In Paris, making lipstick by hand feels like a small magic trick, and this workshop turns it into a practical, feel-good activity. You sit down at Kimiko Craft Paris in the 1st arrondissement and create your own shade, texture, and even a bit of flower-making fun, using eco-friendly, natural ingredients.

I especially love that you get hands-on with the actual process, not just a demo. You’ll learn how different ingredients behave so your lipstick is more than pretty, it’s made with your preferences in mind, and you can choose a color you genuinely like. I also like the built-in social and photo moment, plus the fact that you take home one finished lipstick and get to enjoy snacks and tea/coffee during the workshop.

One drawback to consider: at $69 per person for 90 minutes, it’s a splurge compared to buying lipstick off the shelf. If you’re after a quick souvenir only, you may feel like you could spend less elsewhere.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group size (2 to 8) means the pace stays friendly and you get more attention while you mix.
• Any color you like helps the finished lipstick feel personal, not generic.
• Eco-friendly, natural ingredients are part of the point, and you’ll learn what’s going on ingredient-wise.
• You can choose the style: semi-matte, gloss, or lip balm making (depending on the topic covered).
• Flower creation adds a creative twist beyond just lipstick.
• Snacks, tea/coffee, and photos make it feel like a mini occasion, not a rushed class.

Finding Kimiko Craft Paris 1er and getting settled fast

The workshop meets at Kimiko’s workshop. The team will be at the meeting point about 10 minutes early to pick you up, so show up on time and you’ll avoid that awkward period of searching around the neighborhood.

Paris 1er is convenient for a day that already includes major sights. Still, I recommend treating this like its own appointment. You’re going to be mixing ingredients, creating something you’ll keep, and taking photos, so it’s nicer if you arrive with a calm mindset rather than sprinting between attractions.

Group size is small, from 2 to 8 people, which matters more than you might think. Big classes can feel like a lecture. Here, you get enough breathing room to ask questions in English or French, and the whole session feels closer to a creative hang than a factory line.

Even the “welcome” vibe sounds thought-out, with snacks and tea/coffee prepared for you. That alone helps you settle in quickly, and it makes it more comfortable if you’re going solo or you just don’t want your day to feel too structured.

Inside the 90-minute lipstick lab: what you actually do

This is an interactive workshop where you create your own lipstick from eco-friendly, natural ingredients. The core of the experience is simple: you’re not watching someone else work, you’re learning the steps and blending ingredients yourself to make a custom shade and texture.

The instructor guides you through the process, including what each ingredient is doing and the properties and benefits behind it. That learning component is genuinely useful. Instead of treating lipstick as a mystery product, you get a clearer sense of how ingredients can affect feel, finish, and how you wear the final lipstick.

You’ll also be able to make a natural lipstick in any color you like. That’s the big promise, and it’s also the reason this workshop feels more satisfying than a typical “choose from a few options” activity. The goal is a lipstick that matches your personal style, not just what the studio happened to stock.

At the same time, this doesn’t have to be intimidating. The structure is designed for beauty enthusiasts who want glamour and sustainability in the same afternoon. If you’re new to DIY cosmetics, you’ll still have a clear path, and if you already love experimenting, you’ll enjoy dialing in your preferences with the help of the instructor.

And you should expect it to stay lively. Between the hands-on mixing and the creative side activity, the 90 minutes fly by rather than dragging.

Semi-matte vs gloss vs lip balm: choosing your finish

One smart thing about this workshop is that it offers different “topic” options. Depending on what the session covers, you might be making:

• Semi-matte lipsticks
• Gloss lipsticks
• Lip balm making

That choice affects what you end up wearing and how the result feels. Semi-matte tends to look a bit more controlled and modern, while gloss is all about shine and a softer look. Lip balm is more about comfort and everyday wear. So if you know what you want to get out of the experience, this is where you can steer the outcome.

Even if you don’t have a strong preference, the workshop framing helps. You’re learning about ingredients, and you’re blending to create shades and textures. That means you’re not only choosing a color, you’re learning how to influence the final feel.

If you’re deciding between them, I’d think about how you actually use makeup. Do you wear a softer look most days, or do you like a more defined, longer-looking finish? Semi-matte and gloss can feel very different on the same person. Lip balm is the easiest “daily carry” option, especially if you want something practical more than dramatic.

The key point: the workshop isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s designed so your finished product matches your vibe and your routines.

Blending natural ingredients and dialing in your shade

This is where the workshop delivers its magic: you blend natural ingredients to create both shade and texture. The instructor explains the properties and benefits of different ingredients, so you’re not just measuring, you’re understanding.

You’ll also choose from different colors and, based on feedback you’ll hear from other participants, there’s variety in the sensory side too, including scents or oils you can use to match your tastes. That matters because lipstick is not only a visual product. How it smells and feels can make the whole thing more enjoyable, and it also makes the final result feel like yours.

The best part is that the workshop supports creativity without turning it into chaos. There’s a process, and you’re guided through it step by step. By the end, you bring your customized lipstick home. Not a sample. Not a theoretical plan. A real item you made yourself.

If you’re traveling, this is also a win. You get something you can’t really replicate just by walking into a pharmacy. It’s a souvenir with function.

One practical tip if you’re going with a friend: agree early on the type of finish you want, semi-matte or gloss, and then let the shade choice be the fun part. It keeps your focus on the product you want instead of getting stuck discussing preferences while you’re mid-mix.

Flower creation, photos, and the fun side that makes it memorable

Lipstick workshops can sometimes feel like a “serious craft desk” vibe. Here, the experience keeps a lighter creative energy. Flower creation is one of the stated highlights, so you should expect a hands-on activity beyond just mixing lipstick.

Even if you don’t think of yourself as “crafty,” flower making can be surprisingly satisfying. It adds variety to the session, gives you something visual besides the lipstick, and makes it easier to enjoy the whole time even if you’re not an ultra-makeup person.

Then there’s the photo component. You’ll have many beautiful photos taken during the workshop. That’s not just for show. When you’re making something you’ll take home, photos help you remember the process and see your look through a different lens.

I also like that snacks and tea/coffee are part of the plan. It keeps the energy balanced. You can focus on creating without feeling like you’re running on empty. For a 90-minute activity in central Paris, it helps the entire experience feel smooth.

And yes, the vibe is social. With a small group and an instructor available in English and French, it’s an easy outing whether you come with a partner, a friend, or on your own.

What you take home at the end of class

At the end, you can bring your products home. Specifically, you take home one lipstick in your favorite color.

That matters because many workshops promise customization but end up giving you a small sample or a product you didn’t really shape. Here, you leave with a full, wearable result from your own blending work.

You’ll also have your photos as a nice bonus. For a trip, I find this kind of keepsake beats another tote bag or magnet because it’s usable and connected to the moment you made it.

For packing, think practically. If you’re also doing a busy Paris itinerary the same day, keep the lipstick in your day bag or a separate small pouch rather than letting it roll around in a larger backpack.

And if you’re sensitive to smells or ingredients, it helps that the workshop is structured around natural ingredients and you choose your shade and scent/oils you like. Still, if you’re cautious with cosmetics, treat your new lipstick like you would any new product. Wear it first on a day when you’re not rushing out the door and can check how it feels.

Price and value: is $69 per person fair for this workshop?

$69 per person for 90 minutes can feel high if you’re comparing it to a cheap makeup store run. But compare it to what you actually get.

You’re paying for:

• A guided, hands-on lipstick making experience
• Instruction in English and French
• Materials provided at the workshop
• Snacks plus tea/coffee
• A small group setting (2 to 8)
• A take-home custom lipstick
• Photos taken during the workshop
• The creative extra of flower creation

If you zoom out, that price is basically covering tuition, materials, and the “occasion” part. The take-home item is part of the value. The photos and snacks are also part of the value, because they turn it into an experience you’ll remember, not just a one-off product.

Would I pay it if I needed lipstick and nothing more? Probably not. But if you’re in Paris, want something creative that’s not a museum ticket, and enjoy beauty, I think it’s a fair spend.

Also, natural and eco-friendly positioning is part of the workshop’s identity. You’re not only buying a lipstick, you’re learning how the ingredients work, and you’re making your own shade to match your style.

Who should book this workshop, and who might skip it

This is best for you if:

• You enjoy beauty, color, and experimenting with textures
• You care about sustainability and eco-friendly natural ingredients
• You want a hands-on activity that’s different from the standard Paris sightseeing circuit
• You’re traveling with someone and want a shared creative project
• You like having photos taken during an activity, not just snapping selfies

It might be less ideal if:

• You only want the cheapest activity possible
• You don’t care about makeup or DIY crafting at all
• You’re short on time and want something more like a quick drop-in

But honestly, the workshop format helps a lot. The small group size and instructor guidance keep it accessible. You don’t need to be an expert to have fun and learn something practical.

Should you book Kimiko Craft’s customized lipstick workshop?

If you want a playful, creative Paris 1er experience that also results in something wearable, I think this is a strong booking. The mix of custom color, guidance with natural ingredients, snacks and tea, photos, and the take-home lipstick makes it feel like you’re getting more than just a class.

Book it if you’ll enjoy the “making” part, and especially if you like the idea of semi-matte, gloss, or lip balm options and a bit of flower creation along the way. Skip it if you’re purely looking for sightseeing boxes to check, or if you’d rather spend your budget on a different kind of experience.

In short: for a beauty-minded traveler who wants a hands-on souvenir with real personality, this workshop is exactly the kind of afternoon that makes a trip feel personal.

FAQ

How long is the customized lipstick workshop?

The workshop lasts 90 minutes.

Where does the workshop take place?

It takes place at Kimiko’s workshop in Paris 1er. The team will be at the meeting point about 10 minutes early to pick you up.

What is the price per person?

The price is $69 per person.

What group size should I expect?

The group size is from 2 to 8 people.

What languages are the instructors speaking?

The instructor speaks English and French.

What types of products can you make?

The workshop can cover one of these topics: semi-matte lipsticks making, gloss lipsticks making, or lip balm making.

Are materials provided?

Yes. All materials are provided at the workshop.

Do I get to take anything home?

Yes. At the end, you can take home one lipstick in your favorite color.

Is there an option to cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, keeping your travel plans flexible.