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Making your own DIY primer is super easy and healthy for your skin too!

Use this wonder makeup tool to smooth your skin and help makeup stay on that much longer. Containing aloe vera gel, mango butter, and vitamin E oil, this recipe is a true delight. Enjoy!

A pot of diy primer with makeup brushes.
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It used to intrigue me how the women in glossy magazines have such perfect-looking skin. 

In my younger days, I thought it was all down to good luck – little did I know that it was (probably) due to a good primer! (And some top photo editing, for sure.)

If youโ€™ve never heard of primer, youโ€™re in for a real treat in reading this post today. 

Primer is a magical makeup tool. You can buy it in stores or make it easily yourself from nurturing, natural ingredients, which will also help improve your skinโ€™s texture and appearance.  

A primer helps iron out fine lines, smooth wrinkles and is used as a base for DIY foundation and homemade blush cream, allowing makeup โ€˜sitโ€™ better on your skin.

In this post today, youโ€™ll find my favorite DIY primer recipe. 

Itโ€™s easy to make and is wonderful for your skin, too, containing moisturizing mango butter and vitamin E oil as well as soothing aloe vera gel.ย ย 

A pot of diy primer with makeup brushes and pretty flowers.

What is face primer

A primer acts as an introductory base layer on your skin. It has a smoothing effect and minimizes the look of pores and wrinkles so that your skin looks younger, fresher, and healthier.

You usually use a primer as a base for makeup. It helps even out the skin texture so that foundation and other makeup sit better and blend easier.

A good primer blurs the appearance of wrinkles, spots and scars. It also helps your makeup stay on longer and reduces the likelihood of smudges. 

How do you apply primer?

You apply primer directly after cleansing the face and moisturizing your skin. 

Take a small amount of primer and rub it between your hands to warm it a little, then gently smooth it onto your skin, paying attention to your cheeks and forehead. 

Youโ€™ll notice your skin has a velvety touch once the primer is on, which is precisely the texture youโ€™re after. 

When applying a homemade concealer or liquid foundation, youโ€™ll find it goes on easier and more evenly due to the primer underneath.

It will also stay on for longer and look far better throughout the day than if you didnโ€™t use a primer beforehand.  

A pot of diy primer with makeup brushes.

What does face primer do?

The primary role of a primer is to even out your skin tone and texture, thereby acting as a base layer for makeup.

Primer helps your makeup sit better and stay on for longer.

It means that foundation and powder go on easier and blend without issue.

A primer also helps your blush look nicer and avoids blotches, giving a more natural, uniform look.

Essentially, a primer fills in the gaps in the skin with its silky smooth texture. 

It fills pores, scars, and other blemishes, making your skin tone smooth and even.

Perfect as a blank canvas for makeup application – or used on its own without makeup!

A pot of diy primer.

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how to make primer

Follow along with this recipe, and youโ€™ll have made your own primer, ready to use once set. Itโ€™s full of wonderful, nurturing ingredients, which your skin will thank you for!

 Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Melt the mango butter in a small saucepan.
  2. Stir in vitamin E oil and aloe vera gel.
  3. Allow the primer to cool slightly before slowly adding arrowroot powder. (Wait till the ingredients start to solidify)
  4. 3. Whip with a hand mixer for about 10 seconds to thoroughly combine the ingredients together.
  5. 4 Pour into a storage tin and leave until fully cooled, after which it will harden, ready for use. 
A pot of diy primer with makeup brushes.

Why youโ€™ll love this primer recipe

This recipe is so good for your skin to begin with! 

Most of the primers on sale are hydration suckers meaning they can dry out your skin big time – but this primer will add moisture and help keep it in your skin, which is terrific. 

Itโ€™s also straightforward to make – you combine the ingredients and leave it to set. 

The way it works is great, too – itโ€™s so silky straight from the pot, which glides on effortlessly when you apply it to your skin.

You can use it alone and have a makeup-free day, or use it as a base for your foundation and powder – itโ€™ll help it last that much longer and look better too. 

Tips

Be sure to apply the tiniest amount with two fingers and rub it gently into your skin. Using too much will leave a greasy effect which is not what you want. 

Allow the primer to absorb into your skin before applying any sort of foundation, powder, or homemade eyeshadow. I would leave it a good 5 minutes between applying this DIY primer and adding makeup.ย 

Lastly, this primer absorbs and dries well on the skin and should not leave a greasy residue in theory – just take care not to use too much. You can always add more if you need it.

A pot of diy primer with makeup brushes.

Storage of DIY primer

This primer stores best in a metal tin or glass jar with a screw-top lid to keep the air out.

You could also use a plastic jar or tub if glass is unavailable. Jam jars work well if youโ€™re into reusing and recycling, like me!

Store it in the refrigerator for up to one month.

I hope you love this DIY primer recipe! Let me know by posting a comment below. 

And if you enjoyed reading this post today, I think youโ€™ll love these posts to read next. 

4.53 from 23 votes

Skin-Loving Makeup Primer

Prep: 2 minutes
Active: 15 minutes
Total: 17 minutes
Yield: 1 ounce
Making your own DIY primer is super easy and healthy for your skin too! Use this wonder makeup tool to smooth your skin and help makeup stay on that much longer.

Equipment

  • 1 ounce metal tins
Save This Recipe!
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Melt the mango butter in a small saucepan.
  • Stir in vitamin E and aloe vera.
  • Allow the primer to begin to solidify before slowly adding in arrowroot powder.
  • Whip with a hand mixer for about 10 seconds to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
  • Pour into a storage tin and leave until thoroughly cooled, after which it will harden, ready for use.

Notes

Take a small amount of primer and rub it between your hands to warm it a little, then gently smooth it onto your skin, paying attention to your cheeks and forehead.
This must be refrigerated to prevent spoiling.
Alternatively, you can add a broad-spectrum preservative to stabilize the ingredients.ย 
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.53 from 23 votes (23 ratings without comment)

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27 Comments

  1. Emma says:

    Can I use cocoa butter instead of mango butter?

    1. Laura says:

      I would think that would be fine. They have very similar consistencies.

  2. Regina says:

    Hi. Thanks for the recipe? 1) The mango butter I bought is gritty. Is it a cheap brand? Or are all mango butters like this?
    2) Is this for oily skin? I ask because of the arrowroot. Thanks

    1. Laura says:

      Mango butter does have a rather firm texture, but should be fine once it melts down. Also, I’ve included arrowroot powder so that it doesn’t leave a greasy residue.

  3. Lena says:

    Can I use shea butter instead of mango butter and cornstarch instead of arrowroot powder?

    1. Laura says:

      Shea butter is a little harder than mango butter, but should still work fine. I have not tried using cornstarch, but it should be fine.

      1. Lena says:

        Thank you!

      2. Lena says:

        Or is cocoa butter better? (than shea butter)