How to Make Lipstick

Create A Small Batch Lipstick:

Today we’re going to dive into how to manufacture small batch lipsticks. You can actually do this in your own home! It's similar to making candles, but achieving the desired color is a bit more difficult than you may think.

For hobbyists and those just getting started, making lipstick in your kitchen is a possibility.

For those looking to make larger batches or move to retail, I would not suggest making lipstick at home, for fear of contamination or other violation of the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices that may result in lawsuits, fines or bans.

Anyway, now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let's move on to how to make lipstick at home:

Tools:

1. Empty lipstick tube

2. Glass rod

3. Beaker

4. Stainless steel pot

5. Stove or Bunson Burner

6. Lipstick mold

Materials:

1. Extra Virgin olive oil

2. Raw shea butter

3. Beeswax pellets

4. Flavoring oil

5. Pigments

Note: All of the materials and tools can be purchased on Cosmetic Manufacturing website, such as the Formulators Sample Shop.

Instructions:

To begin, clean all of the tools before use. In GMP (good manufacturing practice) terms, you need to spray down every tool and instrument with rubbing alcohol before it enters your "clean space."

Another method of cleaning is placing the tools in boiling water, but high temperatures will damage the lipstick tube, so you only can clean with rubbing alcohol, and let them dry out. Rubbing alcohol dissipates at room temperature, so it should be dry in a jiff.

Bring 1/2 a pot of water to a boil.  While the water is heating up, mix extra virgin olive oil and shea or cocoa butter (though cocoa butter will carry a cocoa flavor) and beeswax pellets in a ratio of 4:2:2 inside the glass beaker. Place the glass beaker in the boiling water, like a double boiler. Do not let the glass beaker tip over inside the water. Allow the ingredients to melt and mix inside the beaker, stirring occasionally with the glass rod (this will speed up the process).

Add a few drops of flavoring oil, to the desired taste and fragrance level. Add pigment at this stage as well.

Remove the melted mixture from the double boiler and continue to mix with the glass rod. Allow the mixture to cool a bit.

Begin filling the lipstick molds. Try to be stable and smooth when you're filling them, otherwise, the lipstick won't be smooth inside the containers. 

Allow the lipsticks to fully cool before removing from the molds. Once you remove from the molds, place within the lipstick tube.

Viola! You are now a lipstick-making master!

Takeaways: Making Your Own Lipstick at Home

As you've just seen, it can actually be pretty simple to make your own lipsticks at home. However, as we previously stated, any cosmetics made and sold in the United States need to follow Good Manufacturing Practices to reduce liability in the case of allergic reactions or other recalls. Please use common sense when you're making cosmetics in your home!

If you need help manufacturing cosmetics, finding packaging or with regulatory issues surrounding cosmetics, please feel free to contact us! We professionally manufacture lipsticks, and help your lipstick line meet GMP practices!