Makeup Color: Plant Based vs Everything Else

Pictured: a side by side comparison of 2 lip products - both using the same base (which I developed earlier this year and featured in this blog post), but each with different pigments.

The top lip crayon contains with a mix of carmine and mineral pigments. The bottom is made using entirely plant-based pigments.

The goal was to create a punchy bright red.

Although the bottom product looks browner ‘on paper’, when applied, it delivers a pop of color almost as red as the carmine. Here they are swatched.

Botanical Synergy - It's a Real Thing

Over the years, I have grown somewhat accustomed to hearing derogatory comments about pretty much anything to do with botanical science – especially in a cosmetics-making setting.

The term ‘botanical synergy’ has been a particularly popular trigger for bringing forth snorts of disdain, mumbles of ‘that’s not real science’, and similar reactions.

But botanical synergy isn’t some expression made up by plant-loving hippies wanting to sound smart.

It’s a Real Thing

Botanical synergy happens when botanical components come together, react with each other and transform into something new.

And although herbalists around the globe have used botanicals in a synergistic way for generations, modern science requires measurable results.

As is happens, there are scientists trying to measure botanical synergy. If you’re interested, there’s a paper on it right here called Synergy Directed Fractionation of Botanical Medicines.

Vegan Gloss with a Bite

Want to add a bit of bite to your handcrafted lip gloss? Use handcrafted macerations (infused oils) to the formula. Depending on which herb you choose, you will also see a lovely all-natural color.

Pictured: vegan lip gloss containing paprika-infused oil. This gloss has been a constant companion and ‘lived’ in my purse since I made it earlier this year.

It continues to deliver and has already made to my ‘keepers’ list of formulas.

Lots of you have asked me for more detailed information about the plant-based make-up I have been working on. If you subscribe to the main blog, you’ll see more detailed posts on my work. Just visit the page and click the SUBSCRIBE link on the top right of the page to sign up.

And guess what? It’s absolutely free!

Visit the link and click SUBSCRIBE to follow LisaLiseBlog.com

Cleansing Putty - The Next Thing?

The beauty industry is constantly developing and looking for the next ‘it’ thing. We’ve tried all kinds of fun and innovative beauty products over the years – some have had staying power while others fizzled out.

Here’s a peek at an easy to make cleansing product that may just be a coming trend.

It’s called cleansing putty.

Not only is cleansing putty as easy to make as a shampoo bar, but it can be tweaked and tailored numerous ways.

There’s a free how-to right here on the main blog.

Enjoy!

A Simple All.Natural Herbal Deodorant

Pictured: a freshly strained infusion ready to be incorporated into a deodorant.

If you are a bit of a green-thinking purist and are up for making your own 100% botanical deodorants using easy-to-source ingredients, you might find this book useful.

Not only does the book contain 3 deodorant formulas, but there are over 35 additional personal care products you can make – every one preservative free yet with a shelf life of months.

The best part? You can make every product in the book with a grand total of 21 ingredients.

Red Lip Gloss - A Work in Progress

Here’s a peek at a work in progress: lip gloss.

This is part of an ongoing project: to create a series of plant-based make-up products. The pictured gloss has been performing quite well, but the plant colorants in this product have been mixed with a few mineral based colorants to punch up the color.

The color is not quite as bright red when applied, but then, this was meant to be a tint. Getting a red this ‘punchy’ with pure plant colorants is possible, but not in every type of make-up product,

Meantime, somebody’s having fun testing makeup.

Want to stay up to the minute about what I’m working on? Follow me on Instagram.