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.
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.
Coconut Mascara Recipe
Equipment
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
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
