Making your own DIY makeup is simple, enjoyable, and often much gentler on your skin than many store-bought options. Skip the unnecessary chemicals and try homemade alternatives instead.
Below is a curated collection of DIY makeup recipes to inspire your next beauty project. Which one will you try first?
I’m a big advocate for DIY makeup for several reasons.
First, homemade makeup is usually much cheaper than commercial products.
You can also tailor recipes to your skin type—oily, dry, combination, or normal—and adjust pigments to match your unique skin tone.
Making natural makeup at home is fun, too. I enjoy involving my kids in mixing and measuring; it’s a great way to spend an afternoon together.
This post shares favorite DIY makeup recipes to motivate you to try them. Some recipes are quick and easy, while others require a bit more time, but all are designed to work well for a range of skin types.
My best advice: follow the recipes closely to get the best results.
How to make your own makeup
Starting with DIY makeup requires a little preparation, but once you have the ingredients and tools, the process is straightforward and enjoyable.
Read through the recipes first so you can gather everything you need in advance.
I recommend making one recipe at a time. Avoid trying to create everything at once; make only what you need and test each item for a few days before moving on to another.
Concealer
Matching concealer to your skin tone is essential, which makes making your own a great option. A custom concealer lets you minimize potentially harmful additives while achieving the correct shade for your skin.
Eyebrow gel
An eyebrow gel that tints and tames in one product is a real time-saver. A simple DIY eyebrow gel can keep brows neat and natural-looking throughout the day without frequent touch-ups.
Eye shadow
Making your own eye shadow is a great creative project. You can experiment with colors and finishes, pressing powders into a palette or storing pigments in small pots depending on your preference.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner is applied close to the eye’s delicate area, so using a nontoxic formula is especially important. A simple homemade eyeliner can be effective with just a few clean ingredients that won’t irritate sensitive skin.
Facial toner
There’s no limit to the skincare products you can make at home. A DIY facial toner is easy to customize—choose a more astringent blend for oily summer skin or a hydrating formula for dry winter months.
Foundation
Making foundation from scratch might take a few attempts to perfect the shade, but once you do, you’ll appreciate the custom match and the money saved. Homemade foundation lets you avoid trial-and-error purchases and create a formula suited to your skin.
Lip gloss
Natural lip gloss recipes are typically full of nourishing ingredients that add tint and shine while caring for your lips. They work well year-round and are easy to customize for scent and color.
Lipstick
One of the joys of natural makeup is the simplicity of the ingredient list. Many homemade lipstick recipes use only a handful of nourishing ingredients to achieve color and moisture at the same time.
Lip Liner
Lip liner defines and shapes lips, enhances natural color, and can create the appearance of fuller lips when used with a complementary lipstick. Homemade lip liners let you choose shades that perfectly match your preferred look.
Mascara
Many commercial mascaras contain harsh ingredients, so making your own can be a safer option. A well-crafted natural mascara can provide definition without smudging or irritation.
Setting spray / Setting powder
Setting products help makeup look fresh and last longer. Whether you prefer a lightweight setting spray or a mattifying setting powder, DIY versions can be gentle and effective at extending wear and preventing smudges.
Makeup remover
If commercial removers leave your skin tight or irritated, a homemade remover can cleanse and soften without stripping moisture. A gentle DIY formula is especially helpful around the eye area and ensures your skin is clean at the end of the day.
Mineral makeup
Mineral makeup is surprisingly easy to make and can be tinted to match your skin tone with oxides or mica powders. It’s a convenient, versatile option that many people find quick to use and flattering on a variety of skin types.
Tips
My top tip is to follow each recipe exactly when you’re starting out. Sticking to the measurements and steps reduces the chance of mistakes and helps you learn how small adjustments affect the final product.
If something doesn’t turn out as expected, don’t be discouraged—view it as part of the learning process and try again.
Creating your own skincare and makeup can be relaxing and empowering. One of the biggest benefits is knowing exactly what’s going on your skin—simple, wholesome ingredients that your skin can appreciate.
Try making a few essentials first and expand your collection as you become more confident. Enjoy the process, and share which recipes you try and how they work for you.