You shouldn’t define yourself by anyone else’s standard of beauty. In the same spirit, there’s no need to limit yourself to what expensive makeup brands have to offer. It doesn’t have to get complicated if you’d like to try do-it-yourself beauty solutions. These are a few of the easiest ways to make your own cosmetics.
Eyeliner
You only need two ingredients: coconut oil and eye shadow. We all have eye shadow we didn’t end up using for one reason or another, but it could be useful as an eyeliner. Or you can mix up shades from different palettes to create something new. Your measuring amounts will depend on the size of your container, but there should be more eye shadow than coconut oil. Crush the eye shadow until it’s a fine powder, then mix in solid coconut oil that you’ve whipped. Once you achieve the right consistency, apply it with an angled brush.
Blush
If you want to work with all-natural ingredients, blush is an ideal place to start. Makeup should be safe to ingest, although not every edible substance is appropriate for your face. Use arrowroot powder as a base for any shade, as it applies smoothly and holds color well. The arrowroot should make up about a quarter of the finished product. Start mixing from there, adding a tiny bit of color at a time. Some ingredients to play with:
- Hibiscus powder
- Beetroot powder
- Peach powder
- Cocoa powder
Lip Gloss
All you really need for lip gloss is a base like Versagel, and a little goes a long way. Others swear by beeswax, coconut oil, and Vaseline, but it’s harder to get the texture and application right. From there, you can add essential oils and lip pigments or experiment with coloring agents you have in the kitchen, such as cocoa powder and beetroot powder. Or mix in a glob of your favorite lipstick. If you’ve never been able to find the perfect shade for your skin tone, just customize your own.
Mascara
We saved mascara one for last because it has a few more ingredients, but it’s still one of the easiest ways to make your own cosmetics. You can play around with the measurements, but start here:
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 4 tsp aloe vera gel
- ½–1 tsp beeswax pellets
- 1–2 capsules activated charcoal or cocoa powder
- A brush and container
Stir coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and grated beeswax in a small saucepan over low heat until it melts. Add the activated charcoal or cocoa, and blend completely. Use a piping bag to squeeze the product into the tube, and presto! You’re an amateur chemist and on your way to crafting your own line of superior cosmetics.