DIY Mineral Makeup

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Making your own DIY mineral makeup, like powder foundation, is affordable, healthy … and simple!

Note from Erin Odom (aka “The Humbled Homemaker”) : If you aren’t in a season of life where you can DIY your own make-up or if you simply aren’t the DIY type, then I highly recommend checking out BeautyCounter’s make-up. In 2019, I slowly began transitioning my makeup and skincare over to this brand, as it uses extremely pure ingredients. My favorite products are their concealer and mascara, which enhance my very low-maintenance, natural look. You can save some money and qualify for free shipping by becoming a Band of Beauty member, or you can save even more (plus make money!) by becoming a consultant.

Guest post by Erin Josefchak

I don’t wear a lot of makeup but I really REALLY like mineral foundation powder.

It hides redness, blurs imperfections, removes shine, and has a naturally occurring UV-A and UV-B radiation blocking properties. It’s great for everyday wear because it’s lightweight, breathable, and very natural looking! And, I can easily increase coverage for a night-out by adding concealer underneath.

But it’s not cheap! Especially the highly-pigmented quality brands! The non-drugstore brand I used to buy is around $50 for half an ounce of powder!

Why Should I Make It Myself?

While most good quality store-bought mineral makeup doesn’t usually contain preservatives, synthetic silicones and waxes, fragrance, or pore-clogging oils, it can contain parabens, petroleum derivatives, mineral oil, talc, synthetic dyes, and bismuth oxychloride (heavy metal by-product).

By making your own you can avoid all synthetic ingredients, unnecessary fillers, and irritating chemicals! You also control the purity and quality of the ingredients used.

Finding the right color for your skin is a big issue for a lot of people – by making your own, you can create a custom color that matches your skin tone exactly. I usually make two batches during the year – a lighter color for the winter months and a slightly darker color for the summer months.

My biggest argument for making my own mineral powder was the cost. When I calculated how much it would cost to make my own, I discovered that I could buy all the ingredients I needed for a year for the cost of half an ounce of the commercial brand powder! That’s huge!

With the same base ingredients, I could also make blush, bronzer, sunscreen, diaper rash cream, and a ton of other beauty and personal products! That is VALUE for your money – frugality at its best!

About the Ingredients in the Recipe

Titanium Dioxide

Naturally occurring inorganic oxide used as mineral pigment. It reflects light, provides excellent coverage, and effectively absorbs UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Zinc Oxide

Naturally occurring inorganic oxide used as mineral pigment. It reflects light, provides excellent coverage, and effectively absorbs UV-A and UV-B radiation. In addition, zinc oxide has anti-inflammatory properties.

Sericite Mica

Naturally occurring inorganic mineral (aluminum potassium silicate). Reduces the appearance of fine lines and blurs imperfections. Scatters light to give skin a dewy glow. Absorbs skin oils.

Magnesium Stearate

Naturally occurring fatty acid – magnesium salt of stearic acid. Increases adhesion to the skin for all-day wear. Absorbs skin oils.

Allatoin

Botanical extract from Comfrey root. Has skin-smoothing, moisturizing, cell regeneration, and anti-aging properties.

Kaolin Clay

Naturally occurring inorganic mineral. Absorbs access oil.

Iron Oxides

Naturally occurring inorganic oxide used as mineral pigment. Used to give color to mineral makeup.

Broccoli Seed Oil

Most DIY mineral makeup recipes call for Jojoba oil, however, I use broccoli seed oil due to its high amount of vitamin A and unique composition of fatty acids including about 50% eruric acid. This fatty acid is a natural silicone which makes it the perfect makeup primer! Broccoli seed oil also contains another essential fatty acid, arachidonic acid, which combats inflammation!

Mineral Foundation Loose Powder

Adapted from the blog humblebeeandme

Ingredients

• 8 tsp. titanium dioxide
• 1 Tbsp. serecite mica
• 4 tsp. zinc oxide
• 1 tsp. magnesium stearate
• 1 tsp. allantoin for dry skin or kaolin for oily skin
• 1 cc spoons yellow oxide
• 3 cc spoons brown oxide
• Pinch of red oxide
• ¼ tsp. broccoli seed oil

Instructions

Mix together the first five ingredients and then pass the mixture through a fine sieve over a coffee grinder (purchased exclusively for DIY makeup). Then, pulse for approximately two minutes. Then, add oxides*. Continue pulsing the mixture and adding pinches of each oxide until you get the desired color.

Once you’ve got the color you want, add the broccoli seed oil. Continue pulsing until fully incorporated. Then, transfer mineral loose powder foundation to glass container or jar.

Finally, adjust the color to fit your skin:

• If the color is too dark, add more titanium dioxide.
• The color is too yellow? Then add more red in very small quantities.
• If the color is too pink, add more yellow in very small quantities.
• The color is too light? Then add more brown iron oxide in very small quantities.

How To:

Dip the powder or kabuki brush into the powder, tap off excess, and sweep across the face.

What makeup products do you make yourself?

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, dentist, dermatologist, allergist, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Information obtained from this website is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by any health agency (FDA or Health Canada). Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before making any health decisions for you and your family. Thank you!

 

Erin Josefchak is a wife to Marc, mommy to Tyler and Sierra, saved by Jesus Christ, DIYer, and aspiring herbalist living in rural Quebec, Canada. She is committed to leading a faith-filled, frugal, and chemical-free life. Erin’s passion is discovering the healing powers of God’s amazing creations – plants! She wants to bring glory to God and bless others with her knowledge of plants to increase their faith, improve their quality of life, and help them heal naturally with plants and prayer.