Homemade All-Natural Chapstick

My love of chapstick really began when I was in 6th grade and played the saxophone. All that lip licking I had to do playing a reed instrument made my lips chapped fast. After that I was sold. Then as an adult I moved to Idaho and my love for chapstick turned into a need for it. Up here we're in high desert which means it's dry. There's good and bad to that. One thing you will typically see Idahoans with, especially during winter months is some sort of lip balm. It's not at all what I saw growing up in the humid city of Houston, Texas. Up here everyone (except maybe my husband) has chapstick.

The girls and I are no exception. The cold, dry weather can wreak havoc on our lips. Chapstick is a must. I always used Burt Bees but as more of my kiddos started wanting chapstick too the price of Burt Bees bothered me. Then I found out they had been bought out by a bigger company. I also found out that that particular company has some unfavorable commercials for one of their products demeaning men.

I am not cool with that at all and as much as I loved Burt Bees I will not give my money to a company that thinks it's comical to emasculate men.

The recipe I'm about to give you is not one I created. This particular recipe is all over the web. I got mine from Passionate Homemaking She got hers from someone else and I had multiple tabs open with the same recipe.

You will need:

• 2 Tbsp Beeswax (1 oz)
• 2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
• 2 Tbsp. Refined Shea Butter
• 12 lip balm containers (I got mine from a local nutrition store. If you don't have one near you they are available online)
• dropper (I used an extra one I had that came with our baby Gripe water)

1. Melt beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter together in a double boiler over low-med. heat.
2. When completely melted use dropper and fill lip balm containers. The lip balm will shrink just a tad when its cooled so you can top each one off a little if you want.

I added a little Peppermint Essential oil to my mixture when I had only 4 containers left to fill. I used about 6 drops but could have used more. Those 4 chapsticks are very lightly peppermint. It's really nice. The others all have a delightful light honey scent and the feel is so soft. I love it! So do my two girlies that got their own after I made them. We all approve! Even the hubby after kissing me. ;)

I kept asking myself why I bought store bought ones when I could make 12 for a fraction of the cost, even using all organic ingredients and I would be able to know every ingredient in the ones I make? I'm glad I took the jump into the unknown world of do it yourself chapstick.

I wasn't disappointed and you won't be either. :)