Using Kool-Aid to Make Lip Gloss

Upon looking through some old phone pictures, I realized I never posted about this!  For my Christmas-is-Possible quest this year, I made some people lip glosses using kool-aid as a means to flavor the glosses!  It wasn't difficult, but I did learn to work quickly with hot petroleum jelly...otherwise it starts to solidify and will coat the bowls/jars you are using to prepare the gloss before getting it into your desired containers. (Such a bummer to clean!)

Some of my finished products!
Left to Right: Blue Raspberry Lemonade, Sweet Orange,
Pineapple/Orange/Banana ("Tropical"), and Cherry Watermelon.

The recipe below just requires that you use kool-aid packets, but I like to add a little something extra to mine most of the time.  For instance, I made a blue raspberry lemonade gloss so I added a little lemon juice.  This helps to dissolve the powders/sugar and also slows the solidifying process so you don't have to work as fast.  I also used lime juice for a lime-flavored gloss and a few different extracts to compliment various flavors, such as cherry extract with a cherry kool-aid.  Again, these additions are completely optional, but I would recommend them to make your life easier! Also, I like to add some sugar to keep it from being so bitter (remember, kool-aid doesn't already have sugar in it).

Speaking of sugar, one good reason to add this ingredient is because it contains natural alpha hydroxy/glycolic acid.  This helps to exfoliate, moisturize, and to stimulate collagen production, which helps to reduce aging.

Citrus juices (lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, tangerine juice...I could keep going...) have good amounts of vitamin C, which help to brighten skin and stimulate collagen production (anti-aging properties).

Extracts have various benefits depending on what type of extract you use.  Cherry extract also has vitamin C in addition to antioxidants that reduce pain and inflammation.  It also increases the skin's ability to retain moisture, which is important for your lips.  Coconut extract has similar moisturizing properties and is good for sensitive skin. Vanilla extract has antioxidants that promote the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

I've never tried it, but I would think that adding small amounts of essential oils could be done as well. Vitamin E oil would probably be excellent for adding into a lip gloss because it heals dry skin and prevents further drying as well as scarring. I would think this would be great for lips, but again, I've never actually done it...yet. :p

And finally, a quick note about petroleum jelly.  As you may already know from previous posts, this ingredient soothes dry, chapped skin and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  It not only seals in moisture, it also helps skin to retain that moisture.  This makes it ideal as a base for lip products.

Okay everyone, here is the recipe:

Kool-Aid Flavored Lip Gloss

1 cup Petroleum Jelly

1 pkg. Kool-Aid (Any flavor you like)

1 Tbsp. Sugar or Other Sweetener (optional)

A few tsp. fruit juices/extracts to compliment flavor (optional)

1) Melt the petroleum jelly in a microwave-safe bowl for about 2 minutes or until it is completely liquid.

2) Stir in other ingredients mixing well to avoid your gloss being too gritty. You may want to pre-grind raw sugar if using to prevent this phenomenon. You also may want to pour this into a jar and shake to mix, but if you do this you must be fast because it will begin to solidify if it has the chance to cool.

3) Pour into desired containers such as cosmetic pots, empty lip gloss tubes, small Altoids™ tins, or my favorite, cleaned contact cases that I get free when I order new contacts. 

*~*Note: This makes a LOT of gloss, so be prepared to fill MANY containers!*~*

4) Allow gloss to set for 2 hours, then seal with lids and enjoy at will!