Oil Based Gels - Learn How

Did you know there are dozens of ways to make a beautifully functional oil-based gel - none of which require advanced equipment?

Oleogels is the focus of one of the lessons in a brand spanking new course that is opening for enrollment soon, and you’re getting the very first sneaky peek right here!

I’ve been working on the material and formulas for this course since late last year and have quite literally been bursting to share it with you!

I will be sending more details about what’s included in coming newsletters, but for now, I can tell you this much:

• The course consists of 4 lessons

• Enrollment opens at the beginning of August

• Lessons are set to begin on August 24th

• The course will be live (but every lesson will be recorded so you will be able to see lessons as much as you want/need)

• The course will be at Tisserand Institute

Please stay tuned for more info.

I PROMISE to update with links and more detailed information in coming posts.

Edible Shimmer in Cosmetics

These colored powders are from the baking section of my local supermarket - they are all edible shimmer and are made for adding a bit of shininess to cakes, pastries, and chocolates.

The INCI on the label is non existent as these are food items. The ingredients list on them reads either E171 (Titanium dioxide) and/or E172 (Iron oxides). That’s it.

The powder is so fine, it is perfect for applying with a brush (think sparkly chocolate).

I have tried them in a few lip balms and glosses, and they do an excellent job of staying dispersed and adding a bit of soft bling to the lips. They also mix well.

Pictured above from left to right: rosa, silver, gold and bronze edible shimmer powder.

Here they are applied neat on my hand.

Do Tell

Have you ever tried edible shimmer in a lip gloss or balm? How did yours turn out?

PS. There’s a formula in the book below that includes edible shimmer as an option. I added gold shimmer to a chocolate face cleanser and the result was absolutely decadent. Click the pic below to learn more

Are We Going to be Formulating Together This Summer?

There’s still time to sign up for the 12 week Aromatic Formulation Program at Tisserand Institute - but hurry! Enrollment closes on May 30! Check it out now!

Rose Tincture

How can one not love roses? One cannot not love them. They simply must be loved. Be they buds, petals, flowers in full bloom, fresh, dried, powdered, or distilled.

I could go on. I think I will.

Observe how they literally kiss your eyes with their magnificent beauty - even from the confines of a jar.

But I digress (blame the roses - it’s really their fault).

Pictured is the beginning of a vinegar tincture featuring a combination of rosebuds (Rosa gallica) and wild dogwood rose (Rosa canina) petals a mere 5 minutes after popping the lid on.

See the pinkiness?

And the loveliness?

And can you disregard the absolute amazingness?

You: vinegar, Lise? You put ROSES in VINEGAR?

Me: Yup.

Stay tuned for more, because this might just knock your socks off. And if it doesn’t, then you may not be as big a fan of roses as me.

PS. The book below shows you how to make and use vinegar tinctures in your cosmetics

Make Your Own Preservative Free Natural Cosmetics With 21 Ingredients

Prefer a Spanish version? No problemo! Just click the link below!

Haz tus propios productos cosméticos naturales sin conservantes con 21 ingredientes

PS: Are you signed up?

There’s still a few hours to sign up for the live tutorial about Good Formulation Practice at Tisserand Institute, but do hurry - it goes live today! Read more here

Mixing Herbs for Infusions

Some herbs work really well in synergy. For example, chamomile and jasmine. I happen to love the scent of both and find they intermingle in a fragrantly appealing way.

Right now, the object is to create a fragrance that is potent, yet pleasant, because the medium has a rather pungent odor.

You’ve probably already guessed we’re working with vinegar at the moment.

I have been on a rather long quest to find the most effective herbal combinations for vinegar infusions, and this is one of my latest batches. The plan is to do multiple charges (this has worked with other herbs and I expect no less this time).

Do Tell

Do you make vinegar infusions for your skin and haircare products? Please share in a comment below.

LisaLise Newsletter

Sign up for the LisaLise Newsletter to stay in the loop about ingredients and processes. You’ll also get formulating tips & tricks, free formulas and how-to’s and loads of natural cosmetic inspiration.

Lemon Glycerite with Amalfi Lemons

These fabulous lemons from the Amalfi coast of Italy were suddenly available in my local supermarket and it took about a nanosecond before they had made their way into my shopping basket.

If you have never tasted a lemon from the Amalfi coast, then pop this onto your bucket list.

Imagine a lemon that is not sour to the taste – just beautifully lemony. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? I was so impressed at the perfume of these fruits, I couldn’t stop sniffing.

One of them immediately became the star ingredient in a glycerine infusion. I look forward to trying this lemon glycerite in a few products.

PS: Do you make your own glycerine extracts for your cosmetics? The book below shows you how. Click the picture for more information.

The Art of Making Glycerites for Cosmetics

Infused-Oil Balm

One of the best things about working with botanicals and making your own infusions is they become bespoke ingredients. In a world of cookie cutter ingredients and products, being able to combine everything into a truly unique product is something I never seem to tire of.

Pictured: one of my latest balms with a blend of different butters and handcrafted infused oils. The all natural fragrance is from the combination of ingredients.

Although this particular formula is not in my latest book (pictured below), it might just make its way to volume 2, because making balms is a bit of a passion for me.

Book of Natural Balms - Volume 1