If you wear makeup, you’ve probably figured out that a good quality mineral-based foundation can get quite expensive. Before I started making my own, I was spending around $25 a month on foundation. That’s $300 a year! Using this high quality, customizable DIY makeup recipe, I now spend just 50 cents a month, and end up with a nicer product!
If you need to cut your spending, making your own makeup is a no-brainer!
DIY Makeup
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I started making my own mineral makeup about seven years ago. I spent $60 buying all the supplies in bulk. The incredible part? I am still using those same supplies and haven’t had to buy anything else!
That $60 investment has lasted me seven years already and should last a few more. Although I had to spend some money upfront, 10 years worth of makeup for $60 is $6 a year. Compare that to the $300 a year I was spending before!
I have included links below the recipe if you need help finding the ingredients.
This recipe can be made into a liquid foundation or concealer. Feel free to customize it to your preferences!
Mineral Foundation Recipe
This mineral foundation recipe makes approximately 2oz of powdered foundation (the equivalant of 6 average sized containers of foundation).
- 3 T Titanium Dioxide
- 4 tsp Zinc Oxide
- 1 T Sericite Mica
- 1 tsp Magnesium Stearate
- 1 1/4 tsp+ Yellow Iron Oxide
- 1/8 tsp+ Brown Iron Oxide
- 1/12+ tsp Red Iron Oxide
- 1/3 tsp Vitamin E Oil or Coconut Oil
- 6 Drops Lavender Oil
Lay out a newspaper to reduce mess. These minerals don’t stain, but do stick to everything. I would suggest using either a paper bowl and plastic spoon for mixing, or keeping dedicated utensils with your makeup supplies. You might also want to keep a dedicated set of measuring spoons for makeup making.
Add the first 7 dry ingredients to a bowl, starting with the base amounts of the three colors. Stir until mixed well, pressing the minerals against the side of the bowl with a spoon to break up any clumps.
When the powder is mixed well, add the vitamin E or coconut oil and the lavender oil. Continue to mix, pressing the foundation against the side of the bowl with the back of your spoon.
Matching Foundation Color to Your Skin
When the color looks smooth, it’s time to test the foundation color on your skin.
*Warning: do not use this recipe if you are allergic to any of these ingredients!
Without other makeup on, test a streak of the foundation on your jawbone. If the color looks close, go ahead and apply the makeup. To get the best idea of whether the color matches your skin tone, go outside with a mirror or camera.
The best part about this recipe is that you can customize it to perfectly match your skin. If the color is too light, add more colors, a pinch at a time, until you get the perfect match.
Feel free to tweak the colors as many times as needed until you get it right. Keep track of the changes you make so you’ll be able to get the right color sooner next time!
What if the color is too dark?
The base amounts of color make a “light” or “fair” shade of foundation. If the color is too dark for you, simply add more titanium dioxide, 1 tsp at a time, until you get the perfect shade.
How to Make Liquid Foundation
To make a liquid foundation, mix the powder with a good quality face lotion.
For a full coverage foundation: Add 1 part lotion to 1 part powder by volume.
For a more transparent foundation: Add 2 parts lotion to 1 part powder by volume.
Test the liquid foundation on your skin again. If the color isn’t quite right, you can still tweak it!
Diffferent lotions will yield different consistencies. Feel free to adjust the amounts of lotion to minerals until you get your preferred texture and coverage.
How to Make a DIY Concealer
This concealer has awesome coverage for acne scars! I like to use a lotion made from coconut oil, aloe vera, vitamin E and lavender to heal scar tissue, but you can use any face lotion.
DIY Mineral Concealer: Mix a small amount of foundation powder with 1/2 as much lotion by volume. Add more lotion if needed to get a thick cream. If you want a lightening concealer, add a little more titanium dioxide to get your preferred color.
DIY Makeup: Cleaning Up
To clean up any spilled minerals, just wipe up with a warm washcloth and a little dish soap.
Where to Find DIY Makeup Ingredients:
While the ingredients for DIY makeup might be hard to find in your local store, you can get all of them on Amazon! You might already have the oils laying around your house like I did!
Titanium Dioxide:
Zinc Oxide:
Sericite Mica:
Magnesium Stearate:
Yellow Iron Oxide:
Brown Iron Oxide:
Red Iron Oxide:
Vitamin E Oil:
Lavender Essential Oil:
Have fun making your own custom mineral makeup!
