DIY Mineral Makeup
Making your own makeup has never been easier! This DIY mineral makeup is made with simple ingredients and offers long-lasting coverage throughout the day. Have fun creating your own custom color for makeup that perfectly matches your skin tone.
We don’t wear a lot of makeup, so the products we do use need to be lightweight, effective, and easy to apply.
This DIY mineral makeup fits the bill! A quick brush of this makeup gives our face an even tone and a healthy look. Plus, our skin loves it.
With simple, natural ingredients, it provides good coverage while still being light and breathable. We love feeling like we're not wearing makeup while still getting all of the benefits of having it on.
What is Mineral Makeup?
Mineral makeup is made of finely ground minerals such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide. These minerals create a makeup with good coverage and a lightweight feel.
Many conventional makeups contain some of these same minerals. However, the biggest difference is what mineral makeup doesn’t have.
Mineral makeup, especially when homemade, is made with just the minerals and none of the fillers, preservatives, and other ingredients that we like to avoid. By making your own cosmetics, you can skip the long list of ingredients full of unpronounceable things.
Why You’ll Love Mineral Makeup
- This DIY mineral makeup is made with minimal ingredients that are 100% all-natural. Keeping it simple is best when it comes to beauty products.
- Making your own mineral makeup costs a fraction of the price of store-bought. With just a few minutes of your time, you’ll save so much money by DIY-ing it!
- The minerals in this recipe can even offer some skin protection. Zinc oxide is a UV-blocking mineral that is typically used in natural, homemade sunscreen. This makeup shouldn’t be used in place of sunscreen during extended sun exposure, but it can help keep your skin protected throughout the day.
- Mineral makeup is suitable for all skin types, especially those with oily or sensitive skin.
How to Make Mineral Makeup
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp Titanium dioxide
- 1/4 tsp Non-nano zinc oxide
- Iron oxides (Yellow, Red, Brown): Start with just a pinch of your chosen color, then add more as needed. Trust me, they go a long way.
- Cosmetically-approved jar with a sifter lid: An old foundation container works well.
- A pinch of stearic acid (optional)
Instructions
Step 1. Disinfect your jar and lid thoroughly.
Step 2. Start by adding your titanium dioxide and non-nano zinc oxide to the jar. This will be your base color.
Step 3. Next, add the iron oxide, just a pinch at a time, until you get the perfect match for your skin tone.
For a warmer tone, add a tiny amount of yellow iron oxide or brown iron oxide and blend it thoroughly.
For darker skin tones, add a tiny amount of red iron oxide to the mix and blend well. Be very cautious with this color, as a little goes a long way.
Step 4. Stir well until combined.
Step 5. Gently tap the jar on a flat surface to distribute the powder evenly.
Use it as your everyday makeup for lightweight, natural coverage. To use your mineral makeup powder, apply a thin layer to the face using a makeup brush or powder puff. You can add more as desired, but a little goes a long way.
Tips
- Less is more! Start with small amounts of each color and gradually add more until you reach your desired color. Be aware that using brown iron oxide by itself will give the makeup a greenish tint.
- Wear a mask while handling the powders to avoid inhaling them.
- Store your finished makeup in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Mineral makeup typically has a shorter shelf life than commercial products. Make small batches and aim to use it within 3-6 months.
- Avoid breathing in the powders while applying the product.
Add a Shimmer to Your Makeup
If you are after a shimmer in your makeup, you may want to add mica powder to the recipe.
We recommend adding a tiny bit at a time until you are happy with the amount of shimmer. Mica powder is a natural cosmetics ingredient that is made from mica minerals such as muscovite. It is the best way to get a glowy, shimmery look from your makeup.
If you decide to use mica powder, be sure to spend a little extra time finding a reputable source. Unfortunately, mica powder is frequently obtained through unethical means, but this varies from company to company.
A Note on Titanium Dioxide
This recipe uses titanium dioxide, a mineral that is used in a variety of personal care products for its white color and UV protection. Titanium dioxide has come under scrutiny as to whether or not it’s safe, so we of course did lots of research before using it.
If you’d like to read more about it, we recommend this article as a good source. We found that titanium dioxide is completely safe to use topically as it is not absorbed through the skin. That said, titanium dioxide may be harmful if inhaled in large amounts. To be extra cautious, we wear a mask when mixing our makeup.
Based on our research, we feel comfortable using titanium dioxide in our mineral makeup products with proper precautions. As always, we encourage you to do your own research and use ingredients you feel comfortable with.
FAQ
Is mineral makeup good for dry skin?Mineral makeup is great for any skin type; that’s one of the reasons we love it! If you have dry skin, you may want to apply a thin layer of homemade face moisturizer before applying the makeup.
Do you apply concealer before or after mineral foundation?That depends on if you are using liquid concealer or powder concealer with your powder foundation. We personally apply a bit ofDIY liquid concealeras needed before our mineral makeup. However, if you are using powder concealer, you can apply it afterward.
How can we improve blendability?Many people find stearic acid improves how well their powdered makeup blends and lasts. While you can experiment by adding a touch to your recipe, we personally find this recipe produces excellent results without it.
Related DIY Makeup Recipes
5 from 2 votesDIY Mineral Makeup
By the studio Ascher Prep: 5 minutes minsActive: 5 minutes minsTotal: 10 minutes mins Yield: 1 jar
SaveSaved Pin Print Making your own makeup has never been easier! This DIY mineral makeup is made with simple ingredients and offers long-lasting coverage throughout the day. Have fun creating your own custom color for makeup that perfectly matches your skin tone. Equipment
- Cosmetically-approved jar with sifter lid An old foundation container works well.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ½ tsp Titanium dioxide
- ¼ tsp Non-nano zinc oxide
- Iron oxides (red, yellow, brown), Start with just a pinch of your chosen color, then add more as needed. Trust me, they go a long way.
Optional Ingredients
- Pinch of stearic acid, This can act as a binding agent to improve blendability and wear time and is included in a lot of mineral makeups but it's not essential.
Instructions
- Disinfect your jar and lid thoroughly.
- Start by adding your titanium dioxide and non-nano zinc oxide to the jar. This will be your base color.
- Next, add the iron oxide, just a pinch at a time, until you get the right color for your skin tone. For a warmer tone, add a tiny amount of yellow iron oxide or brown iron oxide and blend it thoroughly. For darker skin tones, add a tiny amount of red iron oxide to the mix and blend well. Be very cautious with this color, as a little goes a long way.
- Consider adding stearic acid for improved blendability. Start with a very small amount and mix it well. You can always add more later if needed, but it's easy to overdo it. Stearic acid is optional, and you can see how the makeup performs without it first.
- Gently tap the jar on a flat surface to distribute the powder evenly.
Video
Notes
- Perform a patch test before using this product. Keep away from the eyes.
- Wear a mask while handling the mineral powders, and avoid inhaling them when applying your makeup.
- We used 1/4 teaspoon of brown iron oxide and 1/4 teaspoon of Brazilian yellow clay to match the skin tone of our face.
- If you just use brown iron oxide alone, the mineral makeup will end up with a greenish tint.
- If you prefer to have a shimmer in your mineral makeup, we recommend adding a bit of mica powder. Use care in sourcing your mica powders, as they are often unethically produced.
- Scroll up to the post for step-by-step images!
