Ok ok, I know it’s weird that a guy is writing a blog post about making Lipstick. But I was genuinely curious how Lipstick was made from the Annatto tree or Achiote tree after discovering it for its potent Vitamin E source which I wrote about in this article.
So I found the process of how you can make your Treetarian Lipstick made from the “Lipstick Tree”
Creating a homemade lipstick using Annatto as a color pigment and exclusively using tree-based oils and waxes is a great idea for a natural and sustainable product:
Ingredients
- Annatto Seeds: To provide a natural color.
- Tree-Based Oils: Such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, or argan oil. These oils are excellent for moisturizing.
- Tree-Based Wax: Carnauba wax can be used as a vegan, tree-derived alternative to beeswax.
- Optional Additives: Essential oils for fragrance or additional tree-based oils for specific skin benefits.
Equipment
- Double boiler
- Fine strainer or cheesecloth
- Small heatproof containers for lipstick (lip balm tubes or small tins)
- Stirring tool (spoon or spatula)
Instructions
- Annatto Infusion:
- Grind a tablespoon of Annatto seeds to a fine powder.
- In a double boiler, gently heat your chosen tree-based oil (about ¼ cup).
- Add the Annatto powder to the oil and let it infuse on low heat for 30-60 minutes. Ensure the heat is low to avoid burning the oil.
- Once infused, strain the oil through a fine strainer or cheesecloth to remove the seed particles.
- Preparing the Base:
- In the cleaned double boiler, combine the infused oil with a proportional amount of tree-based wax. The typical ratio is 1 part wax to 2 parts oil, but you can adjust this depending on the desired hardness of the lipstick.
- Gently heat the mixture until the wax is fully melted and combined with the oil.
- Customization:
- At this point, you can add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance or additional tree-based oils for extra benefits.
- Remember to keep the fragrance light to avoid any skin irritation.
- Pouring the Lipstick:
- Carefully pour the mixture into your small containers. If you’re using lip balm tubes, use a small funnel or pipette for precision.
- Let the lipstick cool and solidify. This may take a few hours at room temperature or can be expedited by placing them in the refrigerator.
- Testing and Adjustments:
- Once cooled, test the lipstick on your lips or skin.
- If you find the consistency too hard or too soft, you can remelt and adjust the oil and wax ratio.
- Storage:
- Store the lipstick in a cool, dry place. Homemade lipsticks typically have a shelf life of 6-12 months, depending on the oils used.
Tips
- The color intensity can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of Annatto seeds.
- Always patch-test homemade cosmetics to check for any allergic reactions.
- Remember that natural lipsticks may not be as long-lasting or intensely pigmented as commercial ones, but they offer the benefit of natural and nourishing ingredients.
Enjoy your homemade, Tree based (and Vegan), Annatto-based lipstick!