenging for tinted lip balm because we decant at a lower temperature. So put on your big kid panties, put down that espresso, and pour this stuff straight into the tubes from a spouted cup.
3. When the mixture is as thick as maple syrup, it’s time to pour. Make quick work of it! The balm has cooled and thickened during pigmenting, so there is less time to pour before the balm solidifies. If your balm solidifies before you finish pouring (it probably will), simply place it back into the pot of hot water for a few moments. Whisk until thin enough to pour and continue until all the tinted lip balm has been poured.
Don't have the kit? These quantities color a 1.8 oz batch, which fills ten 0.15 oz tubes. Learn how to make our basic lip balm recipe here or buy a kit here.