Ever mix up a batch of the perfect lipgloss in the tub, and then wonder, "How do I get it into this tiny lip gloss tube?"

Love your custom lip gloss on your lips, but less so on your fingers, after you apply it from the tub?

Frustrated with using Q-tip after Q-tip to get that super sticky gloss into that thin-necked container? I was, too!

After ordering my second pair of lip gloss base tubs, and set of 5 lip gloss tubes, I thought it might be helpful to share one method of transferring the viscous gel to the thin-mouthed tubes...

Anyone who has ever frosted a cake, or cupcake, in Miss K's case, might be familiar with a pastry bag.

This concept works to get the base into the tube, without Q-tips, but not without some effort and a little patience...

Here's what worked for me:

1. Take the lid off the base, scraping as much as possible off the underside of the lid, onto the edge of the open jar.

2. Place opened tub into plastic sandwich bag.

(Initially, I used the small bag that the 5 tubes came in, but the seams will burst from the pressure, so a small sandwich bag ended up working better.)

3. While holding the bottom of the jar with one hand, use fingers on the OUTSIDE of the bag to scoop the base from the tub, and when mostly empty, take the tub out of the bag.

(The best analogy I can think of is a gross one, but if you think of using a plastic bag to pick up your dog's "duty"- you use the bag from the outside to keep your hands clean, and then flip the bag inside out to contain the waste. This is the same idea, but the gloss stays in the bag and your hands still stay clean...)

4. After sealing the "zipper" of the bag, take some time to push and smoosh the base to one corner of the bag, pushing out bubbles as you go.

(This is a great time to add any minerals or glitter to the base. You can always test the color before putting it into the tube, just don't cut that corner until you're done blending! See the P.S. at the bottom for further direction.)

5. Find a straight-edged object, like a ruler, or a bone-folder, that you can use to "squeegee" the base as you hold the bag flat against a desk or table.

6. Cut a tiny bit of corner off the bag where the gloss is closest, no more than 1/8" so that it will easily fit into the neck of the tube.

7. Fold the part of the bag with no gloss onto itself so the gloss goes toward the cut corner and squeezes out a thin strip of gloss. (It will escape backwards and you just use your straight-edge again to push it back into the corner.)

8. Carefully squeeze the base into the tube, putting even pressure onto the gloss.

9. Aim to get it into the center of the bottom, because if it catches on the sides, it will fill up the top half of the tube and leave a giant void at the bottom.

10. If this happens, I hold the threaded part of the neck tightly with one hand and make a "fanning" motion, which will coerce the gloss to move towards the bottom of the tube.

11. When ALMOST full, (about 1/4" from the part below the neck, otherwise the wand WILL cause it to overflow) place the frosted-looking insert into the neck and the wand into that.

12. Pat yourself on the back! Job well done! =]

13. Now you can tote that portable lip gloss into your purse, car or pocket, knowing that you will not have to use your fingers to apply your custom creation, anymore! =D

This is how I have successfully filled my first five tubes, and plan to do the next 5 the same way. (I use the clear gloss base by itself, or blended with the Twilight Dazzle powder, so I am sure it will work with pigmented gloss.)

P.S. It is very easy to add minerals, pigments or glitter to the gloss base while it is in the plastic bag BEFORE cutting off the corner.

You can blend it very easily this way and will get a very uniform color result, if mixing more than one color mineral into the base.

If you have any further questions, feel free to email me: wixology@gmail.com
(I don't often check this forum, since I always forget my password! =P)

Thanks for reading!
~Monica

Great advice, Monica! Thanks for taking the time to list all the steps.

You're welcome, Robyn!

Thanks for taking the time to read all of them!=]

(I know it is a bit long, but I wanted to be very precise in my description, since I don't have supporting photographs...)

OMG, this is an amazing technique! Why didn't I think of this before?!? Thanks for sharing!

This is SO helpful. Thanks for sharing. I was wondering how in the world one transfered the glosses.