Friday, January 7, 2011

{DIY} How To Make Your Own Fix+ Type Spray (For Oily and Acne Prone Skin)


I know that there have been a lot of different tutorials on how to make Fix+, or a type of setting spray. This is my take on it and it is a little bit different. First off, I don't think that Fix+ is really a setting spray that is intended to make your makeup last longer. I think it's more of a refresher spray that is slightly moisturizing. I wanted to make a CHEAPER alternative that will help TREAT ACNE and MOISTURIZE.

You will need:
-1/2 cup water
-10 drops glycerin
-10 drops argan oil (or another oil you prefer)
-15 drops tea tree oil
-an empty spray bottle
-mixing bowl/cup
-something to stir with
-a funnel (optional)

Important: I do not recommend making more than about half a cup at a time because it does not have any preservatives in it and therefore has a relatively short shelf life. This recipe makes a little more than 2.7 oz, enough to fill my container of choosing. You can adjust the ingredients to make however little or much you want.

Now, I use this to help treat my oily skin. I know, a lot of people will be skeptical because of the oils and moisturizers in the recipe, but keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day is one way of cutting down on oiliness. This recipe is great because it absorbs quickly and isn't greasy at all. If my skin is feeling very oily in the morning, I don't skip the moisturizer. Rather, I pat this into my face (see application tips at the end of the post) and pat it into my face. I give it a minute to absorb and voila, a moisturized, but non-greasy face. The tea tree oil is also great for helping treat acne, which sometimes haunts people with oily skin. If you are still hesitant, feel free to modify the recipe to suit your skin type. If you have dry skin, add more argan oil and glycerin and less tea tree oil.

A little about the ingredients:

First, off, glycerin is a humectant. What this means is that it helps a substance, in this case your skin, retain moisture. It is important to note that it doesn't actually moisturize, it simply prevents the loss of moisture. It's very cheap, too. I forget where I bought it, but it was around $4 for 6 oz and you can find it at most drugstores.


Tea tree oil ( mine is $10 from The Body Shop) is naturally antibacterial and is used as an acne treatment. I'm also putting in argan oil because it is very moisturizing. I'm using a little sample I got of it from Sephora, but if you want to try it without shelling out, you can ask for a sample at Sephora. You only really need 10 drops, so the sample should be enough.

1. Pour 1/2 cup water into a small mixing bowl.


2. Add 15 drops of tea tree oil.

You can add less, more, or none at all depending on your skins needs.

You should have something that looks like this:


3. Add 10 drops of argan oil.

If you don't have argan oil, other oils may works as well. You can try other oils like almond or olive oil. Just make sure that whatever oil you chooses won't clog your pores (is noncomedogenic ) and is not irritating, like a lot of essential oils can be. Again, you can adjust the amount you put in depending on your skins needs.

You should have something that looks like this:


4. Add 10 drops of glycerin.

I just drop is straight from the opening. The drops are fairly small.

5. Mix the ingredients very well and pour them into your container of choice. Use a funnel if you need to.

The finished product:





I chose an empty Secrets of Paradise perfume spray bottle because the straw is extra long and it curves into the bottom of the container. This is great for getting to the very last drop of the solution and not waste much at all. Make sure you wash out the spray bottle very well.

How To Use:

IMPORTANT: SHAKE WELL BEFORE EVERY USE!!!

1. As a toner spray. I usually spray this onto my hands (5-6 sprays), rub them together, and pat all over my face. It absorbs within a minute. You can spray directly on your face as well, or use a cotton ball.

2. Refresher spray. I keep this in my purse and whenever I see my makeup looking a little too matte or just blah (to use a technical term, lol!). It absorbs very quickly and leaves the skin feeling very fresh, clean, and moisturized.

3. In makeup application. I spritz this on my face prior to applying cream or liquid foundation and it goes on a lot smoother. With liquid, it makes it go on shearer, and cream foundations glide on easier and look more natural. I also spray this on my brush to make eyeshadows apply more vibrantly.

I hope this post was helpful! I will try to post more DIY recipes in the future! Please let me know what you thought about the tutorial in comments!

2 comments:

  1. Would baby oil work for this?

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  2. Honestly, I would stay away from using baby oil on your face because it is basically mineral oil and perfume, and mineral oil has been thought to clog pores (this is debated, though).

    I would actually just try a few drops of olive, sweet almond, or sunflower oil, all of which can be found at the grocery. And if your skin is really oily like mine you really can get away with adding just a few more drops of glycerine. Hope this helps! And thanks for commenting!

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