How to Make Glitter Lip Gloss

Reviewed by Barbie Ritzman

Last Updated: December 22, 2024 References

Making your own lip gloss is fast and easy. Once you know the basics, you can make all sorts of colors and flavors. The simplest and easiest lip gloss uses just coconut oil and cake decorating pearl dust. If you want to make a more professional lip gloss, then you will need to add some beeswax and shea butter to it as well.

Disclaimer: Cosmetic-grade glitter is specifically designed for use on the skin and in cosmetics. It's made from materials that are safe for the delicate lip area and less likely to cause irritation.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Coconut Oil and Cake Pearl Dust

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1
Place 1 to 3 tablespoons (44.4 ml) (13 to 39 grams) of coconut oil into a small dish. You can also use a small cup, bowl, or plastic container. Because this lip gloss uses edible ingredients, it is a great project for young children.
- If you don't have coconut oil, use petroleum jelly or plant-based un-petroleum jelly instead. Be aware that it won't be edible any more.^{[1]
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2
Add in a few shakes of cake decorating pearl dust. You don't need to measure out a specific amount; the more you add, the darker the color will be. Remember, you can always add more later. You can find "pearl dust: in little tubes or jars in the cake decorating section of a craft store. Make sure that the label says "pearl dust" and not "color dust."
- Do not use cake glitter. This includes gold and silver sugar sprinkles and edible confetti. It only make your lip gloss chunky and won't give you enough sparkle.
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Use a toothpick, a craft stick, or a little spoon to stir the lip gloss. Make sure that you scrape the bottom and sides of the dish.
4
Add more pearl dust if desired. If the color is too light for you, simply pour more pearl dust, and stir again. Keep adding pearl dust and stirring until you get the color that you want.
- If the color is too dark, add a tiny bit more coconut oil.
5
Transfer the lip gloss into a small, plastic jar. The little plastic jars that you use to store beads in work great for this. You can also buy empty lip balm jars, and use those instead. If you have an old lip balm jar that you wish to use, make sure that you clean it out well first.
- You should be able to fill 1 to 2 plastic jars, depending on how small they are.
Coconut oil turns to liquid at room temperature. If it is warm where you live, keep the lip balm in the fridge.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Beeswax, Coconut Oil, and Shea Butter

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1
Combine the coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter. You will need 4 tablespoons (59.1 ml) (52 grams) of coconut oil, 3 tablespoons (44.4 ml) (42 grams) of beeswax pellets, and 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (26 grams) of shea butter. Place everything into a microwave-safe container, such as a glass measuring cup.^{[2]
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- If you don't have coconut oil, you can use another type of oil, such as almond, grapeseed, or olive.
- If you don't have shea butter, try cocoa butter instead. Keep in mind that this may affect the color and flavor.^{[3]
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2
Melt the ingredients in 30-second increments. Put the container into the microwave, heat it for 30 seconds, then stir the ingredients together. Repeat this process until everything is melted.^{[4]
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- Expect to do this 2 to 3 more times, depending on the strength of your microwave.
- If you don't have a microwave, or simply don't want to use one, set the jar into a pot filled with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of boiling water, then stir it as it melts.^{[5]
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This is very important. If you add your flavoring to the mixture too soon, the heat will destroy the beneficial properties of the essential oil. It may also weaken the flavor and fragrance of the essential oil.^{[6]
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Stir in 10 to 20 drops of essential oil (if desired). Start out with 10 drops of essential, then add more if needed. Don't be afraid to mix flavors to create new ones, such as lemon-mint, lavender-peppermint, or vanilla-orange. Keep in mind that some types of essential oil are more potent than others, so you may end up using even less.^{[7]
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- Read up on the essential oil that you are using to ensure that it is skin-safe.
- If you can't find essential oil, or if you don't want to use it, use 1/2 dram (1/2 bottle) of candy-making flavor oil instead.
- If you want to make multiple flavors of lip gloss, divide the mixture into smaller jars first, then add your flavoring accordingly.
5
Add a dash of mica or glitter cosmetic powders. Start with a pinch of mica for color and shimmer. If you want more sparkle, add a pinch of cosmetic-grade glitter. Stir everything together, then add more mica/glitter until you get the look that you want.^{[8]
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- You can find mica powder and cosmetic grade glitter in all sorts of colors online in stores that specialize in cosmetic-making supplies.
- Do not use glitter from the craft store, even if it is extra-fine. It is not safe to use on your lips.
You can use plastic jars meant for storing lip balm or beads. You can also buy empty lip balm tubes online, and use those instead. Work quickly, or the mixture will become too hard.^{[9]
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Depending on how warm or cool it is in your kitchen, it will take about 10 minutes for the lip gloss to set. If the lip gloss is taking too long, you can speed the process up by sticking it into the fridge or freezer for a few minutes. Once the mixture has set, screw the caps onto the jars.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Other Types of Glitter Lip Gloss

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1
Mix clear lip gloss and cosmetic-grade glitter for a quick and easy look. Get a tube of clear lip gloss. Shake out some cosmetic-grade glitter onto a clean dish. Dip the wand that came with your lip gloss into the glitter, then put it back into the tube. Pump the wand a few times to mix the glitter into the lip gloss. Your lip gloss is now ready to use!
- Dip the wand into the glitter 2 to 3 times for extra sparkle.
- The lip gloss does not have to be perfectly clear; it can be tinted another color.
- Do not use regular glitter from the craft store. Get your glitter online or from a beauty supply store.
2
Apply shimmery eyeshadow over lip gloss for a one-time look. Apply some clear or tinted lip gloss over your lips. Dip your finger into shimmery eyeshadow and swirl it about. Lightly tap your finger against the lip gloss to get the shimmer to stick. Keep adding eyeshadow until your lips are all shimmery.^{[10]
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- Eyeshadow comes in different finishes, from a fine, pearlescent finish, to a grainy, glittery finish. Pick the one that you like the best.
- You can use cosmetic mica powder with this method as well, but cosmetic-grade glitter won't work. It'll be too heavy for lip gloss.^{[11]
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3
Create a custom blend using professional makeup supplies. Squeeze a dollop of a clear lip gloss base into a small cup. Add a pinch of cosmetic-grade glitter or mica powder. Stir everything together, then transfer it into a piping bag. Pipe your lip gloss into a clean, empty lip gloss tube.^{[12]
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- You can find clear lip gloss bases (i.e. Versagel) in online stores specializing in makeup making supplies.
- To set up a piping bag: cut the tip off of a plastic bag first, then insert a cake decorating piping tip. Use a spoon to fill the bag with your lip gloss.
4
Melt some lip balm, then mix cosmetic-grade glitter into it. Get some lip balm, and scrape it out into a microwave-safe dish. Heat it in the microwave for a few seconds until it becomes runny. Stir a pinch of cosmetic-grade glitter into it, then pour it back into your lip balm container. Let the lip balm harden before using it.^{[13]
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- If the lip balm is not hardening fast enough, pop it into the fridge or freezer for a few hours.
- Add some lipstick to it if you want it to be colored.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can I use regular craft glitter?

Coraline Lilly Tiffany

Community Answer

No. Craft glitter may be toxic and you don’t want to eat any of it. Try cosmetic glitter instead.

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Question

What can I use instead of coconut oil, shea butter or beeswax?

Coraline Lilly Tiffany

Community Answer

Olive oil can be replaced with coconut oil, shea butter can be replaced by cocoa butter and beeswax alternatives can be other edible waxes.

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Are there vegan recipes for lip balm?

Coraline Lilly Tiffany

Community Answer

Candelilla wax or soy wax is a suitable alternative for beeswax. The other ingredients can stay the same.

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Tips

Create a quick, one-time look by applying shimmery eyeshadow over clear lip gloss.^{[14]
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Make sure that all contains are clean and dry, even if you just took them out of the packaging.

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Coconut oil lip balm should last a long time, but if it starts to look or smell strange, discard it.

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Warnings

Do not use lip gloss made from citrus-based essential oils before going outside. Citrus-based essential oils make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and can result in sunburns.

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Do not use craft-grade glitter from the arts and crafts store. It is not the same thing as cosmetic-grade glitter and not safe to use on skin or lips.

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