Homemade Mascara that Doesn’t Smudge

Learn how to make your own mascara with activated charcoal, bentonite clay, vegetable glycerin, aloe vera, and beeswax. This homemade mascara works great and does not smudge.

Making your own makeup isn’t as hard as it seems. In fact, a lot of makeups share the same ingredients, such as eyeliner and mascara, so you might as well make both.

Some of the ingredients in homemade makeup might surprise you and most likely, you already have some of them on hand.

I know when I started making things like foundation, setting powder and dry shampoo, I was shocked to find myself gathering ingredients from my pantry.

I love that I make my own makeup right at home with all-natural ingredients. So I am excited to share with you my newest endeavor, mascara!

What is Mascara Made of?

For as long as I can remember, I have heard mascara was made with bat feces. I guess I never really believed it, or at least tried to tell myself it wasn’t true.

Mascara contains a colorant guanine, which can be found in bat feces, but for mascara, it is actually derived from fish scales.

Better than the alternative, at least. But, there are still many other ingredients found in mascara that I would rather not put on my body. I would much prefer to make my own to avoid such ingredients.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.

To make your own mascara, you will need:

• Activated charcoal
• Bentonite clay
• Vegetable glycerin
• Aloe Vera gel
• Beeswax
• Essential oils, optional
• Empty mascara tube

How to Make Mascara Waterproof?

The added beeswax in this recipe will help to make this mascara waterproof. Beeswax has a natural protective substance called propolis.

Propolis has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that can produce healthy lashes.

I prefer to use beeswax pellets to make measuring small amounts easier. If you don’t have pellets, you can shred some beeswax off of a bar to get the amount needed for this recipe.

How to Make Mascara that Doesn’t Smudge?

The beeswax will help keep the mascara from running, and the added clay will help it not smudge.

I am using bentonite clay in this recipe, but you could also use white clay, green clay, or pink clay.

Clays are used in eyeshadow and other makeups because of their ability to absorb excess oils making it the perfect ingredient for a smudge-free mascara.

Bentonite clay is cleansing, purifying and can help remove impurities.

Homemade Mascara Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon activated charcoal; you may need to adjust depending on color preference
• 1/2 teaspoon bentonite clay
• 1/2 teaspoon glycerin
• 1/4 teaspoon pure aloe vera gel
• 1/8 teaspoon beeswax
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

1. Add all of the ingredients, except the essential oils, to a small saucepan.
2. Heat over medium heat until the beeswax is melted.
3. Stir with a small spoon for 1-2 minutes, or until well combined.
4. Stir in essential oils. You want a very smooth texture and can add in more glycerin if needed.
5. Pour into an empty mascara tube.
6. Use just like regular mascara.

Tips For Making Your Own Mascara

• For an ashy/gray color-use less charcoal. For a pure black mascara-use more charcoal. To make a brown mascara, you can substitute half of the charcoal for cocoa powder.

• The mascara coming out of the saucepan is going to be a bit thick and pouring into the mascara tube can be difficult. I find it easiest to spoon the ingredients into a plastic bag, cut a hole in the corner, and squeeze it into the tube. You can also transfer it by using a medicine dropper.

• If the mascara is too thick, add more glycerin, aloe, or oils. Only add a very small amount at a time until desired consistency is met.

• If the mascara is too thin, add more clay or beeswax. Again, add a very small amount at a time.

• Follow up with a setting spray to help keep everything in place.
• Clean mascara off by loosening up with fraction coconut oil or face scrub.

How Long Does Mascara Last?

All of the ingredients in this mascara have a long shelf life so that this mascara will last up to 6 months. After using, be sure to secure the lid tightly to help prolong its life.

Store the mascara in a cool dark place.

Best Essential Oils For Mascara

You don’t have to add in essential oils, but they do have some great benefits for the lashes. Rosemary and lavender essential oil can thicken, strengthen and help with hair growth.

Make your own eyelash serum with castor oil, rosemary oil, and lavender oil. Or you can just add the essential oils into your mascara to get the same effects while wearing makeup.

If you are reading this post but have zero desired to make your own mascara, you can add a few drops of the essential oils listed above into your store-bought mascara to help your eyelashes grow.

Other Essential Oils to Try:

• Cedarwood
• Sandalwood
• Frankincense
• Tea tree or melaleuca

NOTE: Essential oils should not get in the eye and should be flushed out with water if they do. Be careful when applying your mascara to make sure the oils do not get in the eyes.

If you like this post, you may enjoy one of these reads next.

• Homemade eyebrow gel
• Face primer
• All-natural concealer