Okay, this was such a fun one! I spent an afternoon at The Formulation Bar in Crofton with my girl Mel making our own custom lip glosses, and I walked out with a gloss I’m obsessed with. The whole experience is hands-on, you weigh out your own base, pick your colors, scents, and shimmers off the wall, and the owner Chanel walks you through every step so you can’t really mess it up.
I went for a subtle my-lips-but-better situation, mixed some pink and nude with a tiny bit of gold shimmer, and it came out exactly how I wanted, not sticky, just the right amount of color. If you’re after a fun, different thing to do in the DMV, whether it’s a girls’ day, a date, or a birthday, this is such a cute pick.
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What Makes The Formulation Bar So Special?
What makes The Formulation Bar special is that you’re not just buying a lip gloss, you’re actually formulating it yourself. Chanel, the owner, has the whole process dialed in with detailed step-by-step instructions, so even if you’ve never made makeup in your life (same), it’s a total breeze.
You weigh everything out on a scale, the gloss base is jojoba gel and oil, and there’s a whole wall of colors, scents, and shimmers to mix and match however you want. She even gives you lip gloss swabs to test as you go, so you’re not committing blind. It’s creative, low-pressure, and honestly just a really good time. Bonus, you can bring your own drinks, so it doubles as a little hangout.
What You’ll Make at The Formulation Bar
Here’s what’s on the menu, so to speak, plus what I’d book.
The Lip Gloss Formulation ($65)
This is the main event and the one I did. For $65 you get about an hour to formulate your own custom gloss from scratch, start to finish, and you walk out with your finished gloss in a cute little bag. Mine turned out to be exactly my vibe, subtle color, nice shimmer, zero stickiness, and it’s been my go-to since. For a hands-on activity you actually take home, it’s a fair price.
Shimmering Body Oil Class ($65)
If lip gloss isn’t your thing (or you’ve already done it and want something new), they also offer a Shimmering Body Oil Experience for $65, where you make your own custom oil and get a kabuki brush to go with it. I didn’t do this one, but it looks like a fun next step if you want to try something beyond the lip gloss.
At-Home Kits ($50)
Can’t make it in person or want to gift the experience? They sell at-home lip gloss kits for $50 in nude and pink, in two-person and four-person sizes, so you can host your own little gloss night. There are gift cards too, which would make a cute present for the beauty lover in your life.
A few things worth knowing, every in-person class ends with that cute bag for your gloss, and they can also do mobile services and private parties if you want to bring the experience to you.
Do You Need Experience to Take a Class?
Nope, not even a little! That’s the best part. Chanel’s instructions are so clear and it’s all set up for total beginners, so you don’t need any makeup or chemistry know-how to walk out with something you’re proud of. It’s beginner-friendly enough that kids 10 and up are welcome too, which makes it a cute option for a mother-daughter day.
The Vibe and Experience
The vibe is relaxed, creative, and just fun. It’s the kind of activity where you’re chatting, sipping (you can bring your own drinks, including wine or champagne if you’re 21+), and getting a little crafty, so it’s perfect for a girls’ day, a date, a birthday, or a low-key bachelorette.
You’re busy weighing, mixing, and testing swatches start to finish, so it’s a hands-on hangout, and you leave with something you actually made. Parking’s easy with a free lot right there. They run classes on weekends with weekday sessions available by request, so it’s pretty flexible. If you want to make a whole afternoon of it in the area, Asian Wok and Bowl in nearby Gambrills is an easy spot to grab a bite after.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 2131 Espey Ct, Suite 4, Crofton, MD.
- What it is: A make-your-own cosmetics studio, best known for its custom lip gloss class.
- Price: The Lip Gloss Formulation Experience and the Shimmering Body Oil Experience are each $65 per person, about an hour long. At-home kits are $50.
- Booking: Book online or email ahead. Classes run on weekends, with weekday sessions by request.
- Ages: Kids 10 and up are welcome. The 21+ rule only applies to bringing alcohol.
- Drinks: BYO, including wine or champagne for the 21+ crowd.
- Groups: Private parties and mobile services are available, great for birthdays and bachelorettes.
- More info: Check their website to book.
Is The Formulation Bar Worth It?
For $65 you get a really fun experience plus a custom gloss you’ll actually use, which beats a lot of activities where you’ve got nothing to show for it after. It’s such a cute idea for a girls’ day, a date, or a birthday, and there’s even more to try, like the body oil experience, if you come back. If you want to round out your day with a sweet treat, Froyo House in Arnold is a fun self-serve froyo stop not too far away.
Have you guys ever made your own makeup before? I had such a blast, Nomsters, so if you’ve been looking for a fresh thing to do in the DMV, consider this your sign. Save this one and send it to whoever you’d drag along, and let me know what color combo you’d make!