If you’re questing for a sorta-foundation that offers some skin-perfecting goodness without a whole lot of coverage, this Liquid Blurring Skin Tint is for you! It lightly blurs imperfections and gently evens out skin tone, pairing beautifully with a bit of concealer for any areas that need a bit more coverage or colour correction. It applies easily with fingers or a damp sponge, leaving the skin looking like its best self. It’s also really easy to make, and you can easily customize it!
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I made this all the way back in 2018 and honestly, I kind of forgot about it. I created several different versions before heading off to the United Kingdom for the 2018 Formula Botanica conference and was testing it around that time, but I think it got lost in the shuffle of travel and all the other things I was working on at the time. I recently found the bottles of the various versions and started using them again, and decided the best of them was well worth sharing!
The bulk of this Liquid Blurring Skin Tint is argan oil, but you could easily use any mid-weight-ish liquid oil that your skin loves. I also tried it with passionfruit oil, and I bet prickly pear seed oil, jojoba oil, meadowfoam oil, and/or pomegranate oil would all be lovely alternatives. You could also try blending something heavier, like evening primrose oil, with something lighter, like Neossance® Hemisqualane. There’s plenty of room for you to have fun and infuse this foundation with some oil serum style goodness!
The colour and coverage of this Liquid Blurring Skin Tint comes from your own custom-made mineral makeup. I go into a lot of detail on how to make it (including a full spread of colour blending tips + six starter colour blends) in my book, Make it Up: The Essential Guide to DIY Makeup and Skin Care! Kate shared this review for Make it Up and the foundation formulation in it: “This book is worth buying for the foundation recipe alone! She’s got this chapter on foundation where you first blend a big batch of you colored powder and then you turn that into foundation (liquid or powder), concealer, and lightweight airbrushing powder. Then you can make highlighter, bronzer, and blush to match. It was so much fun and so easy. It also looks and wears better than anything I’ve ever bought in the store. Ever. I used to buy the high end $80 foundation. This is better.”
For some added skin-blurring awesomeness I’ve included a soft paste/putty, made up of a blend of silicones, silicas, and some beeswax. Lotion Crafter sells it as OptiBlur™ Elastomer; it appears to be a Dow product named “DOWSIL™ 9576 Smooth Away Elastomer“. This lovely ingredient adds optical blurring to the skin tint, helping to disguise the appearance of fine lines and pores, and also adds a really lovely silky-smooth feel to the end product (along with some silica microspheres).
As this product is mostly a thin liquid with some added powder, the powder will settle out over time. To counter that, I’ve included some of TKB Trading’s “Thickening Clay”—Quaternium-90 Sepiolite (and) Quaternium-90 Montmorillonite. This fine powder helps pigments stay suspended in liquid bases, though I don’t find it stops settling out completely. It also contributes to a drier feeling end product, which is lovely in small doses, though can tip into straight-up drying if too much is used.
The finished Liquid Blurring Skin Tint is silky smooth, with an expensive-feeling dry-touch finish. It offers optical skin-perfecting along with some mild colour correction and complexion-evening, and it’s easy to apply with fingers or a damp sponge. If you want to increase the amount of coverage you can always use more mineral makeup, reducing the argan oil to make room for it. I hope you like it as much as I do!
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Liquid Blurring Skin Tint
1.365g | 19.5% fractionated coconut oil
0.49g | 7% OptiBlur™ Elastomer0.77g | 11% mineral makeup (from the blog or the book)
3.99g | 57% argan oil (USA / Canada)
0.035g | 0.5% Vitamin E MT-50 (USA / Canada)0.245g | 3.5% silica microspheres (USA / Canada)
0.105g | 1.5% TKB’s thickening clayWeigh the fractionated coconut oil and optiblur into a small container—I recommend a small disposable mixing cup, like the sort used to measure out liquid medicines. Use a small wire whisk or a small hand-held battery powered mixer to first mash the mixture together to break the optiblur into smaller pieces, and then blend to thoroughly combine.
Add the mineral makeup, stir, and then blend. Add the argan oil and vitamin E.
Put on your dust mask. Weigh the silica microspheres and thickening clay into the mixture, stir, and then blend. Once the mixture is uniform, you’re done!
For packaging, I used a 10mL plastic squeeze bottle with a dropper top, and that worked perfectly. I recommend something that will allow you to dispense just a drop or two of product at a time.
To use, shake the bottle and dispense a few drops onto fingertips. Glide the skin tint over the skin, blending it in with fingers or a damp sponge (I find this foundation doesn’t work as well with brushes). Enjoy!
Shelf Life & Storage
Because this foundation is 100% oil based, it does not require a broad-spectrum preservative (broad spectrum preservatives ward off microbial growth, and microbes require water to live—no water, no microbes!). Kept reasonably cool and dry, it should last at least a year before any of the oils go rancid. If you notice it starts to smell like old nuts or crayons, that’s a sign that the oils have begun to oxidize; chuck it out and make a fresh batch if that happens.
Substitutions
As always, be aware that making substitutions will change the final product. While these swaps won’t break the recipe, you will get a different final product than I did.
- As I’ve provided this recipe in percentages as well as grams you can easily calculate it to any size using a simple spreadsheet as I’ve explained in this post. As written in grams this recipe will make 7g, which fills a 10mL bottle nicely.
- To learn more about the ingredients used in this recipe, including why they’re included and what you can substitute them with, please visit the Humblebee & Me Encyclopedia. It doesn’t have everything in it yet, but there’s lots of good information there! If I have not given a specific substitution suggestion in this list please look up the ingredient in the encyclopedia before asking.
- You could use a different lightweight carrier oil or ester in place of fractionated coconut oil. Medium chain triglycerides, squalane, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, and Neossance® Hemisqualane would all work well.
- I have no good suggestions for replacing the OptiBlur Elastomer with a different single product. For this formulation, I’d probably start with a blend of something else that offers blurring (sericite mica, silica microspheres) and more liquid oil or dimethicone. Keep in mind that silica microspheres can be drying on the skin in high concentrations.
- You could probably try a store-bought mineral makeup if that’s all you have, though that will make this recipe significantly more expensive.
- You can use a different midweight liquid oil that your skin loves instead of argan oil; read the pre-amble for details.
- You could try sericite mica or silica dimethyl silylate instead of silica microspheres.
- If you don’t have thickening clay I’d recommend using 50/50 kaolin clay and silica microspheres. With this substitution, you will find the pigment settles out of the product quite quickly and needs to be shaken before use, but this swap will help replace the dry feel from the thickening clay.
Is there a way to infuse this with sunscreen? Is there something I can add as a natural sunscreen, or even just store-bought or homemade sunscreen?
Hey Mary! Please give this a read 🙂 Happy making!
You have a few recipes that I would love to try to make with the product Optiblur Elastomer. Do you know of another company that I can purchase this from, or something as a close substitute, possibly under a different name, other than lotioncrafter and possibly in Canada. The shipping for me would be just shy of $50 for a $5 dollar product. I have looked in your encyclopedia but it isn’t listed and am a bit unsure of replacing it with more silica as it is drying and already contains this product. Do you have any words of wisdom, please.
Hey Shannon! As a fellow Canadian, I feel your pain 🙁 I don’t know anywhere else that sells OptiBlur, unfortunately. I got mine from Lotion Crafter and had it meet me in the US on a trip down there. For this formulation, I’d probably start with a blend of something else that offers blurring (sericite mica, silica microspheres) and more liquid oil or dimethicone. Good luck & happy making!
Hi, I also didn’t have optiblur and thickening clay, so I had to be a little creative. I used fractionated coconutoil 5 grams and thickened it up a bit with 0,45 g rapeseedwax. You need to keep stirring as it cools down. After that I added 0,8 g serecite mica and 0,8 g mineral make up. I am very happy with this way lighter version of liquid foundation. My skin feels super soft and looks amazing, hardly any pores and wrinkles. I even made a bronzer version after that, also awesome! Thank you Marie!
Thanks so much for sharing, Rose Anne!
I like your oil serum tip here! I like how argan + primrose + camellia mix work in your liquid foundation (from the book). My cutrent one, jojoba + moringa is nice too. I totally agree with Kate. I’ve used high end synthetic makeup a lot in the past but after I got your book I’ve been positively addicted to your: foundation (liquid and powder), concealer, airbrushing powders and bronzer. To be honest I like to buy cosmetics ready made – but these one? No way.
Hey Marie!! As I had mentioned to you over on you tube, I’ve pretty much given up on making a mineral powder blend as i end up either looking like a light bulb or like I overindulged on self-tanner. I have tried and tried, and even used your book but i just can’t get it right and i have thrown away so much product trying so here’s my question. How about using this as a colorless perfecter?
It’s certainly worth a try! I’d probably try replacing all the mineral makeup with sericite mica. You could also try a shop-bought mineral makeup that does work for you 🙂
When it comes to working on colour blending—is it possible to try colour checking in a different environment? I remember seeing your home is very purple, and that *might* be impacting how you’re seeing the colour. It’s worth a shot?
Let me know how it goes & happy making!
I know this is three years later but I wanted to add that I have very fair skin and had that problem at first with my color blends, same as with commercial foundations. Everything was either too pink or too yellow, my skin was kinda just grayer than they were expecting. It occurred to me that there are actually three primary colors you’re balancing- red, yellow and blue, and I probably needed more blue. I had a very deep ferric ferrocyanide that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to use a small enough amount of or blend well enough, so I made up a fifty-fifty blend of chromium green oxide and sericite mica that I thought would blend well and be easier to add small amounts of pigment with, and added tiny scoops of that to a makeup blend that felt too light. It made it way truer to my skintone. I’ve tried the same method with manganese violet, but preferred the green on my skin.
Another project for my wish list! I watched your video, and it looks really easy to use. I’m a makeup newbie, so dumb question – do you have to use a special primer or something first, or just put it on? I normally use a hydrating serum (your recipe!) and regular lotion, can this just go right over that?
You can just put it straight on your face! Mine goes overtop of moisturizer and sunscreen 🙂 Happy making!
This looks perfect for summer! It’s such a fresh look for you. What did you use on your cheeks?
Thank you so much! I don’t fully remember… I think it was a really classically red lipstick sort of thing that I sheered out? I *think* it’s the same colour that’s on my lips. Hexidecimal wise, it’s around #D03440 🙂
Whoops, so sorry! I posted my comment in wrong place. Anyway, you can delete it if needed.
I like your oil serum tip here! I like how well argan primrose camellia mix (33:33:33) works in your liquid foundation (from the book). My current one has jojoba moringa (50:50), which is nice too.
I also have to agree with Kate. I’ve used a lot of commercial high end makeup earlier but after I got your book I’ve been positively addicted to your: foundation (liquid + powder), concealer, airbrushing powders and bronzer. Your color tweaking tips are valuable and they changed my mind! To be honest I like to buy cosmetics ready made – but these one? No way.
Mine came out really grainy. Actually most of the foundations I make come out that way. Why would that happen?
That’s strange! Are you using a blade coffee grinder to combine your powders and blending for at least 4–5 minutes total?
I realize you are a teacher, that’s what you thing is, however, I wish you would sell finished products on Etsy or here on your site, or Amazon, as well. I’d rather not give money to Etsy or Amazon but you probably didn’t need to know that.
Thank you for all your videos and blog posts.
Just saw your video about why you don’t sell stuff. So… um… never mind.
Yup, ha. I really really really didn’t like it at all 😛
I’ve bought your book and am purchasing the ingredients for the mineral make up powder base, but ‘m not sure what the titanium dioxide is – is it ‘Titanium Dioxide White Powder’? Thanks!
It’s this 🙂
Thank you Marie! ❤️
Hi Marie! I just want you to know I’ve been following your blog for four years now, and I love every single thing you come up with. I usually stick with trying different variations of your toners and face creams. I just love creating! I’ve recently been dissatisfied with how heavy makeup can feel and even though I don’t like wearing makeup I’m ALWAYS looking for the next foundation to try I am African and of course have a much deeper complexion so I’ve always looked at your makeup formulations a deep sigh and wishful thinking – but I keep coming back to this post!! This has to be the answer I’ve been looking for for skin-like makeup. Question – would you say your formulation is similar to the Kosas Tinted Face Oil foundation? ( https://www.sephora.com/product/tinted-face-oil-P441884?om_mmc=aff-linkshare-redirect-tv2R4u9rImY&c3ch=Linkshare&c3nid=tv2R4u9rImY&affid=tv2R4u9rImY-I2cEWDALSe6TivhdlQ6zow&ranEAID=tv2R4u9rImY&ranMID=2417&ranSiteID=tv2R4u9rImY-I2cEWDALSe6TivhdlQ6zow&ranLinkID=10-1 )
For me, the less fillers there are, the more beautiful the formula is. I’m interested in making a product like this or a buildable “like skin” moisturizing foundation. What are your thoughts?
Oh gosh. So many typos and missing words lmao. I’m sorry I was too excited. I never really leave comments, I just read others I had another question too – what are your thoughts on the serum foundations and skin treatment foundations? (Ilia, exa beauty, etc)
I think they can be lovely, but the ones that use oil as a base are often priced higher than I think they should be 🙂
Hey Amara! I think the formulation in my book, Make it Up: The Essential Guide to DIY Makeup and Skin Care, is relatively close to the Kosas one 🙂
I made this Liquid blurring tint following your subsitution ideas. It looks great and acts very nicely on skin… skinfeel is fabulous and expencive. 😛 Your idea of pairing it with concealer is fantasic! I haven’t noticed this being too drying (silica content is high). Also, I just found out that I have those bottles you used so I’m going to transfer it into one of them!
People ask me occasionally details about my creations based on your formulations (I encourage them checking your blog post). Thank you ❤️
1,5 % thickening clay: kaolin: silica 50:50
7 % optiblur elastomer: 2 % silica : 5 % mct oil
3,5 % silica
11 % mineral makeup
20 % caprylic / capric triglycerides
57 % argan oil: my own mid-weight squalane mct oil based bakuchiol oil serum with hemp and primrose (contains antioxidant and it should last ~ a year before going rancid)
Hi, do you think I could replace MCT oil with cetyl alcohol or coco caprylate?
Yes—coco caprylate. Using cetyl alcohol instead of MCT would make this a brick 🙂 Happy making!
Oh wow. I made my second batch yesterday and it is far better than my first one in every level. 😀 I just want to thank you again for teaching us this empowering skill. Second skin cream foundation with coco-caprylate, beeswax and silica is my favorite. I thought that the first batch couldn’t be any better but coco caprylate boosts the slip / glide a bit. Love them both!
My first liquid blurring tint batch oxidized quickly (oops!) and I just found it too fragant for day time usage. I wanted a bit more coverage too. This is different. It’s even dispersion and pigments haven’t sedimented yet. I just like how effortless it is! I noticed that mixing was easier likely because I used high polarity oils (macadamia nut oil and isoamyl laurate). I added a hint of beeswax (~ 0,7 %) afterwards – it mixes up the percentages (total 100,7 %) but gives a little bit of thickeness. It glides on skin smoothly but I can feel the creaminess of beeswax…maybe some other wax / butter would be better? It doesn’t leave my skin oily like some foundations might do or feel drying on skin (my first batch was a bit too drying in the long run). This seems to have soft focuse properties (similar to silky cream foundation) – looks good around my eyes.
I figured I could share some details. My supplier mentioned that this ester oil, isoamyl laurate, and / or plantsil / natrasil can be used to make simple oil based foundation (mixing it with mineral makeup) and there shouldn’t be any sediment. I haven’t tried that but maybe I should. Coco-caprylate is apparently used in kid’s sunscreens.
– 15 % mineral makeup
– argan oil: macadamia nut oil (to 100 %)
– thickening clay: kaolin clay + silica 50:50
– optiblur elastomer: sericite mica + isoamyl laurate 2 % + 5 %
– fractioned coconut oil: coco-caprylate
– 0,7 % beeswax (extra ingredient)
Hi Marie! this looks so good I definitely want to try this out! I was wondering (because unless I fly to America from Australia I won’t be able to get any optiblur) if i could create a soft ointment with lightweight oil and cetyl alcohol and silica/sericite mica as a substitute? thank you so much!
It’s worth a try! Also, check out Johanna’s comment right above yours—she did a riff without Optiblur and shared her formulation ❤️ Happy making!
Omg Marie this is freaking amazing!!!!!
I replaced coconut oil with hemi-squalene and the Aragon oil with squalane. It looks so freaking natural!!!!!!! Feels so great! And with some spot concealer you can get such a perfect look ! Can’t wait for the ingredient I need for the eyeliner to arrive for a whole new daily makeup routine.
HOORAY!!!! ❤️