Tips For Luscious Lips - Part III

The heat is definitely on here in Maine! July ushered in plenty of high temps, hazy skies, and tons of hair-frizzing humidity, plus lots of lip-frying and drying sunshine. Luckily, I have just the lip-pampering balm recipe to keep your smoocher soft, moist, and protected. Hope you take the time to give it a try. Enjoy!

Honey Fruit-Flavored Lip Balm

This balm is rich and soothing for year-round use. For great taste that appeals to children, you can flavor this balm with synthetic, food-grade flavoring oils such as apple, apricot, peach, or cherry. Essential oils such as anise, fennel, or vanilla also add flavor - if you wish to avoid the synthetics. For the shiniest gloss, use castor oil as the base oil.

Ingredients:
7-8 teaspoons almond, jojoba, organic soybean, or castor base oil
2 teaspoons beeswax
1 teaspoon honey
10 drops lemon, orange, lime, or tangerine essential oil (or food flavoring oil of your choice)
1/4 tube or less of your favorite natural, synthetic-free, colored lipstick (optional)

Directions:
In a very small saucepan over low heat or in a double-boiler, warm oil, beeswax, and honey until the wax is just melted. Use 8 teaspoons of oil for a softer consistency; use 7 teaspoons for a firmer balm.

Remove from heat. Add the essential or flavoring oil and the colored lipstick (if desired), and stir until the lipstick is melted. Set the pan in a shallow ice-water bath. Using a tiny whisk or skinny ice-tea spoon, stir rapidly for 30 to 60 seconds until the honey is completely incorporated and the formula is like thick frosting. It will be a pale yellow color unless you've added colored lipstick.

Spoon the mixture into storage containers, and cap. Let the mixture set for 2 hours before use. No refrigeration is required, but for maximum freshness and taste, please use within 1 year.

Recommended for: everyone, especially children
Use: as desired
Prep Time: approx. 30 minutes plus 2 hours for flavor and consistency to synergize & set
Blending Tools: small whisk or spoon
Store in: small plastic or glass jars or tins
Yield: approx. 6-7, 1/4 ounce containers or 3 heaping tablespoons


NOTE: This article was adapted from the book, "Organic Body Care Recipes", by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Publishing, 2007. The information is true and complete to the best of the author's knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author. She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only.