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!
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 you’ve never heard of primer, you’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 skin’s texture and appearance.
A primer helps iron out fine lines, smooth wrinkles and is used as a base for foundation and blush, allowing makeup ‘sit’ better on your skin.
In this post today, you’ll find my favorite DIY primer recipe.
It’s easy to make and is super healthy for your skin, too, containing moisturizing mango butter and vitamin E oil as well as soothing aloe vera gel.
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 to make up. 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.
You’ll notice your skin has a velvety touch once the primer is on, which is precisely the texture you’re after.
When applying a concealer or foundation, you’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 didn’t use a primer beforehand.
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!
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how to make primer
Follow along with this recipe, and you’ll have made your own primer, ready to use once set. It’s full of wonderful, nurturing ingredients, which your skin will thank you for!
Ingredients:
- Aloe Vera Gel 1 tsp
- Mango Butter 2 tbsp
- Vitamin E oil 10 drops
- Arrowroot powder 2 tsp
Instructions:
- Melt the mango butter in a small saucepan.
- Stir in vitamin E oil and aloe vera gel.
- Allow the primer to cool slightly before slowly adding arrowroot powder. (Wait till the ingredients start to solidify)
- 3. Whip with a hand mixer for about 10 seconds to thoroughly combine the ingredients together.
- 4 Pour into a storage tin and leave until fully cooled, after which it will harden, ready for use.
Why you’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.
It’s also straightforward to make – you combine the ingredients and leave it to set.
The way it works is great, too – it’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 – it’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 eyeshadow. I would leave it a good 5 minutes between applying this DIY primer and adding makeup.
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.
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 you’re into reusing and recycling, like me!
Make sure to keep your primer out of direct sunlight – if it gets hot, it’ll melt and not be as effective on your skin. However, it should harden up again once stored in a beauty cabinet.
And if you’re wondering how long it lasts… it should last up to one year if stored well in an airtight container.
Just make sure your aloe vera gel does not require refrigeration.
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 you’ll love these posts to read next.
- All-natural lipstick
- Smudge-free mascara
- Lip gloss
- Homemade setting powder or spray
- Top natural makeups
- Homemade highlighter
Skin-Loving Makeup Primer
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.
Materials
Tools
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.
To prevent spoiling, be sure to use an aloe vera gel that does not require refrigeration.
Jeanette says
Hi, you say to warm a bit in the hands and rub it onto face, yet all you images show a brush – which suggests putting it on with a brush… which is it please? Or are both an option?
Laura says
Either way!
Jeanette says
Excellent! Thank you
Nicole says
Ok, you have no idea how excited I was to try this!! When I added my arrowroot and mixed, at first it was very strange looking, like it wasn’t mixing together, I know you said mix for 10 seconds, well I had to do it much longer to get it incorporated. And I feel like it’s kind of grainy… I think I didn’t let my oils cool enough before adding (I mean I was real excited so I can’t lie, it wasn’t anywhere near solidifying, oops) do you think that is why it wasn’t wanting to mix and whatnot?? Thank you so much for your help!
Tori Hoverson says
Would I be able to use shea butter instead of the mango butter?
Laura says
Shea butter is a little harder than mango butter, but should still work fine.
Sheryl Miller says
Would cocoa butter work in place of mango butter as well?
Laura says
I have not made it that way, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
Stephanie says
Hello! This recipe sounds great! I usually stay away from DIYs that have a water-based product in them (aloe vera) since you’d ideally need a preservative. But I love the idea of making a primer! Can you suggest a preservative for this? Thank you!
Laura says
I have been using Linatural broad spectrum preservative.
Joelle says
Do you need a preservative if the aloe vera gel has preservatives already? The brand you listed already has preservatives so is it still needed?
Laura says
This is the recipe I use and I haven’t had any issues with it.
Lanie says
Hi! Can you switch out arrowroot for corn starch ?
Laura says
I think that should be fine. Let me know how it works out!
Lau says
Hola , me encanta tu página. Una pregunta puedo sustituir la mantequilla de mango por alguna otra ? Gracias
Heather says
Do you use pans, mixers, etc that you also use to make food to make this and other items with essential oils. I never know when it is okay and when I need to have separate items. Thanks.
Lisa says
Always use separate pans when making skincare products. Never use the same ones you use to cook food in. If I make body butter in a pan that’s the only thing I use it for.