2016 Update: I'm no longer making my own mascara. I've found a brand that use safer ingredients that I feel good about using. You can find my go-to brand here.
Have you jumped on the DIY makeup train yet to avoid the chemicals found in most beauty products? If not, I have a lot of ideas to get you started! This recipe is not only all natural and incredibly moisturizing to the lashes, but it contains castor oil that can actually help lashes grow. And why seaweed? I use a nutrient dense seaweed called bladderwrack for coloring, to help it dry AND to help nourish those lashes. So keep reading, and be sure to follow the instructions carefully!
DIY Mascara Ingredients:
1 teaspoon activated charcoal, about 4-5 capsules (like this)
⅛ teaspoon bladderwrack powder (like this)
⅛ teaspoon vitamin E (like this)
½ tablespoon coconut oil (where to find coconut oil)
1 teaspoon beeswax (like this)
1 ¾ teaspoons castor oil (like this)
Empty mascara tubes (like this)
Process:
1) Combine all ingredients in a stove-top pan.
2) Stir and warm till beeswax melts and mixes with the oils.
3) Pour the mixture into a plastic baggy, and force to one end (you want the mixture warm, but not too hot it will melt the baggy).
4) Make a tiny cut at one of the bottom corners of the baggy and squirt into the mascara tube. Put the stopper in place when finished.
5) Give DIY mascara a 30-60 minutes to thicken and set up before use, makes about 1 tube.
TIP: Try to get it from stove top to mascara tube as fast as possible. If you wait too long the mascara will start to set up quickly making it very hard to get inside.
Ava says
Hi, where do I find the seaweed and charcoal?
Lisa says
Great idea! Does it run? How long should it last?
Thanks!
Tessa says
Due to the bacteria growth on our old ones is it possible to sanitize our old ones or better yet can we purchase new ones?
Hannah says
Hey Tessa! you can find new un-used mascara tubes here
https://www.amazon.com/Mascara-Brushes-Container-Bottles-Application/dp/B01EXJ3TOC/
Laurenna says
Really happy to find a mascara with naturals ingredients.
Thanks for sharing!
Abigail says
I can't wait to give this a try! How long will this last? Can it stay in my makeup bag or should it go in the refrigerator?
sandre says
I would think it better not to put it in the fridge, since that would really harden the beeswax.
Danielle says
I made some and I love it! However, it seems to take a while to dry? Is this normal? I applied it like 5 min ago and it's drying but slowly
Catherine says
If it's not drying I'd personally try adding more activated charcoal or a tiny bit of non-gmo cornstarch.
Abundantly,
Catherine
Laura Escobar says
Do you think it will work with kelp powder instead of bladderwrack since it's such a tiny amount ? That way I can make it today.
Melissa says
Can I replace the coconut oil with something else? I am allergic to coconut.and I am new at DIY body products which most of them use it. Also still working on finding a real vitamin E without it.
Lenny says
Sounds like a complicated recipe )) As a serum, I used just coconut oil mixed with burdock oil, and it worked great!! Totally renewed my eyebrows. As to the eyelashes, I chose Cherish Lash serum which is also non-chemical and very effective. It made me much prettier indeed ))