Making your own lip gloss can be an exciting learning experiment to try. Many factors go into creating a good product such as consistency, texture, flavor and the ability to soften. Using the following recipes taken from sciencebuddies.org, make the three types of lip gloss. Vanilla: Melt together on the stove or in the microwave 3 tbsp. coconut oil, 2 tbsp. petroleum jelly and 2 tbsp. aloe vera gel. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Almond Honey: Melt 8 oz. sweet almond oil and 2.5 oz. beeswax. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp. honey. Cocoa Mint: Melt together 1.5 oz. shea butter, 1.0 oz. beeswax and 1.5 oz. cocoa butter. Remove from heat and stir in one drop of vitamin E liquid and three to five drops of peppermint oil. Pour each type of lip gloss in a clean container and seal with a lid.
Label each container with a number so the subjects are unaware of which gloss is which. Pick a group of at least 10 people to sample your lip gloss. Give them criteria to rate each gloss such as texture, flavor and appearance. In the end, determine which type of lip gloss your subjects preferred based on the different criteria and analyze your data. With this information, you can assemble reports, your poster board and bar graphs to support your research.
This experiment allows you to see how different hair highlighting agents color the hair. You will need several swatches of hair ranging in color from light brown to dark brown. Assemble containers with different strengths of hydrogen peroxide bleaching agents available at local beauty supply stores. Using protective equipment such as gloves, goggles and a mask, experiment with different hair colors, strengths of peroxide and the amount of time each hair swatch is exposed to the bleach. Also, set a swatch of hair in an area outdoors, with heavy sunlight exposure, and monitor for changes. Record all your data.
Once the experimental data are recorded, it is essential to analyze them and determine the results. This is done by comparing the same color of hair in each of the different strengths of peroxide. How much lighter is the hair that was in the strongest solution? Evaluate the difference in color depending on the amount of time the hair was in the solution as well. Present the data using pictures, charts and graphs. Also, compare the difference between the chemically processed hair and the hair that was lightened by sunlight.