Winter brings along beautiful colours, scents and traditions. Unfortunately, the arrival of this season also means dry, flaky skin, especially chapped lips. There are so many kinds of lip balms out there, but it can be hard to find just the right one. What’s the solution, you ask? Make your own, of course! It is surprisingly simple to whip up a batch of lip balm or tinted gloss at home that is perfectly customised to your needs. Here are a few sweet variations you can try.

Lime

Making your own lip balm isn’t hard to do and this one smells fresh and tangy, and feels wonderful on dry lips. Get ready two tablespoon of coconut oil and two teaspoons each of cocoa butter, beeswax, almond oil along with 10-15 drops of lime essential oil. Add all these ingredients except the essential oil in a double boiler over medium heat. Stir frequently until melted then remove from heat. Add lime essential oil in the end and stir. Pour into jars and let it cool for one hour before putting on the lid. Remember to use this balm within three months.

Lip-plumping

Cinnamon is such a delicious flavour and scent, and when added to lip balms, it creates a warming sensation that plumps the lips. The vitamin E in this recipe will add to the lip balm’s shelf life and also increase the hydration. In a double boiler combine four tablespoons of coconut oil and one-and-a-half tablespoons of beeswax pellets. Over low heat, stir until both have completely melted. Remove from heat then add two to three capsules of vitamin E liquid (puncture the capsules and squeeze), three-fourth tablespoon of honey and 15 drops of cinnamon essential oil. Transfer to lip balm containers and wait for about five to 10 minutes until it starts to harden. If you prefer a firmer consistency you can increase the amount of beeswax and decrease the amount of coconut oil, and vice versa if you prefer a more liquid balm.

Pumpkin pie

Say good-bye to chapped lips with the use of this lip balm; it smells heavenly and has a silky smooth texture. In a double boiler, combine two tablespoons of sweet almond oil and a teaspoon of beeswax until melted together. Remove from heat and stir in a teaspoon of honey and one-fourth teaspoon of pumpkin spice. Once mixed, carefully pour the mixture into a lip balm container. Let it harden and cool.

Raspberry

The specialty of this balm is not just the nutrients and moisture it will give you but also an amazingly natural red tint. For this recipe you can switch raspberry with beetroot. Melt one to two tablespoons of coconut oil with half to one teaspoon of beeswax (optional) over low heat and stir in finely ground half tablespoon of dried raspberries. Add more raspberry powder or food colouring for a darker colour. Transfer to container with lid and let it sit to harden. As the balm cools and solidifies, the grounds will start to settle at the bottom, so you can turn the container upside down (with the lid on, of course) or on its side to help keep it evenly distributed.

Coconut-rose

This lip balm is made with all natural ingredients and is perfect for personal use and even to gift it to someone. Measure one-eighth cup each of coconut oil and shea butter, one-fourth cup each of beeswax and rose petals (fresh or dried, and feel free to substitute it with different flowers or herbs) and one teaspoon each of coconut or vanilla extract and sweet almond oil into a small saucepan. Heat on low flame until everything melts, or if using microwave heat in 30 second intervals until completely melted. Strain petals if you wish, but you can leave them in as well, as that looks pretty. Pour into sanitised containers and let it cool completely (a couple of hours) before using.

Green tea

This green tea-infused lip balm has a dose of SPF to protect your pout. The zinc oxide in it might leave a slight white tint on your lips initially but that goes away as it melts into the skin. Apply this balm, layer a pretty gloss on top and you are good to go. To prepare green tea-infused oil, use a double boiler on medium heat to melt a cup of coconut oil then stir in two tablespoons of loose green tea. Cover and simmer on lowest heat setting for an hour. Strain tea from oil with cheesecloth. To make the lip balm, combine two ounces of the oil and one-fourth ounce of beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat and heat until the beeswax has melted. Remove from heat and stir in a teaspoon each of honey and avocado oil and two teaspoons of zinc oxide powder. Blend with an electric handheld mixer until creamy. Transfer to a container with lid.

Peppermint

Put two tablespoons of carrier oil (such as almond oil, as it will dilute peppermint oil’s burning sensation) and one tablespoon beeswax pellets in a glass jar and close the lid. Heat the jar in a pot with water on medium-high heat until wax is melted. Remove jar from pot and stir the mixture. Add eight drops of peppermint oil with a dropper (not too much or it will burn your lips, so start with eight drops and you can add more if necessary). If you’d like your balm to be tinted, stir in your lipstick shavings until your desired colour is achieved. Then immediately pour the mixture into your containers. Let it stand for at least two hours, or until hard before using.