You know how life throws you lemons, yet it’s what you do with them that matters? Well, DIY foundation powder is my lemonade! We caught the lemons a few years ago in the form of eight months of unemployment for my husband. Lo and behold, during that time, I ran out of my beloved mineral foundation powder. Eep! What was a natural girl to do?
Seriously. I recall a quick moment of dread because spending over $20 for another natural jar of foundation powder seemed downright silly at that moment. So I took a deep breath and asked myself, “how do I solve this problem?” Just like that, a light bulb popped in my head and flashed “DIY.”
DIY Foundation Powder That Works
Thanks to Pinterest, Do-It-Yourself is certainly gaining popularity in the health and beauty worlds, so I was able to find lots of DIY foundation powder recipes. But did they work? Seeing that most of the recipes contained spices straight from the pantry, I was skeptical. After several months of testing, trialing and mixing, a blend was conceived that I think you will love!
The natural ingredients include…
- Bentonite clay – This wonderful, healing clay absorbs excess oil from your skin and gives the DIY foundation powder a nice matte finish. I share more about bentonite clay and its uses in my Homemade Tooth Powder Recipe.
- Arrowroot powder – If you are an allergen-friendly baker like me, you most likely have arrowroot powder in your pantry. If not, don’t panic, you can use corn starch too. However, be sure to use a non-GMOgmo corn starch.
NOTE: In most baking recipes, you can substitute tapioca flour (or starch) for arrowroot powder, however in this DIY foundation powder recipe, only arrowroot powder is recommended.
- Pantry spices – This is where the magic happens and you get to make your own CUSTOM color! A little fair-trade cocoa powder for warmth, nutmeg for depth, ginger for golden tones. It’s SO fun! These simple ingredients also give your face a nice warm scent. I remember thinking I smelled like a fresh-baked cookie the first time I used it. And who doesn’t want to smell like a cookie!? 🙂
NOTE: Some people react to cinnamon. If you are sensitive to cinnamon on skin, please OMIT this ingredient. The DIY foundation powder recipe will work fine without it. If you are unsure if you react, simply test it by putting the finished powder (or just cinnamon) on the inside of your wrist for a few minutes to ensure no reaction occurs.
- Essential oils – Just five drops of lavender essential oil in this recipe helps the powder bind and stay on your skin, yet allows it to still be in loose powder form.
Essential Oil Caution
If you read my post about homemade tooth powder, you know that I’m very cautious about where to buy essential oils. When purchasing oils, be sure to verify the source, methods of farming and distillation process. Since I’m all about keeping the toxins out, the last thing I want to add to my beauty products is concentrated toxins. Even the big brands are not exactly what they say they are due to deceptive marketing practices.
A high-quality source that I personally recommend is Savitur Botanicals. These oils are organic, biodynamically farmed, and NOT mass-produced. Visit their site to read the owner’s amazing story. You will see exactly why the purist in me enjoys supporting this transparent business.
SPECIAL GIFT to readers: receive $2 OFF your first order ($20 or more). Use CUSTOMER CODE: HHTT at checkout. Every little bit counts and this is a nice way to compare with what you already have. Honestly, just do a smell test with your current oils and you WILL smell a difference.
What Happens If My Face Gets Wet?
Maybe it’s just me, but this was the first question that popped into my head when I whipped up my very first batch of DIY foundation powder using bentonite clay. I had horrible visions swirling in my head of walking around town after a little rain where I looked like an artistic rendering of the famous painting by Edvard Munch, The Scream. Ha ha! Luckily, this doesn’t happen! I promise.
I’ve been wearing this foundation powder for about two years enduring vigorous weather conditions like rain, snow and wind with no smears or smudges. My friend who is a certified Yogi was skeptical so she gave this recipe a thorough test during several intense, yoga classes. This powder withstood the sweat! The bottom line… This DIY foundation powder stands up to rigorous exercise and various weather conditions. Woot, woot!
Custom DIY Foundation Powder for Different Seasons
It can be quite FUN whipping up a custom batch of DIY foundation powder! It’s like being an artist, mixing your own color combination that’s unique to your skin tone.
One of my favorite benefits of custom foundation powder is that you can easily change the recipe once the seasons change. Yep, you don’t have to go out and buy a brand new foundation for Summer anymore! This is a huge money saver too. You simply use your existing powder (no need to make a new batch unless you are out).
To slightly deepen the shade for that summer tan, add a little bit more of the warming cocoa powder and nutmeg to your existing makeup jar. In winter, if you still have your summer/fall blend leftover and you want the foundation a little lighter again, simply add more arrowroot (or corn starch). Easy-peasy, right?
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! It’s versatile, inexpensive, non-toxic, easy-to-make and FUN.
Notes
To achieve a darker shade, add more cocoa powder
To achieve a lighter shade, add more arrowroot
If you have yellow/golden undertones, add more ginger root powder
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs arrowroot powder (similar to cornstarch, but allergy-friendly)
- 3 tsp cocoa Powder
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp bentonite clay
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg powder
- 5 drops Savitur Botanicals lavender EO
Instructions
- Add all DRY ingredients to a glass or plastic mixing bowl
- Blend with a small plastic whisk or wooden spoon (not metal)
- Test for color on back of wrist using cotton ball or make-up brush
- Adjust color as needed by following the color-mixing tips below
- Once final color is achieved, add 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- Whisk until blended
- Pour into recycled, sanitized glass or makeup container (like this one or this one)
- Enjoy!
This post is part of my Facebook LIVE Series TRY-IT TUESDAYS where I show viewers how to make beauty and home products. Be sure to “like” and “follow” our tribe on Facebook to learn more natural product tips and tricks. For more DIY tutorials, watch the LIVE videos in my Homemade Tooth Powder That’s Toxin Free post and Homemade Hairspray post.
Have you tried homemade DIY foundation powder yet? I would love to hear your experience below!
Peace and Love,
♥Jennifer
Shop these products from the recipe:
