Diving into DIY makeup is a creative and rewarding way to take control of what goes on your skin. Whether you’re starting a small beauty business or experimenting with product ideas, it all starts with the right ingredients. Mixing your blush, eyeshadow or lip tint lets you customise formulas, colours and textures to suit your style and values. But before you begin blending, it’s important to have a few key ingredients on hand. These must-haves form the base of most products and will set you up for success as you explore the world of handmade makeup.
Iron Oxide
Iron oxide is one of the most important ingredients for anyone creating their own makeup. These fine powders are the powerhouse pigments that bring bold, beautiful colour to your products. From the deepest blacks to vibrant reds and rich browns, pigmented iron oxide powders help you build endless custom shades. They’re ideal for eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers and even lipsticks, allowing you to create something that feels truly personal and unique.
You don’t need to stock every colour under the sun to get started. Investing in red, yellow and blue iron oxides, along with black and brown, is enough to mix almost any shade you can imagine. It’s a bit like going back to school art class, only this time you’re making products for your face instead of paper.
Iron oxides are super pigmented, so a small amount goes a long way. This makes them budget-friendly and beginner-friendly, but it also means measuring them carefully is essential. Using micro scoops or a digital scale is the best way to measure them accurately. Too much pigment can turn a lovely shade from flattering to over-the-top.
Storage is just as important as measurement. Keep your iron oxide powder in a cool, dry place to prevent clumping or changes in texture. Moisture is the enemy here, as it can change the texture and cause clumping, making the powder harder to work with.
Adding these colourants to your DIY makeup kit opens up a whole new world of creative freedom. You can design a blush that flatters your exact skin tone or craft an eyeshadow that no one else has. With just a few basic colours, you have the tools to experiment and express your style, all while knowing exactly what’s in your product.
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a white mineral powder that plays a key role in DIY makeup. It’s mainly used as a pigment to lighten other colours and create softer, more wearable shades. This ingredient also helps improve coverage and gives products like foundation or concealer a smooth, even finish.
On top of that, titanium dioxide provides some natural sun protection, making it a great addition to face products. With its ability to brighten, cover, and protect, titanium dioxide is a must-have for anyone serious about crafting high-quality homemade makeup.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is another essential ingredient that works similarly to titanium dioxide, providing strong coverage and brightening effects in makeup. But unlike titanium dioxide, zinc oxide is insoluble in both water and oil, making it a versatile option for different formulations. It’s well-loved in creams, masks and powdered products for its smooth finish and skin-friendly benefits.
Starches
Starches are handy, budget-friendly ingredients worth adding to your DIY makeup kit. These powders, such as corn, rice, wheat, arrowroot, potato or tapioca starch, act as bulking agents that help dilute the strong opacity of titanium dioxide and the intense vibrancy of iron oxides. They are inert and translucent, which means they do not interfere with your final colours but make them easier to work with and blend. Starches are perfect for creating smooth blushes or translucent setting powders.
Clays
Clays are nature’s multitaskers in DIY makeup, offering both colour and texture while providing beneficial minerals and detoxifying effects. Though available in fewer colours than iron oxides, clays like French Red, Australian Reef Red, and kaolin cover a range of uses from blush and lipstick to face powders and concealers. They add body to your products and can be matched to many skin tones. With their natural feel and versatility, clays bring an earthy, grounding touch to your homemade makeup creations.
Liquid Oils
Liquid oils are a secret weapon in DIY makeup, adding just the right amount of moisture to transform dry powders into smooth, blendable formulas. Jojoba oil is a favourite thanks to its long shelf life and skin-loving qualities, but sweet almond or grapeseed oils work well too, as long as they don’t expire too quickly. Just a few drops can help reduce that dusty mess, making your products easier and more pleasant to apply. Oils also create creamy blushes and eyeshadows with a natural, healthy glow.
Carmine
Carmine is a natural red pigment made from crushed cochineal insects. It’s prized for its vibrant, long-lasting colour and is commonly used in lipsticks, blushes, and eyeshadows. Carmine adds a rich, deep red tone that’s hard to replicate with synthetic dyes. While it offers beautiful pigmentation, some people avoid it due to ethical or allergy concerns. If you’re okay with it, carmine is a powerful way to bring bold, natural reds to your DIY makeup creations.
Micas
Micas are natural minerals that add shimmer and shine to makeup. They come in a variety of colours and give products a silky, glowing finish. Perfect for eyeshadows, highlighters, and lip products, micas help create that radiant, luminous look. They’re easy to work with and blend well, making them a popular choice for DIY makeup.