In its simplest form, the process of manufacturing lipstick can be broken down into three steps: melting down the lipstick and mixing it together in machinery such as a diaphragm pump; pouring the finished mixture into a tube for usage; and making the product ready to be sold in stores by putting it in packages. The pouring and mixing of the lipstick doesn’t have to be done together, because large portions of lipstick can be mixed and put into storage. There can be variations on what kind of packaging a lipstick may receive based on how it will be sold.

Melting down the lipstick and creating a mixture

1. Oils, solvents, and waxy materials and fats are used in a mixture of lipstick, and these raw ingredients have to be melted and mixed apart from each other due to the difference in their composition. Containers made of ceramic or stainless steel are used for this process and are heated.
2. The liquid oils and solvent are combined with a bit of pigment for creating a desired colour in the lipstick. Once thoroughly mixed, the combination is ground by putting it into a roller mill. This process eliminates the chances of the lipstick having a grainy feel because of the pigment. Air is also brought into the mixture during the process, which necessitates mechanical work. Many hours pass while the mixing is done, and sometimes a vacuum is used to remove any excess air.
3. Once the pigment mixture is bonded and contains the right consistency, it is put into the melted wax until another perfect consistency and colour are made. Once this is reached, the lipstick mixture can be stored in pans for later use, or strained and poured into molds.
4. The melted lipstick is kept at a temperature that helps it maintain its fluidity and agitated to remove trapped air if it will be made into lipstick at that moment. Any lipstick mass that is stored will have to be heated again, given a check for colour, modified per any requests, and then agitated to maintain the melt before being molded.

Due to the many pigments that can be used to make different colours of lipstick, lipstick is made in large batches. Popularity of a lipstick shade will dictate how big the batch will actually be, and how many tubes will be made. The choice between manual or automated manufacturing will also be determined by this.

Creating lipstick molds

1. The lipstick can be poured into tubes after it is properly mixed and all air is gone. Although manufacturers can have any number of machine setups to produce their desired lipstick, most use an agitating melter for making high volume batches. An operator controlled metler is used for smaller batches that are generally manually controlled and maintain the necessary temperature.
2. A mold, which has a plastic tube or metal bottom, and a shaping portion inside it, are used to hold the poured mass of melted mixture. The pour has to be done in an upside down configuration to get the bottom portion at the top. Excess usually forms and will be scrapped away.
3. Cooling is done to reduce the temperature of the lipstick. Manual molds are moved into a refrigeration unit to do this, while automated molds are just kept at a cold temperature. Then the mold and lipstick are separated and tube is sealed at the bottom. The finish is enhanced and pinholes are sealed by passing the lipstick through a flame. Inspection is done to check for separation lines, air holes, or any mistakes, and the lipstick is reworked if any are found.

Putting on labels and packing

1. The lipstick is then redrawn into the tube and a cap is added. Labels that make it possible to identify the batch are added during automation. Lipstick has a lot of quality in how it is made and packaged, but there isn’t much of an emphasis as when lip balm is made. When poured into tubes for lip gloss, the mixture enters in a retracted position that is less labour intensive.