When I first moved to L.A. I was on a crazy strict budget. I’m talking the kind of budget where I was eating once a day and that meal consisted of, like, a few dollar tacos. It was kinda sucky, but honestly I’m really thankful for that time in my life; it gave me drive and made me more conscious as to how I spend my money. Before this, I strictly bought beauty products at department stores and Sephora. My little broke period forced me to start buying beauty products from the drug store; and you know what, I still buy A LOT of my beauty products from Walgreens. I find that many of them are just as good as fancy products.
One of the things I stopped buying during this period was Fresh’s Lip Polish; not because it wasn’t effective—it’s my absolute favorite—but because I found that it was SO easy to make at home. I made a big batch the other day when my lips looked cracked and gross and really needed some refreshing. While Los Angeles has had an oddly warm winter, it has been super dry, leaving my lips not looking their cutest.
My thing with DIYing stuff is this: the supplies/ingredients have to cost less than what I’d pay for at the store, cuz’ then I’d just save the time and buy it. Duh.
I had all of these ingredients on hand (minus the tangerine oil), so hopefully you do, too. If you don’t, then I recommend skipping the peppermint extract. Even if you bought everything, it should still cost you no more than $15. And you’ll have a lot of it. I say give a few jars to your friends and keep one for yourself!
Here’s the low-down on the supplies:
-The (4 oz.) jars are from The Container Store
-Coconut oil is always a Trader Joe’s purchase (only $6!!!)
-Tangerine Oil was found at Whole Foods; you can also buy it off Amazon
-Peppermint extract, also a Whole Foods purchase years ago (goes for about $4)
-Brown sugar, you know, anywhere
-Labels are from Martha Stewart, Avery Collection, but a strip of masking tape would do the trick too
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon tangerine oil
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract optional
- 1 1/2 cup light or brown sugar
Instructions
- Place the brown sugar in a medium bowl. In a small sauté pan, set over medium-low heat, add the coconut oil and warm until just melted. Turn off the heat and mix in the tangerine oil and peppermint extract (if using). Pour the oil onto the brown sugar and mix using a fork or spoon until thoroughly combined. Divide the scrub between the jars and cover with airtight lid. Mixture will last up to 6 months.
- To apply the scrub, take about a scant teaspoon and rub it on your lips for about 1 minute, using your index finger. Take a warm, damp cloth and wipe the scrub away, leaving smooth, refreshed lips.
So is this just like a lip moisturizer? I’ve been using lip balm for the longest time and I found your website and am interested in trying this out.
It’s more like a scrub. So it does moisturize but more than anything it removes dead skin and leaves your lips very smooth and clean-feeling.
Thanks for the instructions. I will try this pronto. How many 4 oz jars does this fill?
It fills three of ’em!
This might be a really silly question, but is it just regular brown sugar? The Fresh lip polish seems to have bigger crystals than just finely ground brown sugar.
Hmm…I feel like Fresh lip polish is actually finer than big crystals. BUT, if you want, you could substitute a tablespoon or two of Turbinado sugar, which is definitely a bigger crystal. It’d be a nice mix!
This looks so fun – I’m all about only DIY-ing if it’s cheaper than the store version – I like your style! Can’t wait to try.
I can’t wait to make this and give it away to my friends (and keep a pot for myself). We like to call little gifts like this “love gifts” and I can’t wait to spread the love.
Love Gifts. I love that.
I am in dire need of this stuff, but cannot bring myself to spend the $$ on the Fresh stuff. I’m also obscenely lazy, too, which means I just have terrible lips. THE HORROR.
Thank you for showing just how easy this is!
Great recipe, will try!
Can you provide some text for a directions label please? This would be a good young girl party activity and it could go home as a party favor.
Sure! I’ll include some instructions above.
I’d use the instructions labeled #2 for the instructions included on the jars. Perhaps you’d like to even shorten it, so it reads:
1. Rub the scrub on your lips for 1 minute.
2. Take a damp cloth and wipe the scrub away, leaving refreshed and smooth lips.
Love it. Do you have a face or body scrub?!
You can use this as a body scrub, if you like. It’d work great. I think it’s way too harsh for a face scrub. Perhaps that should be the next DIY? 🙂
This stuff sounds down right wonderful! I love products that I can make at home, I always feel so much better about using products that I not only made, but know what ingredients were put into them. I moved to Socal last June and whoa have my lips been ticked off. Thank you for sharing!
That Comfort Girl
Sounds fabulous but what do you do with it? Also, does it keep indefinitely?
You rub it on your lips and then wipe it off with a damp towel! I’ll include directions above! It should keep for a very long time. I’d say 6 months at least.
I bet this smells (and tastes) awesome! Pinned
Thanks, Averie! x
Can’t wait to give this a try:)