Another stab at honey lip balm - and it worked!

For better or for worse, I haven’t given up hope that I can mix the world’s greatest honey lip balm.

I guess the world is turning against petroleum jelly, so I’ve stopped using it in my recipes, even though I happen to like the consistency it gives the balms (search google for “petroleum jelly side effects” read the news and decide for yourself)

This time I decided to test the following recipe:
½ tsp beeswax (I like the prills from www.thesage.com)
2 tsp lanolin
2 tsp Coconut oil
¼ tsp honey

I melted everything except the honey in a measuring cup set in boiling water. Once everything was melted, I removed the measuring cup from the pan, added the honey and then stood there and mixed it (and mixed it) until it started to thicken. The mixture stays hot for awhile so I mixed for quite some time.

It appears to have worked. The honey didn’t separate from the other ingredients. The color is a nice, natural honey color, and the consistency it pretty good. I put it in a pot, but it would probably work in a tube.

I can’t see making large batches of this because of the long mixing time involved, but a small quantity isn’t that big a deal.

Give it a try and let me know what you think. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions!! Thanks!

The Color and Glitter Test

Today, I tried to appease my girls, who love all things sparkly.

I ordered some nifty roller-ball tubes and colorants from www.thesage.com along with some cosmetic glitter. I looked back at some of the homemade recipes I tried and found this one, which was originally too liquid for a jar, but could be just right for a roller-ball tube. Here it is (makes 1 tube):

1 tsp Lanolin
1 tsp Coconut Oil
½ tsp Olive oil
One tiny toothpick tip of color
¼ tsp of glitter
I melted everything but the glitter together in a measuring cup resting in a pan of boiling water. I took it off the heat, added the glitter, stirred and poured it all (still hot) into a roller-ball tube.

I think these turned out pretty well. The color is really bright, I could have used less pigment (somehow) and it still would have been fine. I have the feeling that I could have ruined my clothes, the countertop, my nails, etc. if the pigment had gotten out of control, so definitely be careful if you test this at home.

The glitter is what makes my kids like it. A couple flakes make it onto the roller ball for each application, but really it just looks good in the tube.

I think I’d like to try adding flavor next time. Any suggestions?

The Trouble with Tubes

Okay, I have a recipe I like for lip balm tubes (as opposed to jars). It has to be a little more firm in order to work.

After some experimentation, here’s what I like:
½ teaspoon beeswax
½ teaspoon Petroleum Jelly
½ teaspoon lanolin
I melt everything in a double boiler and pout into a tube while the mixture is still hot. It makes just enough for one nifty little tube of balm, so be sure to multiply the amounts according to how many you’d like to make.

I don’t add any color, but you certainly could (my girls are asking for pink and red glosses). It comes out a very natural blonde color on its own.

Here’s the problem… When I pour it into the tubes it settles as it cools and it winds up with a hole in the top of the balm - not very professional looking. The balm feels great but it still doesn’t look as good as the stuff you can get at Wal-Mart or Target. I’m clearly still an amateur.

I’ve been scouring Yahoo and Google for tips on how to properly fill the tubes, so far without any luck. I’m not sure who else to ask - any suggestions?