Last Updated on June 21, 2022

Zero waste eyeliner and mascara work beautifully, are sustainable, and only take 4 ingredients. Look your best while avoiding waste when you make DIY mascara and DIY eyeliner.

Homemade mascara and eyeliner require some basic ingredients and is long lasting. We’ll teach you how to make eyeliner and mascara that doesn’t run, burn, or flake.

eyeliner and mascara

The hunt has been on for quite some time. I could write a book on all my failed make-up experiments.

I’m still a fan of my lip to cheek, but it doesn’t have a very long shelf life. Which does not fit with my rules of personal sustainability.

So, I’m looking for shelf stable options.

I’ve been so close to breaking down and buying mascara. There’s a brand that sells it in stainless steel refills, but at $48 + shipping – I can’t; I could buy 2 dozen organic cupcakes for $48! 

I just cannot see myself spending that much on organic mascara that needs to be replaced every 3 months. 

Mascara or 2 dozen cupcakes? Mascara or 2 dozen cupcakes? Cupcakes win every time. 

Thankfully my homemade mascara costs less than a dollar; which means, cupcakes and mascara! 

why you’ll love DIY mascara and eyeliner

• Quick and easy to make
• Makes a great gift
• Sustainable
• Zero waste
• Long lasting
• Beautiful results

ingredients needed for homemade mascara and eyeliner

• 1 Tablespoon Activated Charcoal: bought in bulk at Rainbow
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Shea Butter: bought in bulk at a local boutique 
• 1 Teaspoon of Bentonite Clay:  bought in bulk at Rainbow
• 2-3 Drops of Oil:  like sweet almond or olive oil bought in glass bottles

Activated charcoal is very fine and very free. The bottle at Rainbow is even labeled with a warning. You open it and a mushroom cloud arises. The other ingredients are used to weigh the powder down and give it sticking power.  

A NOTE ON ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: If you can’t buy activated charcoal in bulk, you can make it. There are tutorials here and here. You can also buy it in capsules at your local drug store, or you can buy it loose. It’s shelf stable, so buy a large quantity to reduce packaging. I use it in a lot of beauty recipes like this face mask and my whitening toothpowder.

Mix all of the ingredients together. I used a mortar and pestle to really work the oils into the fine powder. If you use metal you will deactivate the clay. Mine, being in a metal tin, is deactivated, which means it won’t pull toxins out of my skin. The clay is used as a binder, so it doesn’t matter if it has been deactivated in this recipe. 

how to make eyeliner and mascara:

Step 1: Dip a line brush into water.

Step 2: Dip it into the powder.

Step 3: Give it a good tap.

Step 4: Draw on your eyelids. Remember this is not a make-up tutorial. There are WAY better bloggers out there for that! 

Step 5: Run your mascara wand under a slow stream of running water.

Step 6: Dip it into your eyeliner mix, tap, and apply. My lashes are normally light brown, so this makes a huge difference. I like to do a second coat. Wait about five minutes. This time don’t run the lash brush under water, dip into the mixture, and reapply. 

Always apply your eye makeup before the rest of your makeup. You may get some specs on your face — it is, after all, powder. Just wipe them away.  

frequently asked questions

how long does DIY mascara last?

It typically lasts all day. See my photo below to see what my results are after wearing the DIY eyeliner and mascara after a full day of activities.

how long does it take to dry homemade mascara?

Both the eyeliner and mascara will dry in a few minutes. After applying, be sure not to touch them for a few minutes.

Also, if you curl your lashes, do so after applying the DIY mascara. I know it sounds like blasphemy to curl your lashes after, but if you curled them before and applied a damp mascara brush, they would go limp. So, instead, curl when dry. 

what do I use to apply DIY mascara and eyeliner ?

You can use an old mascara brush to apply it. Be sure to clean it well before you use it for DIY mascara. If you don’t have one, you can find sustainable spoolies online or at your local co op.

For the DIY eyeliner, a thin stiff brush works well.

how often should I clean my mascara brush?

For best results, wash the brushes every other day or so. This will keep them clear of bacteria.