Whether you have sensitive skin, want to avoid chemicals or just want to experiment with color and texture, making your own eyeshadow at home can be a fun and rewarding process. There are several ways to make your own eyeshadow, all of which use different ingredients and produce varying effects. Find instructions on a number of ways to do this in this article.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Mica Powder
Step 1. Purchase some mica powder
Cosmetic mica powder is a fine mineral powder that is available online, at beauty supply stores and even at some major specialty stores.
- Mica powder is available in a variety of colors, with or without luster and in various quantity sizes. While you can use just one color of mica powder to make your own eyeshadow, you can create more unique and unusual colors by mixing a number of different mica powders together.
- Make sure you buy only mica powder that is used for cosmetics and is safe to use around your eyes.
Step 2. Make eye shadow powder
To make a simple eye shadow powder, you just need to mix some mica powder until you get the color you want.
- For example, if you want to create a warm fall-themed color you can mix mica powder in light brown, dark brown, gold, cream and orange. If you want a shimmering navy blue, you can mix blue, green and silver mica powder.
- To get a consistent color, you need to measure the same amount of each mica powder. To do this, you can use a 15cc pigment scoop which usually comes with the mica powder, or you can also use a small spoon. Whatever amount of each powder you use, use the same amount.
- Pour the powder into an empty lip balm container (you can wash used containers or buy them online) and mix well to mix. Some people like to use a small spice or coffee grinder to mix it up, but you can also do this with just a spoon. Make sure you close the lid tightly when you're done, you won't want the powder to spill!
Step 3. Make a solid powder eye shadow
To make a solid eye shadow powder (like the one in the eyeshadow palette) you'll need to follow the same process as for making eye shadow powder, before completing a few additional steps:
- Once you've mixed the mica powder to create your chosen color, you'll need to add a powder binder - it's usually available in a spray or liquid form and can be purchased online.
- Add the powder binder to the mica mixture drop by drop (or spray by spray) and mix until it reaches a wet sand-like consistency.
- Transfer the wet powder to an empty lip balm container, then place a paper towel directly on top of the dough and place a coin on top (any coin, but try to match the size of the container).
- Gently press the coin so that the dough underneath is solid. Keep pressing until the entire top of the dough is pressed down. Let the eyeshadow sit on the counter, covered with a paper towel, until the powder is completely dry. Once dry, your solid eyeshadow is ready to go!
Step 4. Make a cream eyeshadow
Making a creamy blush using mica powder is a slightly more complicated process, which requires a few additional ingredients. However, you can achieve a more intense color using this method.
- To make this creamy eye shadow, you will need: 8 white beeswax pastilles, 1 teaspoon pure shea butter, 24 drops pure jojoba oil, 120 drops vegetable glycerin, 12 drops vitamin E oil and 2 1/4 teaspoons mica powder (one color or a combination).
- Place the shea butter and beeswax in a small bowl and heat in the microwave for a minute or two until melted. Using a 3ml plastic pipette for each ingredient, add drops of jojoba oil, vegetable glycerin and vitamin E oil to a bowl.
- Add the mica powder to the bowl and stir to combine all the ingredients until well combined. Transfer the cream mixture to an empty lip balm container, seal tightly and wait 24 hours before using.
Method 2 of 3: Using Shea Butter and Arrowroot Powder
Step 1. Prepare your ingredients
To make a simple cream eye shadow using natural colors and ingredients, you will need:
- Arrowroot powder and pure shea butter - these are the basic ingredients of eye shadow.
- Natural colorants - depending on the color of your blush you want, you can use cocoa powder, turmeric, dried beetroot, Jamaican peppercorns or nutmeg.
Step 2. Mix the ingredients
Depending on the amount of blush you want, put 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon arrowroot powder in a small bowl.
- Add the dye of your choice (the exact amount will depend on how intense you want the color to be) and mix it with the arrowroot powder until the colors are well blended.
- Add the shea butter to a bowl and use the back of a spoon to mix the shea butter and powder until smooth and thick.
- Transfer the blush to an empty lip balm container and seal it tightly.
Step 3. Experiment with different color combinations
While each of the dyes described above will make great eye shadows on their own, you should also try experimenting with blending different colors to create eyeshadows that have different colors.
- Mix cocoa powder and dry beetroot to make a pretty pale pink eye shadow.
- Mix Jamaican peppercorns, cocoa powder and dried beetroot to make a light purple eye shadow that is slightly darker.
- Mix the nutmeg and turmeric together to make a warm golden brown color.
Method 3 of 3: Using Charcoal
Step 1. Buy some charcoal capsules
Activated charcoal capsules are easily available online or in drug stores - they are usually used to treat stomach pain or gas, but can also be used to make smoky black eye shadow which is completely safe and chemical-free.
Step 2. Open the capsules
Use your fingers to gently open the capsule and pour the black powder into an empty lip balm container.
- Keep opening the capsules until the container is half full, or as many as you want.
- Seal the container tightly when you're done - charcoal powder gets really dirty if it spills!
Step 3. Add some color
While you can't use charcoal powder to make bright eyeshadow, you can mix it with shimmery mica powder for a shimmery black eye shadow, or with a little spirulina powder for a touch of green.
Step 4. Use it as an eye shadow or shadow
You can use activated charcoal powder as an eye shadow by blending it onto your eyelids with a round eyeshadow brush, or you can use it as a black shadow by mixing it with a little water to make a paste.
Tips
- Always make sure the products you buy are safe to use as cosmetics.
- Never try to add food coloring to your blush. This can cause eye irritation.
- Never add gloss to your eye shadow. This powder can scratch your eye or get stuck inside your eye. This can cause serious harm.
- Avoid using eyeshadow close to the inner eye. This can cause serious irritation.
- Never add perishable ingredients to your eye shadow.
