by Texas Homesteader ~
I make my own light & sheer face powder using cornstarch and natural colorings such as cinnamon or cocoa. With all the hype these days about toxins in cosmetics, I’m happy to find a zero-waste solution that works well for me for just pennies.
Country Girl’s Simple Daily Makeup Needs
I quit working in the corporate world several years ago. Afterward I used up the makeup I had already purchased. And when it was gone I went looking for solutions to provide it for myself instead of buying it.
Now I’ll admit my makeup needs are few. I live and work on our Homestead. So my typical workday involves gardening, beekeeping, caring for animals and home cooking. Tasks that don’t usually involve makeup anyway.
But I do like to wear light makeup when RancherMan & I go out, or when we go to church.
There are lots of recipes out there that call for various specialty ingredients. But y’all know my battle cry: “Use WhatCha Got!”
Homemade Face Powder Ingredients
So my go-to method of mixing up face powder typically involves a base of cornstarch and then various spices to color it. My powdered makeup only includes a few ingredients that I always have in my pantry.
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Cornstarch (as a base)
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Colorings:
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Cocoa
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Cinnamon
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Nutmeg
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I can mix it up quickly and adjust the color easily when the seasons change.
This face powder needs to be applied lightly. It’s meant to be a sheer powder that just helps even out your skin tone.
If you need something heavier to cover blemishes or more obvious skin imperfections, this is probably not what you’re after. But if you’re looking a light, sheer powder, this is what I use:
My Homemade Face Powder Recipe
To mix up my homemade face powder I start with plain ole cornstarch & color the cornstarch with cinnamon for a little bronzy color.
My complexion is considered olive so this is what I mix up for myself:
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1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
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1 teaspoon Cocoa
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1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
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Now here’s the hard, complicated, labor-intensive step: I mix it all together until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Really, THAT’S IT!!
In the summertime I like to add just a touch more cocoa and/or nutmeg for a darker powder to match my sun-kissed skin color. You’ll have to experiment with the combination that works for your own skin color.
I have no sensitivities to any of these natural ingredients. Of course you’ll want to be aware of your own skin sensitivities to determine if this is right for you. But I love it!
Storing Homemade Face Powder In Vintage Jar
I have a nifty and very old container for my homemade face powder too.
You see, I recently went on an impromptu treasure-hunt on our property. I found a very old and very cute little metal-lidded milk glass jar.
It will be perfect to store my homemade face powder! But you can use any small short lidded jar.
After transferring my face powder into a lidded container I tuck it into my vanity drawer so it stands at the ready to be used.
Using My Homemade Face Powder
When I’m getting dressed, after applying moisturizer to my face I dip the tip of my makeup brush into the makeup powder.
Much more powder than I want always clings to the brush. I’m sure to tap it several times until all excess powder is dislodged back into the container before I sweep the brush across my face.
I’ll admit this took some trial & error for me since the first time I used it I tapped what I *thought* was all the loose powder out of the brush. But I ended up looking like I had a baking mishap in the kitchen! LOL.
So be sure to tap the brush on the side of the container several times to dislodge all excess powder first.
Now all that’s left to do to apply this powder to my face is sweep the makeup brush in long sweeping strokes across my face. The color contained in the powder evens out my complexion.
I’m Happy Making My Own Homemade Cosmetics
With all the hype these days about toxins contained in cosmetics or cruel animal testing by the big corporations, I’m pretty happy to have found a solution that really works well for me for only pennies.
Plus my makeup powder adds nothing to the landfill. A humongo big PLUS that I’m always on the watch for!
~TxH~
This post categorized in 
Tagged in 
Zero-Waste Health & Beauty
Personal Cleaning
- Zero-Waste Shaving Using A Safety Razor
- Low-Waste Snap Toothbrushes
- Homemade Minty Mouthwash
- Quick & Easy Homemade Deodorant
- Homemade Vanilla-Scented Shampoo Bar Soap
- 3-Ingredient DRY SHAMPOO Mix
- MYO Naturally-Scented Hair Conditioner
- Morning Motivation Mint Soap
- Homemade Soap: Lavender/Rosemary
- Soap Grows On TREES! Soapberry Shampoo
- How A Bidet Can Be An Eco Win
Homemade Beauty Products
- MYO Light & Sheer Face Powder
- 3-Ingredient Beeswax Lip Balm
- Homemade Hairspray
- Easy Zero-Waste Health & Beauty Swaps
C’mon by & sit a spell! Come hang out at our Facebook Page. It’s like sitting in a front porch rocker with a glass of cold iced tea. Lots of good folks sharing!
You can also follow along on Pinterest, on Twitter or on Instagram.
Well TMH,
I won’t be trying this any time soon, and I’m sure you know why, but I want to say your ” Use what ya got ” on this one is truly thinking out of the box. Good Job !
If I wore makeup I would give it a try for sure..
LOL Greg – yeah, I’m sure this one misses the mark with you. HA! ~TxH~
I never thought you could do your own face powder. Amazing. Pinned, because I have to try it out!
I’ve been very pleased with it Cristina. It provides a light coverage to even out my skintone and I can adjust it for the winter vs summer months skin color. ~TxH~
I laughed when I saw this…. I thought to myself as I was reading … hmmm…. maybe cinnamon, etc… and sure enough. I also thought that I should have known you, w/ all of your practicality (I, too, and ultra practical)… would come up with a homemade version. GREAT job! 🙂 I am not a powder user(dry skin), but it got my mind to thinking…. bronzer… blush…. hmmmm… and maybe I will have to experiment and maybe even change to try powder also. Thank you for your post.
My skin tends toward the dry side too but I still use this powder for a quick sumpin’ when I’m stepping out. First I apply a little moisturizer and then a few light strokes of this face powder evens out my complexion. I love it! ~TxH~
I’ve used cornstarch alone (it helps absorb excess sweat) with my makeup. But it didn’t dawn on my to “tint” it and not use it in place of makeup. Thanks for sharing on the #WasteLessWednesday blog hop.
Many people have commented that they really like it Katy, give it a try. ~TxH~
It is refreshing to find a recipe with ingredients I have in my kitchen right now! I pinned, and enjoyed all of your shares this week. Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop!
I’m with you, Jennifer. I’ve always seen suggestions using various things I just didn’t have and probably don’t have easy access to living out in the country. This works beautifully for me and I always have the ingredients in my pantry! ~TxH~
This is amazing! I keep forgetting to buy powder, but I do have those ingredients at home, and I’ve got to try this! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday. 🙂
I learn something new every time I visit your blog 🙂 I’ve never thought about making my own powdered makeup before! Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday!
Wow…you are like McGyver on the farm! This city girl is amazed that you can make face powder with these ingredients…that’s so incredible! I love when you link up with us at Share The Wealth Sunday because you never cease to amaze me! xoxo
I do catch a delicious subtle scent of chocolate when I’m brushing it on, but unless folks get close enough to smell my face I don’t think anyone else can smell the chocolate or cinnamon. And c’mon, if they’re close enough to smell my face… well that’s a bit too close! LOL ~TxH~
Love this idea! Will mix up a batch as soon as the workmen leave. (they are sanding the drywall in our room reno…must be careful to avoid all THAT dust. I’m ‘sequestered’ in a muffed-off room for a couple hours til they clean up the mess!)…D
I’m a “use what you got” kinda girl too! It’s amazing how much money we waste on stuff that we could easily (and cheaply) make ourselves. Thank you for sharing it on the Creative Muster. We loved it so much that we’re pinning it to our Creative Muster Favorites board. I hope that’ll we’ll be seeing more of your great ideas.
Talk about easy -peasy!! I bought some face powder that turned out to be too dark and added cornstarch to lighten it up and it worked very well! I’m gonna give this a try!
I’ve seen a lot of homemade make-up recipes out there but usually the ingredients are so costly it all looses it’s point. This is very easy and simple. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
I agree Lynn, and like I mentioned earlier, many of those expensive specialty ingredients are nowhere to be found living way out here. But this recipe uses what I’ve already got in the pantry and is easy to use. ~TxH~
I made some of this and absolutely love it. I shared some with my friend who also loved it. Needless to stay she has shared it also so the recipe is making its rounds.
Thank you❤️
🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience Mert – I love it too! Plus, anything I can so easily make for myself with stuff from my pantry… SCORE! ~TxH~
I’m going to try this too!
…You won’t be disappointed Judith. And with such ingredients, you really have nothing to lose! ~TxH~
I am fascinated by this and will have to mix some up for myself. I use mineral powder makeup currently and it isn’t inexpensive. Plus less trash is always a bonus. Love your brilliance!
I had some mineral powder too Ellen, that’s kinda what got me to thinking about making my own in the first place. Many ‘recipes’ I’ve seen call for ingredients that although may be beneficial overall, just weren’t readily available to me living way out here. This recipe uses common ingredients I always have in my pantry so it’s a winner for me. ~TxH~