If you don’t need to wear glow-in-the-dark makeup often, it may seem like a hassle to purchase glow-in-the-dark makeup just for a special event. Luckily, if you are already into DIY makeup, you probably already have the ingredients that you need to make glow-in-the-dark makeup.
In this post, I will share a few recipes to make glow-in-the-dark makeup that you can use on your face, lips, nails, eyes, and hair.
Note: glow pigments need to be placed under a light for a few minutes before they will glow. After you have applied the glow in the dark makeup, stand under a fluorescent light for a few minutes and watch your makeup glow! If you are going to an outdoor event, spending some time in the sun before your event would also yield great results.
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How to Make Glow in the Dark Makeup for Face & Body (Paint)
If you can’t find a specific color of glow in the dark body paint at the store, making your own glow in the dark face and body paint allows you to customize the colors you want.
Here are the ingredients your need:
- 4 tablespoons of corn starch or talcum powder
- 2 tablespoons of thick lotion or cold cream
- Food Coloring (optional)
- 2 tablespoons of glow pigment
- Small Mixing bowls
Corn starch binds the paint to your skin and also acts as a reflector for enhanced brightness. The cold cream enhances the smoothness of the paint and ensures it does not crack. The glow pigment provides glow to the other ingredients while the coloring is optional. Here is the process:
Step 1 – Stir the cold cream and the corn starch together. If you need different colors, separate the mixture into different bowls.
Step 2 – Add the glow pigment to the mixture. Add a small amount at a time and mix thoroughly.
Step 3 – If the pigment does not have color, or you want to add color, use food coloring. However, adding food coloring diminishes the color.
Step 4 – Apply the paint with a makeup brush.
How to Make Glow in the Dark Acrylic Nails (DIY)
Glow in the dark nail polish can be made by mixing clear nail polish with glow powder.
You need the following items to make glow in the dark nail polish:
- Glow pigment powder
- A small piece of paper cut into a rectangle
- Clear nail polish
- Two ball bearings (optional)
Once you have all the ingredients above, follow the process below:
Step 1 – Drop the two ball bearings in the clear nail polish bottle. These bearings help make the nail polish and the glow powder mix evenly. If you do not have the ball bearings, you can still make a smooth mixture but with more shaking.
Step 2 – Make a funnel using the piece of paper and place the funnel at the opening of the nail polish bottle.
Step 3 – Add the glow pigment into the bottle a little at a time. A teaspoon of the powder will offer enough consistency for your glow-in-the-dark polish.
Step 4 – Shake the bottle as you stir. Mix until you have a smooth and thick consistency. You can test the consistency of the mixture on a sheet of paper before applying.
Step 5 – Apply a base coat with regular polish before applying the glow-in-the-dark polish. This will give you a firm glow effect.
How to Make Glow in the Dark Glitter For Acrylic Nails
The tutorial below is for making glow-in-the-dark glitter for nail art. If you’re looking to make glow-in-the-dark glitter for the face or skin, it’s actually easier to purchase glow glitter from the store. This tutorial is best for people who prefer to customize their nail glitters.
To make glow in the dark glitter, you need the following materials:
- Glitter
- Glow in the Dark powder pigments
- Kupa powder
- Small makeup jars
- Backlight (for testing)
A backlight is not necessary, but it comes in handy when you need to test the glow. You can also use UV flashlights for the best effects. Here is the complete procedure:
Step 1 – Fill 3/4 of the small makeup jar with Kupa powder
Step 2 – Add glitter into the jar. Just add as much or as little as you like.
Step 3 – Add the glow powder into the jar. Add as much as or as little as you see fit. I recommend using only use 1 color of glow powder pigment so you can control the color outcome.
Step 4 – Close the jar and shake to mix the contents together.
Repeat Steps 2 – 4 until you are satisfied with the glow-in-the-dark glitter mixture.
To use your glow in the dark acrylic nail glitter, add a small amount of acrylic liquid monomer into a small container then dip your nail brush into the acrylic liquid until the brush is slightly damp. Dip your brush into the glow-in-the-dark nail glitter and apply it to your acrylic nails. Let it dry, apply a topcoat, and cure.
How to Make Glow in the Dark Eyeshadow
When it comes to glow-in-the-dark eyeshadow, you can make your own eyeshadow, or you can buy eyeshadow and mix it with glow powder.
Here is what you need to make your own glow in the dark eyeshadow:
- 2 teaspoons of mica powder
- 8 Beeswax pastilles
- 1 teaspoon shea butter
- 2 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin
- A teaspoon of glow powder
- 1 small makeup jar
You can add drops of vitamin E oil and refined jojoba oil to make the eyeshadow rich. Below is the process to follow:
Step 1 – Add beeswax and shea butter in a bowl and microwave until they melt (Don’t Burn)
Step 2 – Add the glycerin then add jojoba oil and vitamin E.
Step 3 – Add mica powder a little at a time and mix well.
Step 4 – Add the glow pigment a little at a time and mix well until you get a uniform consistency.
Step 5 – Pour the finished mixture into a small makeup jar.
Step 6 – Keep the mixture in a refrigerator for about 24 hours before use.
How to Make Glow in the Dark Hair Dye
This glow-in-the-dark “hair dye” recipe provides a temporary glow effect by making your hair gel glow. If you want a more permanent solution, it’s recommended to buy a permanent glow-in-the-dark hair dye.
Here are the materials you need for the glow in the dark hair dye:
- Clear Hair gel
- Glow powder
- A bowl for mixing
Follow the instructions below to make your glow-in-the-dark hair dye.
Step 1 – Add about half a cup of hair gel to a container.
Step 2 – Add the glow powder into the hair gel and mix thoroughly to make a smooth paste. Use a lid on the container and then shake well for even mixing.
Step 3 – Place the mixture under a light to charge it for some time.
Step 4 – Shampoo, condition and allow your hair to dry before applying the dye/hair gel.
How to Make Glow in the Dark Lipstick
You can buy glow-in-the-dark lipstick, or you can make your vegan and natural glow-in-the-dark lipstick at home.
Here are the materials you need:
- 2 teaspoons of Beeswax pellets
- 1 teaspoon of shea butter/cocoa butter
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
- Neon Food coloring of your choice
- Lip chap container
You can also add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice for a good scent. Here is the method:
Step 1 – Melt the wax, the coconut oil, and the shea or cocoa butter in a bowl over simmering water. Turn off the heat once ingredients have melted to avoid burning the ingredients.
Step 2 – Add the neon food coloring a little at a time and observe the color changes.
Step 3 – Add a few drops of essential oil.
Step 4 – Use a dropper to put the ingredients into a lip chap container. Do not fill up to the top as the mixture expands slightly after cooling.
Step 5 – Allow cooling for at least 30 minutes. Store it in the refrigerator to avoid softening.