One of the best ways to make a new lipstick is to recycle old crayons. While many of the famous brands' lipsticks contain a wide range of chemicals, the ones you can make with crayons are non-toxic, include only one ingredient, and have been touched exclusively by you. Plus, making them at home can be a lot of fun. This article explains how to create a great lipstick from crayons and how to personalize it.
Ingrediants
- 1 non-toxic wax crayon
- Half a teaspoon of shea butter
- 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of a food oil of your choice (e.g. almond, olive, argan, coconut or jojoba)
- Cosmetic glitter (optional)
- 1-2 drops of extract or essential oil (optional)
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Prepare the Ingredients
Step 1. Choose the container for the lipstick
You must use a container that protects it from dust and dirt. Here is a list of ideas:
- Clean container of contact lenses;
- Clean container of a lip balm or lipstick;
- Clean container of a lip balm;
- Clean container of blush or eyeshadow;
- Pillbox.
Step 2. Clean and sterilize the container
Wash the container thoroughly using soap and warm water. Disinfect it by wiping it with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Try to reach even the corners and crevices with the help of a cotton swab.
Step 3. Leave the container open and set it aside
The lipstick will begin to thicken quickly and you will need to pour it into the container before it hardens, so leave it open and keep it handy so it's ready to use.
Step 4. Remove the paper from the crayon
You can make this easier by holding it under warm running water for a few minutes. If you want you can make a vertical cut in the paper using a cutter to be able to remove it more easily.
Throw away any parts of the crayon that weren't protected by the paper as they may have been contaminated with germs, bacteria, and other colored crayons
Step 5. Break the crayon into four equal parts
Grab it with both hands and break it into four pieces. If you have a hard time breaking it, you can cut it with a sharp knife. Breaking it into smaller pieces serves both to make it melt more easily and to mix colors better.
Part 2 of 4: Making a Lipstick Using the Stove
Step 1. Prepare the water bath
Pour about 3 to 5 inches of water into the bottom of a saucepan. Place a glass or heat-resistant metal tureen over it and make sure the bottom does not come into contact with the surface of the water.
Step 2. Turn on the stove and bring the water to a boil
You will need to use the hot steam to melt the pastel, butter and oils.
Step 3. Reduce the heat to medium-low when the water in the pot is boiling
Given the small quantities, the ingredients will soften quickly. Reduce the heat to prevent them from melting too quickly.
Step 4. Place the crayon pieces in the bowl and wait for them to begin to melt
You can use a single color or combine the pieces of different pastels to get a lipstick of a unique shade. Stir the wax periodically with a spoon or fork.
Step 5. Add the shea butter and cooking oil
You can use any oil suitable for cooking. Be aware that certain oils, such as coconut oil, have a more pleasant taste and scent than others, so they are more suitable for making lipstick.
For light coverage, use half a teaspoon of oil. For a more intense color, use only a quarter of it
Step 6. Keep stirring until all ingredients are completely dissolved
At that point, you can add the final elements of the lipstick, such as extracts, essences or glitter.
Step 7. Remove the bowl from the pot
Use oven mitts or a kitchen towel to lift the bowl without burning yourself.
Step 8. Pour the lipstick into the container you prepared earlier
Use a teaspoon to guide it in the right direction and avoid soiling surrounding surfaces.
Step 9. Let the lipstick cool
You can let it cool to room temperature or put it in the freezer or refrigerator.
Part 3 of 4: Making a Lipstick Using a Candle
Step 1. Place the candle on a heat resistant surface and light it
You can use a match or a lighter. It's best to work next to a sink or have some water on hand in case the candle spills.
Step 2. Place the spoon over the flame
Keep it about two and a half centimeters away from the heat.
Step 3. Put the crayon pieces in the spoon and let them melt
It will take about 30 seconds before they start to merge. Stir them periodically using a toothpick.
Step 4. Add oil and shea butter, then mix with the toothpick
You can use any oil suitable for cooking. Be aware that some oils, such as coconut oil, have a more pleasant taste and scent than others, so they are more suitable for making lipstick.
- If you want to create a lipstick with light coverage, use half a teaspoon of oil.
- For more intense color, use just a quarter of a teaspoon.
Step 5. Continue mixing the ingredients until they are completely dissolved
At that point, you can incorporate the other elements that will make up the lipstick, for example an extract or cosmetic glitter to customize its taste or appearance. If the spoon overheats and you can't grip it with your bare hands, wrap it in a kitchen towel or put on an oven mitt.
Step 6. Pour the lipstick into the container
When the ingredients have dissolved completely and there are no more lumps, remove the spoon from the heat and let the lipstick drip into the container. Don't forget to blow out the candle.
Step 7. Let the lipstick cool
You can let it cool to room temperature or put it in the freezer or refrigerator.
Part 4 of 4: Customizing the Lipstick
Step 1. Make your lips shine by adding glitter
Use cosmetic glitter because DIY glitter, even the finest, is too big to add to your lipstick. You can find cosmetic glitter in perfumery or online.
You can also use metallic wax crayons to get a pearly, iridescent lipstick
Step 2. Consider using castor oil to make your lipstick shiny
Use castor oil instead of food.
Step 3. Customize the shade of the lipstick by combining pastels of various colors
You can mix as many colors as you like, as long as the added pieces match a whole pastel. Here is a list of color combinations to try:
- You can add a little bit of dark burgundy pastel to intensify a pastel pink tone.
- You can add a little bit of peach crayon to soften an overly bright pink.
- For a shimmery red that tends to purple, you can use one part gold and two parts purplish red. You can add more sparkle by using gold cosmetic glitter.
- Use half pastel melon and half pastel magenta to create a bright pink lipstick.
- For a deep, bright red, you can use half pastel orange red and half pastel wild strawberry.
- For a nude lipstick, use half pastel peach and half pastel dark red.
- For a purple lipstick with silver undertones, use half pastel silver and half pastel purple.
Step 4. Use extracts, oils and essences to add flavor and fragrance to the lipstick
A couple of drops of the chosen ingredient will suffice. Keep in mind that some fragrances and flavors are more potent than others, so the quantities needed vary depending on the ingredient. Also, consider that the taste and scent will be more intense when the lipstick has hardened. Here is a list of extracts and essences indicated to customize your lipstick:
- Coconut;
- Mandarin or grapefruit;
- Peppermint;
- Vanilla.
Advice
- It is better to use pastels from a brand that is synonymous with quality, as lower quality pastels are generally less pigmented and more waxy.
- If possible, use a small funnel to fill the containers.
- Keep in mind that certain colors tend to be more pigmented than others.
- If you want to create more of a lip balm or something that isn't too deep in color, use half a wax crayon instead of a whole one.
Warnings
- Crayon companies do not approve of their products being used for make-up purposes. For example, the Crayola company has openly stated that it discourages and does not recommend the use of crayons for creating makeup products. On the other hand, the "rigorous" tests that cosmetics are apparently subjected to can arouse suspicion, so judge for yourself.
- Watch out for possible skin reactions and irritations. Crayons are tested for artistic use and not for use as cosmetics. In fact, the long-term effects of pastels on the skin are not yet known.
- Don't pour liquid lipstick down the sink. If it is left over, use another container or throw it in the trash can. If you pour it down the sink, it may block the drain when it hardens.
- Be careful because crayons have a higher lead content than lipsticks. To avoid complications, do not use crayon-based lipstick on a daily basis. It is best to use it a maximum of a couple of times a month or at a costume party or special event.
