Big eyes and long eyelashes are a classic feminine trait and many women have gone to great lengths (pun intended) for them. I even made my own natural eye shadow recipe to accentuate mine. Unfortunately, many treatments like eyelash extensions and growth serums can cause allergic reactions, infection, or other problems.
Never fear, there’s a natural way to encourage lash growth… all you need is a little castor oil!
Get Longer Eyelashes Naturally
Of course, there is a genetic aspect to long eyelashes, but that doesn’t mean that those without the lucky genes can’t increase their eyelash length. I have a cousin who naturally has super-long dark eyelashes that look like extensions.
My eyelashes are decently long but definitely not that dramatic. I have been experimenting with natural ways to increase my eyelash length and thickness.
There does seem to be a connection between nutrition and hair health, so if a person isn’t getting enough fat-soluble vitamins, b-vitamins, vitamin C, and collagen.
Overuse of eye products, especially long-lasting mascaras or fake lashes, can weaken lashes or lead to lash loss.
Natural Eyelash Extensions?
After publishing my homemade mascara, many people asked if there was a natural way to make fiber lash mascara or eyelash extensions. I’m yet to find a natural version of false eyelashes since most glues contain formaldehyde. Most fiber lash products also contain questionable ingredients.
What I did find, however, was a natural way to make lashes look as long as fake lashes using only natural ingredients.
This natural eyelash growth serum uses:
- Castor oil– Natural source of omega-6 fats, proteins, and vitamins that helps encourage dramatic hair growth
- Emu oil– “highly anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, penetrating, a transdermal carrier, promotes skin regeneration, non-comedogenic (does not clog pores), nourishing, anti-aging and bacteriastatic.” (source)
- Coconut oil
- Vitamin E oil (optional)
Castor oil alone would give noticeable results, as it has been extremely helpful for lengthening and thickening my hair, but the addition of emu oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E give this serum a wider range of fatty acids and nutrients to help speed eyelash growth.
TIP: Christa of The Whole Journey recommends adding 1 drop of lavender essential oil to mascara to speed eyelash growth. I haven’t tried this yet, but it could be added to this serum for additional benefit. (Just always use caution and do your own research when using essential oils!)

Eyelash Growth Serum Recipe
Yield
Equipment
Materials
- 1 tsp castor oil
- 1 tsp emu oil (optional, can use extra castor oil instead)
- ½ tsp coconut oil
- 5 drops vitamin E oil (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small dropper bottle and swirl gently to combine.
- To use, squeeze one drop onto your finger or a cotton swab and gently massage into lash line. I prefer to do this at night to let it work overnight before washing my face in the morning.
- Use daily for best results.
Notes
TIP: Also use on eyebrows to help with thinning eyebrows! This will last up to a year as long as it is kept in an air-tight container. Be careful not to add water, aloe, or other liquid ingredients that will spoil.
How do you take care of your lashes?
can I use rosemary oil instead of emu?
I’d be hesitant to use something that strong around the eyes
I use Castor oil and I see a difference. I did add some Rosemary eo and Lavender eo to it. I read bout Emu oil and was not happy about killing birds so I looked for an alternative to Emu, and they have made a vegan oil called GREEMU oil. It has the same composition as Emu oil. I looked it up just now, so I’ll go search for places to buy it now :-).
please dont use products or eat meat of Australian wildlife, there numbers are declining, and were once abundant before the continent was colonised. I rarely see an emu when in the Australian countryside.
Hello I made some of the eyelash serum but then I was reading on the internet about castor oil and it says it can cause blindness if it gets too close to the eyes do you know anything about this?
Thanks
Can you use this with lash extensions? I heard oil based products should not be used on extensions.
Can castor oil be put in children’s hair? My granddaughter is 6 with very fine hair.
Can you help me with something? I am 49yrs old and have been and still going through prementapause and mentapause. I am having real problems with my hair. I am sweating so bad, and I do mean really bad. I wash my hair . The problem is my hair is smelling like sweatie underarms before I wash it and after. Its driving me crazy!!!!!!!!Thanks if you can help. Mentapause sucks bad!!!!!!!
Can this be stored in a clear plastic container like a eyeliner tube? Or should it be stored in the brown glass bottle you have pictured?
Hi! I like the idea of substituting castor oil for emu oil. It makes me a little sad that we use emu for beauty products (no judgement on your list, this is a friendly toned comment!! <3). Let's let the emu live and frolic and just use natural oils! ;D Thank you for your knowledge, cant wait to make eyelash magic happen!!
Can’t wait to try this! Would using a clean mascara brush to apply to the lashes also be beneficial or is it best to only apply to the lash line so as not to clog pores or get styes?
I’ve found that plain store-bought aloe vera gel with minimal ingredients works as a great clear mascara too (I dab some onto an old mascara brush). I have long eyelashes but the gel holds them upright. Does anyone know if aloe vera good for hair/hair growth?
Thanks!