How to Make Eyeshadow at Home

Reviewed by Barbie Ritzman

Last Updated: August 15, 2024

Whether you have sensitive skin, want to avoid chemicals, or just like to experiment with colors and textures, making your own eyeshadow at home can be a fun and rewarding process. There are several different methods of making your eyeshadow, all of which use different ingredients and produce varied effects. Find instructions for a number of different methods after the jump.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Mica Powders

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1
Buy a selection of mica powders. Cosmetic mica powder is a fine mineral powder that is available online, in beauty supply stores, and even in some specific super stores.
- Mica powder comes in a huge variety of colors, with or without shimmer, and in diverse quantity sizes. Although you can use a single color of mica powder to make your eyeshadow, you can make more unique and unusual shades by blending several different mica powders.
- Be sure to purchase only mica powder that is for cosmetic use and safe to use near your eyes.
2
Make a loose powder eyeshadow. To make a simple loose powder eyeshadow, you simply need to blend a selection of mica powders until you get your preferred shade.
- For example, if you wanted to make a warm autumn-themed shade you could mix light brown, dark brown, gold, cream, and orange mica powders. If you want a shimmering, aquamarine color, you could mix blue, green, and silver mica powders.
- To get a consistent color, you will need to measure out equal amounts of each mica powder. To do this, you can use the .15cc pigment scoop that is often provided with the mica powders, or even a small measuring spoon. It doesn't matter what quantity of each powder you use, as long as you use equal amounts.
- Place the powders in an empty lip balm container (you can wash out an old one or buy online) and mix well to combine. Some people like to use a small herb or coffee grinder to do this, but you can also just use a spoon. Make sure to screw the lid on tightly when you're done, you don't want the powder to spill!
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3
Make a pressed powder eyeshadow. To make a pressed powder eyeshadow (like the ones in an eyeshadow palette) you will need to follow the same process as described for the loose powder eyeshadow, before completing a few extra steps:
- Once you have mixed your mica powders to create your chosen shade, you will need to add a powder binder -- these usually come in 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 well until it achieves the consistency of wet sand.
- Transfer the wet powder to an empty lip balm container, then place a piece of paper towel directly over the shadow and place a coin on top (it can be any coin, but try to match it to the size of the container).
- Slowly press down on the coin so the shadow under it becomes compacted. Do this until the entire top of the shadow has been pressed. Leave the shadow out on a counter, covered with a sheet of paper towel, until the powder is entirely dry. Once it's dry, your pressed eyeshadow is ready to use!^{[1]
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4
Make a cream eyeshadow. Making a cream shadow using mica powders is a slightly more complicated process, which requires several additional ingredients. However, you can achieve a more intense color using this method.
- To make this cream eyeshadow, you will need 8 white beeswax pastilles, 1 teaspoon of refined shea butter, 24 drops of refined jojoba oil, 120 drops of vegetable glycerin, 12 drops of vitamin E oil, and 2 1/4 teaspoons of mica powder (a single color or a combination).
- Add the shea butter and beeswax to a small bowl and microwave for a minute or two until melted. Using a separate 3 milliliters (0.10 fl oz) plastic pipette for each ingredient, add the drops of jojoba oil, vegetable glycerin, and vitamin E oil to the bowl.
- Add the mica powder to the bowl and mix well to combine all of the ingredients until you achieve a uniform consistency. Transfer the creamy mixture to an empty lip balm container, tightly replace the lid and wait 24 hours before using.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Shea Butter and Arrowroot Powder

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1
Gather your ingredients. To make a simple, creamy eyeshadow using all natural colors and ingredients you will need:
- Arrowroot powder and refined shea butter -- these ingredients form the base of the eyeshadow.
- Natural coloring agents -- depending on what color eyeshadow you want, you can use cocoa powder, turmeric, dried beet powder, allspice, or nutmeg.
2
Combine the ingredients. Depending on the quantity of eyeshadow you want, place 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of arrowroot powder in a small bowl.
- Add your chosen coloring agent (the exact quantity will depend on how deep you want the color to be) and mix with the arrowroot powder until you achieve an even, consistent color.
- Add the shea butter to the bowl and use the back of a spoon to cream the powder and shea butter together until soft and creamy.
- Transfer the eyeshadow to an empty lip balm container and tightly replace the lid.
3
Experiment with different color combinations. Although each of the coloring agents described above will create a pretty eyeshadow on its own, you should also try experimenting with mixing different colors to create an eyeshadow with more depth.
- Mix cocoa powder and dried beet powder to make a pretty pale pink eyeshadow.
- Mix allspice, cocoa powder, and dried beet powder to create a deep mauve-colored eyeshadow.
- Mix nutmeg and turmeric to create a warm golden brown color.^{[3]
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- Use turmeric powder if you want to make yellow eyeshadow.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Charcoal

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Activated charcoal capsules are easily available online or in drug stores -- they are typically used to treat upset, gassy stomachs, but can be used to create a smoky black eyeshadow that is completely safe and chemical-free.
2
Break open the capsules. Use your fingers to gently break open the capsules and pour the black powder into an empty lip gloss container.
- Keep going until the container is half full, or you have as much eyeshadow as you want.
- Tightly replace the lid once you're done -- charcoal powder is very messy if spilled!
Although charcoal powder can't be used to make any brightly colored eyeshadows, you can mix it with shimmering mica powders to create a glittery black shadow, or with some powdered spirulina for a green undertone.
You can use the activated charcoal powder as an eyeshadow by blending it into the eyelid with a rounded eyeshadow brush, or you can use it as a black eyeliner by mixing it with a little water to create a paste.

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Are there any substitutes for mica powder?

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Yes, there are several natural alternatives, such as turmeric, beet root, cocoa powder, and activated charcoal.

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Will cocoa powder work instead of arrow root powder?

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Yes, cocoa powder works great while moisturizing.

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Is it safe to apply on my lips?

Community Answer

Yes. It also helps make your lips look fuller when you apply it to the center of your lips.

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Tips

Never try to add food dye to your shadow. This could cause eye irritation.

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Always make sure the products you buy are safe for cosmetic use.

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Avoid using eyeshadow close to the inner eyes. This could cause a serious irritation.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

You should throw any homemade makeup away after six months, or earlier if you notice it change in appearance or start to smell. Homemade makeup doesn't have preservatives like store-bought makeup, so it won't last as long.
Keep out of reach from children. They could eat it, and just because an ingredient is non-toxic doesn't mean it should be eaten.

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Warnings

As these eyeshadows are made from natural ingredients, with no chemical preservatives to make them last, they should be thrown out and replaced every three months.

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Make sure that you don't buy a product that you are allergic to, and always read the ingredients. To ensure that you aren't allergic, test the eyeshadow on a small skin patch before applying it to your eyes to check for any allergic reactions.

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