How to Color Beeswax

Beeswax is a substance produced by worker bees, which is secreted by glands on the bee’s abdomen. It is naturally a yellow-brownish color, but can be purified to different shades of yellow or even white. Beeswax makes a great ingredient to create natural, homemade products. This article will explain how you can color beeswax to create exciting, vibrantly colored DIY projects.

Which Beeswax should you use?

Choosing the right beeswax product is dependent on what you are using the beeswax for. It is important to choose a pure, 100% organic, natural beeswax product that does not contain other filler ingredients. Be sure you research the quality of the beeswax you are purchasing.

White beeswax is great for projects such as candle making because you can create lots of different colored candles with natural mica powder. Beeswax candles are naturally hypoallergenic and emit negative ions into the air, which have various health benefits.

Yellow beeswax can still be used for candles but will not showcase the colors as well as a white beeswax base will. White beeswax is typically chosen for aesthetic reasons. Both yellow and white beeswax can be used for creating holistic products such as lip balms, lotions, soaps and as previously mentioned, candles.

Color Additives

To naturally color your beeswax, herbs and spices can be a great choice. Natural substances such as turmeric, paprika, rosemary, clove and saffron are highly recommended to create natural color shades.

For brighter, more intense coloring, a great option is to use mica. Mica is a color additive powder obtained from the naturally occurring mineral, muscovite mica. This powder is used to add color to many holistic products such as makeup items, bath soaks and homemade candles.

It is not recommended to use food coloring for DIY projects involving beeswax because the liquid or gel food coloring will not bond well with the beeswax. It is also not recommended to melt crayons to color your products such as candles, as they contain chemicals that are not meant to be inhaled.

Again, before choosing a type of beeswax be sure it is authentic and does not contain filler ingredients, as that will impact the quality of your finished products.

How to Mix the Color Additive

Each natural product will require different instructions specific to the preparation of that product. However, the following instructions are how to simply color beeswax itself.

It is highly recommended to purchase a wax melting device, as it makes the projects much simpler and cuts down on the risks of burns from using a stove top for traditional double boiling methods.

Ingredients:

Color Additive of Choice

Beeswax

Double Boiler or Wax Melter Machine

Instructions:

1. Add desired amount of beeswax into double-boiler or wax melter.
2. Melt the beeswax until it is in fully liquid form.
3. Carefully mix your desired colorant into the melted wax.
4. Stir with heat resistant utensil.
5. Use your colored beeswax for your DIY project.

We are proud to offer a 100% pure, USDA certified organic beeswax product in both white and yellow options.  Mary Tylor Naturals stands by our motto: Better Ingredients for a Better Life!