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Why buy pricey ointments when you can easily whip up your own custom-made lip balm?

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  Step 1: Melt the ingredients

  Melt equal parts beeswax, honey, and almond oil—available at craft and health-food stores—in a microwave-safe container. Try two tablespoons of each to start. This mixture burns easily, so keep an eye on it by zapping it at 10-second intervals.

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  Step 2: Mix it up

  Mix the melted ingredients together and stir in one half of a teaspoon of the essential oil of your choice for every two tablespoons of beeswax you used. Peppermint, lemon, lavender, and coconut are just a few options. Mix well.

• Tip

  For an extra-nourishing balm, open a couple of vitamin E gel caps and squeeze the liquid into your balm base.

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  Step 3: Add a little color

  For a hint of color, add a teaspoon of beet juice, which you can find at natural-food stores.

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  Step 4: Let harden

  Pour the balm into lidded containers and let it cool before covering.

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  Step 5: Make lip gloss

  You can also whip up some lip gloss by microwaving one tablespoon of sweet almond oil, 10 fresh cranberries, and one teaspoon of honey, until the mixture begins to boil, about two minutes. Stir until the berries are crushed, let cool for five minutes, then strain. Stir again, let cool completely, and pour into clean, closed containers.

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  Step 6: Sweeten the pot

  For a really easy—and tasty—lip gloss, just mix some plain petroleum jelly with your favorite powdered drink mix.

• Fact

  In the 19th century, earwax was recommended as a frugal and effective remedy for chapped lips.