It’s kind of wild how many lip glosses I’ve used over the years. Some were cute. Some were sticky disasters. And a lot of them? Honestly, just full of stuff I couldn’t pronounce even if I tried. So not the vibe.
That sent me into this whole phase where I started making my own lip gloss. I know it sounds super extra, but it’s actually way easier than people think. Plus, you get to control exactly what goes on your lips. No mystery ingredients. No fake smells that make your nose cry. Just glossy goodness with stuff that’s actually good for you.
If you’ve ever thought about making your own lip gloss with natural ingredients, this post is for you. Let’s get messy. Let’s get glossy.
Why Make Your Own Natural Lip Gloss Anyway?
Okay so before we get into what you need and how to make it, let’s have some real talk about why making your own natural gloss is actually kinda genius.
First off, you decide what goes inside. No synthetic fragrance that smells like artificial fruit. No weird preservatives. Just oils, waxes, and natural color if you want it.
Second: it feels better. Natural oils give your lips that buttery-soft feel without making them all flaky two hours later.
Third: it’s totally customizable. Wanna make a plumping peppermint gloss? Go for it. Something tinted with beetroot powder? Living for it.
Plus, it gives off that cool girl energy. Like, “Oh this? Made it myself.”
Making your own stuff doesn’t mean you’re extra. It means you’re smart enough to know what’s actually on your lips.
The Basics: What You Need to Get Started
Nothing fancy. Honestly, Amazon or a decent natural grocery store will have most of these. Here’s the lineup:
Core Ingredients
| Ingredient | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut oil | Base oil, adds shine | Choose organic, unrefined |
| Beeswax pellets | Thickens the gloss | Vegan? Use candelilla wax |
| Sweet almond oil | Moisturizing and softening | Optional, but really nice |
| Vitamin E oil | Acts as a natural preservative | Also super good for lips |
| Castor oil | Glossy and smooth finish | High shine = holy grail |
Optional Additions
| Extra | Why You Might Want It |
|---|---|
| Essential oils | For scent or tingle (mint, vanilla) |
| Mica powder | To add shimmer |
| Natural colorants | Beetroot powder, hibiscus, turmeric |
| Flavor oils | Just for fun! |
| Empty gloss tubes | You’ll need something to put it in |
My Basic Go-To Lip Gloss Recipe (That Actually Works)
Here’s the base recipe I use the most. It’s smooth, shiny, and stays put without being sticky. I’ve tested it during LA heat, random naps, and smoothies. It passed.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp castor oil
- ½ tbsp sweet almond oil
- 1 tbsp beeswax pellets
- 1 vitamin E capsule (or a few drops)
- Optional: 2 drops essential oil, small pinch of mica for shimmer
How to Make It
- Grab a small pot and heat up some water like you’re gonna cook something, but don’t boil it. Just warm.
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Put your wax and oils (everything except vitamin E and essential oils) into a heat-safe bowl or glass measuring cup. Set that in the warm water so it melts gently.
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Stir it with a clean spoon or wooden stick until it’s all liquid and smooth.
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Remove from the heat. Let it cool for like 30 seconds, then add your vitamin E and essential oil if you’re using any.
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Quickly pour it into your gloss tubes or jars using a little funnel (or carefully pour from the side of the cup). It sets FAST so don’t hang around.
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Let it cool to room temp. Boom. Done.
Homemade gloss hits different. Like, “I see your $21 gloss but mine’s made with mango oil and love.”
Custom Ideas To Mix Things Up
Want that “I made this and it slaps”? Here are some cute tweaks to level up your gloss game.
For shimmer:
Add a pinch of mica powder (gold, pink, or even duochrome if you’re fancy). Test it on your arm before adding more. A little seriously goes a long way.
For a tint:
Try beetroot powder for natural pink. Hibiscus powder gives a reddish hue. And if you’re into subtle vibes? A tiny touch of cocoa powder makes a soft nude-brown.
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”
; Coco Chanel
For a scent (slash tiny plump):
2 drops of peppermint or cinnamon essential oil gives that tingling effect. Just don’t go overboard. Trust me: it hurts, not plumps, if it’s too much.
Things I Learned After Messing This Up Like 4 Times
Okay. Time for some honesty. I messed this up a few times. Mostly because I got too confident and thought I didn’t need measurements (do not skip measuring).
So yeah here are a few learnings from me so you don’t have to learn the hard way:
- Don’t add too much wax. If your gloss feels like a crayon, you added too much. Start slow. You can always melt and redo it.
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Store your gloss somewhere cool. Coconut oil melts in warm temps so keep it outta your car or sunlight unless you want lip oil.
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If it smells weird, don’t use it. Natural stuff doesn’t last forever, so if you make a batch, try to finish it within 2–3 months.
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Clean EVERYTHING. You do not want random gunk in your gloss tubes. Sanitize your tools and containers with boiling water or rubbing alcohol. Be that person.
Glossy Girl Energy: Packing It Up Cute
So like, you made this fabulous lip gloss and now it’s sitting in a boring little jar? Nah. Let’s make it ~gvng aesthetic~.
Cute Container Ideas:
- Clear squeeze tubes (they show off color and shimmer)
- Mini lip balm jars for pocket gloss
- Refillable rollerball bottles for glossy lip oil
You can even slap a mini label on there with your name or a cute phrase like “Good Gloss Only” or “Kiss Me Later.” It’s giving boss energy.
Also: these make super thoughtful gifts. One of my besties cried when I gave her a homemade gloss in her fave color. So yeah, total win.
A Few Combos That Slay
Here are a few combos I keep coming back to. Play with these and then just mix up whatever vibes you’re into.
| Vibe | Oils Used | Color/Shimmer | Scent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frosted Peach | Castor + coconut | Gold mica + peach tint | Vanilla |
| Gloss Bomb Dupe | Castor + almond oil | Bronze shimmer | No scent |
| Pink Lemonade | Coconut + sweet almond | Beet tint + pink shimmer | Lemon EO |
| Winter Glow | Castor + coconut | No color + sparkle dust | Peppermint |
Wait… Is This Safe?
Short answer: yes, if you keep everything clean and use stuff meant for skin. Make sure your essential oils are lip-safe. Don’t use random shimmer from the craft store (not joking, some people do this).
Vitamin E helps keep it from going bad fast, but since there’s no heavy-duty preservative, just don’t wait forever to finish the batch.
And hey, do a patch test first if you’re trying a new ingredient or oil. I once found out the hard way that clove oil is not my friend.
If you wouldn’t eat it, maybe don’t rub it on your mouth?
So… Should You Try It?
Honestly yeah. Not because it saves crazy money or because it’s eco-friendly (even though both are facts). But because it feels satisfying. You stir it up, pour it out, swipe it on ; and it feels like your lips are finally getting what they deserve.
Plus, the comments when someone asks you what lip gloss you’re wearing? And you say… “I made it.” Priceless.
Anyway, let me know if you try any of these recipes or end up making your own version. Tag me! I wanna see the gloss magic.
Now go grab those oils, turn up some music, and get mixing. Your lips are waiting. ✨💋
