Getting Started with Shimmer Lotions
Alright, let’s talk about making those shimmer lotions. I got into this a while back because I wanted that nice glow, especially in the summer, but didn’t always want to shell out for the store-bought versions. Plus, sometimes they’re just too much, you know? Doing it yourself lets you control things.
What I Gathered First
So, the first step was getting my supplies lined up. It’s pretty straightforward, really. Here’s what I usually grab:
- A basic body lotion: I just picked one I already had and liked the feel of. Something unscented is usually best, so you don’t get weird smells mixing. Make sure it’s not too watery or too thick.
- The shimmer: This is the key part. I went with cosmetic-grade mica powder. Found some online, came in little pots. Lots of colors – golds, bronzes, pinks. It’s important to get the cosmetic-grade stuff, not craft glitter. Don’t want anything scratchy or unsafe on your skin.
- A small bowl or container: Something clean to mix everything in.
- A stirrer: A small spoon, a cosmetic spatula, even a clean popsicle stick works.
- An empty container: For the final product. A clean, empty lotion bottle or a small jar is perfect.
Mixing It All Up
Okay, here’s how I actually did the mixing. I took my clean bowl. Squeezed a good amount of the plain lotion into it. Not too much to start, maybe half of what I thought I’d need. Easier to add more later.
Then, the mica powder. This is where you gotta go slow. Seriously. I learned this the hard way. First time I just dumped a whole bunch in. Ended up looking like I’d wrestled a tin man. Not subtle.
So, I took just a tiny pinch of the mica powder. Sprinkled it over the lotion. Then I just stirred it really well. Kept stirring until I couldn’t see any powder streaks and it looked evenly mixed. You have to make sure it’s properly incorporated, otherwise, it can look patchy on the skin.
After the first mix, I looked at it. Did it have enough shimmer? Usually, the first pinch isn’t enough. So, I added another tiny pinch. Stirred again. I kept doing this – tiny pinch, stir, check – until it got to the level of shimmer I wanted. It’s always better to build it up slowly.
Testing and Adjusting
Once it looked about right in the bowl, I did a quick test. Put a small dab on the back of my hand and rubbed it in. Checked it under the light. How did it look? Too glittery? Not enough? Did it feel okay on the skin? Sometimes, adding the powder can make the lotion feel a tiny bit drier, but usually, it’s not a big change if you don’t go overboard.
If it wasn’t quite right, I’d adjust. Needed more shimmer? Add another tiny bit of mica. Too shimmery? Add a bit more plain lotion to dilute it. Stirred it all up again after any adjustment.
Putting it Away
When I was happy with the mix, I needed to get it into its final container. I used a small, clean funnel for this because trying to spoon it into a bottle opening is just asking for a mess. Carefully poured or squeezed the shimmer lotion from my mixing bowl into the clean, empty bottle or jar. Slapped a quick label on it so I wouldn’t forget which shimmer I’d made.
Final Thoughts
And that’s pretty much the whole process. It’s not complicated. Mostly just adding a bit of powder to lotion and stirring. The main thing is starting with a tiny amount of mica and building up. It’s easy, cheap, and you get exactly the kind of glow you’re after. Takes maybe 10-15 minutes once you have your stuff ready. Definitely worth trying if you like a bit of shimmer.
