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Make Your Own Natural Mascara

Posted by Kelly Makeup, Natural Beauty 44 Comments
Please Share

It is actually quite easy to make natural mascara with pure ingredients.  I gathered these recipes together for a few reasons: better and healthier ingredients and being more frugal.

I’ve worked at testing which ones work the best. They each have bonuses and drawbacks, but homemade mascara really does work and is a fun project.

Natural Homemade Mascara Recipes from Simple Life Mom

First, store bought mascara generally has…*he hem*…

Paraffin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate,Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Peg/Ppg-17/18 Dimethicone, Steareth-20, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Polymethacrylate, Simethicone, Disodium Edta, Polyquaternium-10, Saccharum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Acrylates Copolymer, Silica…and more…*whew*  Enough said.

Second, many homemade recipes online don’t mix together nicely.  They flake badly after they dry, or don’t dry at all.

2 Natural Mascara Recipes

I have gathered two recipes that I think actually work without the bad ingredients and without the smudge problem. Though, for the most smudge proof (none are water proof), I prefer the egg yolk recipe.

You can buy containers here or other places online, or thoroughly clean a used one (but this can take a lot of time).  Using a syringe is an easy way to get it in the tube.

Coconut Mascara

This recipe goes on beautifully. It is very easy and gives a nice natural boost to your lashes. It’s really great winter wear for me. It can run during the hot summer months, so just be aware.

Natural Homemade Mascara Recipes from Simple Life Mom
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4 from 1 vote

Coconut Mascara Recipe

A natural mascara recipe
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Keyword: diy makeup, homemade makeup, natural makeup
Servings: 4 teaspoons
Author: Kelly

Equipment

  • 1 glass measuring cup
  • 1 small saucepan
  • 1 measuring spoons
  • 1 stirring spoon

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon shea butter
  • ½ teaspoon beeswax
  • ½ teaspoon activated charcoal powder

Instructions

  • Heat the coconut oil, shea butter, and bees wax in a small sauce pan over low heat. I like to put mine in double boiler by putting a glass measuring cup in a small saucepan of boiling water, but it is not necessary.
    2 teaspoons coconut oil, 1 teaspoon shea butter, 1/2 teaspoon beeswax
  • Stir continuously. Once everything is melted, add the charcoal powder. You can add a bit of cocoa powder for brown-black mascara.
    1/2 teaspoon activated charcoal powder
  • Pour into small container and apply with a small brush.

 

Egg Yolk Mascara (my favorite)

This is my favorite one.  I feel like it goes on nicely, adds volume, dries, and does not flake.  It’s like tempera for your face.  This will keep for a week, so make a small batch and enjoy.

Equipment

  • 1 small glass bowl
  • 1 measuring spoons

Ingredients

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder

Instructions

  • Separate the yolk from the white in a small bowl. Add activated charcoal and mix. You can add a bit of cocoa powder for brown-black mascara.
  • Pour into small container and apply with a small brush.
  • Keep it in the refrigerator between uses. Keeps for 1 week

Here are a few more homemade makeup recipes:

  1. Lipstick
  2. Blush
  3. Eye Shadow
  4. Eye Liner
  5. Foundation

If you want more natural mascara recipes with ingredients like clay, try this Clay Mascara Recipe or Homemade Mascara that really works.


Please Share
44 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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44 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • isleofazure
    · Reply

    January 28, 2014 at 9:34 PM

    Cool 😀
    Smiles!!

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      January 28, 2014 at 9:37 PM

      Thank you. Let me know if you try one, which one you like best.

      • isleofazure
        · Reply

        January 28, 2014 at 9:49 PM

        Ok then, coconut sounds the best 🙂 Thank you so much dear.
        Smiles!!!

  • Catherine Dream
    · Reply

    January 29, 2014 at 5:31 PM

    I was just wondering the other day whether it was possible to MAKE mascara at home, and this appears in my reader : )
    Love it!

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      January 29, 2014 at 6:55 PM

      Yea! Just in time!

  • kalm
    · Reply

    March 17, 2014 at 7:05 PM

    I have been praying about finding out how to make my own makeup…especially since what I have enjoyed using is so expensive and I am determined to live a more simple, natural life…including my makeup!! Thank you so much for this!!

  • Marie
    · Reply

    March 18, 2014 at 9:19 PM

    Would love to see a before / after photo of an application!

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      March 18, 2014 at 9:36 PM

      Hmmm, my face magnified. I’ll work on it. 😉

      • Marie
        · Reply

        March 19, 2014 at 5:15 PM

        Looking forward to it!

  • Robin Cavalier
    · Reply

    April 13, 2014 at 7:22 PM

    Do you make it fresh everytime you use it or can it be made and stored in a small container for later use?

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      April 13, 2014 at 7:25 PM

      I make a tiny little bit at a time that I will use for a week or so and keep in the fridge. I make the egg yolk one the most.

      • Ladylila
        · Reply

        September 5, 2014 at 4:13 AM

        Hi There,

        i like your idea very much , did not try it yet…but i did read just now on other websites , that the eggyolk would be bad for your eyes because of bacteria that could grow in the yolk..? do you think this is a worry…?? or are you using it and are fine with it…??

        thanks

        ladylila

        • Kelly
          · Reply

          Author
          September 5, 2014 at 7:19 AM

          I make a new little batch every week. I’ve never had a problem. It dries pretty quickly. You just need to thoroughly clean your brush between uses. But definitely do your own research.

  • Melissa
    · Reply

    April 21, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    Interesting! I may just have to try it. Since I would want the brown mascara I already have on hand what I would need. Thanks for sharing! Stopping by from Modest mom blog hop.

  • Deborah Smikle-Davis
    · Reply

    May 2, 2014 at 11:58 AM

    Looking good naturally!That’s what we’re all about so I am delighted that you shared these safe, non-toxic, natural mascara recipes with us on the Plant-Based Potluck Party! I is horrifying to see what is in the conventional mascara that we put near our eyes! We’ll have a lot fun making our own natural makeup thanks to you!

  • Sue
    · Reply

    November 17, 2014 at 5:49 PM

    OMGoodness! Finally, a homemade mascara recipe that really, really works! The Egg Yolk recipe!!!! I mixed in some cocoa powder with the charcoal for the brown black and it works like a dream 😀 Even isn’t bad for eyeliner. THANK YOU!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 18, 2014 at 3:56 PM

      Yea! I know, that’s my favorite recipe too!! Works, is all natural….can’t beat that! 🙂

  • maria
    · Reply

    December 8, 2014 at 8:29 AM

    Also just made the egg mascara!! Ahmaaazzzing how big my lashes look with this on!! Also i dont think there will be any problem with bacteria from the egg as it dries very quickly. I also think it would make an awesome eyeliner?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 8, 2014 at 12:10 PM

      Yes, I totally agree. I love it! I’m so glad you do too!!! 🙂

  • Zantia
    · Reply

    February 4, 2016 at 8:42 PM

    Awesome. I would like to try this recipe. Thank you Kelly!

  • Arlin
    · Reply

    November 21, 2019 at 11:19 PM

    This mascara recipe WORKS!! Yippee!
    I’ve just recently become allergic to commercially made mascaras; absolutely dreadful! I LOVE makeup.
    I’ve tried the bees wax recipes. Didn’t work well for me. But this one does, and I can keep a fresh batch in the fridge every week.
    Thanks a million! Love it. It’s easy, inexpensive, and it looks good.

  • Sharon
    · Reply

    August 13, 2020 at 8:58 AM

    Hi I made a home made mascara and it keeps on smudging I tried extra beeswax and still the same what can I use to prevent it

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      August 14, 2020 at 9:16 PM

      You can try adding a clay, but you can only add a small amount. It still needs to be a liquid.

  • Christina
    · Reply

    October 28, 2020 at 3:56 PM

    I feel bad to complain about something free, but my experience with making this recipe (egg yolk mascara) was that it was gross and clumpy on my eyelashes, actually making them look shorter. I did follow the recipe so I’m not sure why my experience with this was so different from the other reviewers.

    I’m going to try the other recipes and hopefully one of them will work.

    I do appreciate the author’s effort to share natural makeup recipes even though my experience with this first recipe was not a success.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 3, 2020 at 6:46 PM

      Hey, things definitely don’t always work for every single person. Thanks for your honesty. It’s my favorite recipe so it’s interesting you had such a bad experience. Try the clay recipe. It’s also a favorite of mine, but maybe an oil based recipe is what you’d prefer.

  • Laurie
    · Reply

    December 15, 2021 at 6:37 PM

    I tried this recipe but the activated charcoal was too grainy to blend with the other ingredients. Any suggestions?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 18, 2021 at 11:01 AM

      It’s the type of charcoal that you purchased. It should be a brand that is ultra fine powder.

  • R
    · Reply

    October 19, 2024 at 9:17 AM

    Isn’t there a risk of salmonella when using raw egg?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      October 19, 2024 at 9:44 AM

      First. You’re putting on your eye lashes and not in your eye or body, but yes you always want to use fresh eggs from healthy chickens, keep it in the fridge, and never keep more than a few days before making a fresh batch. I’ve been using that recipe for years since it is my favorite and never had problems but always use your best judgement when making homemade products.

  • Leo
    · Reply

    November 23, 2024 at 5:30 AM

    4 stars
    Hi

    I made the mascara with norit tablets. In the blender. But i still keep little pieces coal in my mascara 🙁 .. anyone ??

    Thanks

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 26, 2024 at 8:05 AM

      I don’t think a blender would get them to a fine enough powder. Possible a mortal and pestle. It’s best to buy ground activated charcoal in no pill form. It’s usually a very fine powder and ready to use.

  • Karissa
    · Reply

    March 31, 2026 at 3:46 PM

    I’m looking to make a brown (not brown black). Can I just use cocoa & egg? I really want it strictly brown, not too dark.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      April 6, 2026 at 5:52 PM

      Yes, that will work.

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