How to create Lip & Cheek Stain/Tint formulas in 5 simple steps

Amber Carli 09.2026

Looking to create your own lip and cheek stain/tint formulas and achieve fresh, dewy lips & cheeks without the need for advanced formulation knowledge? Our Create Cosmetic Formulas guide simplifies the process! 

Follow our comprehensive 5-step guide to start crafting your own lip & cheek stain/tint formulas today. Read on to learn how!

Start by logging into your Create Cosmetic Formulas subscription then…

 

How to create Lip and Cheek Stain Tint formulas in 5 simple steps

1. Select Makeup, Lip & Cheek Stain/Tint, as the type of formula you would like to create today, then click Create

Lip & Cheek Stain/Tint - Makeup: Our Create Cosmetic Formulas program uses Dicaprylyl carbonate (Cetiol CC) or Dermofeel Sensolv (Isoamyl Laurate) as the base ingredient in stick formulas to make sure the end product isn’t too sticky or heavy feeling so you don’t need to select anything here, the program will automatically adjust the lipid content as you select other materials. The oil solvent is also automated to be Caprylic/capric triglycerides (Myritol 318) so no selection is needed here either. 

 

2. Choose your lipids (oils & butters)

The first selection you need to make is which lipids you would like to add. In oil based formulations such as this one, the lipids are essential for the traits of the product (e.g. viscosity, spreading profile, skin feel, etc.), and depending on what you choose they can also be used to enhance product story.

I’ve chosen Dimethicone 100cps at its maximum input for its high spreading profile, very light skin feel and non-comedogenic nature. I have also chosen Isoeicosane and Isopropyl myristate (Crodamol IPM) at their midpoints to provide a satin texture and feel, with a non-greasy finish. The total input of my lipid portion is at its maximum to ensure the traits of these lipids are notable in the finished product.

Combining the different traits of these lipids will result in a blend that ensures my final lip & cheek stain/tint has a light skin feel, so it will feel light and natural on the skin; and high spreadability so the tint will not get ‘stuck’ on any areas of the face and will easily glide on the desired regions of application. The final product has a satin texture and feel, as well as a non-greasy finish so that application is an enjoyable experience. Non-comedogenic attributes make the product feel light, breathable, natural, and fresh on the skin. This gives me a very good starting point for my lip & cheek stain/tint.
 

3. Choose your consistency factor/s

The consistency factor/s give your lip & cheek stain/tint stick its strong wax structure and help impart additional skin feel and gloss benefits.

For the consistency factors I have chosen Cera bellina wax (Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax) and Carnauba wax to ensure a strong wax structure to my stick and provide my product with extra gloss and a soft, silky, skin feel.

I have made sure my combined consistency factor input reaches the maximum available by adding Carnauba wax at its maximum input to enhance skin feel for an easy-to-glide effect on my stick, and Cera bellina wax at the remaining 13% input to provide my product with a strong wax structure and gloss.

The Create Cosmetic Formulas program will give you a recommended input range for all materials. 

Not sure which materials to select? That’s okay, read our go-to guide on cosmetic ingredients here for more information.

 

4. Choose the mica & colourants and effects pigments

The mica and colourants as well as effects pigments are what gives your lip & cheek stain/tint its beautiful colour and any shine you may want to add. I have chosen not to add any effects pigments to comply with the desired natural, dewy look of my formulation rather than a more unnatural shimmer/lustre.

I have chosen CI 16035 (Red 40 Lake) as my colourant to result in a very pigmented lip and cheek stain/tint. I have added it at it’s maximum input of 1%.


5. Antioxidant and fragrance/flavour/essential oil

Antioxidants protect your product from oxidising and forming any undesirable odours or colour changes over time, while the addition of a fragrance, flavour or essential oil can make your product seem more appealing, and aid with product story. 

I have decided not to add a fragrance, flavour or essential oil to my product as it is for both lip and cheek, and while adding any of these may be appealing to a lip product, it can make the product feel sticky on application to the cheeks, which is not suitable for this particular product.

I have added mixed tocopherols as my antioxidant to ensure the best possible antioxidant protection to my formula. The Create Cosmetic Formulas program supplies an automated recommended input range for your antioxidant depending on the oxidisable capacity of other materials added. I have chosen to add my antioxidant at the minimum input as too much can result in irritation of the skin. 
 

Then… click generate method:
 

Then here is my formula, and here is the method!  

Now all you need to do is find your nearest cosmetic ingredient suppliers, order the materials, and get making your fantastic organic body lotion formulas!

Once you’ve made one formula, you’ll be keen to make more! With Create Cosmetic Formulas, you have almost limitless formulation creation, and just one low annual subscription.

It really is that simple.

Happy formulating!

 

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