Creamsicle Lipslicks
These tasty glosses are so creamy and frosty it’s a shame they’re not edible. They’re not quite as refreshing as a bowl of ice cream, but they’re much more portable. We all scream for lipslicks!
You Will Need:
• 2 teaspoons cosmetic-grade beeswax, finely grated (available at health food and craft stores)
• 2 tablespoons oil (sweet almond oil is best, but any will do)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon finely crushed powder eyeshadow in a creamy, frosty color, like pearl or pink shimmer
• 1 to 2 clean, dry containers (use recycled lip gloss containers or film canisters)
In a small saucepan, combine the beeswax and oil over low heat, stirring until melted. Remove from the heat. Add the honey and vanilla.
After the mixture has cooled a bit, stir in the eyeshadow and mix well. Cool a bit more, then transfer to the containers and allow to set.
Makes about 1-1⁄2 ounces
Lip Fudge
You love putting chocolate in your mouth. Now you can put it on your mouth. This irresistible lip gloss smells just like chocolate fudge and it will make you look yummy, too. It gives new meaning to a “chocolate kiss.”
You Will Need:
• 1 ounce cocoa butter (available in drugstores)
• 1-1⁄2 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening
• 2 teaspoons cosmetic-grade beeswax, finely grated (available at health food and craft stores)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vitamin E oil (optional)
• 10 chocolate chips
• 2 to 3 clean, dry containers (use recycled lip gloss containers or film canisters)
Combine the cocoa butter, shortening, beeswax, vitamin E oil, and chocolate chips in a small glass bowl. Microwave for about 60 seconds, until melted.
[Give the mixture a quick stir to blend. Transfer to the small containers and allow to cool. If you get impatient you can stick it in the fridge. Once it’s set, you can use it. You’ll be tempted to eat it, but don’t: it only smells edible and is sure to make you sick. Nibble on the extra chocolate chips instead.
Makes about 2 ounces
Gel Blush
Nothing looks more natural and pretty then gel blush. But it can be hard to find and expensive. Why not make your own? It’s a great way to use powder blush that’s too dark. You’ll end up with a pretty potion that will put instant pink in your cheeks. And when your friends complement you on your glowing complexion, it’s ok to blush a bit more.
You Will Need:
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, plus more as needed (available in drugstores; choose a colorless formula)
• 2 teaspoon finely crushed powder blush, plus more as needed
• 1 clean, dry container (use recycled lip gloss containers or film canisters)
In a small bowl, combine the aloe vera gel and powder blush. Test some on your face. If you are not satisfied with the color saturation, add more blush or aloe vera gel as needed.
Transfer the mixture to the container. Apply to the cheeks, chin, or anywhere you need some color.
Makes about 1⁄2 ounce
Glitter Potion
You don’t need witchcraft to make your skin glow. Leave the cauldron alone and whip up this mixture instead. It’ll give you instant all over sparkle. Magic!
You Will Need:
• 3 tablespoons aloe vera gel (available in drugstores; it comes in green, blue, and clear)
• Fine cosmetic-grade glitter (available in craft stores and soap-making supply stores)
• 1 clean, dry container (such as a film canister)
In a small bowl, combine the aloe vera gel and glitter, stir. Add more glitter until you’re satisfied with the sparkle level.
Transfer the mixture to the container. Apply whenever and wherever you need a little extra sparkle. You can even use it in your hair!
Makes about 1-1⁄2 ounces
Tan in a Bottle
We love sunless self-tanners, but sometimes two hours is too long to wait for a tan. When we’re in a rush, we cheat with this magical mixture. It’s especially good on arms and legs. It gives you an instant golden glow. But be warned: It can give anything it touches a golden glow, too, so you’ll want to stay off the white couch while you’re wearing it.
You Will Need:
• 1⁄2 cup body lotion or aloe vera gel or baby oil gel (available in drugstores, use a colorless formula)
• 2 teaspoon powdered bronzer, plus more as needed
• 1 clean, dry container
In a small bowl, combine the lotion or aloe vera gel or baby oil gel and bronzer. Test on your skin. If you are not satisfied with the color saturation, add more bronzer or lotion/aloe vera/baby oil gel as needed.
Transfer the mixture to the container. Apply wherever you need warm color, being careful to blend well.
Makes about 4 ounces
Novelty Nails
Nail Polish comes in thousands of colors, but sometimes the color you are looking for isn’t one of them. When that’s the case, crafty girls craft their own custom color. Make sheer pink glitter, sparkly sunshine yellow, or anything that strikes your fancy. Your ten fingers will be one of a kind.
You Will Need:
• 1 paper envelope
• 1 bottle white or clear nail polish
• 1⁄2 to 1 teaspoon finely crushed powder eye shadow, plus more as needed
• 1/3 teaspoon fine glitter, plus more as needed (optional; available in craft stores)
Make a tiny funnel by snipping off a corner of the envelope. Open the bottle of nail polish and position the funnel over the top.
Pour the eye shadow and glitter into the nail polish, using the funnel. Mix well. You can either stir it with the applicator brush or, if that doesn’t work, cap the bottle and shake well.
Brush a little on a nail. If you’re not satisfied with the color or sparkle, add more eyeshadow or glitter as needed.
Makes 1 bottle of polish
Submitted by Kyle Tade and Blaire Morgan, Resident Assistant at the College of Charleston