DIY natural makeup recipes abound on the internet. Some most definitely work better than others. When I first began researching homemade natural cosmetics I quickly noticed many of them had ingredients that were either really expensive or hard to find if you lived in a rural area.
My natural cosmetics recipes for liquid foundation will not bust your wallet or cause you to wait days for one of the ingredients to arrive in the mail.
Other than mascara, I never wear makeup, just never felt the need. But my daughter, nieces, and the children of friends really love their cosmetics.
Not wanting my loved ones to be slathering goo filled with artificial ingredients and chemicals onto their faces, I launched into an epic trial and error mixing session of ingredients to come up with affordable, natural, and long-lasting foundation that actually looks good on – no fading, cracking, or streaking.
You can achieve the same beautiful look with natural makeup as you do with store-bought cosmetics filled with artificial ingredients and chemicals.
My first attempts at creating a homemade natural liquid foundation were a miserable failure. My daughter was not pleased when she had to scrub what amounted to a pleasantly colored paste from her face. She was also equally unhappy when a mass of slimy goo dripped from her face and down her neck.
We eventually got both the consistency and shade right. Now my daughter can mix up a batch of either light coverage or full coverage DIY natural foundation cream in just a couple of minutes, and save what I consider a ridiculous amount of money every month because she no longer buys foundation – or any cosmetics (we now make everything she wants) at the store.
Print Recipe
DIY Natural Liquid Foundation Recipe #1
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 1 pinch cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cocoa powder or a combination of the three to get the shade that suits your skin tone
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil
- 1 tbsp green clay optional, but will help conceal skin splotches and redness
Instructions
Combine the cornstarch or arrowroot powder and green clay (if using) in a bowl, and stir thoroughly.
Stir in the coloring ingredients: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, or cocoa powder.
Set aside the mixture.
Pour the coconut oil into a small pot or a double boiler and melt the oil. Stir constantly over low to medium heat to avoid scorching.
Stir in the vitamin E oil.
Remove the pot from the heat and pour into the bowl you sat aside.
Combine the ingredients thoroughly.
Notes
For a lighter DIY natural liquid foundation, use more oil. To darken the foundation, use less oil and more of the dry powder coloring ingredients of your choice until you get the desired shade and texture.
Store the mixture in a jar with a firm-fitting lid, or allow to cool to room temperature and apply immediately.
Print Recipe
DIY Natural Foundation Recipe #2
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 1 tbsp Bentonite clay you can also use French green clay
- 1 pinch cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cocoa powder or a combination of the three to get the shade that suits your skin tone
- 2 and 1/2 tbsp shea butter or cocoa butter
- 1 and ¼ tbsp Argan oil
- 1 tbsp beeswax pastilles
- 1 drop vitamin E oil
Instructions
Melt the beeswax, shea or cocoa butter, and vitamin E oil in a small pot stirring constantly to avoid scorching or double boiler.
Pour in the cornstarch or arrowroot powder, Bentonite clay, and the coloring ingredients of your choice, and mix together thoroughly.
Add in the vitamin E oil and the coconut oil. Mix in the ingredients slowly, adding more or using less until you reach the desired liquid foundation consistency.
Remove the mixture from the stove.
Pour the DIY natural liquid foundation into a glass container with a firm-fitting lid immediately, or wait until the homemade foundation cools to room temperature and apply.
Notes
Note: You can substitute the cocoa powder with red sandalwood powder to help with acne-prone skin.
Print Recipe
DIY Natural Liquid Foundation Recipe #3
Ingredients
- 2 tsp Argan Oil or Jojoba Oil
- 1 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
- ½ tsp Emulsifying Wax – vegetable based
- 1 tsp Shea Butter
- ½ tsp Cinnamon or Cocoa Powder
- ½ tsp Bentonite
Clay - 1 tsp Witch Hazel
- 1 tsp Gold or Bronze Mica Powder
Instructions
Melt the argan oil, shea butter, and vegetable-based emulsifying wax in a medium saucepan or double boiler. Stir frequently to prevent scorching.
Stir in the witch hazel and aloe vera gel. Whisking will help fully blend the new ingredients into the mixture in the pot.
Turn off the stove burner.
Add in the Bentonite clay and stir.
Mix in your coloring ingredients just a single pinch at a time to avoid using too much, and getting the mixture too dark for your skin tone.
Once the mixture is cool enough to touch, test the color of the natural liquid foundation on the inside of your upper arm. If it is too light, stir in more coloring ingredients just a little bit at a time and test again. If it is too dark, the only thing you can do is dump the pot and start over.
Notes
Note: this one is good for dry skin; you only need a teaspoon of the shea butter and a teaspoon of the oil (argan/jojoba) for it to work.
Hints and Tips
- If your DIY natural liquid foundation mixture is the right shade but is not thick enough, stir in a pinch or two more of either the shea butter or the vegetable based emulsifying wax.
- If the homemade liquid foundation is too thick, stir in a little more witch hazel and in the next batch, reduce the amount of aloe vera gel a tad bit.
- Store the homemade natural liquid foundation in a jar with a firm fitting lid, and it should remain shelf stable for at least six months.
- When applying the foundation, use a sponge or brush for even coverage.
- If you use an essential oil (i.e. lavender oil) in your foundation recipe, make sure it’s safe for your skin.
I hope you have as much fun gathering around the kitchen counter with the other gals in your loved ones making your own homemade liquid foundation…
Many of the ingredients use in these recipes will also be part of the recipes for DIY natural blush, mascara, lip gloss, and eye shadow – so stock up!
Print or Save this article as PDF
