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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.

Applying liquid foundation to my face that I made by tinting lotion.
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This post stems from multiple requests Iโ€™ve had to make a DIY liquid foundation. 

I can tell you this – that Iโ€™m blown away by how amazing this simple recipe is, and I canโ€™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 โ€˜perfect foundation match,โ€™ which, letโ€™s face it, is often non-existent.

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

Dipping my foundation brush into my homemade liquid foundation.

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How to make a liquid foundation

You will need the following:

  • 1 x tablespoon of your favorite lotion (face lotion or homemade 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. 

Dipping a foundation brush into the liquid foundation that I made using lotion.

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 itโ€™s mixed completely.

Stirring the cocoa powder into the lotion with a wooden stirrer to make a foundation.

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. 

Testing the different colors of foundation on my arm.

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 youโ€™d like more coverage, simply repeat the process until youโ€™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 canโ€™t remove it once itโ€™s added. So, build up slowly and test the tint on your skin as you go. 
  • This recipe works great with homemade lotions but not so much with butter or body balms like my DIY tallow body balms, as the textures are too thick for the cocoa powder to mix in with.
  • Be prepared for trial and error while youโ€™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 – thatโ€™s my motto!

How to find the right shade for your skin

In this section, Iโ€™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 ยผ 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 Iโ€™m after. 

3 tins of homemade liquid foundation with different colors for different skin types.

Letโ€™s talk more about coverage.

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

What I mean is, when youโ€™re making a foundation, consider the coverage youโ€™d like, too. 

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

Itโ€™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 youโ€™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. Thatโ€™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 didnโ€™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… 
  • Iโ€™ve seen numerous posts about this DIY foundation method on social media – it must be the new trend!
Using a foundation brush to apply a homemade liquid foundation to my cheek bone.

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 youโ€™re using as well.

Fragrance options

As this is a face product, Iโ€™d recommend leaving the fragrance options for things like DIY perfume mists, homemade 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, itโ€™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. Iโ€™ve used it regularly since I made it, and it lasts throughout the day, rarely smudging, and my skin stays healthy too. 

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

Thereโ€™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:

4.73 from 11 votes

DIY liquid foundation

Prep: 2 minutes
Active: 5 minutes
Total: 7 minutes
Yield: 1 liquid foundation tin
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.

Equipment

  • Storage container
  • A wooden stirrer
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Ingredients 

  • 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.ย 
  • 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?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #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.

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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4.73 from 11 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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8 Comments

  1. ื“ื ื” ืงืฆื™ืจ says:

    I tried this but the color doesnt stay on face like regular foundation
    ๐Ÿ™

  2. Kim says:

    So would a DIY face cream from your blog work? thanks laura!

    1. Laura says:

      You will just want to make sure it’s a runny consistency.

  3. Alexis says:

    Love this recipe! Can you use Cocoa and Cacoa interchangeably???

    1. Laura says:

      Hm, I would think that would be fine! Let me know how it works out!

  4. Lisa says:

    Hi Laura!
    What an amazing website! This my first time exploring it! Can’t wait to try some of your DIY recipes! Quick question about this one…do you have any suggestions about face lotions that may work best? (ex. name brands, should it be a moisturizer, facial cream, have SPF, etc.
    Many thanks!

    1. Laura says:

      I made it using a pump lotion. Basically, as long as its ‘runny’ enough to mix in the coloring, it should work.

  5. Marnie says:

    What is your favorite face lotion? Do you have a recipe?