Seriously.  There's some scary stuff in regular mascara, and if you don't believe me just read what The Naked Label has to say about it!  Even some organic mascaras sneak in harmful preservatives.

So what's a mascara lovin' lady (or guy) to do?  Simple: make your own.  I know it sounds like one of those crazy hippy projects--and it is--but not only do you end up with a product as good as any store bought makeup (and safer to boot), but it also costs you a fraction of what quality organic mascara does.  I would typically spend $15-$20 for a good mascara.  The cost of making one tube of your own is about $1-$2, maybe $4 tops if you splurge and buy your own $2 mascara tube online instead of recycling your old ones. 

The only potential downside to DIY mascara is that it's not out and out waterproof--you need synthetic stuff for that.  However, I find that if you add more beeswax, you get a product that is less likely to smudge under duress (rain, Lifetime Original movies, cute puppies--anything that brings on the waterworks).

So here is my recipe for homemade mascara, which I adapted from Thank Your Body, Ditch the Wheat, and Wellness Mama.  Ingredients can be found at your local health food store or herb store.

Ingredients: 

2 tsp coconut oil

1/2-1/3 tsp grated beeswax

1 tsp activated charcoal (or 2-3 capsules)

Melt beeswax on low heat.  I do this by placing the wax in a clean tin can.  This tin can then goes in a saucepan with about one inch of water in it (see photo).  Once the beeswax is melted, mix the coconut oil into the tin can and let it melt and combine with the beeswax.  Once the ingredients are in liquid form, gently stir in the activated charcoal.  Remove from heat and carefully pour liquid into your clean mascara tube.  I do this by pouring the cooling mixture into a plastic bag that has a corner cut out of it.  Place the open corner of the bag inside the mascara tube and slowly push the liquid into the tube (see Thank Your Body above for pictures of this).  Allow to cool before using.