25 Easy Tips to Make Your Own Make-Up

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25 Easy Tips to Make Your Own Make-Up, Get Free Makeup Samples and More

One of the most expensive things about being a woman is purchasing cosmetics. From make-up to creams and lotions to other beauty aids, women spend millions every year buying items meant to help them look their best. But what if you could save money by making your own cosmetics? While there will be an initial outlay of cost in some cases to buy the necessary ingredients, you can save money over time. At the very least, you can get free make-up samples. Here are 25 tips for saving money on beauty aids, from using recipes to make your own lotion to finding free samples.

Recipes for Creating Your Own Make-up

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You don’t have to buy cosmetics; you can make them. Here are a few recipes for putting together your own make-up kit.

1. Eye shadow is one of the easiest things to make. You need to buy mica in different shades, something to grind ingredients (you can buy a mini-grinder or use a plastic bag), and powder binder. eHow offers a simple recipe for mixing eyeshadow.
2. Blush is even easier to make than eyeshadow — you don’t need a powder binder. Just use mica. MakeYourCosmetics.com has a great blush recipe .
3. Lipstick is one of the harder things to make on your own. However, it is possible to purchase lipstick kits for around $90. These usually include a demo video, along with a variety of pigments so you can make a number of different colors. But if you are really ambitious, you can make your own lipstick from scratch.
4. Personalize your foundation (and make it last longer) by mixing your current foundation with a the facial moisturizer that you use. You can create a sheer foundation and stretch out how long your current foundation lasts.
5. Create a colored mascara look by combining what you already have — no need to go out and buy mascara in different colors. The Beauty Shop recommends that you apply your regular mascara, and then take your flat eyeshadow brush and look down while you lightly pat the top of your lashes. Maybe you could use some of your homemade eyeshadow…
6. Actually creating your own mascara is not usually the best idea, since we are talking about putting things near your sensitive eyes. However, if you want to save a little money, you can put a little Vaseline or Chapstick on your lashes, and then use dark blue, brown or black eyeshadow to complete the look. But again, be careful. This is not recommended, as it can result in an eye infection if you are not careful.
7. You can create your own make-up remover as well. It is possible to create reusable make-up remover pads using a squares from a charm square and backing it with flannel or Minky. Use the pads, and when you are done, you can wash them in the laundry. Since I shower in the evening, I just remove my make-up in the shower.
8. It is possible to make chapstick at home, if you make beeswax lip balm. You need cocoa butter, some oils, honey, lanolin and beeswax. All of these things are available at the grocery and craft stores. About.com has a great video that demonstrates how to make your own chapstick.
9. Making your own colored nail polish is possible — as long as you have some clear nail polish and some eyeshadow. Add glitter for sparkle. Style Tips 101 has a simple recipe for colored nail polish.
10. Facial toner is fairly easy to make if you have some cooled tea and essential oils. Add a little rubbing alcohol, and you end up with something that has a longer shelf life. You can even use floral water and a couple drops of essential oils to create a facial toner. Saffron Rouge has good information on creating your own toner.
11. You can make your own skin care lotion with only three ingredients that are easy to find: emulsifying wax, water and oil. BlogHer has a lotion recipe that comes with variations to make hydrating lotion and scented lotion.

Free Make-up and Beauty Samples

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There’s nothing like getting free stuff . Here are some tips and Web sites for getting make-up and other cosmetics for free. You don’t actually have to pay for what you use, if you play your cards right.

1. Go to your local department store. In many cases you can get free samples of products from make-up to perfume to lotion.
2. Head to the local salon. Many salons offer samples of lotions and other products that they use to care for you. The hope is that you’ll buy bigger versions of the samples once you see how nice it is to use these products.
3. Bare Minerals offers its high-end “pure” make-up in free samples at Sephora and Ulta. You can also get a starter kit for around $60.
4. Signature Minerals provides a sampler pack to introduce to “organic” make-up.
5. Bella Online offers a look at specific samples of specific beauty products.
6. Free Makeup Samples provides access to a number of make-up samples.
7. Freemania.net provides a number of make-up and other beauty product samples.

Beauty Blogs and Make-Up Web Sites

If you want to learn more about making your own cosmetics, get helpful tips and learn about frugal beauty hacks, these Web sites and blogs can help.

1. Saffron Rouge offers helpful information on frugal organic cosmetics. Helpful do-it-yourself recipes as well as access to other beauty tips and products.
2. About.com provides a number of frugal beauty tips and information on creating your own make-up and other useful information.
3. MakeYourComsmetics.com is just what it sounds like: A place to go to find recipes for make-up.
4. Teach Soap devotes itself to helping you create your own soaps.
5. Makeup and Beauty Blog offers reviews, products and tips.
6. Jack & Hill offers beauty tips, discounts and hints on how to use different beauty products.
7. Makeup Moxie’s Beauty Blog looks at beauty and makeup from a number of angles. Providing beauty tips and products, but mixing it with an emphasis on women’s health.