You don't have to get suited up for diy

The use of gloves and eye protection is fine, but it depends on what you are using.
For instance, the unflavored nicotine base that I use most of the time is only 36 mg/ml (3.6% nicotine) which is a level that some people would vape directly without harm; it is strong enough to mix up to 29 mg/ml at 20% total flavoring (much of what I do is high flavor %, using organic flavorings). I keep it away from children and pets, and wouldn't want to splash multiple ounces of it on me without washing, same as for final eliquid, but it isn't horrible. Small drips/spills I just wipe up with paper towel, no different than with eliquid. The other things I use are simple, non toxic, flavorings and pg/vg.
A smallish tray with sides keeps everything together and makes it easy to clean afterwards. Nic base is always the first thing I use in a mix, then it is recapped and put to the side.
Now, if for any reason I needed to use more "high test" nic base (maximum available to normal people is 100 mg/ml, 10%), then I would switch to gloves, though frankly I would probably do a first cut, bring it down to, say, 40 mg/ml. You always shake the bottle of nic base before using it, to make sure things are mixed.
Again, different people want to do different things, which is all good. If someone just dislikes measuring things, doesn't want to be bothered, commercial eliquid is fine, but diy doesn't have to be all that exotic.