
These days, when beauty companies promise us glowing skin, we don’t have to worry that it’s because they’ve put radioactive material in our face cream and powder. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot we need to be informed about, like parabens (hormone disruptors) and other problematic ingredients that are listed on labels, plus sneaky ingredients like asbestos that aren’t listed.
Fortunately, there are some really good makeup companies out there, and there’s always the option to save money and customize colors by making your own. It’s super easy, as you’ll discover when I show you how to make powdered blush below. You can also make homemade foundation powder, and the ingredients needed for the recipe below can also be used to whip up a creme blush and tinted lip balm.
Blending makeup is a great way to play with your hands, get creative and save money, but sometimes other things need to take priority. If that’s the case, you might be wondering . . .
What if I want to break-up with my makeup without making my own?
I haven’t come across a “perfect” makeup company to recommend to you yet, but when I don’t have time to make my own here are some brands I turn to. They’re not perfect, but they’re muuuch better than what you’ll find in most department stores. Orglamix has a lot of good stuff, and their mineral blushes and foundations don’t contain nanoparticles. You can read all about the ingredients they use here.
I also like Real Purity lipstick, Juice Beauty lipstick, Juice Beauty glowing cheek color, Real Purity mascara, and Jane Iredale eye pencils. There are more, but that’s for another post. Now, on to the blush recipes!

Natural Blush Recipe
Above are three of my blushes. They each have the same 3-4 ingredients, just different ratios. Number one is pure pink, while number two is pink with a bit of bronze mixed in. I call number three “sun kissed,” because although it looks brown in the jar, it’s really a bronzy-pink that makes me look like I’ve been laying on the beach. (Gah, I wish!)
Each recipe fits in one of these 2 ounce round steel tins
Ingredients
- pink mica powder (I used this one)
- cacao powder (this is what I use because I have it on hand to make homemade hot chocolate, but you could also use any inexpensive cocoa powder found at your local store)
- arrowroot powder OR kaolin clay – Most mica powders have a bit of shimmer. If you prefer shimmer use the arrowroot. If you prefer less shimmer use the kaolin clay.
Recipe #1 – Pure Pink
- 1 tablespoon rose mica powder
- 1 tablespoon kaolin clay (or arrowroot powder if you prefer to let more of the mica’s shimmer come through)
Mix together until thoroughly combined. Apply to clean, moisturized skin.
Recipe #2 – Pink With A Touch Of Bronze
- 2 teaspoons rose mica powder
- 2 teaspoons cacao powder or cocoa powder, depending on what you have on hand
- 1 tablespoon kaolin clay (or arrowroot powder if you prefer to let more of the mica’s shimmer come through)
Mix together until thoroughly combined. Apply to clean, moisturized skin.
Recipe #3 – Sun Kissed
- 2 teaspoons cacao powder or cocoa powder, depending on what you have on hand
- 1.5 teaspoons rose mica powder
- 2 teaspoons kaolin clay (or arrowroot powder if you prefer to let more of the mica’s shimmer come through)
Mix together until thoroughly combined. Apply to clean, moisturized skin.
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Heidi
Is there a way to make this a solid?
Teresa Stackhouse
I’ve pressed loose mineral makeup successfully. You can use a few drops of alcohol stirred into the mixture, cover with a paper towel, and press with the back of something like a water bottle lid. You can also purchase pressing kits. I know that Silk Naturals sells these. Here is a link to a youtube video that I have used that describes the process. Also, I think there is a way to do this without rubbing alcohol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8cfl28j2B8
Krista
Would bentonite clay (I have Aztec secret) work in place of the kaolin clay?
Myriam Jeanty
Hi,
I live in Dutchess County I wanted to know if there are manufacturers near me that create natural blushes like your recipes.
Heather Dessinger
I don’t know, sorry!
Taylor
The link to the mica powder keeps taking me to somethig different
Heather
Oops! Thanks for letting me know, Taylor. Just corrected the links 🙂
Beth
Is there a colour of mica powder that I’m the black diamond brand that you would recommend to replace the rose colour?
Beth
Oops… *in the black diamond brand***
Amanda Carruthers
This looks like an awesome idea! I’ve been trying to transition away from my regular makeup, and this would be a great new blush! My question is… How well does it hold up? Does it last most of the day? Does the color fade quickly once applied? I guess, as far as wearability, how does it compare to other mineral blushes?
Heather
It works the same as other mineral blushes. You want to apply to moisturized skin so that it adheres well, and then after that the color will stay most if not all of the day.
Amanda Carruthers
Awesome!!! So doing this! ?
Susan
I dont kave Kaolin Clay. Can I sub food grade DE?
Heather Dessinger
Possibly, although it might be too drying. If it will work as a substitute I’m not sure what the ratios would be.
Yolanda Dobler
I will make this for sure, thanks!! Any ideas for eye brows? I have tried so many DIY’s with no luck. They are either too wet or too waxy or too powdery. I need something simple and fast. Thanks
Alicia M Frey
I made a few color blushes however they do not stick to my skin. Can you suggest anything?
Janey
Have you tried using dried beet root? I’ve been reading about that lately, and I wonder if you’ve tried it but didn’t like it.
Heather
I have used beetroot in the past. The challenge with beetroot is that it often doesn’t stick because it’s not ground finely enough. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The results vary a lot based on the fineness of the batch. Mica is much more finely milled, making it a success every time. 😉
Liv
I have not bought a cosmetic in a while to avoid toxins but I’d like to make my own. I’m wondering what is safest to use: oxides or mica? I know that oxides are made in a lab but they are apparently safe to use and although mica is natural but it is coated with either oxides or FD&C. I am not sure but it seems to me that FD&C are not the safest or better alternative to use. So if mica is also coated with FD&C it may not be the best option as well. May I know your opinion on this? what would you think it is safest to use? Oxides or mica?
Tswelo
Instead of arrowroot, would it work fine if I used baby powder
Myra Romero
Thank so much! Great information.
Harriet Mann
Excited to try this.
Sirilak Edwards
how long for shelf life. thank you
Dixie
Hello Heather! Can i use bentonite clay in place of Kaolin? Thank you.
Heather
Bentonite is much more drying and will change the color so I’m not sure how it would work out, but if you try it please let me know!
April
Thank you for this post. I am going to try this recipe.
Diya
Hey I currently have ground mica powder. I couldn’t find any pink or rose mica powder 🙁 Can I use that instead? Also what can I add to get the pink colour without pink mica? Thanks ❤️
Keri
Your recipes look great!
What is the shelf life?
Thanks,
Keri
Heather
Since this is a dry product containing primarily minerals it is very shelf stable. If kept dry it should last a very long time – years.
DOLORES OSULLIVAN
cant wait to try the recipes as i use mineral power foundation and im running out of it
Jo
Love the recipe except for the fact it uses mica, mica is unethically sourced often through child labour…
xera
yes I second this
Zena Zenonos
Can you add any preservatives so it last longer.
Areli
Me encantó las recetas
missy
I just made the most beautiful color of blush that I have been looking for for YEARS and it was only three ingredients. THANK YOU SO MUCH <3 I could cry. whipping up a batch for my sister and mom now too!!
Leticia
How would you make a peachy tone? Tumeric?