All-Natural DIY Foundation

Making your own all-natural foundation is easier than you think! By making the switch, you will save time, money and cut down on toxins entering your body.

Foundation can be made with just a few ingredients, most of which can be found right in your pantry. Cinnamon, cocoa powder, or arrowroot powder can be used to make the perfect skin color match in your homemade face powder. 

I started making my own face wash and face moisturizers years ago to cut down on toxins entering my body. Over the years, I have learned how to make my own deodorant, hand soaps, and dry shampoo. Making my own make-up has always been on the to-do list, and though I mastered DIY lip balm and lip gloss, I never thought of making my own foundation.

After a few attempts, I found a recipe that works well for my skin and covers up skin blemishes. As usual, it was much easier than I expected. I wish I would have started making it sooner. 

PIN IT FOR LATER 

HOMEMADE FOUNDATION RECIPE

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INGREDIENTS 

• 1 tablespoon base (arrowroot powder or cornstarch) 
• 1 tablespoon organic cocoa powder 
• 1/8 teaspoon of color as needed 
• 5-10 drops of oil (essential oil, vitamin E oil, or carrier oil) 
• Storage container 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix your base and cocoa powder in a small mixing bowl. 
2. Add in a small amount of color to match your skin tone. (color list below)
3. Rub a small amount of powder on the hand or wrist to test the color. Add more color as needed. 
4. Add in 5-10 drops of oil of choice until the desired texture is reached. (More info on this below!) 
5. Transfer to an airtight container.

DIY FOUNDATION POWDER 

Powder foundation can be better for the skin, especially if you have acne-prone skin, oily skin, or sensitive skin. If you have dry, cracked skin, using a powdered foundation may give you better coverage than using a liquid foundation and powder. Making your own powder foundation is simple to do and doesn’t require any special equipment. 

THE BASE

For the base of this DIY foundation, you can use arrowroot powder or cornstarch. Both of these can be used as a starch thickener and have a similar texture.  If you have any sensitivity to corn, you will want to use arrowroot powder. It is best to use non-GMO organic cornstarch to make this foundation as natural as possible. 

Both powders are white, leaving you with a blank canvas to get started. Next, we will add in the color to match your skin tone. 

THE COLOR 

Spices and herb powders can be used to make the foundation the correct color for any skin tone. You may need to play around with this part for a little while to find the perfect color for you.

Always start with less and add more as you test it. If you get too much color or the mixture gets too dark for your skin tone, add more arrowroot powder or cornstarch to lighten it up. 

• Nutmeg- light brown 
• Cocoa Powder- light to medium brown 
• Clove- dark reddish-brown 
• Cinnamon- for warm skin tones
• Bentonite clay- for cool skin tones

HOW TO MAKE THE FOUNDATION STICK BETTER 

You can add in a small amount of essential oil, carrier oil, or vitamin E oil to change the texture of the foundation. The amount you add in will depend on how much powder you use. Since everyone’s skin tone is so different, it is hard to determine the amount of powder your foundation will have compared to mine. 

Start with 5-10 drops of oil, stir well, and test the foundation on your wrist or hand. Add more until the desired texture is reached. Adding in oil can help the foundation to last longer on the face and give it extra benefits for the skin. Be sure to stay away from citrus essential oils as they are photosensitive and could cause skin sensitivities if used out in direct sunlight. 

HOW TO APPLY POWDER FOUNDATION

It is always best to start with a clean and moisturized face before applying your makeup.

1. Begin by washing your face, then pat dry and apply primer. 
2. If using concealer, apply it under the eyes and to the area of concern. 
3. Now it is time to apply your foundation. Using a large makeup brush, dab it into the powder foundation lightly. Tap the brush against the container to get the extra powder off if needed.
4. Apply the foundation to the t zone and under the eyes. 
5. Using a circular motion, apply the foundation to the cheeks. 
6. Add more foundation as needed and blend into the cheekbones and the rest of the face.
7. Follow up with a setting spray or powder to keep the foundation on all day.

See the 3 items I never leave home without

• Blush cream
• Eyeshadow
• Lip gloss

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE HOMEMADE FOUNDATION? 

It is best to store your foundation in an airtight container. You can use a small mason jar with a lid or purchase an empty powder foundation container online. It is best to have a container with a wide mouth lid to make it easy to get your foundation out even when it is almost gone. You also want to make sure the container is large enough to fit your makeup brush into it. 

WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE OF THIS FOUNDATION?

If stored in an airtight container, your foundation can last up to one year. 

HOW MUCH DOES DIY FOUNDATION COST?

Like I said earlier, making your own makeup will save you so much money! You can make enough foundation to last you a month for less than 50 cents. That’s right, less than 50 cents for a whole month worth of makeup! 

Once you start making your skincare, you will quickly realize how much money you can save. 

See more of my favorite DIYs

• Eyeliner
• Dry Shampoo
• All-Natural Shampoo
• Matte Lipstick
• Peel-off Face Mask
• Makeup Brush Cleaner

All-Natural DIY Foundation

Print

Making your own all-natural foundation is easier than you think! By making the switch, you will save time, money and cut down on toxins entering your body.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Difficulty easy

Materials

• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder or cornstarch (the base)
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 
• 1/8 teaspoon of color as needed 
• 5-10 drops of essential oil, carrier oil, or vitamin E oil

Instructions

1. Mix the base and cocoa powder in a small mixing bowl.
2. Add in a small amount of color to match your skin tone.
3. Rub a small amount of powder on the hand or wrist to test the color. Add more color as needed. 
4. Add in 5-10 drops of oil until the desired texture is reached.
5. Transfer to an airtight container.

Notes

Color Chart

Nutmeg- light brown 

Cocoa Powder- light to medium brown 

Clove- dark reddish-brown 

Cinnamon- for warm skin tones

Bentonite clay- for cool skin tones