Homemade mascara is a easy and natural way to give you thicker, longer, and darker lashes. Whip up this DIY mascara recipe with just a few simple ingredients. Follow my tips below.
Ingredients you will need: coconut oil, shea butter, bees wax, aloe vera gel, and activated charcoal.
This post was updated March 2019
Homemade Mascara Backstory
Super excited to share this recipe with you today! I was doing research on creating my own mascara, and a lot of the recipes were not very thick.
They made your lashes look darker, but didn’t really make the lashes look any thicker. So, that’s what I tried to do: make an all-natural mascara that adds a bit of fullness to your lashes!
I’ve struggled to find a natural mascara that works and didn’t leave me looking like a raccoon, or leave my lashes clumpy. But my standards for clean beauty is really high (you can see below my recommendations now for clean store-bought makeup).
What’s wrong with conventional mascara?
The makeup industry in general has very low oversight and doesn’t have super strict regulations when it comes to the ingredients they use in makeup products.
Doing a quick search on EWG, you can find many great options for mascara, but you can also find ones that contain possibly harmful ingredients like triethanolamine (which can cause potential allergies, immunotoxicity, and organ system toxicity), talc (which may contain asbestos), phenoxyethanol (irritation, allergies, organ system toxicity), and many more. Things that I would prefer to stay away from.
Since writing this article many years ago, it’s amazing to watch how the makeup industry has changed. Many more natural companies have been created and even some regular conventional companies are starting to make more natural products, because the people are demanding it. You have power when you purchase.
Tips For Making Homemade Mascara
- A mini crockpot (made for sauces) makes this super easy to make.
- Place homemade mascara into a plastic bag and then transfer it into a clean mascara tube.
- Curl lashes, and then dust with cornstarch or arrow root powder to give fuller lashes.
- If you want a browner mascara, you may be able to decrease the activated charcoal and add some cocoa powder (I’ve never actually tried this FYI).
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How To Make Homemade Mascara
Homemade Mascara Ingredients:
- 1 tsp shea butter (Like this one)
- 1 1/2 tsp bees wax (Like this one)
- 4 tsp of aloe vera gel
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1-2 capsules of activated charcoal (Like this one)
Supplies you may need:
- Clean mascara tube (like this one)
- Small spatula
How To Make Homemade Mascara
Step 1:
In a small saucepan or mini sauce crock pot, place first four ingredients and heat until completely melted.
Step 2:
Mix in activated charcoal and remove from the heat.
Step 3:
Place mixture in a plastic bag, allow to cool a bit, and move contents to one corner of the bag.
Step 4:
Cut a small hole at the corner, insert into empty sterilized mascara tube, like this one, and gently squeeze mascara into tube. It will be much easier if you have a second pair of hands to help.
Note: because this mascara is all-natural and contains no preservatives, it lasts 3-4 months. Dispose of after that, or if it starts to smell funky. You could probably put a few drops of vitamin E oil in and put a little less coconut oil in to help preserve it.
Homemade Mascara FAQ:
How does homemade mascara wear?
This mascara is awesome. It keeps my lashes soft and doesn’t flake off. It stays on pretty well, but after a long day at work, I may need to touch it up if I’m going to go somewhere.
Wish it was waterproof. I was wearing it at church this last Sunday, and it was the last time I got to see one of my best friends before she moves to Penn State to start a church. Lets just say there were a lot of tears. The mascara smudged a little, and I just had to wipe it off with my finger. No big deal at all!
Want a natural mascara, but don’t want to DIY. What can I use?
I used 100% Pure for a long time and liked it. Recently, I made the switch to W3ll People mascara and it is amazing. If you want to see how your mascara rates or other natural mascara brans, check out EWG.
Can I use essential oils in this recipe?
You could add a drop or two of lavender or rosemary essential oil. Personally, I’m extra cautious and just leave it out.
How does homemade mascara look on?
You are all probably thinking, “how does it look?” So, I tried to take some pictures of my lashes without showing you a picture up my nose! It is actually a lot more difficult than you might think! Of course, I have to have a little fun doing it…. 🙂
How long does DIY mascara last?
Since this is an all natural product without preservatives, this mascara recipe will last 3-4 months tops. If it starts to have an odor I would toss it.
Want more homemade natural makeup recipes? Check these out!
- DIY Natural Foundation Powder – still my go to foundation after 7 years.
- This simple tinted lip balm is so easy.
- Homemade Natural Bronzer
- Make your own natural eyeliner.
Natural Homemade Mascara Recipe – DIY Mascara
Natural Homemade Mascara
Ingredients
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp shea butter
- 1 1/2 tsp bees wax
- 4 tsp aloe vera gel
- 1-2 capsules of activated charcoal
Instructions
- In a small saucepan or mini sauce crockpot, place first four ingredients and heat until completely melted.
- Mix in activated charcoal and remove from the heat.
- Place mixture in a plastic bag, allow to cool a bit, and move contents to one corner of the bag.
- Cut a small hole at the corner, insert into empty sterilized mascara tube, like this one, and gently squeeze mascara into tube. It will be much easier if you have a second pair of hands to help.
Notes
There you have it. A natural and easy recipe for mascara. Remember, makeup is a tricky thing… What works for me may not work for you, and you may have to adjust the recipe slightly.
Because it is all-natural and not chock-full of unnatural chemicals, you shouldn’t compare it to the commercial stuff. It wears differently and may take some getting used to! With that being said, I hope ya’ll love it!
Mia Campbell says
Thank you so much for this! Mascara is the one item of makeup that I won’t be seen without but I hadn’t been able to find a truly natural, non-toxic one. Delighted with this. Mia x
Beth says
Hello Amy: Thank you for this DYI. I have often wondered, but never knew the specifics of mascara. I was wondering, however the reason for 2 different moisturizers, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter? Thanks so much!
Carrie says
Can you make this without the aloe Vera? I’m allergic to it, but the recipe sounds great!
Lori K says
I wear hard contact lenses & have concerns about coconut oil & Shea butter softening enough to get into my eye & making a film on my lenses & then eyes.
Anonymous says
I wish I could pin this to my Pinterest board!! You need a Pin now option!
joy delong says
what can I use in place of coconut oil?
kell says
what kind of Shae butter….raw? lotion? what?
Kathy K says
Do you think that castor oil could replace the coconut oil?
Herbalist Rene says
Wow! Thank you, This is a nice idea.
Aviv says
Greate!
Can you think of a vegan alternative for the Bee wax?
Christina says
Wondering what brand of aloe you used? I’ve read tons of variations of this recipe and there are always lots of comments saying they had trouble incorporating the aloe, which was my experience as well.
Linnea says
Is there anything I can use instead of charcoal? I’ve heard that i could use cocoa but i still want it to be black… So do you have any ideas?
erin says
Hi, are you using SOLID coconut oil? Also, are you using aloe out of a leaf or prepackaged?
Emily says
I have activated charcoal but not in capsules. I was wondering how many teaspoons you use for your recipe!?
Anonymous says
Hi Amy,
Fatihah here from Malaysia. Can i make a request ?
I hope u can make a post about homemade natural day cream for glowing skin for oily type of skin, if u dont mind.
I’m trying to switch from my counter skincare to homemade natural skincare but i just dont know how to make a day cream.
I’ve been searching everywhere for that recipe but never found one.
If u could post the recipe, it would make my day 🙂
Btw, love your site !
Amy says
Thank you Fatihah! I can try, although to be honest I just use oil on my face during the day. But I can do some research and maybe come up with something. Hope you have a great day.
Stephanie Yeager says
Do you refrigerate it?
Erica says
Holy hot Pinterest fail! This recipe didn’t work for me at all! The aloe gel would not melt or mix with the ingredients. Once it cooled, everything kind of separated. Also…how do you get that into the tube?! No matter what I did, it wouldn’t go into the tube.
Amy says
I’m sorry this didn’t work for you. I put everything in a plastic zip bag. Mixed it up and cut the corner of the bag to put it in the tube.
Anonymous says
I tried it a few more times and was able to kind of mash it into the tube. I think my problem was that I was using an old sterilized tube rather than a new one. As for the aloe, I just kind of gave up and embraced the lumps 😋
Abiola Adebayo says
is the aloe vera optional? and also, can the charcoal be replaced with nontoxic black oxide?
Cindy Santos says
I found this recipe with adjustments for a more waterproof mascara. Looks pretty cool. My eyes are so sensitive now too any commercial make up so I started diy😁
2 tsp coconut oil (where to find coconut products)
4 tsp aloe vera gel (like this)
1/2 – 1 tsp bees wax pellet (like this)
1 – 2 capsules of activated charcoal (for black) or cocoa powder (for brown)
a clean mascara container (like this)
* Update: Due to temperature differences you may want to add more beeswax to give more “hold” to your mascara. Keep in mind that coconut oil is a liquid above 75 degrees. I’d increase the beeswax to 3/4 or even 1 tsp if it’s really warm where you live… or if you want more of a “waterproof” mascara.
Jae ase says
Thanks for this posted. Amy also would like to thank Cindy for the update comment. I’ve been making my own mascara and was having an problem with it falling out under my eye. Using more beeswax sounds like a good idea however i find that i have to warm up the tube just a bit as the beeswax was can become really stiff and make it hard to apply. And recommendations for that?