Natural Homemade Mascara: Thicker Longer Lashes
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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.
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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
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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!
I love these posts of yours. Thank you so much for sharing them! I’ve been wanting to make my own make up for a while now but had no idea where to start. So Thank you for saving me the time
So happy to help! Thanks for coming by!
how fun making your own mascara, never thought of this before, I am bookmarking your post thank you very much for showing this
Ingrid
Great idea! Can’t wait to make it
Amy, I too have eye allergies to ALL mascara’s on the market. thank you for posting this. I didn’t see where you buy the new tubes. Thanks!
Thank you, still works awesome! I am thinking that I stirred it too much and that threw it out of suspension. I have read that this sorta thing can happen with lotions when combing oils & waxes with liquids, next time I will not stir so vigorously and see if that makes the difference. Thanks again 🙂
I’m wondering if it can be used as a liner too..
If put into one of these http://www.amazon.com/Liner-Brush-Lola-Shiny-Silver/dp/B005UGVM7O/ref=pd_bxgy_bt_img_z
Hi,
Loving this idea, but there are coconut allergies in this house. Could I substitute Vit E oil for the entire amount of coconut oil? Last thing I want to do is kill my partner :/
Seems coconut oil is the new fad, everything has coconut oil in it these days, not good for this household.
Thanks 🙂
O no that’s too bad! Usually I would say no because coconut oil adds thickness. But since the recipe calls for shea butter I think it should be ok!!!! You might be able to do a little more shea butter with the vitamin e oil???
You could probably use a different saturated fat. You could probably just use a little more shea butter. I would like to try this with cocoa butter instead of the coconut oil and shea butter, as I love chocolate! Any oil that is solid at room temperature would probably work.
This recipe is great, just made some but one thing I’ve noticed is the aloe vera gel seems to be separating from the rest once it cools, is this normal?Any suggestions? Thanks again for sharing this recipe!
Oh thats weird! No that didn’t happen for me! I did notice that there was a few small wax chunks in the bag so I just smushed them. Hmmm maybe mix it up really well again or try to remelt the mixture! Sorry
The same thing happened to me. I bought the purest form of aloe vera I could find at the store- 99% pure aloe vera. Would it work better if I used a fresh aloe vera leaf?
I had the same problem 🙁 I reheated and even tried a new batch! I am SO sad it didn’t work for me. If anyone figures this out, please let us know!
I’ve been making my own mascara in a well-cleaned old mascara tube, with either witch hazel or aloe vera gel as the base, then adding some [on hand] dark grey mineral eyeshadow powder. It dries quickly, doesn’t leave Panda eyes, and works really well. If you’re really brave, different colour mascara is easily achievable!
I would really love to hear how I can achieve colored mascara! I’m really loving the pale blue one I have, it would be so cool to make it.
Just aloe vera gel and minerals? No oil? That sounds super easy!
I’m grabbing your button & putting it on my blog 🙂
Thank U, I cannot wait to try!!
Thank you for this. I’ve been looking good for something like this for a while. I have sensitive allergies prone eyes. Everything I buy bothers my eyes. Can’t wait to try this sine I know I’m not allergic to any of it.
Where do you get the sterilized mascara container?
Love this! I can’t wait to try it out. Going to try it with henna, though to better match my lashes.
GREAT IDEA! I was thinking, “Well, I don’t want black so I guess I’m out.”
Oh, good! I’m glad you like the idea. If you try it before I get to it, let us know how it works. I can’t wear black either.
Try Cocoa powder. I saw that on another natural recipe for mascara.
Hello Amy,
Thank you for sharing your mascara recipe! Do you have a recipe for eyeliner?
I too will add you to my FB!
Thanks, Debra
Wouldnt Henna stain? I know Henna is not permanent but i do think it has a color to it …
personally, I’d worry about accidentally getting henna in the eyes. maybe you could try cocoa and it would be safer as well as work?
You could also try spirulina powder for green, dried powdered organic blueberries for blue, the possibilities are endless. I have used both and they are fun “special occasion” looks. I do not wear contacts or have any sensitivities, so if you do you may want to consider that before trying. Happy experimenting!
Thanks for the great ideas Catherine!
Neat! Pinned to my beauty board. I wonder how they make it waterproof?http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/07/bicycle-basket-up-cycle.html
I am wondering if Carnauba Wax instead of beeswax would work to make it waterproof. Think I may have to experiment with it.
I’m not sure Catherine. I’ve never tried it. Sorry
So Catherine did you try it the way you wanted to make it waterproof ? update please..
Thank you so much for sharing this, followed you here from the Wildcrafting Wednesday blog hop.
Stop by the Tuesdays With a Twist Link Up runs through Saturday on three blogs.
http://yourlife7.blogspot.com/2013/07/tuesdays-with-twist-14-link-up.html
I love this idea! I really want to try it.
Do you think that you can reuse a tube? Rinse it out and give it a good dry?
Possibly, as long as you sterilized it! I can’t promise anything :).. I would just be afraid of bacteria!
Two things…. 1st can I use soy wax instead of beeswax? If yes is it the same measurement? 2nd why couldn’t this post have been 2-3 weeks ago:$
Love this post by the way. Thanks.
Hahah sorry! You probably could use soy wax at the same measurement. I have never tried it so you will have to tell me how it goes!
Omg! Thank you! I’ve slowly been transitioning to natural products for my whole family. It started with cleaning products, then lotions and soaps, now my makeup! Excited…can’t wait to make and use this!!! And the others!
This is awesome! What tube did you use? If you re-used an old one, were you concerned about bacteria?
I used a brand new tube (like the one linked above), cleaned it with alcohol, and rinsed with water! You may be able to use an old one if you clean it and sterilize it, but I would be afraid about the bacteria!
I do not see a link. I am having a tough time finding mascara bottles with nice wands unless I buy 20,000 of them in bulk… Obviously not an option. Any ideas where we can get a good quality tube?
thank you
Would it work to use a small disposable syringe to fill the mascara tube? I’ve seen a lot of people around Pinterest having trouble with the ziplock bags…and I’m too impatient to try that. Lol. I’m excited to try this recipe though! It’s the first one I’ve come across that actually looks similar to anything store bought. I hope it works for me! Also, I’m wondering if anyone has played with the recipe and used castor oil, lavender and rosemary for length and fullness?
That may work! I’m not sure if it would be too thick but it wouldn’t hurt to try.
Can you post a link of the exact empty mascara tube and wand you purchased for this mascara? The wand in the picture you posted looks perfect for the lash look that I like. I am having a hard time finding it online. Thank you! I am very excited to try this!