One of my favorite things about making cosmetics from scratch is experimenting with light.
Unlike traditional highlighters that simply add shimmer, holographic highlighters use carefully selected cosmetic-grade micas to create beautiful color shifts that change as they catch the light.
Inspired by the stunning holographic products that filled beauty counters in recent years, I wanted to create my own version using cosmetic ingredients that are easy to work with and endlessly customizable.
Whether you prefer a subtle ethereal glow or something that looks positively cosmic, this recipe is a fun introduction to handmade color cosmetics.
Here it is swatched on my arm in natural sunlight. Love this!!!
Start with 2 grams of distilled water in a beaker. Place in a simmering water bath to heat.
I used 0.8 grams of emulsifying was, 0.8 grams of sunflower wax and 0.8 grams of brassica glycerides. Place in another glass beaker.
To the waxes, add in 2.5 grams coconut oil and 1.4 grams of triglyceride. Heat this mixture to 160 degrees in a simmering water bath.
I used a magical blend of TKB Blue Diamond, Hilite Violet and Jill mica blends. I used 0.6 grams of Hilite Violet, 0.3 grams of Blue Diamond and 0.3 grams of Jill. These mica powders made an awesome holographic blend. Always purchase cosmetic-grade micas and pigments intended for facial use.
Not every colorant is approved for:
Check supplier recommendations before formulating.
What a gorgeous mound of sparkles!!!
You can buy these powders at www.tkbtrading.com.
Add the mica powders into the melted oil/wax mixture and stir well. Return the beaker to the hot water to warm and liquify.
Slowly pour the water into the oil and mix for about 5 minutes to thicken. You want something like thick cream.
I preserved this with 0.4 grams of Leucidal SF Max and AMTicide Coconut
preservatives. Mix these two in after the mixture cools to around 100
degrees. Transfer to a small 10 ml glass container.
A little goes a long way!
One of my favorite things about making cosmetics from scratch is experimenting with light.
