BEAUTY

DIY Makeup Customization Hacks

Written by Allison

These DIY makeup hacks will leave your look feeling completely custom.

Playing mad scientist isn’t always the best idea when it comes to cosmetics. But, when working the right products you can DIY makeup to meet your exact needs. You won’t see us advocating for mixing cocoa powder into your bronzer, or cornstarch for mattifying purposes. Instead we’ve got all the DIY makeup product combinations to get you the look you want. All of these products can be used on their own  or together for new effects.

1. Totally Custom Foundation

Is choosing a shade of foundation the bane of your existence? Why not get one perfectly matched to your complexion? There are now a few services that will create a foundation to match you and only you. For the ultra luxe option you can go for the Lancome Le Teint Particulier Custom Made Makeup available at select Lancome counters. There is also the Kevyn Aucoin The Custom Blend available at Bergdorf Goodman for a high coverage option. 

Can’t afford those? No prob — you can totally have an in-bathroom DIY makeup experience by blending several of your own cheapie shades directly on your sponge.

2. Make Matte Foundation Dewy

The matte makeup trend is on the way out as dewy skin takes over. But if you have a matte foundation you totally adore, you aren’t out of luck. All you need to do is use a liquid highlighter to create the perfect DIY makeup.

In this example we are using the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte foundation and the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter in Moonstone.

The easiest makeup mixing palette? The back of your hand. You could always purchase a makeup mixing palette to feel like a real MUA or Bob Ross, but it’s not necessary. We suggest applying your normal foundation glob to the back of your hand and dotting the liquid highlighter on top.

Mix together the foundation with the liquid highlighter for an instantly dewy upgrade. You can see the top of the hand has just the matte foundation, the bottom has the foundation mixed with highlight for that gorgeous glowy effect.

3. Mix Powder Products

Mixing powder products is the same across the board! Whether you are making the perfect blush for your look, or blending together eyeshadows. You just need your brush of choice and the powders you want to mix. Take your brush and dab back and forth between the two shades to pick up powder from both.

Once you have the perfect shade mixed into your brush you can apply to your face! Simple as that.

4. Bronze Up Your Complexion

This DIY makeup trick is perfect for those who need to give their face a little life but tend to go overboard with bronzer. Applying bronzer can easily look too heavy, and going for a foundation that is too dark looks pretty obvious. To get around this you can shift your foundation to have just a bit more of a bronze glow, without becoming an Oompa Loompa.

Same as making your matte foundation into dewy foundation, we’re mixing this up on the back of the hand. Apply your dab of foundation (we’re using the MatchCo foundation here) with one pump of the NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer. Don’t worry it looks dark but it has a thin texture that keeps you from applying too much.

Mix your foundation in with the liquid bronzer for that tiny bit of (realistic looking) tan that says healthy instead of cabin fever.

5. Make Your Dewy Skin Favorite Matte

Not everyday can be a dewy skin day. For days when your skin needs a little break from the highlight make your foundation matte. We’re using the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint along with the Hard Candy Turn Me Matte Liquid Drops.

Same as before you just mix in a few mattifying drops to turn your dewy skin tint into a matte option.

6. Increase Pigmentation in Any Foundation

Let’s just say your having a bad skin day. We’ve all been there! With the help of a high coverage concealer you can take even the lowest coverage foundations into a high coverage pick. The Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint is awesome on good skin days but has little coverage in terms of pigmentation. The Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer is one of the highest coverage concealers you can find.

Mix the two together and you sheer out the concealer to make it easier to apply and lower that coverage to something a little more reasonable. If you’re working with a pot style cream concealer like the Sensual Skin Enhancer, take a small (like minuscule) dab out with a clean brush to keep things sanitary.

7. Match Your Summer Foundation To Your Winter Pallor

Not seeing enough sunlight this winter? If you’ve got a lighter pigment to add in, you can still use your favorite summer foundation. The Physicians Formula Insta Ready Super BB is a gorgeous tinted moisturizer but comes in limited color options. To lighten this baby up add in a drop or two of a mixer like the Cover FX Custom Cover Drops in a lighter shade. Oh and if these drops perfectly match your skin tone, you can swap it out with the concealer above.

Mix in just a drop or two to your darker foundation to lighten things up to match your skin!

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About the author

Allison

Bio: She's a New Orleans based beauty writer, nail polish hoarder, and doughnut enthusiast. When she isn't camping out in her local coffee shop for hours on end, you'll probably find her taking selfies in front of every colorful wall she's ever seen. Follow along on Instagram @allisonmarieschmidt.

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