These days, when beauty companies promise us glowing skin, we don’t have to worry that it’s because they’ve put radioactive material in our face cream and powder. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot we need to be informed about, like parabens (hormone disruptors) and other problematic ingredients that are listed on labels, plus sneaky ingredients like asbestos that aren’t listed.
Fortunately, there are some really good makeup companies out there, and there’s always the option to save money and customize colors by making your own. It’s super easy, as you’ll discover when I show you how to make powdered blush below. You can also make homemade foundation powder, and the ingredients needed for the recipe below can also be used to whip up a creme blush and tinted lip balm.
Blending makeup is a great way to play with your hands, get creative and save money, but sometimes other things need to take priority. If that’s the case, you might be wondering . . .
What if I want to break-up with my makeup without making my own?
I haven’t come across a “perfect” makeup company to recommend to you yet, but when I don’t have time to make my own here are some brands I turn to. They’re not perfect, but they’re muuuch better than what you’ll find in most department stores. Orglamix has a lot of good stuff, and their mineral blushes and foundations don’t contain nanoparticles. You can read all about the ingredients they use here.
I also like Real Purity lipstick, Juice Beauty lipstick, Juice Beauty glowing cheek color, Real Purity mascara, and Jane Iredale eye pencils. There are more, but that’s for another post. Now, on to the blush recipes!
Natural Blush Recipe
Above are three of my blushes. They each have the same 3-4 ingredients, just different ratios. Number one is pure pink, while number two is pink with a bit of bronze mixed in. I call number three “sun kissed,” because although it looks brown in the jar, it’s really a bronzy-pink that makes me look like I’ve been laying on the beach. (Gah, I wish!)
Each recipe fits in one of these 2 ounce round steel tins
Ingredients
- pink mica powder (I used this one)
- cacao powder (this is what I use because I have it on hand to make homemade hot chocolate, but you could also use any inexpensive cocoa powder found at your local store)
- arrowroot powder OR kaolin clay – Most mica powders have a bit of shimmer. If you prefer shimmer use the arrowroot. If you prefer less shimmer use the kaolin clay.
Recipe #1 – Pure Pink
- 1 tablespoon rose mica powder
- 1 tablespoon kaolin clay (or arrowroot powder if you prefer to let more of the mica’s shimmer come through)
Mix together until thoroughly combined. Apply to clean, moisturized skin.
Recipe #2 – Pink With A Touch Of Bronze
- 2 teaspoons rose mica powder
- 2 teaspoons cacao powder or cocoa powder, depending on what you have on hand
- 1 tablespoon kaolin clay (or arrowroot powder if you prefer to let more of the mica’s shimmer come through)
Mix together until thoroughly combined. Apply to clean, moisturized skin.
Recipe #3 – Sun Kissed
- 2 teaspoons cacao powder or cocoa powder, depending on what you have on hand
- 1.5 teaspoons rose mica powder
- 2 teaspoons kaolin clay (or arrowroot powder if you prefer to let more of the mica’s shimmer come through)
Mix together until thoroughly combined. Apply to clean, moisturized skin.
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Is there a way to make this a solid?
I’ve pressed loose mineral makeup successfully. You can use a few drops of alcohol stirred into the mixture, cover with a paper towel, and press with the back of something like a water bottle lid. You can also purchase pressing kits. I know that Silk Naturals sells these. Here is a link to a youtube video that I have used that describes the process. Also, I think there is a way to do this without rubbing alcohol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8cfl28j2B8
Would bentonite clay (I have Aztec secret) work in place of the kaolin clay?
Hi,
I live in Dutchess County I wanted to know if there are manufacturers near me that create natural blushes like your recipes.
I don’t know, sorry!
The link to the mica powder keeps taking me to somethig different
Oops! Thanks for letting me know, Taylor. Just corrected the links 🙂
Is there a colour of mica powder that I’m the black diamond brand that you would recommend to replace the rose colour?
Oops… *in the black diamond brand***
You can use beet root powder, that’s what I use for mine!
This looks like an awesome idea! I’ve been trying to transition away from my regular makeup, and this would be a great new blush! My question is… How well does it hold up? Does it last most of the day? Does the color fade quickly once applied? I guess, as far as wearability, how does it compare to other mineral blushes?
It works the same as other mineral blushes. You want to apply to moisturized skin so that it adheres well, and then after that the color will stay most if not all of the day.
Awesome!!! So doing this! ?
I dont kave Kaolin Clay. Can I sub food grade DE?
Possibly, although it might be too drying. If it will work as a substitute I’m not sure what the ratios would be.
I will make this for sure, thanks!! Any ideas for eye brows? I have tried so many DIY’s with no luck. They are either too wet or too waxy or too powdery. I need something simple and fast. Thanks
I made a few color blushes however they do not stick to my skin. Can you suggest anything?
Have you tried using dried beet root? I’ve been reading about that lately, and I wonder if you’ve tried it but didn’t like it.
I have used beetroot in the past. The challenge with beetroot is that it often doesn’t stick because it’s not ground finely enough. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The results vary a lot based on the fineness of the batch. Mica is much more finely milled, making it a success every time. 😉
I use the beetroot powder, you know, the kind you buy for smoothies and it works great!
I have not bought a cosmetic in a while to avoid toxins but I’d like to make my own. I’m wondering what is safest to use: oxides or mica? I know that oxides are made in a lab but they are apparently safe to use and although mica is natural but it is coated with either oxides or FD&C. I am not sure but it seems to me that FD&C are not the safest or better alternative to use. So if mica is also coated with FD&C it may not be the best option as well. May I know your opinion on this? what would you think it is safest to use? Oxides or mica?
Instead of arrowroot, would it work fine if I used baby powder
Thank so much! Great information.
Excited to try this.
how long for shelf life. thank you
Hello Heather! Can i use bentonite clay in place of Kaolin? Thank you.
Bentonite is much more drying and will change the color so I’m not sure how it would work out, but if you try it please let me know!
Thank you for this post. I am going to try this recipe.
Hey I currently have ground mica powder. I couldn’t find any pink or rose mica powder 🙁 Can I use that instead? Also what can I add to get the pink colour without pink mica? Thanks ❤️
Your recipes look great!
What is the shelf life?
Thanks,
Keri
Since this is a dry product containing primarily minerals it is very shelf stable. If kept dry it should last a very long time – years.
cant wait to try the recipes as i use mineral power foundation and im running out of it
Love the recipe except for the fact it uses mica, mica is unethically sourced often through child labour…
yes I second this
Can you add any preservatives so it last longer.
Me encantó las recetas
I just made the most beautiful color of blush that I have been looking for for YEARS and it was only three ingredients. THANK YOU SO MUCH <3 I could cry. whipping up a batch for my sister and mom now too!!
How would you make a peachy tone? Tumeric?
Tumeric makes a yellow undertone
Thanks so much for sharing! Hopefully, I can in time make one of these recipes. You amaze me with all your natural recipes and delicious food recipes!