Champagne Lip Gloss

Today I wanted to make a lip gloss that is creamy, a little more viscous but still light on the lips. This can present a bit of a challenge. A light feeling lip gloss that won’t go running everywhere is not easy. Oils and waxes that make a product more viscous tend to be heavier weight oils. Take Castor Oil for example. It is a heavy weight oil that provides viscosity and glide. It is also one of my favorite oils for lip products. However, because I am presenting myself with a challenge, I will not be using Castor Oil. I will approach formulating a lip gloss in a completely new method for me. Are you intrigued? I hope so! Come join me in the kitchen for a fabulous and very different lip gloss.

First I started with Beeswax. At a low percentage, beeswax can contribute to the viscosity without making the finished product feel heavy or more importantly, waxy.

I also used Aloe Butter. Aloe Butter lends itself nicely to this formulation challenge. It is solid at room temperature but melts on the skin. This means it helps with keeping the viscosity of the product prior to use but once applied, applies itself to a light emollient feeling.

High Melt Point Shea kept this formulation from feeling too light. While I am looking for a light lip gloss, I didn’t want this to feel like a lip oil. I wanted it to have a little substance to it. It also helps give an enjoyable, lasting creaminess.

Next I used Vitamin E Acetate. Vitamin E Acetate is an anti-oxidant. Anti-oxidants helps prevent your oils from turning rancid. Have you ever dug a lip stick out of the bottom of a drawer or purse, applied it then promptly thrown it away because it tastes bad? This is because the oils have oxidized. Nasty, right?

Next I used Macadamia Nut Oil. This oil is a light to medium weight oil. Macadamia Nut Oil is great because it is lighter but has a nice glossy finish. It is also wonderful for label appeal because it is consider more of an exotic oil.

Cherry Seed Oil is a nice, light weight oil. Cherry Seed Oil is high in oleic acid. It is also very good for combating dry, itchy skin. Can you think of a better light weight oil for lip balm?! It is perfect.

This just leaves Orchid Extract and Champagne Flavor Oil in this formulation. Orchid Extract is a wonderful booster. Extracts take a good product and make them great! I chose Champagne Flavor Oil because I felt this formulation was a light luxury lip gloss. However, feel free to use any flavor oil of your choice. If you use an essential oil or other flavor oil be sure to adjust the percentage as needed. Not all flavors are used at the same rate!

The finished lip gloss is mildly fluid but not very. It would slowly roll down a vertical pane of glass. For this reason, it would be best to put this formulation into a lip brush or pen. It would only work in a roller bottle if it is constantly warm. However in the winter months, it would be frustrating to use.

Recipe:

Weigh everything except Champagne Flavor Oil and Vitamin E Acetate in a microwave safe container. Heat everything gently until it is crystal clear. Add the Champagne Flavor Oil and Vitamin E Acetate. Stir well. Cool slightly. You don’t want to put a superheated lip gloss into containers. Pour into containers and allow to cool completely. Label and enjoy!