Mineral makeup has become the new leader in the cosmetic industry. And there's no question why. Not only does it make your skin look better, it's also good for it. Made of natural minerals, the makeup delivers a lightweight, youthful-looking coverage that allows your skin to breathe. It's non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn't contain any dyes, chemicals, preservatives, perfumes, alcohol, oil, or other ingredients that clog your pores. It's great for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, since it isn't made with irritating ingredients and often uses titanium dioxide which calms inflammation. Many mineral makeup brands also have an SPF.
You can buy mineral makeup from brands like Bare Minerals, Bare Escentuals, and Jane Iredale, whose products are available at most stores or online. However, if you are the do-it-yourself type, want to save some money, or have particularly sensitive skin, you might want to make some of your own mineral makeup at home. This allows you to have direct control over the purity of the ingredients as well as to customize your color so that it exactly matches your skin tone. Here's how to do it.
Start by buying the ingredients (which you can probably find at a local health or natural foods store): zinc oxide, micronized titanium dioxide, sericite mica, iron oxide pigments (yellow, brown, and red), magnesium stearate, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, and an essential oil with healing properties like geranium. You'll also need a mortar and pestle, measuring spoons, and a three-ounce sifter jar.
First, you'll mix the dry ingredients in the mortar. Combine four teaspoons of the zinc, eight teaspoons of the titanium, three teaspoons of the sericite, one-half to one teaspoon of the yellow iron, one-sixteenth teaspoon of the brown iron, a pinch of the red iron, and one teaspoon of the magnesium. Grind it patiently with your pestle. The color will take some time to emerge. Once it looks uniform, add the wet ingredients: five drops of vitamin E, one-quarter teaspoon of jojoba, and four to eight drops of the essential oil. Finally, add another teaspoon of the sericite mica to give it a matte finish.
To adjust the color, add more of the iron oxides. Adding more zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or sericite mica will give it a lighter shade. Be sure to note how much you added so you can make the same color again. Use a funnel to transfer the powder into the sifter jar so that it will be easy to apply. Enjoy your new mineral foundation!
You can reap the benefits of mineral makeup without spending a lot of money simply by making your own at home.