Tag: lip balm

It’s All in My Hands – Last Update

Hello,

I’m writing to you today to share some news about this blog.

If you’ve been here for a while—some of you since 2012—you know that this space has been my lab. I’ve spent years experimenting with cosmetic formulations and sharing my learning curve. I’ve reached almost 1.5 million views, and I am so grateful for the company you’ve kept me.

I haven’t shared much here lately. To be honest, I’ve felt a bit silenced by all the new rules and regulations. The “proper” way to share experiments started to feel less like a creative process and more like a technical chore.

I’ve never earned a single euro from this blog, and as it gets more expensive and complicated to maintain, I’ve decided it’s time for a change. I am keeping this site online only as a historic archive of my formulation journey, but I won’t be posting here anymore.

However, my hands haven’t stopped working.

I’m returning to where I actually started: crafts, wool, and the simple joy of making things for a cozy home. I’ve started a brand new blog so I can share these new chapters – spinning, knitting, felting, and simple apothecary – without cluttering the formulation archive here.

I would love for you to join me at my new home, if you share any interest in these new subjects:

Wool & Embers STUDIO

Whether you stay to browse the old formulas or follow me to the new studio, thank you for being part of this journey since the beginning.

See you at the new hearth,

Chiara

Ps. Here are some of the things I share now

Winter Delight – Lip Rescue Balm

LAB NOTES & SAFETY NOTICE
For educational purposes only. Content reflects personal, non-professional formulation experiments and is not instructional.
No formula or information on this site is intended for commercial use, consumer application, or third-party use.
Accessing this content means you accept all risks and full responsibility for safety, testing, legal compliance, and outcomes.
[Full Legal Disclaimer & Safety Requirements]

Hello there I AM BACK! 😀

winterdelight

Lab Note: The “Winter Delight” Lip Rescue (Lola’s Recipe!)

Hello Hello! 😀 Today I am sharing what is truly the best lip balm recipe I have ever tried. This isn’t my invention—it was created by Lola, the founder of the forum where I learned so much of my formulation knowledge! I’ve been making this for over two years, so it is very well tested.

The Hydration Secret

Most lip balms are 100% oil and wax. We always hear that “Shea butter hydrates,” but actually, it doesn’t! 😀 Oils create a layer that stops water from leaving, but they don’t add any new water. Eventually, your lips still end up dry.

What makes this recipe special? It actually contains a water phase! By adding honey and glycerin, we are finally giving the lips real hydration. And the best part? The ingredients are extremely easy to find!

The Formula: Winter Delight

Oil Phase:

  • Beeswax: 20.0 (Use yellow virgin wax for the best scent! :D)
  • Rice Bran Oil: 45.0
  • Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E): 10.0
  • Vanillin: A tiny pinch (for that amazing aroma)

Water Phase:

  • Glycerin: 5.0
  • Honey: 20.0

Phase C:

  • Sweet Orange Essential Oil: 5 drops
  • [NEW 2026 UPDATE]: A lip-safe preservative (see notes below!)

Notes from my Beaker: The “Drop-by-Drop” Method

  1. Modified Cold Cream: This recipe doesn’t use a traditional emulsifier. Instead, it uses the “mechanical” method. I heated the oil phase and water phase separately.
  2. Patience is Key: Once the wax melted, I started adding the water phase DROP BY DROP into the oil. I had to stir constantly for about 30 minutes!
  3. The Goal: I am trying to create tiny water droplets that get “trapped” and held in place as the beeswax cools and solidifies.
  4. Spoon vs. Mixer: I tried using a mini-mixer this time, but it created too many bubbles (making it look very white). A simple spatula or spoon actually works better for a creamy, stable result. Lesson learned! 😀
  5. Add the PRESERVATIVE
  6. The Scent: The mix of honey, vanillin, and sweet orange is absolutely IRRESISTIBLE.

⚠️ SAFETY UPDATE: A Note on Preservatives

In the original version of this post, I mentioned that this recipe doesn’t need a preservative because the high sugar in the honey and the glycerin “occupy” the water. While that chemistry is true, I have updated my lab practice! Because we use our fingers to apply this from a tin, it’s very easy to introduce bacteria. For 100% peace of mind, I now strongly recommend adding a lip-safe or food-grade preservative. Safety first for those beautiful lips! 😀

Final Verdict: This is a creamy balm, so it won’t work in a twist-up stick—keep it in a little tin. It’s a total lifesaver for winter. ENJOY! 😀 😀 😀