How to Make Mineral Clay Eye Shadow (Loose or Pressed Versions)
This easy, mineral-rich DIY eyeshadow allows you to experiment with your natural look, without using ingredients that are harmful for your skin.
Yield: 2 ounces
Cost: $5
Equipment
- Small bowl and spoon
- Small jar or empty eye shadow pans or compact
- Pressing tool (can be a coin or the back of a spoon)
- Tissue or paper towel
Materials
Loose Eye Shadow
- ½ teaspoon arrowroot starch
- ½ teaspoon bentonite clay
- ground ginger, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, or ground nutmeg (enough to reach the desired color)
- 2–3 drops almond oil or jojoba oil
- Experiment with different colored powders and ratios until you have reached your desired tints, using ingredients such as activated charcoal, spirulina, beet root powder, or mica powders.
Pressed Eye Shadow
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot starch
- ⅛ teaspoon coconut oil (adjust as needed)
- ¼ teaspoon rubbing alcohol or vodka (adjust as needed for desired consistency)
- ¼–½ teaspoon powdered pigments
Instructions
Loose Eye Shadow
- Add the arrowroot starch and bentonite clay to a small bowl and mix well to create your eyeshadow base.
- Mix in desired colors until you have reached a shade that you like.
- Add a few drops of jojoba oil to the mixture, and combine until the powder is no longer dusty but becomes soft and sticks together slightly.
- Apply to well-moisturized skin. Jojoba oil may not only feel soothing on the skin, but it also has the extra benefit of adding back moisture and decreasing redness.
Pressed Eye Shadow
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the bentonite clay and arrowroot starch. Mix well to ensure they are thoroughly blended.
- Add the coconut oil to the dry mixture and stir until it forms a crumbly texture.
- Gradually add the rubbing alcohol or vodka, a few drops at a time. Mix well after each addition until the mixture has a damp, moldable consistency. It should be moist but not overly wet.
- Add the natural pigments to the mixture, starting with 1 teaspoon. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the color. If you desire a more intense shade, add more pigments as needed.
- Once the mixture is well blended, transfer it to an empty eyeshadow pan or compact. Use the back of a spoon or pressing tool to press the mixture firmly into the pan, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
- Place a tissue or paper towel on top of the pressed eyeshadow and apply pressure with your pressing tool to remove any excess moisture. This step helps to compact the eyeshadow and remove any remaining alcohol or moisture.