This Easy DIY Lipstick Is All-Natural—and Made from Nontoxic Crayons

You wouldn’t want lead in your drinking water, so why would you put it on your lips?

Lead and other heavy metals may be lurking in conventional lipsticks, along with hormone-disrupting preservatives that have been linked to thyroid and reproductive issues. Not worth the risk, especially when there are safer options—you can shop all-natural lip products on Thrive Market, or make your own!

The secret colorant, as outlandish as it sounds, is nontoxic crayons made from beeswax, carnauba wax, soy wax, and mineral pigments (the ingredients are all safe for a reason—if a kid does decide to take a bite, the formula won’t do any harm). Coconut oil and shea butter, two natural emollients, bring it all together.

It’s super easy and really fun to make. See the full recipe below, and follow along with the video:

DIY Crayon Lipstick

Ingredients

½ teaspoon coconut oil
½ teaspoon shea butter
1 nontoxic crayon
Double boiler or small saucepan
1 candle
5 empty lip balm pots with lids

Instructions

We kept it classic with a deep pink crayon, but experiment with any shade you like. (Hey, if MAC can make green or blue lipsticks, why can’t you?) Or, combine two halves for a custom shade—for example, try red plus yellow for an on-trend summery orange.

Heat and combine coconut oil, shea butter, and crayon in a double boiler or small saucepan over a candle flame. Once melted, carefully transfer mixture to lip balm pots and let cool completely before applying. Store at room temperature, and your tints should last about two years.

Tip: clean contact lens cases work just as well as lip balm pots.

Kiss those conventional lipstick tubes goodbye!

Note: These crayons are made with all-natural ingredients, but they have not been professionally tested for cosmetic use.