Before the gods of makeup created Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy, you had to use MAC Mixing Medium to foil loose eyeshadows. And let me tell you, it was a game-changer. It wasn’t just about making eyeshadows stick.
It was about transforming them into bold, vibrant, jaw-dropping shades that practically leaped off your eyelids. Seriously, it was like discovering the holy grail of eyeshadow application. No wonder it has such a cult following. I mean, who doesn’t want eyeshadows that pop like nobody’s business?
But what’s the secret sauce that makes this magic happen? What’s the wizardry behind turning a regular old eyeshadow into a dazzling masterpiece? It’s so simple it’s almost laughable: glycerin and water. Yep, that’s it. No fancy chemicals, no mystical potions. Just good ol’ glycerin and water.
And you know what that means? You don’t have to spend your hard-earned cash on a fancy bottle of mixing medium. Nope, you can whip up your own right at home. It’s like a DIY beauty hack that feels borderline illegal because it’s so easy (and cheap). Why spend money on something you can make in your kitchen in less than five minutes, right?
Why You Need Mixing Medium In Your Makeup Life
Okay, hold up. If you’re wondering why you even need a mixing medium in the first place, let’s break it down. Have you ever applied a gorgeous, glittery eyeshadow only to have half of it fall onto your cheeks?
Or maybe it looked vibrant in the pan but turned into a sad, dull wash of color on your lids. Ugh, the disappointment. That’s where a mixing medium comes to the rescue. It grabs onto the loose pigment and keeps it locked in place on your eyelids.
No more fallout, no more patchy application. Just pure, intense color that lasts all day. And it doesn’t just intensify the color; it gives your eyeshadow this almost metallic, wet-look finish that’s to die for.
The Science
So why glycerin and water? What’s so special about this combo? Well, glycerin is a humectant, which is just a fancy way of saying it attracts moisture. When you mix it with water, it creates this slightly sticky base that eyeshadow clings to like glue.
It makes the pigment look more intense and keeps it from budging. Basically, it’s the unsung hero of the makeup world. And the best part? It’s dirt cheap and easy to find. You can grab a bottle at pretty much any pharmacy.
How To Make Your Own Mixing Medium
Ready to become a DIY makeup chemist? It’s so easy you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing this all along. Here’s what you’ll need:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 part liquid glycerin (Find this at your local pharmacy. It’s usually in the skincare aisle.)
- 3 parts water (Good ol’ tap water works just fine, but if you’re feeling fancy, you can use distilled water.)
- A bowl (Just a regular bowl from your kitchen. You don’t need any special tools.)
- A spoon (For stirring, obviously.)
- A small funnel (Optional, but it makes pouring a lot easier.)
- An empty bottle (Reuse an old skincare bottle, or buy a travel-sized one from the dollar store.)
DIRECTIONS
- Pour the glycerin and water into the bowl: Measure out 1 part glycerin and 3 parts water. If you’re not sure how much to make, start small. For example, use one teaspoon of glycerin and three teaspoons of water.
- Stir it up: Mix the two together until they’re fully combined. It’ll look like a slightly thick, clear liquid.
- Pour the mixture into an empty bottle: Using a funnel makes this less messy, but if you have a steady hand, go for it.
- Shake before each use: The glycerin can settle, so give it a good shake before you apply it to your brush.
Yep, it’s that easy. No boiling, no fancy equipment, no complicated steps. You’re basically just mixing two things together and calling it a day.
How To Use Your New DIY Mixing Medium
Now that you’ve got your magical potion, how do you actually use it? It’s simple:
- Dip your brush into the mixing medium: Just the tip of the brush, you don’t want to soak it.
- Pick up your eyeshadow: Use the damp brush to pick up the loose pigment.
- Apply it to your lids: Press (don’t swipe!) the eyeshadow onto your eyelid for maximum color payoff.
- Build up the intensity: Keep layering until you get the vibrancy you’re after.
Is Making Your Own Mixing Medium Safe?
Now, before you go mixing up a gallon of this stuff and bottling it like you’re starting a side hustle, there are a few things you need to know:
1. Make A Small Batch
Anything that has water in it is a potential breeding ground for bacteria. Yep, even something as innocent as mixing medium. So only make enough to last you a few days. Seriously. If you get lazy and let it sit around for weeks, you might end up with tiny black dots floating in your bottle. Spoiler alert: Those are bacteria colonies, and you do not want that anywhere near your eyes. Gross, right?
2. Clean That Bottle Like Your Life Depends On It
Even if you’re using a brand-new bottle, wash it out first. Why? Because you don’t know where it’s been. It could’ve been sitting in a dusty warehouse for months. Or maybe someone sneezed on it during packaging (hey, it happens). Either way, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Clean the bottle with hot, soapy water and let it dry completely before pouring in your mixture. This one small step could save you from a nasty eye infection.
Related: How To Make And Store Homemade Beauty Products Safely
The Bottom Line
And there you have it! You’re now officially a makeup DIY genius. Not only will this save you money, but it’ll also give you that pro-level eyeshadow look without needing to buy another product. Plus, there’s just something satisfying about using a product you made yourself, right?
It’s like being in on a little beauty secret that nobody else knows. So go ahead, give it a try, and get ready for your eyeshadow game to reach new heights. You might just find that your homemade mixing medium becomes your new holy grail. Happy mixing!
Oh this is smart and so inexpensive. I know that to transform an eye shadow into eyeliner there are some eye makeup removers you can use, the ones with no oils of course. I’ve tried it and it works quite well. 🙂
Icaria, I had never heard of that. I will have to try it now. 🙂
Ooo. I like this post a lot! I’d definitely try this out when I have time but sadly (and happily that I have lots of art to make) I don’t have time in the near future. I would pay for a product already formulated for me as opposed to making my own for the sake of sanitary purposes because I doubt I’d use it up fast enough but I still want to try it anyways. Someday!
Janessa, I prefer to buy products too, but it’s nice to know how to make your own. That way, if you need a product for just one or two looks, you can make it yourself rather than rush to the shop to buy something you won’t use often. 🙂
I use a professional mixing liquid for mic powders in my face painting business. To my horror I realize that the cap has come off and Spilled all of it out just before I left for an event this morning. Have to order it and knew that there is no possibility of that happening so I Googled a do-it-yourself remedy and thank God I happened upon your site! And you think that I’ve been sitting on a whole bottle of Glycerin all this time but paying high-dollar for a tiny bottle of mixer. Your recipe worked perfectly. It came up in conversation with a parent today and she had heard of a similar recipe but added that a couple of drops of vitamin E oil will actually lengthen the shelf life of your mixer. Honestly, you made my day!
Trish, aww thank you! So so glad it helped.
Hi Gio, my name is Rakhi and I am doing a post (for my blog) on how to use water, makeup fixer and mixing liquids to create eyeliner out of eyeshadows. I thought your post was incredible and I will definitely making my own mixing medium (particularly since they’re not easily available here in India). I wanted to ask your permission to post the link to this DIY article within my post. Please let me know. Thank you and I’m a fan!
Rakhi, thanks for your support. So glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, you can definitely link to my pots, thanks!