I had so much fun developing these Highlighting Moon Drops, and I think you’re going to have a blast making them! They come together really quickly and easily, allowing you to create a rainbow of different colours in no time. I’ve kept the batch size small so you can make a dozen of ’em if you want without feeling wasteful, but I’ve provided the amounts in weight as well so you can scale the recipe up if you happen to concoct a colour blend you’re absolutely mad about and require in larger quantities.
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If you enjoy perusing the aisles of Sephora and Ulta, you’ll likely know the product that inspired this recipe. That product is basically the same—a shimmery liquid that can be used as highlighter, or blended with your foundation for a bit of a custom glow. My ingredient list, however, is much shorter. The original is mostly silicones for the liquidy bit, but I thought I’d use a light oil instead. I went with fractionated coconut oil for this writing, but I’ve also used raspberry seed oil, and that works brilliantly. Any other light oil should also work well—squalane, camellia seed, and jojoba would all be good choices.
In order to get that luxurious slip that silicones give, I’ve incorporated some silica microspheres. This magical powder also gives these moon drops a luxxy dry finish and thickens up the solution a bit so it isn’t too drooly. If you don’t have ’em I’d recommend using double the amount of sericite mica instead—it’ll have a similar-ish effect, but not quite the same. I honestly can’t recommend silica microspheres enough, so if you don’t have ’em, put them on your shopping list!
I make these in little 3g or 5g jars, which is great for easy one container measure-mix-voila, but isn’t an ideal storage solution. Honestly, I’m not sure what would be. The original comes in a dropper bottle, which is sort of ok, but makes for a lot of product loss and tends to require you to make quite a lot. I’m thinking one of those wand lip gloss tubes could be great, once you have a blend you love enough to make in quantities large enough to fill one. If you have a better solution, I’d love to hear about it!
To keep things easy I’ve designed this recipe to work with different coloured micas. You can definitely incorporate pure pigments like titanium dioxide, iron oxides, carmine, and ultramarines in addition to the micas just be sure to use WAY less as they are much more potent. These drops are supposed to be subtly highlighting, not accidental face paint 😉 You can also add glitter! I liked 3/32 tsp mica + 1/32 tsp glitter. Ooooh, pretty.
Anyhwho! The gist of this is 2 ingredient base + mica blend of your invention. I’ve supplied a few ideas to get you started, but I really want to encourage you to make up your own blends! I’ve found things in the skin-ish realm tend to work best (yellow/cream/beige/brown) seem to work better than ones that are overtly purple or green or something, but the sky is the limit! Have a blast and be sure to share your favourite colour blends in the comments!
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Highlighting Moon Drops
Base
0.05g | 1/64 tsp silica microspheres
0.6g | 25 drops fractionated coconut oilPigment
3/32–2/16 tsp (0.2g–0.35g) micaMeasure the silica and fractionated coconut oil into a 3g jar or 5g jar, and stir them together with a toothpick. Add the mica, and stir everything together until smooth. That’s it!
Here’s some colour blend ideas:
#1: Sunstruck
1/32 tsp bronze mica
1/32 tsp silver mica
1/32 tsp gold mica#2: Champagne
1/16 tsp silver mica
1/32 tsp gold mica#3: Moonrise
3/32 tsp silver mica
1/32 tsp marinda star mermaid glitter#4: 24k
1/16 tsp gold mica
1/32 tsp gold glitter#5: Kir Royale
5/64 tsp silver mica
1/64 tsp flash copper mica#6: Rose Gold
1/32 tsp silver mica
1/32 tsp gold mica
1/32 tsp flash copper mica#7: Intergalactic Mermaid
1/64 tsp reef blue (turquoise) mica
1/16 tsp silver mica
1/32 tsp marinda star mermaid glitter#8: Chalice
3/32 tsp bronze mica
#9: Liquid Sunshine
5/64 tsp gold mica
1/64 tsp pink mica#10: Vintage
1/16 tsp natural gold mica (it looks like the one I used has been discontinued, but this one looks like a good alternative)
1/32 tsp gold mica
I’m wondering if I could use aloe Vera gel instead of oils? Would I still need the microsheres? I would like to use it as a body or face highlighter that a teenager might enjoy more. They don’t like oils as much.
Honestly, if you do that you are on your own. I can’t predict what would happen when you start introducing a store bought gel product. It might be fine, it might feel tight or sticky, I honestly have no idea. I would recommend trying it as written, though—they don’t feel oily at all, and I suspect the adhesion of the original will be much better as the medium won’t dry up and cause the mica to flake off. Just my hypothesis, though!
Divya, I happen to be a teenager who lives around many teenagers and has many teenager friends, all of whom have enjoyed this product, so I wouldn’t be too worried about them not liking the product because it has oil in it.
I know living in India Finding these ingredients is difficult you can connect with me i can provide you with some of the products mentioned here like micro spheres. As i purchase hem whenever I travel.
OMG I so love you! Thank you!
Yay! Happy making 😀
I am going to try this today! I have tried many of your creams but I have been looking for a liquid so thank you so much for your wisdom! I had the same thought aa you regarding Storage
Have tons of shimmery fun! Thanks for reading 🙂
Hi Marie, these look awesome! I love that you’re able to simplify to the essence of the product. Without the uneccesary bits!
The formula for sunstruck and rose gold appear to be the same, albeit written in a different order. I’m guessing rose gold may have copper instead of bronze? Really appreciate the time you take and your generosity in sharing!
Whoops! You’re totally right, the bronze should be copper for Rose Gold 🙂 Good catch and happy making!
I made this today and used it as a lip colour! It stayed so well for 6 hours and it leaves a stain behind! Love it! Thanks Marie for another great recipe!
Ah, this is so cool! I definitely think part of your success was the swap of the silica for the sericite—I tried it with the silica and it works, but you have to put it on over a thick coating of lip balm or it’s quite drying. I shared your post on the Humblebee & Me Facebook page, too! Thank you so much for sharing! 😀
I was just thinking……how would this work on lips? And look (!), I see the post here about Abigail’s success. Yeah! But not her comment about swapping out the silica for sericite. I hope to try the sericite in this recipe. I just ordered it and am looking forward to see how this recipe turns out for lips. If you have any other suggestion or recommendation based on her success, please share. Thanks so much!
Sericite worked for her, and silica worked for me, so I’m pretty sure both are good choices 🙂 Have fun!
I am always trying to figure out what 1/64 or 1/32 of a tsp looks like, or other similarly tiny amounts. As you recommended, I also have the wee measuring spoons labelled “dash”, “pinch” etc.. but they don’t indicate on the spoon what a ‘dash’ translates into in terms of tsps. And if it was on the original packaging for the spoons, it is now long gone. So is there any chance you could also include the dash or pinch measurements in the recipe? And if that doesn’t work, could you please tell me what the equivalencies are so that I don’t have to scale up to a 1/8 tsp just to be sure I am getting the right amounts but then end up making a tonne of product.
Hey Heather! There is honestly no such thing as a “dash”. Different companies make up different definitions for those cutesy terms—they are completely unregulated. So, using them is about as accurate as calling for a “handful” or a “splash”! Check out this chart/article I wrote—it should set you straight 🙂
Heather, I hope this helps. I found it online.
In the early 2000s some companies began selling measuring spoons that defined (or redefined) a dash as 1⁄8 teaspoon, a pinch as 1⁄16 teaspoon, and a smidgen as 1⁄32 teaspoon. Based on these spoons, there are two pinches in a dash and two smidgens in a pinch.
Also, additional ideas for storage could be a pill organizer that you can generally find for a buck or two at a dollar store, or if you just want two colours to go, I’m planning to try an old contact lens case. 🙂
I’ve found those measurements to be common, but far from universal when looking at a variety of spoon sets—I did an experiment and made a chart, haha.
I love the contact case idea! I do wonder about the pill organizer leaking, though perhaps the ones I’m thinking of are old school and new ones actually seal each compartment 🙂
I think you’re probably right about leaking from the pill organizers if you were to try to take them in a makeup bag. I think for use at home, they would be fine so long as you can keep them stable on a shelf. The contact lens cases should be water tight though, so great for travel or on the go.
I can’t wait to make these! I’d like to try the champagne colour but can’t quite figure out the silver mica. Is it silver or white? When I click the link, the picture looks more white. I’m buying it from voyageur so I just need to know what a similar mica would be. Thanks Marie!
It is/was sold as silver by NDA, but it’s basically white—not at all grey. The white mica from Voyageur looks the closest 🙂
I find grapeseed oil is my new favorite for anything as summer rolls around! I mix grapeseed and argan for my morning face oil, and I use grapeseed oil for stuff like this — the liquid highlighter goes on super smoothly and with an awesome dry finish with silica microspheres and grapeseed oil! I think I’m going to pad my liquid foundation with some grapeseed oil since it’s so humid in the summer out here in Maine (right now it’s all argan oil)
So yes, DEFINITELY try grapeseed oil. I’m really obsessed with it.
Ooooh, I do love me some grapeseed oil 🙂 I always have some on hand! Susan over at POI often references it going rancid quickly, but I’ve never had that experience. What has your shelf life experience with it been?
I love grapeseed oil too and I use it a lot here in Brazil. Even in our ridiculous heat, it holds up pretty well, lasting up to a year, more in the fridge!
Good to know! 🙂
Thank you so much for your lovely blog and recipes Marie. I found your Dream Cream recipe a couple of years ago, and wanted to get stuck in, but life intervened. I have been making a few balms recently and stumbled upon this blog and it has brought me much joy.
I am exciting my 7 year old granddaughter to make things as she lives with us since her mum died. We are saving pretty herb jars we are buying to put some of the balms in, but I’m sure she’ll love the pretty make up and messing with the powders once we get around to it!
I too love antique clothes, I have a few from way back (when they were cheaper) and love the things you make. Trying to improve my sewing skils! It’s great having serious hobbies though sometimes I have to save up hard.
Thank you for all the hard work you do on this. Your blog has made me feel more optiistic after a very tough year. I hope you keep going, even the names are quite delicious (I type this sitting by a pack of food grade cocoa butter that arrived today – the smell is delicious).
Thank you so much! I love that you are making things with your granddaughter, too—it’s good to hook ’em into DIY when they’re young, haha. And I am so thrilled that I can help with a bit of optimism in any way 🙂 Here’s hoping 2017 looks up for you—thank you so much for reading and commenting!
Hi Marie,
LOVE your blog and the book!
In the video you posted today on YouTube (airbrush primer) you show using the moon drops on you lips, but you mention that you added 1/32 of something to the moon drops, which i couldn’t catch. Could you please respond here how to turn the moon drops into lip gloss? Thank YOU!
FD&C Red #7 or carmine 🙂
I love this recipe! Making the highlighting drops is super fun, but the lip colors… I’ve made 3 so far, and I love them! It’s so easy to mix in a little more of this or that without a bunch of stirring and melting. I made a beautiful color using the Sunstruck blend, 1/32 teaspoon of pink mica, 1/32 teaspoon of carmine, and a couple specks of blue ultramarine (the suggested amount of pigment for each one is less than what I used, but it still turned out great!). This must be one of my favorite DIY things so far, thank you so much, Marie!
I think I found some suitable packaging on Amazon, they’re mini lip gloss containers. https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Protable-Makeup-Bottle-Container/dp/B01A5AR0L6/ref=pd_ys_c_rfy_11058281_23?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01A5AR0L6&pd_rd_r=XTZPPN82A4E9HVQN28MT&pd_rd_w=qJUV5&pd_rd_wg=G4ZsN&refRID=T3N1H6SVQKYRW6EN32Y7&th=1
Oh my goodness, they’re so adorable! Great find 😀
Ooooh, how lovely! I’m also madly in love with these bad boys—I should get out my pigments and make some more! Thanks for reading & DIYing with me 🙂
Has anyone tried adding some Ceytl Alcohol to make something that transports a little better?
I haven’t, but I love this idea and I think your comment has worked its way into the depths of my brain as I now have something similar-ish on my to-make list 😀
What would be the shelf life? Like 10 months or something?
Please review the FAQ article on this 🙂
Can I use anything else to substitute the silica microspheres? I just cant find them here in my country
“In order to get that luxurious slip that silicones give, I’ve incorporated some silica microspheres. This magical powder also gives these moon drops a luxxy dry finish and thickens up the solution a bit so it isn’t too drooly. If you don’t have ’em I’d recommend using double the amount of sericite mica instead—it’ll have a similar-ish effect, but not quite the same. I honestly can’t recommend silica microspheres enough, so if you don’t have ’em, put them on your shopping list!”
Marie
I’m not have a silica or sericite mica … what should I do?..
If you want to make this recipe I’m afriad you need one of those ingredients.
I have a container suggestion- these drops are great and lovethe small quantity. I have found that ‘dollar store’ contact lense containers let me make 2 batches at a time, work great and inexpensive!
Great tip, thank you! 😀
I know this recipe is an oldie but thought I would let you know of a new use I have for it. I saw a recipe for a oil primer for make up and thought to myself – hmmm….. this sounds a lot like those moon drops. So I left out the mica and tried it out. Result – a great makeup primer, skin silky smooth for application.
Oooh lovely! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I really enjoy this stuff! I’ve got champagne, sunstruct and one lip gloss version with carmine. I use first one regular basis under makeup. Powders settle to the bottom of small bottle I use -> I added extra kaolin clay in to help with it (referring to your 50:50 kaolin clay: silica tip in sheer satin cheek and lip tint). It works but I could add even more!
I watced your above mentioned video on YouTube (regarding makeup tips) and I just had to try these one! They work great! I really liked your tips how to apply them because I am not good with makeup at all. I started googling and practicing right after it and here we are. I feel more comfortable with or without makeup. Oh, cream luminizer is amazing too. I don’t know which one I prefer – both are fab.
Hi Marie. I want to know if I can substitute silica microspheres with something else. I can’t seem to find it where I live. I saw zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in another recipe. I don’t know if that’ll work
Hey! You’ll find the answers you’re looking for in the Humblebee & Me Encyclopedia at https://www.humblebeeandme.com/diy-encyclopedia. Simply look up silica microspheres to learn about why they are used in formulas, substitutions, what they do, usage rates, and more. Also, read the blog post 😉 Happy making!
Where can we fine these micas in Canada? Can you list alternatives available in Canada please?
Please watch the “Midweek Musing” I shared on micas on the Humblebee & Me Face book page earlier this week 🙂