Vietnamese 12th grader makes lipstick from lotus flower

For as long as she can remember, 12th grader Nguyen Thi Dieu Hien has been in love with lotus flowers, even going so far as to make her own lipstick from the regal plant.

Hien’s lotus flower lipstick won her second prize at a competition held by Dong Thap's Department of Education and Training in 2021 and another second prize at an innovation competition organized by the Dong Thap Youth Union that same year.

Hien is currently a senior at Phu Thanh A High School in Tam Nong District, Dong Thap.

Her research into lipstick making began on the Internet.

She then began skipping breakfast and using the money she saved to pay for a lipstick machine, molds, glass cups, and ingredients, such as lotus powder, beeswax, olive oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and mineral colorant.

Her next step involved handpicking fresh lotus flowers from nearby lotus gardens, cutting petals into small pieces, sun-drying the flowers, and grinding them into powder.

Despite her efforts, Hien’s first batch of lotus flower lipstick turned out hard and dry like candle wax.

Nguyen Thanh Tung, vice-principal of Phu Thanh A High School, shared that Hien’s idea to make lipstick from lotus flowers is highly feasible and aligns with current market shifts toward organic, plant-based products.  

The school formed a team to support students to realize their ideas with feedback and advice, as well as technical and professional assistance.

By October 2021, with the guidance of the school's chemistry teacher, Hien was able to produce a batch of lotus flower lipstick that was actually viable.

It was smooth, glossy, and boasted a beautiful color and light fragrance. She then began selling the lipsticks for about VND60,000 (US$2.5) per apiece.

Hien shared that the most difficult part of making lotus lipstick is researching the materials needed to create a smooth, long-lasting lipstick that keeps lips beautiful and hydrated.

Her lotus flower lipstick is currently on sale in the local market, but she said she would not be totally happy with her product until she is able to produce a batch that features a natural matte finish.

“After graduating from high school, I will apply to study biomedical technology at university so that I can continue researching lipstick and produce better products,” Hien said.

The lotus lipstick project has been lauded for its potential, as it has made good use of input materials available in the province, according to Nguyen Thanh Danh, deputy director of the Dong Thap Department of Education and Training.

It has also helped increase the value of lotus flowers.

Dong Thap often organizes innovation contests for students to help spark creative ideas that translate to real-life products, Danh said, adding that these competitions tend to help students identify which course of study they should follow in college.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!