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DIY Body Shimmer Spray the Perfect Solution to a Sun-Kissed Glow

Summer means warm, long days, triple-dipped ice cream cones, chilled drinks, dinner outdoors, bike riding, pool parties, and fireworks.

All of these require summer wear, such as shorts, swimsuits, and sundresses. And if you’re not a kid anymore, you may not enjoy exposing the expanse of your legs and arms on every occasion.

Breathable, lightweight fabrics and flowy long dresses and pants can be a great solution. However, searing temperatures and many summer activities give us no choice but to reveal more skin.

That’s when sunscreen and a DIY body shimmer spray come in handy!

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What is a Body Shimmer Spray?

A body shimmer spray, sometimes called a bronzing spray, glow mist, or body glow spray is used to add a gentle touch of color and shine to the skin.

There are three types of body shimmer: lotion, powder, and spray. All of which creates a natural sun-kissed appearance that makes a huge difference (especially in my confidence to reveal more skin).

However, each can come with a pricey label and questionable ingredients, which is why I recommend making your own shimmer body spray. 

Related: Essential Oil DIY Eyelash Growth Serum

How To Apply a DIY Shimmer Spray, the Grown-Up Way

How To Apply a Shimmer Spray, the Grown-Up Way

How do you use a shimmer spray and not come out looking like a teenager from the 2000s with a bad spray tan?

When used properly, this DIY body shimmer spray will work as a natural body bronzer for summer-ready skin. Its gold-toned shimmer is great for enhancing a glowy and sun-kissed look, as opposed to an orange spray tan or a glitter disco ball. 

When you shake the bottle and press down the pump, a super-fine gold shimmer will add a fresh shine and tint of color to light skin and extra glow to dark skin.

Quick Tips on How to Use a Body Shimmer Spray

Take it from someone who’s tried everything and follow these tips to get the most out of body shimmer spray:

Tips for Applying Body Shimmer

For best application, apply to moisturized skin. Think just after applying lotion, not dripping wet from the shower. 

To avoid over-application, use a fine mist spray bottle and spray 4 to 6 inches away from the body in long strokes. If you get too much coverage in one area or not enough in another, just massage it into your skin before it dries. (Massage works great for hard-to-reach places, as well.) 

The powder will settle to the bottom after it has been sitting. Naturally, we like to give things a shake to mix. But, to avoid clogging the spray nozzle, I recommend swirling the bottle or using a side-to-side rocking motion to blend the mixture.

Give it a test. If it’s not as shimmery or dark as you like it, you can add more shimmer powder to the spray. (I’ll show you how in the instructions below)

The bronzer will last all day but will wash off in water. So, if you plan on swimming, tuck your bottle of shimmer spray in your pool bag. Then reapply it after towel drying off and applying sunscreen. 

You can spray this shimmer spray into your hair, as well! Yep, it’s safe for hair and will give you a boost of shine and sparkle for stunning beachy mermaid hair. You’ll be living in your Barbie Dream World!!

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What’s in a DIY Body Shimmer Spray?

I have seen many body shimmer hacks combining baby oil and crushed-up old glitter eyeshadow. Here’s the thing: The baby oil will give your skin a greasy, oily feeling and old makeup—yuck! Clogged pores and clothing stains, anyone? 

A DIY body shimmer spray should consist of clean, clear liquids and shimmery powder. Here’s what I use:

Witch Hazel

It starts with a splash of alcohol-free coconut water witch hazel: a combination of cooling aloe vera, coconut water, and soothing witch hazel to refresh your skin.

Essential Oil

You can opt for a cooling essential oil like peppermint, a calming oil like lavender, or just your favorite blend. I added Stress Away, a distinct blend of lime, lavender, vanilla extract, and more from Young Living. It’s known for its unique relaxing oasis of aroma!  

But, if it’s a nourishing skincare oil you’re after, read the ultimate list of the best essential oils for skin care. Did you know you can print six essential oil skincare reference guides in the Oily Chic Library?

Natural Shimmer Powder

Use cosmetic grade mica powder made from Iron Oxides and Titanium that are all-natural, Paraben Free, Toxin-Free, Gluten Free, and Skin Safe. I buy my mica powder from Makesy because they only sell ethically sourced micas and donate a portion of proceeds to Made in the Free World, an organization dedicated to eradicating child slavery and forced child labor.

Mica powder comes in lots of colors and shades. Any bronze or gold shade of natural mica powder can give skin a lovely glow without staining clothes.  

Tips To Create The Best Color and Shimmer

Coconut Oil

Fractionated coconut oil is included in the recipe to hydrate the skin. As a natural light-weight moisturizer, it doesn’t leave you feeling greasy.

Dry skin certainly gets a lot of attention in the winter, but the dry heat of summer can zap your skin of moisture, too. Trust me on this. Coconut oil is also one of the best carrier oils to blend with essential oils. 

Distilled Water

Last, this natural body bronzer is topped with distilled water for smooth application. Altogether, it’s the perfect essential oil recipe for a sun-kissed glow! 

Related: DIY Essential Oil Perfume

Here’s how to make a DIY body shimmer spray the right way!  It’s easy and quick to apply with a fine mist spray bottle and there’s no greasy mess!

Here’s how to make a body shimmer spray the right way!  

If it’s a glowy, skin-kissed look you’re after this DIY body shimmer spray is just the thing! The results are just as beautiful as store-bought options but without the price tag. 

The body shimmer recipe will give your skin a hint of color, softness, and a natural glow. It’s easy and quick to apply with a fine mist spray bottle, and there’s no greasy mess! 

Here’s What You’ll Need

Ingredients

How to Make Body Shimmer Spray:

If you want a beautiful glow to your skin this summer, follow these step-by-step instructions.

1. Using a mini funnel, pour 4 teaspoons of coconut witch hazel into a 60ml glass perfume bottle. Add 10 drops of essential oil and swirl the bottle around to evenly blend the scent into the witch hazel. (Need some ideas? Check out my perfume blend recipes!)

2. Then pour 4 teaspoons of fractionated coconut oil into the mixture and swirl the bottle again. 

3. Next, slowly scoop 2 teaspoons of gold mica powder into the funnel. Tap the funnel as needed to help the mica powder through. 

4. Last, fill the bottle with approximately 2 teaspoons of distilled water to help any mica powder stuck in the funnel to go down. 

5. Place the spray top and cap on the bottle. Then, give it a good swirl to combine. 

Note: The mica powder will settle to the bottom when not in use. Simply swirl before applying or rock it from side to side to blend. 

Yield: 60ml

Body Shimmer Spray

If it’s a glowy, skin-kissed look you’re after this DIY body shimmer spray is just the thing!

If it’s a glowy, skin-kissed look you’re after this DIY body shimmer spray is just the thing!

Materials

  • 4 teaspoons coconut witch hazel
  • 10 drops of essential oils
  • 4 teaspoons fractionated coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons gold mica powder
  • 2 teaspoons distilled water

Tools

  • mini metal funnel
  • metal measuring spoons
  • 60ml glass perfume bottle

Instructions

  1. Using a mini funnel, pour 4 teaspoons of coconut witch hazel into a 60ml glass perfume bottle. Add 10 drops of essential oil and swirl the bottle around to evenly blend the scent into the witch hazel. (Need some ideas? Check out my perfume blend recipes!)
  2. Then pour 4 teaspoons of fractionated coconut oil into the mixture and swirl the bottle again.
  3. Next, slowly scoop 2 teaspoons of gold mica powder into the funnel. Tap the funnel as needed to help the mica powder through. 
  4. Last, fill the bottle with approximately 2 teaspoons of distilled water to help any mica powder stuck in the funnel to go down. 
  5. Place the spray top and cap on the bottle. Then, give it a good swirl to combine. 

Notes

The mica powder settles to the bottom when not in use. Simply swirl before applying it or rock it from side to side to blend.

Recommended Products

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Have you tried this DIY body shimmer spray? What essential oils did you include? I’d love to hear, leave me a comment or tag #oilychic on Instagram

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2 Comments

  1. Daniela Arruda says:

    i love your posts!
    Do you have the recipe of a liquid bronzer with a just sun kissed color and no shine?

    1. Thanks Daneila, I don’t – makeup recipes are hard to DIY. Especially when you’re dealing with so many skin types and skin issues.

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