Guest guest Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 Hi everyone, I've decided to " attempt " to make some lip balm. I'd like to incorpoatr shea butter, but I'm concerned about the graininess. Does anyone know how to avoid that? I welcome any/all recipes & advice. Thanks, Tammy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 Tammy I have found that using less than 10% shea butter in a recipe seems to avoid graininess Hth Vickie Gladys (Vickie) Swaim Tierra De Cabros Goat Milk Bath Products http://tierradecabros.bizhosting.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 I disagree, actually... I'm pretty new to the industry (only been doing this about 3 years now), but my lip balm is roughly 30% shea. I have people drive from over an hour to my market to buy it, and have had other swappers rave over it. The trick is to add the shea with other HLB ratios, so it's not too heavy. I use shea, two waxes, a heavier oil that is absorbed but rich on the skin not greasy, jojoba, 2 very light transdermal oils, a touch of castor for gloss and thickening, and Vitamin E. It glides on, gives a bare tinge of gloss never greasy, never ever grainy. You've GOT to pair it with at least one very transdermal oil or it won't sink in, it will just sit on the skin. Lips are very very sensitive to greasy feeling items, so you've got to make sure that this isn't a heavy blend. I know too many people who want to make a lip balm with a single oil, a single wax and a single butter. It CAN be done, but you have to pair the shea with something complimentary. Hope that helps, Kirstin --- Vickie Swaim <tierradecabros wrote: > Tammy > > I have found that using less than 10% shea butter > in a recipe seems to > avoid graininess > > ________ DSL – Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 Kristen, Then I guess we will agree to disagree My advice to Tammy is to play around and see what percentages work best in her formula. Gladys (Vickie) Swaim Tierra De Cabros Goat Milk Bath Products http://tierradecabros.bizhosting.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 I should also mention that something else people have warned about doesn't seem to be a problem for me. Others have said to never actually melt your shea on the stovetop, rather to melt all other butters, waxes and oils, then add your shea and let the heated oils melt it - I've heard melting your shea causes grainyness. I slap my shea in first thing, and then add everything else! I never ever let the entire mixture get above 100 degrees, however. I do get mine through Agarite too. What works for one person may not always work for another. But I definitely agree - you need to find your own blend and what works for you. I also have no problems making bath bombs, and despise the press that is commonly available made with a PVC pipe and a wooden tamper - doesn't work for me but my meatballer does... go figure? Kirstin (not Kristen) --- Vickie Swaim <tierradecabros wrote: > Kristen, > > Then I guess we will agree to disagree > ________ DSL – Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 On Jan 2, 2006, at 5:49 PM, Kirstin Key wrote: > What works for one person may not always work for > another. But I definitely agree - you need to find > your own blend and what works for you. Very true. I also make a lot of products with melted shea butter ( I do not care for whipped butters, lol...everyone is different) and I have found that you really have to experiment a lot not just with the ratios, but with your temperatures and techniques to find what works- perfectly ;-) Elizabeth Whole Life Essentials Organic & Wild-Crafted Essential Oils & Hydrosols Pure Botanical Products for Health, Wellbeing, & Beauty Retail, Wholesale, Private Label, & Custom Product Design http://www.WholeLifeEssentials.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 The " best " recipe I found for lip balm is just percentage guidelines that leave a lot of room for experiment. MMS' " Make your own lip balm " recipe: http://www.the-sage.com/recipes/recipes.php3?.State=Display & id=19 have fun!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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