Natural Homemade Mascara: Thicker Longer Lashes

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

Homemade mascara is a easy and effective way to give you thicker, longer, and darker lashes.  

Print Pin Rate

Course: Makeup

Keyword: diy makeup, diy mascara, homemade mascara, natural mascara

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Author: Amy

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

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.

Tried this recipe?Mention @ablossominglife or tag #ablossominglife!

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!