UIS Black Women of Excellence held an event in the Student Union on February 11 where participants made their own lip balm and body scrub. The activity was designed to promote the role science plays in the beauty industry and the creation of self-care products, while also giving students an opportunity to be creative.

“This event consists of using brown sugar, oil of some kind, as well as some flavor to make a lip scrub that also can be used in the shower as body scrub,” said Natasha Meredith, president of Black Women of Excellence.

Students gathered to create their own custom lip and body scrub using ingredients such as brown sugar, honey, and coconut oil. There were also a number of flavor options including vanilla, maple, strawberry, and peppermint.

“We all want our lip gloss and lipstick to look flawless without chapped lips,” said Areeba Khan, a graduate student at UIS who participated in the event.

Participants were free to combine flavors and ingredients in any way they chose, which highlighted how the creative aspect of the event complemented its scientific grounding. Some students also appreciated the practical element of this exercise.

“In winter, our lips are always chapped, so this will be of good use,” Gargi D., a graduate student at UIS, said.

According to their UIS Connections page, Black Women of Excellence, also known as Honeybeez, is designed “to uplift the black women of the University of Illinois at Springfield,” and focuses on “mental, physical, and spiritual self-awareness.”

Those interested in future events hosted by Black Women of Excellence or getting involved with the organization can find more information at their UIS Connections page.