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Natural Mascara Recipe with Clay and Aloe

Posted by Kelly Makeup, Natural Beauty 39 comments
Please Share

I have multiple natural mascara recipes here on the Simple Life Mom website. I have simple recipes using charcoal and coconut oil, or even egg yolk. I also have another recipe that I love that is a little more than egg yolk and charcoal, but still simple enough to make at home.

Natural Clay Mascara Recipe from Simple Life Mom

So, why a new natural mascara recipe?

The answer is simple. I’m always looking for something better.

I really enjoy using the “Mascara Recipe that Really Works” during cooler months and the winter, but the problem is that that recipe is oil based. It does not dry. If you sneeze too hard, get sweaty, or have allergies, then you’ll either look like a raccoon or wipe it off in short order. I have adjusted and can use my other home recipes quite easily, but like I said, I’m always looking to improve.

Some of you already know that this is the mascara recipe I had in My Shop for a few weeks. I LOVE it!! Why is it no longer in my shop? It has a short shelf life. Once the hot summer hit, it became clear that mine at home wasn’t lasting as long as it was during the winter.

You really need to make a small amount to last you for 1-2 weeks, and then throw that away and make a new batch. Since it is super cheap in the long run and only takes a minute or two to make, that shouldn’t be a problem for those of you making this at home. There’s no way I could sell mascara to you that is only going to last 1-2 weeks though (obviously a lot longer in the winter, but still!).

Why CLAY Natural Mascara?

Here was my train of thought: I was using my Anti-Aging Clay Mask and was laughing at my clay hardened face when I thought, this really dries well. Mascara just doesn’t dry like this. Oh, why don’t I make mascara that dries like this face mask?

After all, many clays are super healthy for the skin and I really enjoy using bentonite clay. Plus, it dries within 2 minutes.  I can apply once in the morning and have to literally wash it off at the end of the day, as opposed to oil based natural mascaras that seem to disappear on me as the day goes along and I have to reapply.

In Summary:

  1. It dries
  2. It stays where you put it
  3. It lasts all day
  4. It’s fast and easy to make, so remaking in small batches in order to stay sterile is not a problem
  5. It is WAY more healthy than any toxic chemical brew you may be using from the store.
Natural Clay Mascara Recipe from Simple Life Mom

Natural Mascara Recipe with Clay and Aloe

Like I mentioned above, make this in this small batch and keep it in a small tub. It’s easy to use a sterilized mascara brush that you get wet and then wipe on the sides of the tub. In this way you can see that no mold is growing in the mascara and can clean it out and make more quickly and easily.

Black Mascara

Servings: 5 ml

Equipment

  • 1 measuring spoons
  • 1 15ml container

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon bentonite clay
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon activated charcoal powder
  • 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Liquid
  • 1 drop palma rosa or patchouli essential oil great antibacterials

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a small container and mix well with a wooden spoon or wooden stick (skewers work wonderfully).1 teaspoon bentonite clay,1-1/2 teaspoon activated charcoal powder,1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Liquid,1 drop palma rosa or patchouli essential oil
  • Dip a sterilized mascara brush into the clay mixture, use the side of the container to remove any excess, and apply.
  • Keep tightly sealed in a cool location. Throw away in 1-2 and make a fresh batch.

Black/Brown Mascara

Servings: 15 ml

Equipment

  • 1 15ml container
  • 1 measuring spoons

Ingredients

  • ½ teaspoon bentonite clay
  • ½ teaspoon activated charcoal powder
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Liquid
  • 1 drop palma rosa or patchouli essential oil

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a small container and mix well with a wooden spoon or wooden stick (skewers work wonderfully). As with all natural body recipes, try not to touch it with your hands in order to minimize the introduction of bacteria.1/2 teaspoon bentonite clay,1/2 teaspoon activated charcoal powder,1 tablespoon cocoa powder,1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Liquid,1 drop palma rosa or patchouli essential oil
  • Dip a sterilized mascara brush into the clay mixture, use the side of the container to remove any excess, and apply.
  • Keep tightly sealed in a cool location. Throw away in a week or 2 and make a fresh batch.

Grey Mascara

Natural Clay Mascara Recipe from Simple Life Mom
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
4 from 1 vote

Natural Mascara Recipe – GREY

A natural mascara recipe
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Servings: 5 ml
Author: Kelly – Simple Life Mom

Equipment

  • 1 15ml container
  • 1 measuring spoons

Ingredients

  • ½ teaspoon bentonite clay
  • ½ teaspoon kaolin clay
  • 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon Aloe Vera Liquid
  • 1 drop palma rosa or patchouli essential oil great antibacterials

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a small container and mix well with a wooden spoon or wooden stick (skewers work wonderfully). Keep everything sterile to make ingredients stay fresh longer.
    1/2 teaspoon bentonite clay, 1/2 teaspoon kaolin clay, 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder, 1-1/2 teaspoon Aloe Vera Liquid, 1 drop palma rosa or patchouli essential oil
  • Dip a sterilized mascara brush into the clay mixture, use the side of the container to remove any excess, and apply.
  • Keep tightly sealed in a cool location. Throw away in a week or 2 and make a fresh batch.

Other Makeup Recipes

  • Foundation
  • Coconut Based Mascara
  • Blush
  • Eye Shadow
  • Lip Gloss
  • Tinted Lipstick
  • Clay Bronzer
  • Eye Liner
  • Makeup Remover

Have fun being creative and bringing health to you and your friends!


Please Share
39 comments

About Kelly

Kelly is the author of number one best seller The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners and Easy Soap Making. She's also written multiple ebooks on herbal remedies and natural bath and body DIYs. Her journey toward better health has inspired her to make things in and around the home from scratch, start a homestead, and become more resourceful when it comes to health and home. She shares her recipes and DIYs here on Simple Life Mom and has a shop where she sells products for those who would rather buy than make (SimpleLifeMom.com/shop).

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39 comments

Leave your reply.
  • Jean
    · Reply

    September 5, 2016 at 8:00 AM

    Are you using fresh aloe Vera gel from a plant? Can’t wait to try this, thesis for sharing!

    • kelly
      · Reply

      September 5, 2016 at 8:21 AM

      No, I buy mine. All natural aloe is very watery without any thickeners to make it a gel.

  • Cascia Talbert
    · Reply

    September 6, 2016 at 4:11 PM

    I’ve never heard of home made natural mascara. Thanks for sharing this!

  • kallee
    · Reply

    September 10, 2016 at 9:45 PM

    I never knew I could make my own mascara. Thanks for teaching me about it.

  • Katerina
    · Reply

    September 11, 2016 at 1:15 PM

    This is totally new to me! What a fantastic idea!

  • Betsy @ Desserts Required
    · Reply

    September 11, 2016 at 1:44 PM

    I had no idea that one could make mascara. Very cool!!

  • Sandra
    · Reply

    September 11, 2016 at 8:59 PM

    So smart to use the clay. This would be a fun project to try with my daughter. Thanks for the ingredient lists!

  • Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com
    · Reply

    September 12, 2016 at 6:12 AM

    Wow! I didn’t realize this is something I could make at home, very cool!!!

  • Akaleistar
    · Reply

    September 12, 2016 at 8:05 PM

    Making your own mascara sounds so cool!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      September 13, 2016 at 10:36 PM

      It is rather fun 🙂

  • Valerie
    · Reply

    September 12, 2016 at 9:19 PM

    So need this on my to -do list and quickly. I’m making over my medicine cabinet.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      September 13, 2016 at 10:36 PM

      Good for you Valerie!!

  • Sarah
    · Reply

    June 11, 2017 at 9:42 PM

    What’s up with the constant replacements, is it necessary or just a precaution? I don’t wear makeup often so I’m unable to make it on a weekly nor do I have time to do it immediately before use.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      June 12, 2017 at 10:02 AM

      If you don’t use it often, then you can keep it in the refrigerator and make sure that you don’t touch it with your fingers and it will last a lot longer. It is necessary. Since it is water based, it will mold after a few weeks.

  • Ann
    · Reply

    September 5, 2017 at 9:11 AM

    This is going straight to the top of my to-do list also!

  • Ellen
    · Reply

    December 10, 2017 at 11:08 PM

    I don’t use mascara, but I have black hair and am wondering if this might work to touch up the gray roots of my hair. Does this dry and make your lashes crunchy? Do you think it might work well to cover gray? If it does, you can market this as a new hair mascara/root cover up! 🙂

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 16, 2017 at 10:24 AM

      It does dry hard, but that just may work. Now I’m going to have to try it! ? Its not a flaky finish, but I’m guessing it would depend on how much you use. A minimal amount at roots may still lay nicely without being stiff.

  • Carol L
    · Reply

    March 12, 2018 at 1:59 PM

    Technically, there is no water in this. There IS the aloe vera juice; wondering if you added a few drops of grapefruit seed oil or vitamin E if that would prevent or slow the mold issue?
    Thank you for this recipe. I’ll have to try it soon.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      March 16, 2018 at 7:56 PM

      Aloe contains a high amount of water.
      Vitamin E can help, but to be safe you need to just remake once per week.

  • Lindsay
    · Reply

    April 3, 2018 at 7:57 AM

    Where do you buy your mascara tube? I’m having a difficult time finding a non-plastic one. Thanks!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      April 9, 2018 at 8:02 AM

      All I’ve ever found was platic. You can use a small tub instead and dip the brush in and wipe it on the side.

  • Salam
    · Reply

    February 12, 2020 at 4:54 PM

    Hello, i love this recipe! Thanks alot for sharing it with us.
    I was wondering, if i didnt add charcoal or whatever ingredients that makes the mascara tinted, would it be clear mascara? Your reply would make me the happiest

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      February 17, 2020 at 7:49 PM

      The charcoal or bentonite clay is what helps it to harden on the lashes and give shape. Otherwise, it will be wet. You can definitely try an aloevera or castor oil eye lash treatment.

  • Rebecca Grier
    · Reply

    August 19, 2020 at 7:19 PM

    Where is that metal tube from? I’m having a hard time finding one that’s not plastic!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      August 25, 2020 at 11:19 AM

      That tube looks like metal, but is actually plastic. Only thing I’ve been able to find as well. I’ve switched to using a tub with a brush. Easier to fill anyway.

  • Judy
    · Reply

    September 18, 2020 at 3:44 PM

    Hello!!

    I was wondering, do you make the batch in the tub that you store it in? What kind of tub do you use?

    Also, do you just wash out the tub when you are ready to make a new batch? And where do you store the mascara wand in between uses? In the fridge with the mascara, or separately?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      September 20, 2020 at 5:27 PM

      I use a separate larger bowl for mixing and then add it to a small 1-2 ounce jar. I wash out the mascara brush between uses and let it dry.

  • Karen
    · Reply

    December 16, 2020 at 12:44 PM

    Can you use aloe juice or goes it have to be aloe gel?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 21, 2020 at 4:27 PM

      You can use liquid in this recipe. You’ll probably just need to reduce the amount.

  • Ven
    · Reply

    May 14, 2022 at 7:53 PM

    Hi,
    Thank you for sharing this recipe. I was just wondering, would adding a preservative extend the shelf life of the mascara so that we don’t have to constantly make a new batch?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      May 15, 2022 at 6:37 PM

      You can. I don’t have any preservatives that I trust as healthy – which is the point of making it myself in the first place.

  • Sandy
    · Reply

    October 30, 2024 at 1:16 PM

    4 stars
    Hi, I’m interested in making one of your mascaras but the ones I’ve made in the past (not yours), the charcoal flaked and was grainy. I had just used charcoal capsules……..I tried to open up the website you recommended for a more fine charcoal powder but it won’t open for me. Can you please tell me which brand you use and where do you get it ? Thank you!!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 1, 2024 at 8:43 PM

      Sorry about the link. I use a bulk powdered charcoal. They tend to be finer than capsules. Viva Doria is a good brand https://www.amazon.com/s?k=activated+charcoal&i=grocery&rh=n%3A16310101&linkCode=sl2&linkId=fa033912731a3cfd09184ddc162c8f6f&tag=simlifmom-20&ref=as_li_ss_tl

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