Lip gloss helps protect your lips as the colder weather approaches, all while adding a pop of color and shine. Learn how to make lip gloss at home! It’s the perfect combination of an easy recipe and inexpensive ingredients.
Why This Project Works
With a few ingredients, you can whip up a whole lot of fun lip gloss flavors. We used tropical punch, watermelon, cherry, and orange, but there are lots of flavors and combinations you can create!
Petroleum jelly forms a natural barrier against moisture. It has been used since its discovery in 1859 to prevent skin from chapping, making it a perfect base for lip gloss.
These lip glosses are packed into mini airtight containers, making them perfect for gift giving! Kids and adults alike will love how easy this project is to make.
Craft supplies you will need:
Get full list of supplies and directions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Craft information:
- Age Level: 8 and up
- Mess Factor: Medium
- Time to Complete: 30 minutes
- Cost estimate: 80 cents each
How to Make Lip Gloss
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this project. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!
This recipe makes 6 containers, each holding 1 tablespoon of lip gloss. You will have plenty of supplies left over to make more!
- Wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure all your spoons and bowls are clean and dry.
- Measure 1/2 cup petroleum jelly into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave jelly until just about melted. Keep an eye on it – we did 1-minute increments and it took about 2-minutes. Use the hot pads to carefully take the bowl out of microwave as it will be HOT. Place bowl on a hot pad on your work surface.
- Stir melted petroleum jelly until it is well combined.
- Divide the jelly into the remaining 4 bowls.
- Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of Kool-Aid powder into each bowl.
- Add a pinch of sugar to each bowl.
HINT: To make your lip gloss shimmer, add about a teaspoon of edible glitter (in the color of your choice). The finished lip gloss will have a little texture and shimmer due to the glitter!
- Use a clean spoon to stir mixture together in each bowl.
- Scoop 1 flavor mixture in each mini container.
- Tap the container on your work surface to remove air bubbles then put the lid on.
Expert Crafting Tips:
- Use finished lip gloss for up to 3 months.
- For a fun twist, layer 2 different flavors in a container!
- If you prefer, you can use solid coconut oil instead of petroleum jelly.
- Use caution when handling the bowl of melted petroleum jelly – it is hot!
Protect your lips while adding a little shine and tint, with this inexpensive, easy craft! Spend an afternoon making lip gloss and bath bombs to create spa gift sets for the holidays!
More Bath & Body Craft Projects
- Lavender Sugar Scrub
- Orange Bath Salts
- Easy Herbal Sachets
- How to Make Lip Scrub
- How to Make Lavender Soap
- Lavender bath Bombs
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How to Make Lip Gloss
Supplies
- Petroleum Jelly a new unopened container
- unsweetened Kool-Aid packets in various flavors (we used dark cherry, tropical punch, watermelon, and orange)
- Granulated sugar
- Edible glitter or edible glitter gel Optional
Craft tools
- Small microwave safe bowl
- Ramekins
- Spoons
- Hot pads
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Paper Towels
- Lip gloss containers
Instructions
- Wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure all your spoons and bowls are clean and dry.
- Measure 1/2 cup petroleum jelly into a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave jelly until just about melted. Keep an eye on it - we did 1 minute increments and it took about 2 minutes. Use the hot pads to carefully take the bowl out of microwave as it will be HOT. Place bowl on a hot pad on your work surface.
- Stir melted petroleum jelly until it is well combined. Divide the jelly into the remaining 4 bowls.
- Sprinkle a 1/2 teaspoon of Kool-Aid flavor into each bowl.
- Add a pinch of sugar to each bowl. To make your lip gloss shimmer, add about a teaspoon of the edible glitter gel (in the color of your choice, optional). The finished lip gloss will have a little texture and shimmer due to the glitter!
- Use a clean spoon to stir mixture together in each bowl.
- Scoop 1 flavor mixture into each container. Tap container on your work surface to remove air bubbles and then put the lid on.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Use finished lip gloss for up to 3 months.
- For a fun twist, layer 2 different flavors in a container!
- If you prefer, can use coconut oil instead of petroleum jelly.
- Use caution when handling the bowl of melted petroleum jelly - it is hot!
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Madison paulson says
Hi do you have to use Kool aid or can I use a off brand
Amanda Formaro says
We have only tested it with Kool-Aid brand so can’t say for sure.
Nonni says
I thought this would be a fun project with my 13 year old grand daughter. We just finished making the gloss. As I’m typing and looking down on my glitter hands, I can say not only was it messy, it doesn’t taste good all and has no color. The tiny pot of glitter was so light that it ended up floating in the air over half of my kitchen and on our clothes and hair. Even after vacuuming, there is still glitter on us. The amount of glitter called for is ridiculous. It’s not pretty, just trashy looking – especially on a young girl.
Amanda Formaro says
Sorry you had trouble and didn’t enjoy the project.
Ann says
Where do you get edible glitter?
tina Castillo says
What is the shelf life for these lip glosses?
Amanda Formaro says
Use finished lip gloss for up to 3 months.