DIY Turmeric and Beetroot Lip Balm

Making your own lip balm is really easy and quite rewarding. You know what ingredients are going in them, you can control the scent and colours, and when people compliment you on your beautiful supple lips, you can tell them you are the lip balm creator! I've made six different shades here using ground turmeric and beetroot powder. This is not only for colour's sake, but for the lovely antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. In this Instructable, I will also show you how you can make your own beetroot powder. This is a big money saver... and again, bring in that that awesome "I did it myself" feeling!

I made these six pots of balm in two batches; one for the ones without beets, and one that included the beets. For each batch, I used about 12 to 13 drops of essential oil, then just played with pigments from there before transferring to their containers. Below is a list of all you need to make the whole batch, but I split the main balm ingredients in half to do the two batches. Skip the essential oil if you want yours unscented, but I like peppermint oil for the scent and for the lip-plumping effect.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon beeswax pastilles
• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 25 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1 teaspoon edible glitter
• ground turmeric powder
• fresh beetroots

Tools:

• double boiler
• stirring sticks
• small containers with lids
• baking sheet
• parchment paper
• grater
• fork
• coffee/spice grinder or mortar and pestle

Most of these items can be found at grocery stores, craft shops, and Amazon. Make sure to use rather fresh turmeric that is still vibrant. You might want to add gloves to the list because playing with beets always looks like murder, but a little soapy warm water usually does the trick!

To get my the first batch of 3 balms add 1/2 Tbsp beeswax, 1/2 Tbsp shea butter, 1 Tbsp coconut oil, 1/2 Tbsp castor oil to your double boiler.

Melting will take some time, especially for the beeswax pastilles. Stir the mixture around to get the heat flowing.

When you see no more lumps and it's all smooth, you're ready. If used as is, you'd have a plain lip balm, which is wonderful as is! Just pour into a container, if you so desire.

To get a very pretty clear shimmer balm, add a bit of edible glitter to your melted mixture. Add some essential oil here if you're using it. 10-13 drops for a batch of 3 containers.

Stir with stick, add more glitter if desired.

Pour into container. It will harden up as it sits. Twist on the cap.

Add a bit of turmeric powder to the melted balm mixture and stir very well. Make sure there are no lumps of turmeric powder.

Pour into container.

If you'd like a bright yellow, which looks like a beautiful peach once applied to lips, add just a touch more of turmeric.

Preheat your oven to 200 F. Peel a couple beets.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Begin finely grating your beets right onto the paper. Make sure it's all well spread out so they don't retain any moisture.

Place grated beets into the oven and bake for about 40 minutes, fluffing around with a fork every 10 minutes or so.

For the last 20 minutes, prop the oven door open. This will help really dry out the beets to make them crispy enough to grind up. When totally dried, remove from oven and allow to cool.

Transfer dried beets to coffee/spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

Grind down until it's a superfine powder. Enjoy it's beautiful pigment! You'll have some leftover for other uses in your beauty regimen or for cooking. Store in a container and keep in a cool, dry area.

Just as an experiment, I tried making the lip balm base but adding the castor oil later. It worked out nicely, and I think it was quicker! Add all base ingredients (1/2 Tbsp beeswax, 1/2 Tbsp shea butter, 1 Tbsp coconut oil) MINUS castor oil and essential oil to double boiler.

Melt down completely.

When fully melted, stir in 1/2 Tbsp castor oil and 10-13 drops peppermint oil.

Add about 1/2 teaspoon of beetroot powder to the melted balm mix.

Stir well. Add edible glitter if desired.

Pour into container, cool, and seal.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this colour the most. This one has equal parts beetroot powder and turmeric. You can play with the amounts the way you like. I added a bit more glitter to this one to really shine.

Pour into container, cool, and seal. WEAR IT LOTS, IT IS SO PRETTY!!!

Just dab some on with a finger and pucker up.

I made this one for my mother. I just added lots more beetroot powder and gave it a super good stir. If your balm mixture starts hardening up while you're playing with the pigments, simply return to double boiler to melt down. I notice the beetroot powder plays much better in warmth.

Pour into your container and love how pretty this red balm you made is! Can you tell I find this exciting? I'm not sorry!

You did it and it feels so good, inside and out, especially on your pretty lips!