How to Make Natural Mascara

Katie Wells Avatar

Reading Time: 4 minutes

This post contains affiliate links.

Read my affiliate policy.

Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » How to Make Natural Mascara

The last time I posted a picture of my lashes on Instagram many of you wanted to know what I use. I finally got my homemade natural mascara just how I want it! A lot of you asked for the recipe, so I’m sharing it now.

DIY Natural Mascara

I must admit- this was one of my most frustrating homemade recipes to figure out. I tried a lot of different combinations before I finally found one I liked. Some versions were too dry and started flaking. Others were too thin and just made a mess. It was a lot of trial and error but I’m finally happy with the results!

Why bother making your own beauty products? It’s easy to look past our eye makeup collection when it comes to cleaning up our daily routines. It may seem insignificant until you realize that mascara is right on top of mucus membranes. And I’m sure all of us have gotten at least a little eye makeup in our eyes at some point.

Ulta, Sephora, and many drugstore brands use ingredients like talc, sulfates, phthalates, and parabens. Then there are the harsh preservatives and silicones. Not something I want next to sensitive eye areas! Now that my daughters are getting older, I’m thinking about safe options for them too. The best natural mascaras feature natural and organic ingredients. I also want something hydrating and relatively clump-free.

Homemade Mascara Ingredients

I tried dozens of ingredients before I found the ones that worked in this recipe. I tested this with ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, castor oil, and jojoba. Many natural mascaras use beeswax or carnauba wax to thicken. None of those made the cut here. Unlike most of my clean beauty recipes (like toothpaste and lotion bars), homemade mascara uses some unusual ingredients.

Here’s what I use:

  • Black mineral powder (a mixture of soil based minerals-use the code “wellnessmama” for 50% off – I also drink this daily) One jar of mineral powder has enough to make 15+ batches of mascara.
  • Bentonite Clay – Helps the mascara dry and harden and not smudge. Any cosmetic clay should work.
  • Vegetable Glycerin– Makes the mascara smooth and helps it adhere to lashes.
  • Aloe Vera– For long-wearing texture and smoothness
  • Lavender Essential Oil – For scent and to help lashes grow

Coloring Your Natural Mascara

Different brands use different pigments to dye their mascara. This usually means iron oxides. You can get a very similar effect with the black mineral powder. You can use activated charcoal or black clay instead, but I prefer the texture with the mineral powder. It’s a little pricier up front, but it can do more than coat your lashes.

Don’t Want to DIY?

Don’t already have these skincare ingredients on hand? Or maybe you’re short on time. Buying natural or certified organic pre-made mascara might be a better option. For the best clean mascaras, I look for a natural looking mascara with a good EWG rating. They’ll often feature lash nourishing ingredients like sunflower seed oil and rice bran (an antioxidant).

In the past, I’ve used Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara. This one has a top safety rating from the EWG. While it’s still my go-to organic mascara, I still like making my own natural mascara sometimes. Here are a few more healthy pre-made options if you want to skip the DIY. Several of these you can find on Amazon.

How Does it Work?

I absolutely love the buildable texture and fullness of this recipe, so I still make it often. Thanks to the nourishing natural ingredients I feel good about what I’m using. To make more of a volumizing mascara or a lengthening mascara, there are a few tricks. I like to lightly dust my eyelashes with arrowroot powder or organic cornstarch first. This lash primer makes eyelashes appear longer and fuller.

If you want lashes with more curl, use an eyelash curler before using the mascara. It doesn’t work as well after because then the mascara clumps.

Is This Waterproof Mascara?

While it does dry well, this is not waterproof or water-resistant. The bentonite clay helps it to dry harder to help prevent smudges, though I can’t guarantee it’s 100% smudge-proof in all situations. I do find it to be fairly long-lasting once dry.

Natural Mascara Supplies

I also found these supplies very helpful when putting this recipe together.

  • A clean mascara container. I got this one and have just reused it as needed. I tried to clean out an old mascara container and it’s a tremendous hassle. Using a small jar or lip gloss container with a mascara brush will also work.
  • A medicine dropper (like for giving medicine to children). This or a similar tool helps to fill the containers.
  • A small spatula.
Print
4.26 from 99 votes

Homemade Natural Mascara Recipe

This DIY natural mascara combines black mineral powder, bentonite clay, aloe vera, vegetable glycerin, and lavender essential oil for an amazing mascara.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Yield: 1 container
Author: Katie Wells

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients in a very small bowl until completely smooth.
  • Add more aloe vera gel if needed to get a smooth consistency.
  • Carefully scoop into the medicine dropper with a spatula and slowly squirt into the mascara container or jar.
  • Alternatively, you can add the ingredients directly to the mascara tube and mix them with the mascara bristles. This option takes a while to get the ingredients smooth inside the tube.
  • Use as you would regular mascara.
  • To remove, use a washcloth with warm water or use olive oil as a natural eye makeup remover.

Notes

  • Dust lashes with arrowroot powder or organic cornstarch first to thicken and lengthen even more.
  • This works with a lash curler but I’ve found it is better to curl first so they don’t clump.

Now that you’ve made your own mascara, here’s a DIY eyeshadow recipe to go with it!

Do you make your own makeup? What are your favorite DIY recipes to make? Leave a comment and let me know!

This DIY natural mascara combines black mineral powder, bentonite clay, aloe vera, vegetable glycerine and lavender essential oil for an amazing mascara.
Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

210 responses to “How to Make Natural Mascara”

  1. Jayda Avatar

    Water-proof? I tried charcoal eyeliner as you had prescribed … I had black spots, lines, and marks on my face throughout the day… I had to keep checking the mirror. If mascara and eyeliner aren’t water-proof or smear-proof, I can’t use them.

    I’m getting older and feel like I’m fading away! Help!

  2. Tracy Avatar

    I was wondering what you would use to preserve this as mascara can last for months? The aloe could facilitate the growth of bacteria, mold, and other nasties. The eye area being a mucus membrane is much more susceptible that say the skin. I want to be sure and be safe as I know people go blind when products become contaminate either during production or use. Thanks in sad acne for any recommendations.

    1. Lisa Avatar

      I’ve been making and using the recipe for a year now. You Could use a few drops of vitamin E for a natural preservative. I find I use mascara fairly quickly that I don’t worry about it.

  3. Angie Avatar

    Do you think this formula would work as a liquid liner too? Maybe with a bit more aloe to thin it out enough to apply easily?

  4. anna Avatar

    5 stars
    Do you also have a recipe for natural waterproof eyeliner? That would be a Godsend!
    Thanks, anna

  5. Alexa Harmon Avatar
    Alexa Harmon

    5 stars
    I have been looking for a liquid eyeliner recipe as well. Many recipes call for coconut oil, but I have tried multiple times, and it never stays. I love the cat eye look, but hate all the chemicals in my store-bought liner. Do you think that this recipe could be made to work for eyeliner as well? maybe by adding more aloe vera? P.S. I am a college student, and I absolutely love all of your recipes. I have even made deodorant and other products for my friends, and they love it too! I take such pride in being able to make my own products, and it’s mostly thanks to your website!

  6. Amber Avatar

    5 stars
    I just made this and it is amazing!!!! I use Black Luster Mica Powder. I love this, and the lavender makes it smell so good. Thank you so much for your posts! I have learned so much over the past year since I have been reading EVERYTHING you write!!!

  7. Kathy Avatar

    I made the mascara bug mine has come out very clumpy. I added more aloe and vegetable glycerin but still not right. What am I doing wrong?

  8. Jessica Avatar

    Hi,,
    Love the recipe I was just wondering if you could add bees wax to it to make it a bit more water proof?
    Thanks!

  9. Sarah Avatar

    Hi there! I could really use some help with this. Today I finally got the last of the ingredients I needed to make this. First of all, I had to use about a tablespoon of the aloe vera gel and it still didn’t seem like enough. I bought the empty mascara tube that you recommended but I CAN NOT get the mascara into the tube. I tried a medicine dropper as suggested, but the mascara got stuck in it and I ended up having to throw it out. I tried using an old frosting tip that I still had laying around from years ago as a funnel, but it got stuck in there too. Finally, I scooped it up in my fingers and tried shoving it into the opening. Well, every time I could get any into the tube it seemed to “regurgitate” it back out. I was able to get a very small amount into the tube, and then I tried putting the brush in, but I think it must still be too dry because it won’t stick to the brush. Help! I am out about $50 for the ingredients plus I have really been looking forward to this so can you tell me 1.) Is there something I’m doing wrong that it’s too dry? Is there a way I can add more aloe vera or something else now that it’s in the tube? What exactly is the consistency that it should be? 2.) How in the world do you get it into the tube and get it to STAY in the tube? Thanks I would really appreciate it.

    1. Katie - Wellness Mama Avatar

      I’d try adding more aloe to see if that might help. I wonder if there is a difference in different brands of aloe? Mine was smooth enough that I was able to squirt it into the mascara tube. Maybe also try a small stick or popsicle stick?

    2. Amber Avatar

      5 stars
      I used a syringe without a needle and pushed it right into the mascara tube. Maybe also a toothpick will help push it into the tube. I did have to use more aloe than I thought but it did work for me.

    3. Joanne Avatar

      I have horses so I always have a syringe in the house, I have used it to fill lip balm tubes and it works really well and I think it would with this too. I don’t use it with the needle attached, just the plastic vessel with the plunger. In Australia, you can get them over the counter at drug stores and horse feed merchants.

  10. Jackie Avatar

    Dear Katy,

    I just want to remind everyone that when making anything for the eyes, everything must be disinfected. Even commercial mascara advises you to discard after 3 months. I am not a germophobe and one look at my house would confirm this but you really can not be too careful with your eyes. Even one nasty infection can cause permanent problems. When in doubt, throw it out.

    That being said, I may try this now that my daughters are starting to use makeup. I avoid mascara because everything seems to irritate my eyes (so I end up buying a new tube every time I have a dressy thing to go to). I am also glad to hear that the lavender oil can be left out. Most floral fragrances do not go over well with me. I like how they smell but usually within a few minutes, I start to feel sick. Makes no difference with me what the source is (organic, natural, or synthetic).

    With 5 children, you will probably one day be sitting at the eye doctor’s office with a corneal scratch or tear because somebody got poked in the eye. This is one of the few times it is better to go with an antibiotic eye drop rather than wait and see if it is needed because the consequences of an infection can be so devastating. This is why I say be extra careful with mascara. Who hasn’t poke themselves in the eye with the wand? If you never have, I have decided to not like you anymore. Usually, it’s no big deal but a deeper scratch or tear should be treated that day. The eye heals very quickly but it is a warm moist environment that is optimal for bacterial growth.

    A corneal tear or scratch will not feel better in a few minutes or even an hour. I am kind of a hermit but even I know a lot of people who have had to deal with this: my niece who fell in the mud while waiting at the bus stop, my next door neighbor who was poked in eye by her toddler’s fingernail, my daughter who poked herself in the eye with a corner of a magazine (yeah, I can’t figure out how she managed that one either), a friend from college’s daughter who was poked in the eye while horsing around with her sister (2 crying kids, the pokee and the one crying because she hurt her little sister), and last but not least, another friend’s son and I can’t remember what the heck he did to his eye. If this happens to anyone out there, call your medical insurer to see what doctor you need to see. Medical insurance will cover this even without added eye coverage but you may need to go to a different eye doctor to avoid paying out of pocket.

    To let you know how serious this can be, the doctor will fit you in the same day, no matter what. The receptionists hears that you suspect a corneal scratch or tear and that is all it takes. Skip the usual doctor or ER if you can. They just send you to an eye doctor. If it’s off hours, you may be stuck with the ER but make a few phone calls first.

    This seems a little off track, but as someone who has had a lot of issues with her own eyes, I say this is one area to be overly cautious. The diagnosis and treatment is very simple. The doctor puts some drops of dye into the injured eye so he/she can see if there is damage and how bad it is. Then you are sent on your way with some antibiotic eye drops. Usually there is a follow up visit to make sure that eye is healing properly.

    A corneal scratch or tear was something that I was not familiar with and once I dealt with it, it seems like everyone I knew was saying that happened to someone they knew. Fortunately, I knew someone who dealt with it before I had to so I got through my daughter’s fairly quickly and easily. I was able to navigate 2 of my friends through it pretty quickly also. If you live away from family, as I do, a last minute sitter may not be an option. The less time wasted in the wrong waiting room with bored children, the better.

    To everyone out there, be thankful for your own lovely eyes and take good care of them!

  11. Carol Avatar

    I wanted to get some of the black mineral powder, but tried twice, and the site is NOT secure! There is NO padlock on my computer, and the site is NOT httpS (the ’s’ indicates that it is secure) I have emailed the company twice, but got no answer. I refuse to give out any credit card info on a site not secured! Darn! Waned to try this the way you made it, but I guess I’ll just have to use activated charcoal and bentonite clay….. ;-(

  12. Michelle M. Gonzales Avatar
    Michelle M. Gonzales

    Do you recommend aloe Vera gel or powder and why? I have tried a few of your other recipes (lip balm, lotion bar sticks) but am so excited for this one since I am a mascara fiend:)!

  13. Danielle Avatar

    Thanks to you I have been making my own lotion and face wash for a year now. It’s so much better than anything store bought. I’ll have to venture into beauty products next. Thank you for taking the time to create and share these.

  14. Sarah Avatar

    5 stars
    Would it be possible to make a brown black version? Or would the black over ride it… For me black is too dark and brown is too light. Would it work with coco powder? Thank you so much for this recipe Katie!

  15. Rachel Avatar

    5 stars
    This looks awesome!! Do you think it’d work without the lavender oil, or with a different oil subbed in? I’d really love to try making this but I’m allergic to lavender so I’m guessing I probably shouldn’t put it next to my eyes, haha 🙂

    1. Danielle S. Avatar
      Danielle S.

      5 stars
      I am a BIG fan of essential oils and am on a FB page where someone recently posted abou how they added Cedar Wood to their mascara (2-3 drops) and have also tried using Rosemary EO as well. I would be happy to send you some to try in your mascara if you’d like. And just to be clear, I’m not try to sell anything – just want to share the EO love! ?? Go Natural or Go Naked!! Hee Hee!

    1. Carol Avatar

      Yes, I LOVE their blackberry and blueberry mascaras, but the price is hitting me hard just now!

  16. mary beth Avatar

    4 stars
    Lavender oil for growing lashes? More info on that please…..that is what I need! I am currently a messy mama who has no time for makeup, so until I have the use to make this, can just swipe on lavender eo? How does it work?

    1. Moriah Avatar

      Out of personal experience, I would not put essential oils near eyes, especially that close( I once got a tiny bit of clary sage in my eye and it felt like an acid burn, took a half hour of flushing to where I could even open my eye comfortable.). Castor oil is a good, and I believe, better alternative. Just put some in a mascara tube and apply like you would mascara, possible before bed. Hope this helped! 🙂

      1. Lisa Avatar

        I actually made it with the lavendar oil and it made my eyes burn,and I have good quality oils too. Also the smell was so strong the scent sensitive people at work could smell it. So I’d have to agree on omitting it.

      2. Jodie Avatar

        I’ve read that castor oil is good for growing eye lashes but it’s so darn thick and oily, lol. I only put it on my lashes before bed and usually if I’m not going anywhere the following day. I was kind of surprised to see lavender EO in this recipe. As others have mentioned, it’s not really great to put it so close to your eyes. And who cares about scented mascara?? 🙂

        I’ll keep researching recipes and probably just modify one to my own preferences. Beeswax seems to be a popular ingredient. I tried just plain charcoal for eyeliner, on a foam “pencil” dipped in water and then smudged in the charcoal, it worked great!! No smudging after application at all. I only wish I’d discovered homemade cosmetics YEARS ago! To think of all the crap I could have avoided using.

  17. Christi Avatar

    Suggestions for colors other than black? Specifically brown? (cocoa powder was my first thought. Or even blue or green. Yes, wearing different colors is FUN 🙂

  18. Dianne Avatar

    Katie, my daughter got me reading your blog. I’ve been researching and gradually buying supplies and containers. (So far I’ve only made hand soap.) I’m planning a DIY day next week to try some recipes. But I’m a little confused about essential oils. Most people recommend to put products containing more than a few drops in glass containers. But sometimes I see instructions that use plastic containers. This mascara container is plastic, right? And the ratio of essential oils to the tiny amount of product seems high. Am I missing something? Thanks for any insights on this. 🙂

    1. Danielle S. Avatar
      Danielle S.

      5 stars
      The cautions/recommendations regarding using a glass container vs. plastic is due to the citrus element in certain citrus-based essential oils being known to break down the plastics. Also, there is much discussion regarding the leaching of chemicals from the plastic containers (this goes for both essential oil and non-EO containing ingredients in food and non-food items).

  19. Taylor Avatar

    Yay!! I already have all of these and am actually running out of my current mascara. Super excited to make this. It’s hard enough finding cruelty free brands that are also inexpensive, then trying to find something that ISN’T toxic? Forget about it. So glad you posted this.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating