7 Natural + Homemade Makeup Switches

Everything we put on our skin is absorbed by our bodies, but sometimes we forget to think about something most of us apply everyday—makeup! It’s time to detox your products for natural and toxin-free options that are made without harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Or another option (the safest, cheapest and greenest!) is to make homemade makeup with these easy recipes and formulas.

Easy natural and homemade makeup swaps

When it comes to swapping to natural or homemade makeup, you should know a few things beforehand—the first being to expect to use a different formula for some products. For example, a lot of homemade makeup will be powder based, unlike store-bought stuff that comes in a variety of formulas. This is something that your skin will definitely appreciate as powders feel way lighter on the skin!

However, because some of these products don’t use traditional harsh preservatives, it’s crucial to store them properly to stop them from going off prematurely. Store-bought natural products may have an image of a tiny jar with a number inside on the packaging to help you understand how long something is good to be used for.

For example, one that says “6M” means that the product is good for 6 months after opening. To really keep track of this, sometimes I make a tiny note in Sharpie of the day I opened something. I usually finish stuff up before they ‘technically’ go off, but it’s good to be aware of these things anyway.

How to store natural makeup

When it comes to homemade products, storing them properly is key. I know what you’re thinking—”I store my beauty stuff in the bathroom, where it’s easy to access!” but the thing is, that might be making your homemade makeup go off prematurely.

This goes for regular store-bought products, but especially affects homemade stuff since we’re making them without commercial preservatives. The bathroom is usually hot and steamy place, right? You know what loves heat and humidity?

Mold.

To avoid any mold setting up shop in your natural makeup, store it in a cool dark place, like a drawer or cabinet in your bedroom. I know it’s not as convenient as the bathroom, but you’ll make sure that you’re getting the most out of your products before they possibly expire! And as with any product, if the smell or texture has changed, don’t be afraid to toss it—you can always make a new one. 

If you’re thinking of going greener, or all the way natural on your makeup, this round-up has some great chemical-free options and super easy recipes to cover all your needs! Are you ready to make the switch?

Foundation

You know the story well: you found a shade of foundation that perfectly suits your skin tone and simply refuse to let it go. After all, you’ve been through so many samples and stores! But know that switching to natural foundation will save your skin from potentially toxic ingredients, and at the same time, you’ll get more nourishment and protection from the oils and butters it’s formulated with. 

What to try instead: Homemade Foundation Powder | Juice Beauty Tinted Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30 | Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer

Blush

Blush is often overlooked, but it can be so effective in bringing life to the cheeks, especially during winter! Conventional blush often contains talc, an ingredient which has been linked with ovarian cancer [source], and that’s just one of many nasty components to the pink and peachy powders we’re used to. Switching to natural blush might mean more subtle hues, but also one less source of toxic chemicals to worry about. 

What to try instead: Homemade Contouring Powder or Cheek Stain | Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée | RMS Beauty Lip2cheek 

Eye liner

A dark line over the eyelids has long been a beauty staple and it’s a trend that never seems to fade. However, lots of eyeliners get their dark pigment from unsafe ingredients such as carbon black, which has been linked to cancer [source]. Additionally, they might use parabens, phenoxyethanol, or other toxic ingredients to obtain the coveted smudge-free line. Switching to a natural eye liner or opting for eye shadow are both valid alternatives.  

What to try instead: Homemade, natural eyeliner | W3ll People Natural Expressionist Liquid Eyeliner

Eyeshadow

Just like blush, conventional eyeshadow is often formulated with talc. This doesn’t just give the product a chalky appearance – it has potentially negative effects on your health, too. On the bright side, eyeshadow is one of the easiest makeup products to DIY, and you can use beetroot, charcoal or spirulina powders to make your own. 

What to try instead: Homemade Eye Shadow | Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadow | Kjaer Weis Eye Shadow 

Lipstick

While some of these ingredients used to be crucial to the product, thanks to technological advancements, companies can now formulate long-lasting, hydrating lipstick using only natural, organic dyes and oils. Read our ultimate guide to natural lipstick to find out everything you need to know about the topic. 

What to try instead: DIY Cranberry Coconut Oil Lip Gloss | Korres Lip Butter

Mascara

For a beauty product applied to such a vulnerable area, mascara has more toxic ingredients than you would imagine. Read all about it in our ultimate guide to natural mascara and make your eyes pop without the nasty chemicals. 

What to try instead: DIY Mascara | Ilia Mascara | La Bella Donna Mineral Mascara

Makeup remover

Everyone knows the most important step in a healthy makeup routine is removing your makeup at the end of the day. Surely you don’t want leftover eyeliner aging your eyes, nor traces of foundation preventing your skin from breathing during the night. You also don’t want to use makeup remover that does more harm than good, so opt for something as simple as coconut oil instead. 

What to try instead: DIY Makeup-remover | Caudalie Make-Up Remover Cleansing Water | Korres Greek Yoghurt 3 In 1 Cleansing, Toning And Eye Make-Up Removing Emulsion