How to Make Lip Gloss

Co-authored by Shara Strand

Last Updated: July 22, 2024 Fact Checked

When you make your own lip gloss, you can customize it to give it your favorite scent or color, and you can even add in glitter if you like a little bit of sparkle. Chances are, you already have a lot of the ingredients you need at home. Use beeswax for a firmer lipgloss, vaseline for a simple 2-ingredient mix, or coconut oil for a hydrating boost. Lip gloss is easy and fun to whip up, and you can make enough to share some with your friends, too!

Ingredients

Vaseline-Based Lip Gloss

2 tablespoons (30 mL) of vaseline
Essential oil (optional)
Lipstick for color (optional)
Beetroot powder or blush for color (optional)
Glitter for sparkle (optional)

Makes 2 tubes of lip gloss

Coconut Oil Lip Gloss^{[1]
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2 tablespoons (30 mL) of coconut oil
1 tablespoon (15 mL) of cocoa butter
3 vitamin E capsules
Essential oil (optional)
Lipstick for color (optional)
Beetroot powder or blush for color (optional)
Glitter for sparkle (optional)

Makes 2 to 3 tins of lip gloss

Lip Gloss with Beeswax

4 tablespoons (59 mL) of grape-seed oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons (30 mL) of coconut oil
2 tablespoons (30 mL) of cocoa butter or shea butter
2 tablespoons (30 mL) of cosmetic-grade beeswax
3 vitamin E capsules
Essential oil (optional)
Lipstick for color (optional)
Beetroot powder or blush for color (optional)
Glitter for sparkle (optional)

Makes 13 to 14 tubes of lip gloss

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making Vaseline-Based Lip Gloss

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1
Spoon 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of vaseline into a microwave-safe bowl. If you want, use 2 bowls to make 2 different shades of gloss, or use 1 bowl to make multiple tubes of the same shade. Because the bowl doesn’t need to hold much, you can use a really small one instead of dirtying a larger one.^{[2]
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- If you don’t have vaseline, just use some other type of petroleum jelly.
2
Add 1 tsp of lipstick to the bowl with the vaseline. Use less lipstick to give your gloss just a tint of color, or use more lipstick to create a deeper shade of gloss. Simply cut away a small piece from a tube of lipstick and add it to the mixing bowl.^{[3]
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- If you don’t have lipstick, you could also use eyeshadow or blush to add color to your lip gloss.
- You could also add 1 to 2 drops of your favorite essential oil or a small pinch of glitter to the mix at this time, too.
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3
Microwave the mixture for 10 to 30 seconds. Put the bowl into the microwave and set the timer for 10 seconds to start. Check it after that time to see if the ingredients have begun to melt. If not, put it back for an additional 10 to 20 seconds.^{[4]
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- Be careful when using the microwave. The bowl may be hot to the touch once it’s done.
Tip: If you don’t have a microwave, use a double boiler on the stove to melt your ingredients.
4
Use a disposable spoon to stir the vaseline and lipstick together. Simply stir the ingredients for 10 seconds or so to make sure they are thoroughly mixed together. You don’t want gloss that has blotchy sections!^{[5]
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- If you don’t have disposable spoons, that is okay. They just make the cleanup a little easier, but you can use a regular spoon and wash it off later.
5
Transfer the gloss into clean lip gloss containers. You can use squeezable lip gloss tubes, tubes with wands, chapstick tubes, tins, or any other container you’d like. Just make sure that whatever container you use has a lid.^{[6]
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- Move the gloss into the containers soon after it has been melted and mixed. The warmer it is, the easier it’ll be to work with.
6
Let the lip gloss cool for about 20 minutes before you use it. Leave the lip gloss on the counter, or put it into the fridge so it cools a little faster. Once it is cool, it won’t be runny and will be the perfect consistency to wear!^{[7]
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- These glosses are great to keep in a purse or desk, and they make great gifts, too.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Creating a Moisturizing Coconut Oil Lip Gloss

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1
Melt the coconut oil and cocoa butter together in the microwave. Measure out 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of cocoa butter into a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the ingredients in 10-second increments until they are a near-liquid consistency.^{[8]
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- It shouldn’t take more than 30 to 40 seconds for the ingredients to melt.
^{[9]
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Expert Source

Shara Strand
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.} Cut off the tips from 3 vitamin E capsules and extract the liquid from them. Dispose of the actual capsules rather than adding them into the bowl.^{[10]
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Did You Know: Vitamin E helps protect your lips from sun damage while hydrating and softening them at the same time.
3
Add lipstick or essential oils if you want a colored or scented lip gloss. 1 to 2 drops of your favorite essential oil will turn your lip gloss into a mini-form of aromatherapy. A teaspoon or so of lipstick will tint your gloss and add some color to your daily routine.^{[11]
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- You could also use small amounts of eyeshadow, blush, or beetroot powder to add color to your gloss.
4
Stir the ingredients together until everything has combined. Use a disposable spoon for easy cleanup. Stir everything for about 10 seconds, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl so that it all gets mixed together.^{[12]
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- It’s easiest to do this while the mixture is still warm, so do it right after you’ve melted the coconut oil and cocoa butter and added in whatever other ingredients you want to use.
5
Transfer the lip gloss into tins and let it cool for 20 minutes. Coconut oil has a really low melting point, so don’t put this kind of gloss into an actual lip balm tube, as it is more likely to melt out of that kind of container. You can buy small, lidded tins online for less than a dollar a piece, or you may even be able to find them at your local dollar store or beauty store.^{[13]
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- Try hosting a lip gloss making party! Everyone can bring their favorite shades of lip gloss and you can all swap shades so you have a plethora of options to choose from.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Making a Lip Gloss with Beeswax

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1
Prepare the beeswax by grating it so it will melt faster. You can buy small squares of beeswax or beeswax pastilles online. If you buy pastilles, you won’t need to grate them. If you buy the squares, grate them over a small bowl so that they’ll combine more easily with the rest of the ingredients. Grate enough for 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of cosmetic-grade beeswax.^{[14]
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- The more beeswax you use, the firmer your lip gloss will be.
- Beeswax helps hydrate your lips and softens fine lines.^{[15]
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  Expert Source
  
  Shara Strand
  Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
Tip: The recipe above makes 13 to 14 tubes of lip gloss, which is great if you want to stock up or give some away as gifts. If you don’t want to make quite that many, though, go ahead and cut the recipe in half to make a smaller batch.
2
Measure your ingredients into a glass measuring cup with a spout. Measure out 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of grape-seed oil or olive oil, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of cocoa butter or shea butter, and the grated beeswax. Cut open 3 vitamin E capsules and squeeze the oil from the capsules into the cup.
- A glass measuring cup with a spout will make it easier to pour the gloss later on, but if you don’t have one, a plain glass bowl will work perfectly fine.
- Don’t include the actual capsules from the vitamin E in the cup.
3
Make a double boiler on the stove. Use a pot that is large enough to hold the glass measuring cup, and fill the pot with 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of water. Put it on the stove and turn the burner on to medium heat, and then set the measuring cup with all your ingredients inside of the pot.
- Be careful to not get any water inside of the measuring cup, as it won’t mix in with the ingredients and could ruin your lip gloss.
- If you don’t have access to a stove, you can also melt the ingredients in the microwave. Just be careful to not burn the ingredients and microwave it in 10- to 15-second increments, stirring it every time you take it out to check it.
4
Stir the mixture periodically until everything has melted together. Use a silicone spatula to scrape down the sides of the measuring cup so that all the ingredients are fully incorporated. Once the mixture is completely smooth and there are no more lumps, it is done!
- If you don’t want to mess with having to clean the silicone spatula afterward, you could also use disposable plastic spoons.
5
Pour the mixture into lip gloss containers while it’s still warm. The gloss will be much easier to pour while it’s still hot or warm. Once it has cooled down, it won’t flow as easily. Use actual lip gloss containers rather than tins or chapstick tubes. This recipe makes gloss rather than balm, and its consistency will naturally be a bit runnier than balm would be.
- If you’re having trouble getting the gloss into the tubes, use a funnel.
Tip: You can buy lip gloss tubes online. Get the ones that you can squeeze to release some gloss or the ones that come with applicator wands. Either type will work for your project.
6
Let the lip gloss cool in its container for 20 minutes before you use it. This cooling time will simply allow the gloss to firm up a little bit so it isn’t quite as runny. Once it’s done cooling, you can go ahead and use it!^{[16]
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- If you want it to cool even faster, you could put it in the fridge.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Adding in Scent, Color, or Glitter

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1
Make your lipgloss scented by adding in 3 to 4 drops of essential oils. After the mixture has melted together but before you put it into its containers, stir in several drops of your favorite essential oil. Try out these scents:^{[17]
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- Peppermint for a fresh, vibrant scent.
- Orange or lime for a burst of citrus.^{[18]
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  Shara Strand
  Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
- Lavender for a calming, soothing scent.
2
Use blush or beetroot powder to give your gloss a shade of color. Simply scrape about ¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of the powder of your choice into the melted gloss. Stir it together until it is completely mixed in, and then divvy up the gloss into containers.^{[19]
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- The more powder you add, the deeper shade of color the gloss will be. Experiment with amounts to find your favorite color.
3
Add a teaspoon of lipstick to the gloss to create a unique shade. Add a little extra lipstick for an even deeper shade. Put it into the measuring cup along with all your ingredients before you put it into the double boiler.^{[20]
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- Reds, pinks, purples, and even more adventurous colors are all perfectly fine to add to your gloss to give it some color.
4
Create a sparkly gloss by adding glitter into the mixture. Start by adding 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) of glitter to the melted gloss before it has been put into containers. If you want more, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams). Mix it in thoroughly, and then pour the gloss into the containers.^{[21]
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- To be safe, avoid using craft glitter. Cosmetic-grade glitter is made to come into contact with your skin, and it isn’t harmful if it gets accidentally ingested.
Tip: Be careful to not use too much glitter. Too much could change the consistency of the gloss and make it grainy.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can I use citrus fruits such as lemons and limes to flavor quick gloss?

Community Answer

Yes, you can but if you have a sore or crack on your lip and wear the quick gloss, it will burn.

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Can you use any oils other than almond or coconut oil?

Community Answer

You can try olive oil as well.

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Question

Can I add lipstick in first method?

Community Answer

Yes, but you might want to omit the honey, as it might make your lip gloss too thick.

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Tips

Clean out a mixing bowl by setting it into a pot with several inches of boiling water. This will help melt the ingredients down again. Use a kitchen sponge to wipe away the mixture. If you used beeswax, discard of the sponge rather than saving it to use again later.^{[22]
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you want to use glitter, make sure you choose a really fine and powdery one that will blend well. Otherwise, you'll end up with big sparkly dots all over your lips!
If your friends like your homemade lipgloss, ask them if they would consider purchasing lipgloss from you. You might be able to start your own business!
I like to add a drop of vanilla extract instead of essential oil. It makes the lipgloss smell super sweet.

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