How to Tint Lotion to Make Your Own Liquid Foundation

Elevate your makeup game by learning how to make this easy DIY liquid foundation at home!

This lotion-based foundation is great for all skin types, plus you can customize the tint to match your skin perfectly for a flawless, radiant finish.

This post stems from multiple requests I’ve had to make a DIY liquid foundation. 

I can tell you this – that I’m blown away by how amazing this simple recipe is, and I can’t speak enough about its flattering effects on my skin!

It saves tons of money on expensive store-bought foundations by utilizing your current lotion-based skin moisturizer, meaning you can customize the foundation shade to match your skin.

Plus, you can do that without wasting time browsing store shelves for that ‘perfect foundation match,’ which, let’s face it, is often non-existent.

I even have been using this instead of my concealer and have been quite pleased.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.

How to make a liquid foundation

You will need the following:

• 1 x tablespoon of your favorite lotion (face lotion or pump lotion works best)
• A pinch of cocoa powder

Instructions:

Step one: Place a tablespoon of your preferred face lotion in a small container or bowl. 

Step two: Add the tiniest amount of cocoa powder to the lotion, a pinch at a time, and stir it in with a spoon or even a little coffee stirrer until it’s mixed completely.

Step three: Try the foundation out on your skin. Take a dab of the lotion onto your finger and rub it on your skin to check the color of the tint. If you need a darker shade, add more cocoa powder bit by bit, being careful not to add too much in one go. 

How to use liquid foundation

The key to a flawless finish when it comes to foundation is to blend it well.

To start with, take a fingertip amount of the liquid foundation and dab it onto your cheeks, forehead, and chin.

Then, rub it in, taking care to blend it evenly. If you’d like more coverage, simply repeat the process until you’re happy.

Tips

• I started out with a really tiny pinch of cocoa powder, barely enough to see, and for good reason. You can always add more cocoa powder, but you can’t remove it once it’s added. So, build up slowly and test the tint on your skin as you go. 
• This recipe works great with lotions but not so much with butter or body balms, as the textures are too thick for the cocoa powder to mix in with.
• Be prepared for trial and error while you’re getting to grips with the recipe. There is no way of knowing the tint without testing it as you make the foundation. 
• If, for whatever reason, you find the tint is too dark, you can mix a small amount of that with your standard skin lotion to lighten it. Nothing gets wasted – that’s my motto!

How to find the right shade for your skin

In this section, I’ll explain how I made my own version of DIY foundation liquid to match my skin to give you a reference point.

Of course, your skin tone will differ, so the best way to get a good match is to test the foundation during the making process. 

I created my foundation using a pinch of cocoa powder to start with, then ¼ of a teaspoon, then an eighth of a teaspoon, and then a final pinch at the end, and those quantities match my skin great and give me the coverage I’m after. 

Let’s talk more about coverage.

When it comes to making your foundation with lotion, the biggest piece of advice I’ve got is to be intentional. 

What I mean is, when you’re making a foundation, consider the coverage you’d like, too. 

Do you like wearing a lot of foundation (as in a thick layer?) or prefer a lighter, more translucent look?

It’s definitely a personal choice, but that choice affects the shade of foundation you want to achieve.  

Consider this: the thicker the foundation layer on your skin, the lighter you’ll want your tint to be. This is because the tint gradually darkens if you use more foundation. 

Interesting points

• Many women love liquid foundations over and above the powdered foundations. That’s because they tend to work better on dry and sensitive skin types. 
• I tried making this recipe with an oxide powder (brown oxide), but it didn’t mix into the lotion, ending up clumpy and useless.
• This is a mega cost-effective liquid foundation recipe. Just think! The cost of a tub of cocoa powder is low, and a touch of skin lotion costs very little, too… 
• I’ve seen numerous posts about this DIY foundation method on social media – it must be the new trend!

Storage options

This DIY liquid foundation should store nicely in an air-tight container with the lid on for up to 6 months, but just be mindful of the shelf life of the face lotion you’re using as well.

Fragrance options

As this is a face product, I’d recommend leaving the fragrance options for things like perfume mists, body sprays, or solid perfumes.

FAQs

Can you make a foundation with lotion?

Yes, you certainly can! 

Tinting your own face lotion is the perfect way to create a foundation that matches your skin.

How do you make tinted body moisturizer?

You could use the recipe in this post if you like to make a tinted body moisturizer. As I said, lotions work best as they mix well with the cocoa powder. Remember to use a face lotion rather than a body lotion for best results. 

Is foundation the same as a tinted moisturizer?

No, it’s not. A tinted moisturizer offers lighter coverage and is more about the moisturization effect, whereas a foundation is heavier and covers the skin in a veil of color. 

On the other hand, a foundation is a makeup product compared to a tinted moisturizer, which is a skincare product (with a color tint.)

Summary

I truly love the results of this DIY liquid foundation. I’ve used it regularly since I made it, and it lasts throughout the day, rarely smudging, and my skin stays healthy too. 

It’s such an easy recipe this one, and the process of adding cocoa powder to get the right match is remarkably therapeutic and joyful. 

There’s something special about finding the perfect skin match for foundation, right?!

If you try out this recipe and love it like I do, consider leaving a review below!

More beauty products:

• How to make natural highlighter
• Homemade natural lip liner
• Simple primer recipe
• How to make an all-natural blush cream
• How to make a bronzer for any skin tone
• Simple mineral makeup recipe

DIY liquid foundation

Laura Ascher

Using lotion to make your own foundation is the perfect way to save money and match your skin type to make your own hydrating liquid foundation.

4.73 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Recipe Saved!

Project Type Beauty

Create ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Active Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 7 minutes mins

Yield 1 liquid foundation tin

Equipment

• ▢
  Storage container
• ▢
  A wooden stirrer

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 tablespoon of your favorite lotion face lotion works best, in my opinion
• ▢ A pinch of cocoa powder

Instructions

 

• Add the tablespoon of your favorite lotion to a small container or bowl. 
• Add the tiniest amount of cocoa powder to the lotion, a pinch at a time, and stir it in with a spoon or stirrer.
• Try it out! Take a dab of the lotion onto your finger and rub it on your skin to check the color of the tint. If you need a darker shade, add more cocoa powder bit by bit, being careful not to add too much in one go.

Notes

Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was and mention us on Instagram @ouroilyhouse

This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.