How To Make Eyeshadow From Scratch

So you wanna learn how to make eyeshadow? This couldn’t be easier. Out of all the DIY makeup projects I’ve tried and tested, this is by far one of the easiest and the most fun.

The colors you can create with a few oxides and micas are endless. Your DIY eyeshadow is limited only by your creativity. I’m going to start with a simple loose powder eye shadow which can be stored in a small sifter or eye shadow pot.

Introduction

If you prefer more of a pressed eye shadow, this recipe can easily be adapted to design your own eyeshadow palette! But for now, I’m gonna show you how to store it in a regular pot.

I’ll also be showing you how to make gel eyeshadow, which is even easier!

Mica powders are naturally shimmery, which will result in sparkly eye shadows. If you want to make matt eyeshadows then you will need to use only oxides and pigments. You will also need to change the base slightly by replacing the sericite mica with more magnesium stearate. 

Coffee Grinder 

Coffee grinders are pretty much a must-have for making your own makeup. When I first started out I would use a pestle and mortar to grind my powders together. Don’t get me wrong, it kinda worked. But it took such a long time and I still had trouble with my oxides not combining well enough.

By using my electric blade coffee grinder, I can get a much smoother eye shadow. Trust me, it’s worth the investment… It’s not like they’re that expensive anyway.  

You can pick up a coffee blender cheaply on amazon. A simple electric blade grinder is all you need. Ignore the burr grinders. They’re so pricey and I find the blade ones actually do a better job on the powders anyway. I paid around $10 for my blade grinder on Amazon and it’s been well worth the money.

Once you use your grinder to make cosmetics, don’t use it for anything else again. I mean, the last thing you want in your eyeshadow are bits of stale coffee. Trust me, get another one for your coffee machine.

Whats In My DIY Eyeshadow & Why

Zinc Oxide 

Zinc oxide is a naturally produced product that has been devised from zinc ore. It can help protect the skin from sunburn and is a good choice for anyone with irritated skin. The Zinc oxide has a slightly sticky feel to it which gives the eyeshadow more adhesion and coverage.

Magnesium Stearate

I chose to use magnesium stearate in this eye shadow recipe to enhance its slip and adhesion. Using this product makes the eyeshadow glide more easily and smoothly whilst also helping it to stick to your eyelids. Magnesium stearate can be replaced with arrowroot powder If you can’t get hold of it, however, it will not glide as effectively.   

Sericite Mica

Sericite mica is a shimmery powder that can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by reflecting the light. It has a beautiful smooth silky feel to it which makes your homemade eyeshadow easier to apply.    

Kaolin Clay

Kaolin clay is full of minerals and is probably the most used clay when it comes to cosmetics. Kaolin clay, also known as china clay, is very absorbent and has a rich creamy feel to it. Although this would always be my first choice for this particular recipe, I have used bentonite clay here with some success. 

Mica Colors

There are so many mica colors to choose from that it can be difficult to know where to start. I ordered a pack of 24 different mica colors for around $20 on amazon this was perfect for mixing and matching eye shadow colors. 

Mixing The Colors

It’s worth noting that the base you will be mixing the mica/oxides with will only lighten the colors you chose by a shade or two.  

Oxides need to be treated a little differently than mica. Use them sparingly as a little goes a long way, I usually work in small pinches and add more if needed. 

Think about buying red, yellow, blue, black, and brown as you should be able to mix them together to make most of the colors you need.         

Micas can vary in strength and color which is why I’m not giving specifics. For example, If a recipe asks for bright pink and you only have pale, mix white mica with red until you achieve a bright pink color that you are happy with. Or sprinkle in a pinch of red oxide. Micas and oxides can be mixed together to create some wonderful unique colors so don’t be afraid to experiment.