3 Easy DIY Lip Stains Made With Pomegranate, Berries, and Beets

Remember pretending a popsicle was a tube of lipstick as a little one? Or loving your Kool-Aid lips? At one point, a wine-stained pout was even trending.

On grown-ups, the stained-lips look definitely has appeal, especially to natural beauty enthusiasts. Less polished than lipstick, stains enhance your natural skin tone for an effortless pop of color. And why drop a load of cash when we can DIY it with just a few edible ingredients, just like we used to?

What’s even more awesome is that all of these recipes contain no alcohol whatsoever—something most conventional lip stains can’t claim. We’ve subbed in some moisturizing oils instead. Bonus: you can dab these on your cheeks for a rosy glow, too!

Pomegranate Tinted Lip Balm

As the key pigment in a make-at-home tinted balm, pomegranate powder translates to a pop of pink with a hint of coral.

Yield: 1 lip balm
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

½ tablespoon shea butter
½ tablespoon almond oil
½ tablespoon beeswax
2 tablespoons pomegranate powder

Instructions

Add 2 inches water to double boiler or medium saucepan and simmer over medium heat. In top of double boiler, or heat-resistant bowl set over saucepan, melt shea butter with almond oil. Add beeswax and stir until melted and thoroughly combined. Remove from heat, and let cool slightly.

Add pomegranate powder and stir to dissolve. (Add more powder until you’re happy with the color.)

Transfer to lip balm roller tubes or small tins or pots with lids. Let cool to solidify, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Blackberry-Raspberry Lip Stain

For a berry-hued pout, try this mix, which is extra hydrating thanks to the almond oil base. Warning: You won’t be able to stop licking your lips.

Yield: 1 lip stain
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

5 raspberries
5 blackberries
1 teaspoon almond oil

Instructions

Place berries in small bowl and mash well. Use more blackberries for a darker tint, or more raspberries to go lighter. Add in almond oil and mix well.

Strain mixture through a sieve and into a small tin or pot with lid.

Apply to lips with fingers. Store in the refrigerator and use within one week.

Rosy Beet Lip Stain

The juice of this dark root veggie is known to stain, so use it to impart a rosy tint. Paired with olive oil and honey, it nourishes and pampers lips while you wear it.

Yield: 1 lip stain
Active Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes

Ingredients

1 raw or cooked beet, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

Place ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

Strain through a sieve and into a small tin or pot with a lid.

Apply to lips with fingers. Store in the refrigerator and use within 2 to 4 weeks.

Photo credit: Alicia Cho