How to formulate a mixing medium for makeup applications

Mixing Medium is one of the best cosmetic inventions according to professional makeup artists.  It has the ability to transform almost any loose powder mineral makeup or cosmetic product into a variety of formulations and colors.

Professional makeup artists use Mixing Mediums often to change how they apply makeup as well as change loose powder mineral makeup into liquid formulations.

Mixing Mediums can be used by any makeup user, crafter, or painter.  They offer a wide selection of usages as seen below.
Methods of Mixing Medium use:

1. Diluting liquid or cream foundation to a lighter color or more sheer shade
2. Transform cosmetic loose powders or mineral makeup into liquid and creams.
3. Add to lipstick to form a lip gloss using another cosmetic container for mixing.
4. Use with straight pigments or micas to make an art and body paint.
5. Customize unique one of a kind art and makeup colors.
6. Formulate colors to paint on glass, plastic and other surfaces.
7. Mixing to form airbrush makeup.
8. And many more avenues of application.

The best Mixing Mediums will be water based.  They can be purchased at retail outlets like Dillards that offer a M.A.C. Cosmetics counter, M.A.C. Pro Stores, Naimie’s Beauty Centers, and Sally Beauty Stores.

It’s not necessary to purchase water based Mixing Mediums for use with mineral powder or other makeup.  Mixing Mediums can be formulated cheaply, quickly, and easily with a few simple steps, and products found at local stores like Wal-Mart or Target.

Only two product ingredients are needed to formulate water based mixing medium; distilled water and natural vegetable glycerin. (see photos below)

The items for mixing and storing a makeup Mixing Medium will be a suitable sized cosmetic container, or glass Pyrex container.  Sifter jars without the sifter insert work well if product is not being sold to others. (see FDA.gov for cosmetics and toiletries laws and regulations.)

Steps to formulate a mixing medium for use with mineral makeup or other powders:

1. With rubbing alcohol sterilize all utensils, makeup brushes, and containers that will be used.
2. Measure into appropriate makeup container one third vegetable glycerin and two thirds distilled water.
3. Using a sterilized taklon makeup brush, (see photo below ) Pyrex glass stirring stick, or craft stick, or electric hand mixer, blending ingredients together thoroughly.

4. Proper blending time is 1-5 minutes.

The makeup Mixing Medium is now finished and can be used with cosmetic products or crafting projects.

To use the homemade Mixing Medium locate a cosmetic container and sterilize.  Add a small amount of mineral makeup powder, pigment, or mica (see photo above) into container and blend with a dab of the makeup Mixing Medium.  Depending on the type of makeup product needed, it may be necessary to add more mineral powder or Mixing Medium. 
The blending method will be the same to formulate a liquid, cream, or paste makeup product.  Only the amount of loose powder and Mixing Medium will vary.

It’s fortunate in this poor economy, for makeup users to have cheap and easy techniques to formulate mineral makeup foundations, eye shadows, liners, and blush  into pretty color palettes for everyday use.