Homemade Mascara

How to Make Your Own Homemade Mascara

Not everything can be a success, I guess! But that won't stop me from trying again :) ... which I did and found a recipe I that works! Be sure to see the update at the end of this post.

I've been very unmotivated to try this recipe between needing additional ingredients; reusing or not reusing my mascara container, it is it going to hurt my eyes, and will it even work?!?!? 

A few weeks back I finally purchased the final ingredient, step one done ... but then I was torn between whether or not I should reuse my current mascara container. I've heard horror stories about bacteria growing in makeup but since part of my challenge has been to also minimize waste, I decided I would try to clean out my old container before buying new containers. However, I didn't think all the way through this plan before cleaning out my almost gone mascara that could have last me another week or so before making sure my homemades mascara was going to meet my expectations. Let's just say I have a few options now: go without mascara (this is definitely the most extreme choice), find a new recipe that works, or buy a new tube of mascara. Decisions, decisions!

I'm sure some of you are like "I knew it! There's no way she could make mascara that works like the real stuff." I haven't given up but this is going to be a challenge for sure!

Right away I wasn't pleased with the consistency of the mascara and it definitely didn't coat my lashes like I was hoping, but I figured I needed to test out the stay-power. So today I gave it a shot to see  how it would withstand a typical day and I'm sad to admit it lasted only still about 9:30. After a few smudges, I realized the stay-power of this homemade mascara isn't going to suffice. :(

So enough with the let downs of my first homemade mascara attempt and onto the recipe that will need to be tweaked. The original recipe came from Robin at Thank Your Body and was a great starting point.

notice the stopper, if reusing your mascara container be sure to remove the
stopper and use a small bottle brush to clean out all the old mascara.
Dr. Brown's Natural Cleaning Brush from my baby bottle days worked wonders!

Homemade Mascara

empty mascara container (a new one or a cleaned reused one)

4 tsp aloe vera gel

2 tsp coconut oil

1 tsp grated beeswax

1 to 2 capsules of activated charcoal (1/4-1/2 tsp cocoa powder can be substituted for brown mascara)

Combine aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and beeswax in a small saucepan and heat over low until melted. Add activated charcoal. Whisk until thickened. Place mascara into a small plastic baggie and seal. Push all the mascara to one corner (like a frosting piping bag). Cut the tip to form a small opening. Squeeze mascara in to mascara tube that has had the stopper removed. Replace the stopper. Insert wand and use as desired. 

For the next batch I will be trying one (or both) of these recipes from 'Simple Life Mom'.

UPDATED 1/27/16
'Simple Life Mom' had a recipe that worked great!

Homemade (Egg Yolk) Mascara

1 egg yolk

1 to 2 capsules of activated charcoal (1/4-1/2 tsp cocoa powder can be substituted for brown mascara)

Whisk together until a smooth consistency is formed. Place in a small container with a lid. Apply using a clean mascara wand. Refrigerate between uses. 

I used 1 capsule of activated charcoal and 1/4 tsp of cocoa powder

When my first attempt was far from a success, I did a little more searching and came across this recipe and believe me my first thoughts were ... "What egg yolk on my eyelashes ALL day?!?!?" After a few days of no mascara and being too lazy to leave me cozy office over my lunch break to run to the store and buy any, I decided what do I have to lose. So I glad I got past the idea of wearing egg yolk on my lashes, not only did it cover great, but it last all day with the added bonus of all the extra nutrients from the egg yolk. 

Additional cost: $5.93 for activated charcoal or possibly no additional cost if you use all cocoa powder 

Cost Comparison: $3 to $30 depending on brand for store bought vs. less than $0.25 for homemade per batch

Homemade Mantle Decor

I should have added home decor to my 2016 To-Do List especially since we have been in our current home for three and a half years and there is definitely a lack of wall decor and miscellaneous accessories throughout most of our home. BUT I am so excited to finally have one home decor project almost completed. The vision of this project has been on my brain for almost 2 years now and we are one step closer to the finished product!

My home decor style has really evolved over the years and I have come to the point I would love for my home to be decorated like a picture in Home and Garden Magazine but I have no desire to spend the money to get it that way. So instead I'm always on the hunt for free projects, sentimental family pieces that can be incorporated, AND the time to do it. 

I love versatile pieces that also hold sentimental value. Our mantle piece was constructed from outdated wood valances from the first house we bought, one side portrays our hands and fingerprints, and the other a tree (with hopefully soon, the silhouette of a pair of lovebirds and their four little hatchlings with a fun saying).

birch tree - with soon to be family of 6 lovebirds and cute saying :)
painted January 2016

Really wishing I had taken a few more pictures of the kiddos helping, as well as the proof that you can create artwork with almost anything you have on hand! The white 'paint' was actually shoe polish similar to this (not even sure where it came from or how long we've had it, but it's worked just fine with a few extra coats) and the black paint was from a box of crafty stuff from one of my grandmas. I wouldn't consider myself a hoarder by any means; however, if it's a crafty item I will find a place out of sight (or in the basement) for it until it can find it's purpose again!  :)

The birch tree effect was really easy to do  thanks to pinterest ... of course! A white background leaving behind horizontal brush strokes. Then using a flat scraper dipped in black paint, start on the the edge of the tree and drag to the center.

kiddos helping

The thing I love most of this homemade piece (besides the sentiment of course), is that it now has two sides. The trees are more fall-inspired and at Christmas I would just turn it around to hang a wreath on the bare wood. I am thinking I will still hang a wreath on the birch tree at Christmas, but will strategically place the additions so it'll still look cute.

the trunks are each of our arms, the branches our hands, the leaves our fingerprints
Completed October 2013

Cost for two-side, sentimental artwork - $0 ... cha-ching :)

What's in Store

As we are recovering from life comatose from this last week and a half of holiday fun and family time and dwelling in the moment of New Year's Resolutions (which I truly enjoy the opportunity each year to make a change, but I don't limit myself to only make a change at the start of a new year), it's relaxing to think back over the past year and get excited about what is to come.

Life is the perfect balance of learning from the past, living in the moment, and being open to opportunities of the future ALL at the same time. I try not to dwell on the past, but I do appreciate that each new day we are given is a great opportunity to make it better than than the day before. I realize I need to slow down sometimes to enjoy the moment we are currently in. AND I need not to worry about tomorrow but I do need to listen to God's whispers because His plans for my tomorrow starts with how I obey Him today.

2015 holds things that actually happened and 2016 will bring dates of specific happenings we can plan for but there will also be so many unknowns along the way. As I reflect and ponder at the start of this new year, I can only get excited about what's in store.

Highlights of 2015 - started a blog + started a new job + #4 began pre-school + welcome another niece AND nephew into this world + everything in between

Looking forward to in 2016 - turning 35 ... it's just another number in my mind, but some may see this as a milestone :) + #3 will start kindergarten + hopes to finish my Homemade Day by Day challenge + LOVING GOD + loving people + keeping life simple

For the Blog: To Do - Make - Replace - Share

mascara

mozzarella

ciabatta bread

butter

blush

almond extract

more freezer meals

Young Living distributor
italian seasoning

pumpkin pie spice

chai latte

cream cheese

bearawicka (a family favorite of the Mr.'s dad's side ... have a recipe ... need to try this out)

cough drops

concealer

blush

sunscreen

bug spray

donate hair

dryer balls

velveeta

lipstick

eye shadow

Bar Keepers Friend (kitchen sink cleaner)

bar soap

shampoo (not no-poo)

conditioner

bacon

taco sauce

apple butter

enchilada sauce

queso

ice cream
make and take classes

liquid hand soap

dish soap

chicken bouillon

cheese (any variety)

fruit snacks

crockpot meals

coconut milk

granola

granola bars

sourdough bread

wine

sauerkraut (I love this stuff, but never buy it since I'm the only one that'll eat it!)

marshmallows

hard candy

biscuits

gravy

farm fresh eggs
uses for shea butter
uses for beeswax
uses for aloe vera gel
uses for coconut oil
uses for activated charcoal

... and the list goes on but I need to make myself stop :) 

What's something you would add to the list?