All-Natural Homemade Lipstick Recipe

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Natural Homemade Lipstick Recipe with color variations
Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » All-Natural Homemade Lipstick Recipe

I’ve been making natural lip balm, lipstick, and chapstick recipes for years, although it took me a while to actually get it to the point of a recipe. Typically I would just eyeball the ingredients, which shows you how easy this recipe is to make!

This homemade lipstick recipe mimics a creamy, full coverage lipstick and packs plenty of color. However, if you aren’t a fan of colored lipsticks, you can make this recipe without any added color options to achieve a basic natural lip chap.

That’s the beauty of making your makeup from scratch, like my DIY eye shadow, is you can make it exactly the way you like it!

Why Homemade Lipstick?

Wondering why you’d take the time and trouble to make your own natural makeup?

Surprisingly, conventional lipstick can be a source of harmful chemicals and since it is used on the skin (lips) and near the mouth, these chemicals can be easily absorbed. These homemade lipstick variations let you create a personalized lipstick color that is chemical-free and inexpensive to make.

Also, homemade just means more! Give these as an inexpensive but thoughtful gift at holidays or birthdays that friends and family are sure to enjoy.

Customizing Your Perfect Natural Lipstick Color

To get the hue in the picture above, I used a tiny pinch of beetroot powder (1/8 tsp or less), 1/4 tsp cocoa powder, 1/8 tsp bentonite clay, 1/8 tsp cinnamon, and a drop of peppermint essential oil (just because I like the smell). Jump to the recipe for other color customization options, all from natural colorants.

If you like a darker shade, just add a little more cocoa powder after mixing to darken slightly until you reach your preferred tone.

Now let’s get into the recipe!

Natural Tinted Lipstick Recipe

This recipe makes a moisturizing tube lipstick with a good amount of pigment and coverage. For a lighter, glossier look, try this tinted lip balm recipe.

Natural Homemade Lipstick Recipe with color variations
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3.85 from 84 votes

Homemade Lipstick Recipe

This base recipe will create a smooth, clear lipstick that is very moisturizing and protective. If you want, you can add color with the following add-ins to create a color of your choice.
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Base Lipstick Recipe

Optional Color Add-Ins

Instructions

Homemade Lipstick Instructions

  • Melt the beeswax, shea butter/cocoa butter and coconut oil in a glass jar without a lid in a small pot of simmering (not boiling) water. It should melt quickly because so little of each ingredient is used.
  • When melted, remove from heat and add any optional ingredients like color or scent.
  • Once all ingredients are mixed well but still liquid, use a dropper to pour into the lip chap container. I used the glass dropper from an old tincture bottle. Fill just below the top as it will expand slightly as it cools. Leave to cool for at least half an hour.

Notes

Store in a cool place (under 80 degrees) or it will soften.

More Natural Makeup Recipes

Ever made your own cosmetics? How did it go? What hue would you make of this recipe? Share below!

This natural homemade lipstick recipe is an easy alternative to commercial versions that contain harmful chemicals. Made with all natural ingredients.

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

326 responses to “All-Natural Homemade Lipstick Recipe”

    1. Laine Avatar

      I ask for my friends’ and relatives’ expired/stocked makeups and I just empty the containers up

  1. Sami Avatar

    What’s a good substitute for coconut oil? I’m very allergic to coconuts and cocoa.

    1. Madison Avatar

      shea butter worked as good placeholder for me. Also makes it a bit more solid. I used a slight bit of aloe vera gelly to compensate.

    2. Riley Avatar

      I know im three years late but you can use olive or almond oil.

  2. Annie Avatar

    Is there a way that I can use herbal vaseline instead of beeswax so it could become more shiny?Im really having trouble finding the other types of oils and i dont want to use petroleum jelly.

  3. Ellis Avatar

    Any tips on getting the colors to mix with the oils? They seem to clump for me and not make a smooth color.

  4. Minae Avatar

    Tried this and the commenter below who said that they didn’t see how adding water-based food coloring to an oil mixture would work was totally right. I bought organic natural food coloring (made from beet root powder) that was $18 just to try this and it did not disperse in the oil/butter/beeswax mixture at all. Really disappointing. Had to add 10+ drops and mix like hell to get even the faintest hue.

      1. Erin Avatar

        Hi–
        I actually tried the food coloring for this recipe.
        I had to do it twice, though.
        The first time was a complete, pinstrosity fail. Beads of water based color floating and burning in the mixture. Gross, lumpy, and all around EW!

        The 2nd time I decided to try something new– it’s all about emulsion, and that means a longer process.

        Basically, don’t add the food coloring until the mixture is cool and mushy, like a paste, or split pea soup that’s been refrigerated. You can then successfully whip it into the mixture. After waiting an hour or longer for it to cool into a paste, and then using my mini plastic fork to whip it into shape, I have a nice, dark red lip butter I use for evenings out. I think I added 5 or so drops of red because I wanted the color to transfer.

        Directions: Make as Mama describes above. Let cool into a paste. Add food coloring and whip. Using a spatula like tool, spoon into a tube OR, into a little glass jar. (I’m a fan of the jar) I also use a lip brush so I don’t stain my fingers red.

        Good luck!

        1. devon Avatar

          I’m a pastry chef and when adding color to things in the candy world like white chocolate (which is entirely cocoa butter, sugar and milk solids) you never use regular liquid food colors specifically because they are water based and separate. However in the baking world when adding colorants to fats and oils we use powder food colors, oil based food colors or even some gel food colors will blend into oils. All three oil friendly food colorants i can usually find next to the cake decorating section of most Walmarts and specialty baking stores..

          Its just my opinion, but if it’s any help maybe you could try using cake and candy food colorants in your lipsticks since they are designed for use with fats and oils.

  5. Holly Parnham Avatar
    Holly Parnham

    The melted oils to not leak through bottom of tube? I thought maybe to put a few droppers of oil in the bottom until they set,then fill rest of tube. Any thoughts?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      My tubes were solid on the bottom so I didn’t have that issue, but depending on the tube, that might be a good idea…

  6. Jane Hendry Avatar
    Jane Hendry

    Hi there – I don’t think you can add any water based ingredients to an oils/fats/waxes recipe, so I don’t see how adding “drops” of red food colouring would work.

    1. Miki Avatar

      Jane, of course you can add water to oil. In small quanties, it’s called suspending. But for more water-based liquids like teas, infusions and decoctions, you make an emulsion by warming both the oils and liquids to body temp, then drizzle in your oils whilst whisking or running a blender. It’s the way we make everything from blushes to body creams to mayonnaise.

      1. Anna Avatar

        Hi Miki, I’m assuming that you’re confirming that adding water into oil works when making lipsticks since we are discussing about Wellness Mama’s lipstick recipe here? I’m thinking it may work on blushes, body creams and mayonnaise but not on lipsticks?

        1. Miki Avatar

          Absolutely, Anna! In an oil suspension, which is basically what lipstick is, 1% or less of a water base will hold together perfectly. Same thing for balms, salves and glosses.

          I was responding specifically to the statement above, “I don’t think you can add any water based ingredients to an oils/fats/waxes recipe,” and giving Jane examples of water-oil concoctions as illustration.

          1. Anna Avatar

            So don’t you have to add a preservative since water is added?

          2. Miki Avatar

            No preservatives are needed when water is less than 1%, or when beeswax and/or coconut oil are used, as both have antimicrobial properties of their own. But you can always add a few grains of potassium sorbate (bought in a 1 ounce bottle from the home brewer’s supply), if it concerns you.

          3. Grace Avatar

            Hi, I added water to my lipstick and after two weeks turned green and I had to throw it :S i will try to dissolve the beet powder with essential oils or almond oil and hopefully it will work 🙂

  7. Rebecca Hauptman Cashman Avatar
    Rebecca Hauptman Cashman

    What if you like light pink? What would be a good natural color ingredient to make that with?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      You could just add a tiny bit of the beet, or infuse some hibiscus into the oils for a lighter shade.

  8. Nancy Roberts Avatar
    Nancy Roberts

    Thanks for the recipe! I love lipstick and I will be pinning this recipe for a reference! Blessings!

  9. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    I made this with cocoa butter and a drop of peppermint oil and it is like I have a York Patty on my lisp. Yum! The peppermint makes it tingle like “real” chapstick. This recipe made 2 tubes with a little left to apply to everyone in the house 🙂 Just a note: I had no problem filling the first tube but by the time I had gotten to the second the mixture was hardening already. So move quick!!

        1. Jaime Ketchum Avatar
          Jaime Ketchum

          I’m gonna be using this recipe right now! I really trust you when it comes to all natural Products. I will let you know how it turns out

    1. katie Avatar

      ok I will give you ,my recipe you are going to need: 1 tsp of Vaseline
      2 tsp of coconut oil
      1/2 tsp of vitamin e oil
      1 tsp of mineral oil
      2 tsp of watermelon flavoring
      so that is all the stuff that you will need ok and I hope you know what to do next so I love sex

      1. Miki Avatar

        Katie, Vaseline is a biproduct of gasoline, and *NOT* safe for use anywhere on your body. Disgusting stuff!

          1. Juda Filippi Avatar
            Juda Filippi

            No Vaseline is petroleum jelly. A petroleum product. It IS toxic and accumulates in your body, and does cause cancer. So is mineral oil.

      2. Tori Avatar

        So when I made the mixture, it turned out all grainy, and the color wouldn’t mix in, could you tell me why? I really love the idea. Love your products! ???? Keep going!

        1. Mary K. Schultz Avatar
          Mary K. Schultz

          My girlfriend is terribly allergic to coconut in any firm. What alternative would you recommend?

  10. Melissa Duncan Avatar
    Melissa Duncan

    I’m so excited to try this! I just ordered my butters today and my natural dyes should be coming in this week :D. Ever since I started doing some research, my whole outlook on what I put on my body has changed. Thank you for posting these recipes for people like me!!

  11. Brittany Murawski Avatar
    Brittany Murawski

    is there an alternative to the beeswax? I am highly allergic to it but would love to try

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Mountain Rose Herbs has a non-bee sourced emulsifying wax that would probably work as well.

    2. Natalia Avatar
      Natalia

      Carnauba wax is vegan and sourced from a type of palm :). It is much harder than beeswax though so start with 1/2 the amount and see how you like the texture

  12. Kate Avatar

    I usually use 1tbs of beeswax with 3 tbs of coconut oil and 1tbs of castor oil (cause I like it glossy) and I don’t have melting issues. I always have one in my pocket.

  13. Karey Avatar

    I’ve made a lipstick using alkanet as the colorant. Do you have any opinions on that? Since I’ve not tried beet, am wondering which truly adds color to the lips. And after reading the comments, because I use more beeswax and mango butter, so to be less melty in my pocket, I think they don’t allow much color to transfer I’m guessing. I love my homemade and don’t really need the color so much, just the emollient qualities.

    1. Kate Avatar

      Alkanet and Beet root are nearly identical. They both color the product, like mica, but don’t provide a color to skin. I tried everything natural before giving in and buying the pigments (lake dyes, red 30, etc) so I could actually make my own colored cosmetics. At least I know what the ingredients are, right?

  14. Vivian Avatar

    have you used the clear lipstick containers? how did they work out for you?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I have… They look a little messy with the color on the inside but they work…

  15. Amy Knecht Avatar
    Amy Knecht

    Is there anything I could add to make it stay more solid when it’s warm? It gets pretty warm in my house in the summer because we don’t like to run our cooler too much, plus I often carry lip balms and glosses in my pocket when I’m out and about, so I’m afraid of it melting.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Add more beeswax until you get it as solid as you want… the more you add, the less lipstick will transfer to your lips each time, but it will stay solid at high temps.

    2. Anna Derengowski Avatar
      Anna Derengowski

      Try using a wax with a higher melting temperature like candelilla or carnauba.

  16. Lillian Davenport Avatar
    Lillian Davenport

    oh, I like this idea and I just might try it! I go through lipstick very, very slowly and it goes bad before I’m even halfway done with it, plus who the hell knows what they’re putting in it at the MAC factory? This seems fun!

    1. Rhonda Avatar
      Rhonda

      Just a quick FYI-My Dr. just took me off all comercially made personal care products. (thus why I am here) He did however say some of my makeup was ok to keep using. He said MAC and BareMinerals are the least toxic options out there.

      1. Taryne Avatar

        Have you ever heard of melaleuca? They have a line of amazing quality natural cosmetics, although they are pricey. Not much more pricey than Mac or any of those other top of the line make-up suppliers. I usually get my make-up from them, but right now, I’m a broke collage student looking for blue lipstick :p

    2. stacey Avatar

      I do know for certain that mac uses lead in their lipsticks. Which scares the living crap out of me and is the main reason i started making my own. Bare minerals however is pretty decent. Maybe only one or 2 ingredients i don’t like using in my own stuff.. People do your research before using any store bought beauty items! It’s scary stuff.

  17. Maggie Avatar

    Question on using the beet root powder as a coloring agent… I have used beet root powder as a coloring agent in lip balm and found it to be a very grainy, unpleasing texture. What do you find this does to the texture of the lipstick? I tried straining the beet root powder granules out of my lip balm and then the little color that was left all sunk to the bottom of my tin when the mixture cooled. Any tips?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      This seemed thick enough that it stayed but it was a very fine powder.. You could use the natural food coloring of you’d prefer though

      1. jill Avatar

        Hi, I would live to know where I can purchase the green lip balm tins that you show on here.
        I bought the plastic ones but would really love those tins!

        1. Connie Avatar
          Connie

          I found the tins on Bulk Apothecary (website).

          I have a question…since this is natural with no preservatives is there a problem with spoilage, mold or other issues? Thank you in advance.

          1. Lin Avatar

            You can always add a few drops of natural vitamin E as it will act as a preservative

          2. Kimberly Avatar
            Kimberly

            Vitamin E is not a preservative. It would not keep a mixture from molding or growing harmful bacteria. What it will do is prolong the shelf life of oils and butters so they do not go rancid as quickly. It is an antioxidant. Please do not confuse the two. It results in people making and distributing unsafe homemade products. That being said, no water, or water based ingredients, in the recipe means no need for a preservstive as long as you are careful not to introduce water into it via wet hands, dropping it into the sink, etc.

      2. Morag Avatar

        I was wondering if you could use flavoring oils? I wanted to make up some for the kids.

      3. Bree Colbern Avatar
        Bree Colbern

        Do you know how I can get a bright red color in the lipstick? I’ve been trying to find a recipe for it, but just can’t seem to really find a good one…

    2. Heather Oswald Bucaram Avatar
      Heather Oswald Bucaram

      When I make mascara, I use coffee, which tends to be grainy. I just sit and smash it to smithereens while I’m watching T.V. with my mortar and pestle. Anything will turn into a really fine powder with enough elbow grease.

      1. Penny Brown Avatar
        Penny Brown

        How do you make your own mascara?!?!?! I want that recipe bad too!!! 😉 ….whose elbows did you grind to dust? hehe

        1. Deb Avatar

          Making your own mascara? Please share the recipe!! I would be so grateful for that.

          1. Donna Avatar

            Here is a recipe I use. 1 part beeswax to 1 1/2 part coconut oil. Make sure you use a new unused mascara container. Then add 1 capsule activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is said to prevent infections in open wounds, and no it’s not the same as the charcoal in the mines that cause black lung. It’s essentially very burnt wood. Even though I made some, I have only worn it once. I don’t really like mascara. I guess in Heather’s case, she uses very ground up coffee. I am thinking it must be the dark roast too. The darkest bean you can find. I might try that next. I also watched a girl on a vid take slivers of almonds and fry them until they were burnt to a crisp and black as charcoal. She then let them cool, and crushed this into a very fine powder, added a bit of oil, and used as an eyeliner. Supposedly it’s a very old Indian tradition. I guess you could try adding burnt charcoal nuts too, but anything you add for color must be ground to a flour like consistency. I have learned this the hard way using natural foods for pigments!!! The trick is to get it as close to cocoa powder as you can, or you will be disappointed.
            You can also infuse colorful berries and herbs in oil until the oil turns the color you want, then use that tinted oil for lip balms and blushes, but the color is not as deep. Keep jar of oil in sunshine in the window until the dye is leached out into the oil in the warmth of the sun. Tricky business this natural makeup thing, but well worth the obvious health benefits and savings in money. I need a good recipe for natural shampoo for dry hair if anyone has one.

        2. Madison Avatar

          This is my recipe- I find it to be a lot less wet and with a lot better hold, but a little bit more complex.

          1 tsp coconut oil

          1 tsp shea butter

          2 ½ tsp. Aloe Verra Gelly

          2 tsp. Grated beeswax

          2 drops vitamin e oil

          1 drop vegetable glycerine

          2 capsules of Activated Charcoal

          ¼ Tbs Cornstarch

          1. KATIE Avatar

            THAT IS REALLY GOOD BUT THIS IS MY RECIPE

            1 TSP COCONUT OIL
            3 DROPS OF FLAVORING FROM MICKRL’S
            FTUFD,RYXSDKRTDRTDEKM

        1. Jana Avatar

          I love to make lipstick but it always mess up but I like to wear lipstick on my lips except sertant colors like dark colors.

        1. Kim Norris Avatar
          Kim Norris

          Do you think you could use beet juice instead of beet powder?

          1. Wellness Mama Avatar

            You can certainly try it, although because you are using a liquid, the lipstick might turn soupy. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!

          2. Jessica Avatar
            Jessica

            I just tried beet juice and it didn’t work. It is more water based and the the rest is oil based so it separates.

          3. Anna Avatar

            What if you soak some beet slices in the melted oils/wax to colour? I think it will work.

          4. Emily Avatar

            I tried this recipe first using beet powder (gritty and awful, possibly because I tried making my own beet powder). Next, I tried using a few drops of beet juice with the clay and cocoa. It wouldn’t mix completely with the oils and I ended up with clumps of grit at the bottom. I strained this with cheese cloth and added a couple more drops of beet juice. I immediately transferred it to the tube and stuck the tube right into the freezer. (To keep it from separating.) The result is a non-gritty lipgloss / stain texture. Love it! It might not work for people who want the more thick / matte texture, but maybe you could add more clay in after those steps. Thanks for the recipe!!!

          5. Hannah Avatar

            Maybe half the amount of beeswax or increase the coconut oil amount that way it is a little thinner.

          6. Pat Avatar

            Beet juice is probably not oily so it won’t mix with beeswax or coconut oils.

      1. Jacee lowe Avatar
        Jacee lowe

        I’ve been using this exact recipe and I can’t get it to turn out right, it’s either too oily and smooth and won’t leave any color on the lips or gritty? Can you help?

      2. Maggie Avatar

        Sounds like many of us are having the same problem; it’s not carrying enough color to the lips. Better color with the clay in, but gritty texture. Help!!

        1. Amanda Avatar

          Try using arrow root powder in place of the clay. It’s the smoothest powder I’ve ever felt. I use it in all my lip balms and deodorants. It mixes perfectly without any grit. Also, try Mango or Kokum butter instead of cocao. It’s smoother.

          1. Sarah Avatar

            Kokum butter is awesome! Sadly is is not suggested or used enough in home-made cosmetics, possibly because it is a little more expensive (but well worth it). I’ve been using it for years in a home-made anti-aging cream and it works wonders. The downside is that it is much harder and stiffer than shea or cocoa butter and has to be melted first for ANY recipe. I highly recommend it.

        2. Kimberly Norris Avatar
          Kimberly Norris

          I found that to be the case as well. But I add just a bit of arrow root to my recipe and it works like a charm. It will stay on almost all day.

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