I have read recently that lavender may complement some of your favorite shampoos, lotions, or skin care products. I am attempting to make all of my self-care products and cosmetics so making my own all natural mascara was the natural next step for me. This is an easy, homemade mascara recipe that uses non-toxic and inexpensive ingredients! Plus, it works like the mascara you find at the store!
Before I get started, I recently came across an article on how to correctly apply mascara and it completely changed how I had been doing it! I thought I would share it with you here so you can use my homemade mascara to its fullest!
Homemade Mascara
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp shea butter — where to find
- 1 1/2 tsp beeswax — where to find
- 2 tsp jojoba oil — where to find
- 2 capsules activated charcoal — where to find
- 2 drops Vitamin E oil — where to find
Note: I also lie to add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the mascara bottle as I fill it. You can find my favorite kind HERE.
Equipment:
- double boiler — like this
- empty mascara tube — where to find
Directions:
- In a double boiler, melt the first 4 ingredients
- Once melted remove from heat and add in the charcoal and Vitamin E
- Pour into a plastic bag and allow to cool enough to touch
- Cut small corner off plastic bag and use it like a cake decorator to pipe it into the empty mascara tube
- Apply your homemade mascara as you would your regular mascara and smile to yourself….no more chemicals on those lashes!
If making your own homemade mascara seems like too much work, or if you just want to buy one, then I highly recommend THIS non-toxic brand. I have tried them all and this one performs the best!
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Denise
August 4, 2015 at 11:46 amI’ll bet this is great for your lashes with all the oils in it but does it smudge easily? My biggest concern would be ending up looking like a racoon if it smudges.
Kate
August 5, 2015 at 9:07 pmNo, it does not smudge. It will, however, if you are swimming or sweating a lot
Lisa
January 2, 2016 at 9:05 amCan you reuse the mascara container? 7 dollars seem high to just toss it. Can I use o.e that I have if washed out?
Kate
January 2, 2016 at 1:38 pmYep, you can reuse them 🙂
Laurali
January 14, 2016 at 6:10 amSo now that you are a Beauty Counter Rep, are you using their products or your own “homemade” makeup? By the way love your sit, very kind of you to share all your knowledge
Kate
January 14, 2016 at 8:15 pmHi Laurali,
I am using my own face creams, serums, and toners. But I buy my makeup from Beautycounter. With the exception of mascara, they do not make a mascara yet, so I make my own 🙂
BonnyJean Burns
September 27, 2016 at 9:07 pmWould you share your receips?
Krystal Wight Armstrong
January 29, 2016 at 2:52 pmDo you think cocoa butter could sub for shea here?
Alison
March 2, 2016 at 8:30 pmAny tips on piping this into the mascara container? Even with the plastic bag, it made a terrible mess. Thanks!
Kate
March 2, 2016 at 8:49 pmI have had issues when it cooled too much, then I either used a toothpick or bamboo skewer to push it into the tube
Alison
March 2, 2016 at 9:39 pmA bamboo skewer is a great idea! And you’re right—I should have tried working faster. My chilly kitchen from this MN winter had it starting to thicken up pretty quickly. Thanks so much for the quick reply~
Kate
March 3, 2016 at 5:49 amI live in Minnesota too! You need to act quickly when making mascara in these parts 😉
Jale
March 3, 2016 at 8:55 amHi Kate,
I made this mascara yesterday and tried it both yesterday and today. It looks really good on the lashes but it doesn’t dry. I have long lashes and everytime i blink, it make a mess around my eyes. What can i do about it? Thanks!
Kate
March 8, 2016 at 7:10 amHi Jale, maybe you should try adding more beeswax so it hardens more. I have not had that problem with it before so I am not completely sure.
deb
May 2, 2016 at 6:32 pmI have loose activated charcoal. How much of this would be equal to two capsules? I can’t wait to try this recipe!!
Kate
May 6, 2016 at 5:45 amMaybe a 1/2 tsp
Michelle
June 5, 2016 at 11:46 pmWhatever you do, don’t let it solidify at all before trying to get it into the tube. Total fail…
Kate
June 7, 2016 at 10:41 amYep. I learned that lesson too!
Anna
June 20, 2016 at 7:27 amCan u use coco powder instead of charcoal??
Kate
June 21, 2016 at 1:34 pmSure, that should work I think
Mrs Laui
June 25, 2016 at 1:06 amDo you always use the full 1 1/2 tsp of bees wax? Mine clumped and hardened really fast, as in, I couldn’t get it out of the double boiler, into the bag and into the tube fast enough. It would harden in the bag and I couldn’t get it out. I even tried squeezing it back into the double boiler and adding more Jojoba oil to it to see if that would help. I did end up getting it in the tube but the wand comes out completely solid w/ mascara, like you can’t even see the brush portion. I don’t know how I’d brush it on my lashes!?! Thanks for your help! I’d love this to work! 😉
Mrs Laui
June 25, 2016 at 1:11 amOops…. solved the solid wand problem. I didn’t use the scrapers that came with the bottles. I’m going to try that and see if it helps! lol 😉
Ellie
September 22, 2016 at 1:21 amThank you for the recipe. Why use synthetic vitamin e oil ? I think Biottin is natural and will be the brand I’ll try. I shy away from synthetics altogether. In fact, it’s the main reason I’m looking for DIY personal products. Dodge toxins and allergic reactions while saving money to boot. Win Win!
Jenn
September 27, 2016 at 12:17 amIs there anything that can be added to make it waterproof or more water resistant?
Thanks.
Nishi
November 14, 2016 at 1:18 pmHow Long this can be stored in Mascara tube. ?
Kate
November 15, 2016 at 11:28 amI would say up to a month
april
January 22, 2017 at 8:11 pmWould substituting another oil (like castor oil or olive oil) for the jojoba oil effect how the mascara wears? I made the recipe using those (because they are suppose to help with eyelash growth) but the mascara never seems to “harden” it stayed an oily consistency.
Kate
January 23, 2017 at 5:43 amCastor oil does help with lash growth, you could try subbing it
Erin
March 1, 2017 at 12:33 pmHi, I’m having the problem with it not drying on my lashes so that it wipes off when I touch them too… i already reheated the tube and added more melted beeswax with no success 🙁 Really want this to work! If anyone figures it out, please let us know!
Shelby
June 18, 2017 at 7:08 pmWhat would be the equivalent of 2 capsules charcoal. I only have powder.
Kate
June 28, 2017 at 10:05 amI would estimate 1/2 tsp
Alison
June 26, 2017 at 12:16 amMany recipes call for Bentonite clay to help dry the mascara once its on – amazon has lots of sources for it
Kate
June 28, 2017 at 9:55 amAwesome, thanks for the tip Alison! Good to know 🙂
Debi
December 3, 2017 at 11:30 amYou can also use a cake decorating bag with writing tip on it to fill the tube with NO MESS. Best tip size would be a #5 or 6. Maybe smaller depending on your bottle’s opening. I’m a cake decorator and I promise, you will have a much cleaner, precise, and easier time with this method. 🙂
Thx for the recipe!
Polly
June 18, 2018 at 3:43 pmThank you, that’s very detailed and I will definitely try!! I also add a few drops of essential oil to my mascara – mostly, lavender oil. It helps my eyelashes stay healthy and grow longer )) Works well especially if to add a good serum to daily routine – for me it’s Cherish Lash. A great product!
Teah
July 19, 2018 at 1:39 pmCan I use something like cocoa powder instead of the charcoal to make it brown instead of black?
Kate
July 25, 2018 at 7:46 amDefinitely!
Paige
April 6, 2019 at 8:13 amHi! I’m wondering if you know of any subs for the beeswax? Could I use soy or candellila wax?
Kate
April 11, 2019 at 9:34 amthose should work too 🙂