Learn how to make foundation at home with this easy tutorial. Use ingredients you likely already have to find your perfect shade in 5 minutes! Customize your natural foundation with clean ingredients that work with your skin type.
![Learn how to make foundation! Image shows a makeup brush with homemade powdered foundation on it. Text overlay reads, "Homemade Powdered Foundation".](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Powdered-Foundation-Cover.jpg)
I don’t always wear makeup. But I do like feeling a bit more put together sometimes.
What I don’t like? How much natural makeup costs at the store. I try to keep my toiletries budget in check, and natural makeup can quickly add up, especially as you try to find brands with cleaner ingredients.
Whether you’re trying to cut back on cosmetic products with questionable ingredients or you simply want to experiment with a new type of foundation, this DIY makeup foundation is for you!
This homemade powder foundation is perfect for all skin types and is adjustable for different skin tones. Made with simple ingredients like cocoa powder, bentonite clay, and ground spices, this natural foundation contains all of the good stuff and none of the bad. So, grab your ingredients, and let’s get blending!
WHY MAKE NATURAL FOUNDATION
Once you learn how to make foundation at home, you won’t go back! I love making my own, because:
- It’s healthier: Making your own natural foundation is a great way to cut back on those long lists of questionable ingredients found in traditional beauty products.
- It’s quick and easy to mix up a new batch, and you likely have most of the ingredients already.
- Plus, this natural foundation is perfect for sensitive skin!
- This foundation is also super customizable to your skin tone, giving you the perfect match, unlike testing out hundreds of traditional foundations that don’t match your skin.
- It’s super frugal! Natural make-up can quickly take over your toiletries budget, but not this DIY foundation!
![Image showing recipe ingredients, cornstarch, spices, bentonite clay, oils.](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Ingredients_Powdered-Foundation.jpg)
DIY FOUNDATION POWDER INGREDIENTS
You’ll find many of the ingredients for homemade foundation in your kitchen.
- 2 Tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- ¼ tsp bentonite clay
- ¼ – ½ tsp cocoa powder
- ¼ – ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- pinch – ¼ tsp ground cloves
- pinch – ¼ tsp ground ginger
- pinch – ¼ tsp ground sage
- 10 drops of nourishing oil (jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin E oil, or lavender essential oil)
- 5 drops of tea tree oil (optional)
Note: I really like Plant Therapy essential oils. You can find their shop here.
![Dry spices on a white plate.](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Powdered-Foundation-3.jpg)
HOW TO MAKE FOUNDATION AT HOME
Making your own homemade powdered foundation is really easy. You start with a base powder, add some color, and mix with just a hint of lavender essential oil. There is a bit of science behind it, though, so let me explain that too.
START WITH YOUR BASE
You can choose non-GMO cornstarch or arrowroot powder as your base. This is the blank canvas powder that you’re going to add color to. If you’re allergic or sensitive to corn, choose arrowroot powder. If you don’t have any sensitivities, choose whichever is more affordable.
CRAFT YOUR COLOR
You have your choice of essentially any ground spice you can get your hands on, except for cinnamon. Cinnamon is known to be irritating to the skin, so I’d avoid that one if possible. Here are the colors that will make up your pallet:
- Clove – dark reddish brown
- Cocoa powder – medium brown
- Nutmeg – light/medium brown
- Sage – green (off-sets red undertones)
- Ginger – yellow (off-sets blue undertones)
Tip: If you don’t have a green spice that is ground and you need to counteract some red undertones, make your own by putting some dried oregano, basil, or sage in a coffee grinder or blender and whiz away to get that powdery texture!
ADJUST THE TEXTURE
The cornstarch and spices alone make for a great powder, but they’re not very user-friendly. As a powder should, they kind of leave messes behind during the transition from container to brush to face.
Essential oils and other nourishing oils like jojoba oil, vitamin E, sweet almond oil, or argan oil help make the powder stick better to itself (and your face) so you don’t make huge messes everywhere, while at the same time keeping the foundation in powdered form.
ADJUST THE QUANTITY
The quantity of the base will stay the same, but the colors will vary depending on your skin type. I’ll share a basic recipe that should get you started, but you’ll have to tinker with the amounts to find the right shade that’s perfect for you.
It might sound intimidating, but it’s really not difficult. Adjust the color using small amounts, and you’ll have your perfect shade in less than five minutes. Yes, it’s really that easy!
![Homemade powdered foundation in a large glass bowl.](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Powdered-Foundation-2.jpg)
HOW TO MAKE FOUNDATION
Step 1: In a small glass bowl, measure out the arrowroot or cornstarch. Add ¼ teaspoon of cocoa powder, bentonite clay, and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg. Mix well with a whisk.
Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients, ⅛ teaspoon at a time, depending on your skin tone, whisking well after each addition. Test the color by dipping your foundation brush into the bowl and brushing the foundation on your face. Adjust the color as needed to find the right formula for you.
Step 3: When you’ve found your perfect color combination, add 10 drops of lavender oil (or your oil of choice), and whisk well. If you would like additional moisture, add the optional tea tree oil, and whisk well. Scoop the powder into your final container and store it closed.
MY MAKE UP FOUNDATION FORMULA
I have very fair skin, and I burn easily. When I shop for makeup, I always get fair/light powder and concealer. My liquid foundation is usually one of the two lighter ones (whichever is more pink). Here’s MY perfect color combination for homemade powdered foundation:
- ¼ tsp cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp sage
- ⅛ tsp ginger
- ⅛ tsp cloves
Remember that yours will likely vary a bit from mine, but once you figure it out the first time, it will be even easier to mix up your next batch of make up foundation.
![4 oz glass jar with homemade powdered foundation and a makeup brush with some foundation on it.](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Powdered-Foundation-1.jpg)
HOW TO STORE NATURAL FOUNDATION POWDER
You have two basic options for storing your homemade powdered foundation:
- Glass Jars – you can get these in all sorts of sizes, but you probably don’t want to go any smaller than 4 oz simply because you won’t be able to get your brush in the smaller jars. As you can see, this is what I use. I tip the jar over so the powder can rest in the lid, and then I dip the brush in the lid before applying it to my face.
- Powder Jar – these are the special jars that have an insert with little holes to help you control the flow of the powder. This will be a great option if you’re prone to making messes. They would also work well if you prefer to use a powder puff over a brush.
HOMEMADE FOUNDATION FAQS
How much does making your own powder foundation cost?
Here’s the best part. The total cost of homemade foundation? Less than 30¢. Can you believe that?! Each batch of makeup will last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how much you use.
There might be a small upfront investment for the oils if you don’t have them, but once you do, the small amount of each ingredient per batch means you can literally make your own makeup for one full year for just $3 – less than the cost of a latte!
How do I alter the foundation based on my skin?
If you have oily skin, you can leave out the oils in this recipe. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, you can add more oils to combat the dryness. If you have combination skin, I suggest keeping the oils in the lower range and adding more as needed.
Can I make translucent powder with this recipe?
Absolutely! Translucent powder is essentially powder without color. So, just skip the spices, and you’ll have a translucent face powder you can use to set your foundation.
What kind of coverage can I expect with this foundation?
This foundation has super buildable coverage, so it really depends on your personal preference! For light coverage, simply dust a thin layer all over your face. For more medium coverage, you can continue adding layers to reach your desired coverage.
How can I adjust the undertones in this foundation?
For more yellow undertones, you can add spices like ginger. On the other hand, if you have more cool undertones, you can add more red spices like cloves and nutmeg to suit your skin tone.
Can I add SPF to this foundation?
Yes! You can add zinc oxide powder to your foundation as an SPF! Mix it in with the base layer in the first step of the foundation recipe.
What are some tips for achieving a flawless foundation look?
I suggest starting with a thin layer of foundation and adding more to suit your coverage needs. Then, you can use a natural setting spray to set your foundation! If you need more coverage in certain areas, such as dark spots, tap a smaller brush into the foundation and dot on those specific areas.
Can I turn this foundation into a liquid formula?
Yes! The best way to turn this foundation into liquid form is by mixing a small amount of powder and moisturizer onto the back of your hand. Then, rub it between your fingers and blend it onto your face. Now you have a DIY liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer!
MORE DIY BEAUTY PRODUCTS
- Homemade Natural Shampoo
- How to Naturally Condition Hair
- Homemade Toothpaste (That’s Just Like Earthpaste!)
- DIY Face Mask Recipe
- Natural Makeup Remover Recipes
- Homemade Sunscreen Lotion
![](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fight-Inflation-Workshop-Workbook-on-Spiral-e1697746286692.jpg)
You can use beet root powder, for pink…. and not hot/spicy like cinnamon 🙂
Hi, first…I love this idea. Second, and I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this but I used matcha powder for the green in the powder I made for myself. It works so well that I doubt I’ll ever go back to commercial powders again!
Really love your site and wanted to say ” Thank you! ”
Melinda
That’s a great idea Melinda, thanks for sharing! And thank you for the kind words too – “you’re VERY welcome!!” 🙂
I love the easiness of this recipe. I’ve been researching many of these and so many call for zinc oxide. What are your feelings on this since I don’t see in in your recipe.
Thanks Shari! Zinc oxide is known for its SPF properties. I use it in my homemade sunscreen and love it, but I wouldn’t add it to foundation. My best guess is that recipes are adding it because of the exposure to the sun, but I’m a firm believer in getting as much vitamin D from sun exposure as you safely can, and then relying on other means of sun protection as needed. I wouldn’t add SPF to foundation unless my face was going to be exposed to the sun for long periods of time, and since I’m a WAHM mom that doesn’t happen (and frankly, it wouldn’t even if I worked at a typical office).
Hi there! Thank you for posting such a great article and recipe. I, too, have struggled with very sensitive and acne prone skin. During my crunchy journey, I’ve discovered well, maybe my skin isn’t actually THAT acne prone (maybe still sensitive though), rather it’s the products I’ve used. After stopping all use of make up, the craziest thing happened.. my skin cleared! Now, there are still times I’d like to wear a light foundation.. thus here I am. So about two months ago I made this powder, and applicated throughout the process to match to my skin color.. but everything looked so pale, I continued to add and add. It now looks similar to what the closest thing to “natural” powder I’ve been able to get my hands on. It’s just soon powder-y, and ends up everywhere. Not to mention, the only color that stayed was a yellow-green tint. A few people noticed and asked me, I was like, “Err, who knows, that’s odd!” hahah! But I’m sure I can make this work. I’ve added 10 drops of jojoba oil to try to help, and have put that on my face to see if it helps it stay, but that application was still so powder-y. I think I may also add 1-2tbsp arrowroot (which is my base) to bellow out some of the spices I added.
P.S. I couldn’t help but to notice the comment about cocoa powder when I was reading comments for any suggestions…. Can I just say…. I think it’s crazy to put an obscene amount of chemicals on our skin… rather than cocoa powder, something entirely natural… 😀
Hi Casey! Thanks for sharing your story with me! I wanted to address the “powdery” issue you’re having. I had that too and couldn’t figure a way to make it go away, so I just dealt with it (feeling confident it was healthier for my skin than make-up). But then I changed to a different brush and that fixed it! It’s the strangest thing, but for some reason the mess the powder creates is nearly gone AND it stays on my skin better. I’ll see if I can find a link online for the type of brush I have. Hopefully it will help!
Casey – the brush I have is similar to this one: http://amzn.to/294Lweu
I found it locally, but the key is that it has a flat top and not rounded. I’m not a make-up pro, but that’s made all the difference!
Hi thank you for the article! I am wondering, what type of coverage does this homemade foundation give? I have the regular breakout on my jawline, which isn’t too bad, but I also have a lot of acne scarring from earlier in my life. The scarring is quite noticeable, and gives my skin an uneven texture. Would this foundation cover that? Also, do you have a homemade liquid foundation recipe? Thanks!
Respectfully, food isn’t going to give any coverage. You can use kaolin clay though with a tiny amount of arrowroot and it will give light to medium! You also need colorants, spices impart very little. I would highly recommend Humblebee and Me blog for mineral recipes that are easy to do. Purchase at TKB trading. She has a book coming out this Fall full of legit makeup recipes including a liquid foundation. A recipe like this is wonderful for people who don’t want coverage, but sadly, didn’t work for me either. It does make a good setting powder 😉
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Laura – this recipe will not provide coverage for scarring, rather it’s very light. I don’t have a liquid recipe at the moment either. I’m sorry!
I’ve worn this as my foundation all this past month…I love it! A bonus of it that I figured out, it makes a great dry shampoo as well! 🙂
I whipped up a batch just now and it looks GREAT! I’m a little shocked. I had no idea DIY makeup could look as good if not better than store bought. But I shouldn’t be surprised. DIY is always better!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us on your blog! I recently heard of your blog from a friend using your meal-planning service and have fallen in love!
Blessings!
So glad you liked how this turned out Kristen! Welcome to Crumbs!
Would it be possible to substitute ground sage with ground rosemary powder instead?
I haven’t tried this myself Amy, but it’s worth a shot!
It seems to work and I’m not getting any allergic reactions.
Thanks for replying and thanks for posting the recipe on your blog. It helped me a lot.
I made the tinted moisturizer and absolutely love it ecept that the ground nutmeg is noticible on my face…little dark specks. I will make my next “batch” without the nutmeg.
do you really use this? because in all the blogs that share this recipe not one showed the picture of the author actually using it.
Hi Sayara,
Visit Live Simply blog, she has a VIDEO on Youtube also of her making it and applying it to her face with some lovely music. Search “DIY homemade Foundation powder” by Live Simply and watch it there. This powder doesn’t do much which is why I think it isn’t demonstrated by many. I make true mineral powder foundation makeup and that does cover! This is a great little setting powder though or perhaps if you already have great skin!
How do you make your mineral powder foundation? I tried this and need heavy coverage and got zero coverage. Please share your mineral foundation recipe if you can, thanks!
Right, this food based powder is lovely for a setting powder, with just the cocoa and the arrowroot as spices are just too large and visible on the skin. Food doesn’t have opacity so it can’t cover anything in the way of blemishes and such. You will need a few things to make a mineral foundation. A coffee grinder dedicated to this only (thrift stores are great! Where I found mine) and some minerals of course. You can get them several places but the best prices and quality I have found is HowToMakeCosmetics (TKB Trading). Recipe:
4 tsp Titanium Dioxide, low micron or non-nano
1/2 Tbsp Sericite mica
2 tso Zinc Oxide low micron or non-nano
1/2 tsp magnesium stearate (optional but will improve the “slip” and make it more smooth)
yellow, brown, and red oxide (sample sizes are plenty for quite a few batches!)
Oxides are strong pigments of crushed rocks. The amount will depend on your skintone and this is where it gets tricky. Add a little at a time. You will use mostly yellow and brown and if you have a very cool or olive skintone, also get some ultramarie blue and chromium green oxide.
Blend the Titanium, zinc, mica, sericite, and magnesium stearate for several minutes, 5-6 and allowing a rest inbetween so your grinder doesn’t overheat. Then slowly add oxides blending 1 minute between additions. The more you grind, the ore the color develops. I use plastic wrap to cover my grinder before putting the lid on to keep the mess to a minimum. You can also purchase sifter jars from TKB. Good luck! A google search of “DIY mineral Foundation” will bring up plenty of sources.
Yes I do Sayara! I don’t have a picture of me using it because it’s quite hard to hold the camera, of myself, while doing my makeup. 🙂 But I assure you, I eat and use everything you see on this blog!
My question is regarding the banana yellow concealer you were talking about. Where can we purchase that product. I have terrible dark circles under my eyes.
Just tried this recipe today and got great results.thanks for posting this!
hoping someone can help. i really want this to work but I’ve tried twice and my foundation just turns an icky grey color. I’m medium toned. anyone?
Hi Jen,
Are you using Sage in your formula? Try leaving it out and add it at the end little by little if you need it 😉
Mine also looked really gray. I started with the suggested amounts but it looked really white still, so I added more cocoa but then it started looking really gray, almost a purple gray, so I stopped. I added loads of tumeric to get it more to my yellowy skintone, but it still looks really gray and really white. When I rub it into my skin it starts to look more skintone though, bringing out the yellow somehow, but I have to buff so much to get the whitish and grayish color away that I end up with no coverage.
I tried mixing it with moisturizer and that made the color look like skincolor, but still not really any coverage.
I also dob’t recommend anyone add as much tumeric as I did, it itches and burns. Might be the cornstarch though, I read in one of the comments that it can be itchy.
I’m going to try with rice powder when I can get some, and find a replacement for tumeric. I don’t think ginger will do it as I had to add a ton of tumeric and it’s way more pigmented. Maybe saffron.
I’ve been excited to try this, but I can’t get the shade right. Like you, I’ve always purchased the lightest shade of foundation with some pink in it, so I figured my perfect shade would be close to yours. (I have reddish brown hair, so I figured I would have to do some tweaking.) However, I’ve added 5 times as much of all the color, and it still looks like my face is covered in white powder. Should it actually be 2 teaspoons of cornstarch instead of 2 tablespoons? Any other suggestions? I hate to just throw out what I’ve been working on, but I’d rather not spend much more time on it unless I can get some other ideas. Thanks!
Mine also looked waaay too light and I added loads of extra yellow (I have a lot of yellow in my skin), and double the amount of cocoa from the recipe. I tried mixing it with a moisturizer and that really seemed to strengthen the color, finally turning into actual skin color and resembling tinted moisturizer a lot, but it didn’t seem to do anything for the coverage.
Hello Tiffany. Thank you so much for your articles. It is really going to give me a head start to healthy living and looking beautiful naturally. But please I live in Nigeria, and we don’t have cloves here. For homemade powdered foundation What can I possibly use as an alternative. really appreciate
Ok, so I just tried it without the ground sage and it didn’t work at all for me! 🙁 I don’t know what the coverage is suppose to be but it couldn’t even cover my freckles. Do you have any idea what I might have done wrong?
Charlotte,
The reason why this powder doesn’t cover anything is because it is food, not minerals like that which makes up powder foundation. It didn’t work for me either. Food is not opaque and doesn’t adhere well unless you have a water-based moisturizer, which could then make the spices muddy in color. I make my own mineral foundation, I got into it after discovering that this just doesn’t cover anything, but arrowroot does make a nice setting powder and cacao makes a lovely bronzer!
Ashylynn – I use my tinted moisturizer that has coconut oil, and that tends to help make this powder stick a bit.
Awesome! What concealer, tinted moisturizer and foundation do you use for when you use them? Have you found healthy options you like? Thanks!
Unfortunately, I have not found healthy options for makeup yet 🙁 I’m still using up some old stuff from the cabinet… but I’m on the lookout because my bottles are more empty than full!
Sorry for the late reply Charlotte! The sage is green, which helps to counteract red undertones. The coverage is light – think like a finishing powder as opposed to a traditional wet foundation. I use this w/concealer on the typical day, but also w/wet foundation when I get gussied up for date night. 🙂
What could I use instead of the ground sage and the ground cloves? Do I need to put those in there?
OMG!!! I can’t believe that I can make my own powder foundation! It sounds so incredible and I am absolutely sure that this is the best way to stay healthy. I will definitely try this recipe! I will throw in the garbage every single concealer and powder! Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Hi Tiffany!
I love your blog. I have looking for ways to become debt free and live a healthier life. I tried your powdered foundation and tinted moisturizer recipes and although I had to tweak the formulas a bit to match my skin tone (I’m African American) I couldn’t be happier. People comment on my clear smooth skin. This is huge for me, especially after I had an awful breakout from an expensive department store cosmetic. I had hundreds of tiny bums all over my face, including the corners of my yes and eyelids. My entire face felt like sandpaper. It was a low point for me. Finding your blog gave me the motivation to do what I’d been wanting to do for a long time. I could go on and on, but instead I will just say thank you for sharing!
Wow Kemee, thank you so much for sharing this with me! I’m so sorry you had an awful experience with OTC makeup, but I’m so thankful that these homemade versions have helped your skin to heal AND improve! I know the feeling of a skin compliment – one of the best feelings in the world. I hope they keep on coming!!! 🙂
I have a question. I am ne to using essential oils. When the recipe calls for 10 drops of lavender essential oil, is that straight or after it is mixed with a carrier oil?
Straight Tracy!