Make Your Own Plastic Free and Zero Waste Mascara

Mascara has always been my makeup non-negotiable. The one product I’d take to a desert island. The finishing touch that makes me feel put-together.

These days, there are plenty of store-bought mascaras that deliver dramatic lashes without cruelty or nasty ingredients, and that’s amazing. But there’s still one thing that never sat right with me: the waste. In Australia, recyclable mascara packaging simply isn’t an option. Every tube, every wand, every repurchase means more resources used and more plastic tossed aside. Even when the formula is kinder, the packaging rarely is.

Unable to find any type of a zero waste option at the stores or online, I went down the DIY rabbit hole. 

I mixed, melted, stirred, and swirled my way through countless homemade mascara recipes. Some were okay. Some were a total mess. One or two were almost right but never quite hit that familiar, effortless feel I wanted. What I quickly learned is that DIY beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Lashes are personal. What works for one person might flake, smudge, or fall flat on another.

Below are three different DIY mascara recipes I found that worked for me.

Simple Everyday Mascara

You’ll need:

• 1 teaspoon activated charcoal (or cocoa powder for brown lashes)

• ½ teaspoon aloe vera gel

• ½ teaspoon melted coconut oil

How to make it:

Mix all ingredients until smooth and creamy. Funnel into a clean jar or mascara tube and apply with a sanitised wand.

Why it works:

This is the easiest, no-fuss recipe. It defines lashes without stiffness and washes off effortlessly.

Conditioning Mascara

You’ll need:

• 1 teaspoon activated charcoal

• ½ teaspoon castor oil

• ½ teaspoon aloe vera gel

• 2–3 drops vitamin E oil

How to make it:

Blend thoroughly until lump-free. Store in a clean jar or mascara tube and apply sparingly.

Why it works:

Castor oil allegedly helps condition lashes while providing subtle thickness.

Thicker, More Dramatic Mascara

You’ll need:

• 1 teaspoon activated charcoal

• ½ teaspoon shea butter (melted)

• ½ teaspoon aloe vera gel

• A pinch of beeswax

How to make it:

Gently melt the shea butter and beeswax, then stir in remaining ingredients. Let cool slightly before transferring to your tube or jar.

Why it works:

The beeswax adds structure and hold, giving more volume and staying power. Vegans can swap to candelilla wax. 

Tips for Trying DIY Beauty

• Cleanliness is everything
  Always sanitise your tools, containers, and mascara wands.

• Make small batches
  DIY mascara doesn’t contain preservatives. Make only what you’ll use in 1–2 weeks and store in a cool dry place.

• Patch test first
  Even natural ingredients can irritate. Test on your skin before applying near your eyes.

• Expect imperfection:
  DIY beauty won’t behave exactly like store-bought products.

• Trail it first
  Before you go and buy a bunch of package free ingredients try to get smaller quantities just in case you discover DIY is not for you.