You can make a safe & effective DIY lash serum using only 100% natural ingredients with this recipe:

1. Take a small clean bowl.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of castor oil.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of vitamin E oil.
4. Add 1/2 teaspoon of rosemary extract.
5. Add 1/2 teaspoon of red clover extract.
6. Stir it all together.
7. Pour into a clean mascara tube or small bottle with an applicator using a small funnel.

In this guide, I’ll go into the actual science behind each ingredient, where to source them, and walk you through the steps of the recipe.

Ingredients

My favorite ingredients for making an eyelash growth serum at home that actually works are:

• Castor Oil: This will be the base of your concoction. Castor oil is an all-natural and safe ingredient. This oil is a powerhouse of ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that works wonders on your lashes. It is known for its ability to increase hair growth and thickness.¹ ​
• Vitamin E Oil: Now this one’s a champion at fighting oxidative stress. And guess what? It boosts hair growth too! This vitamin is a must-have in any DIY eyelash serum. People with hair loss saw significant growth when they added Vitamin E to their routine.²
• Rosemary Extract: This powerful plant extract is a secret ally for your lashes. Known for its stimulating properties, rosemary invigorates the lash base, encouraging growth and increasing lash density.³
• Red Clover Extract: This is a recent addition to my formulation. Red clover extract is rich in biochanin A, a potent phytonutrient. Research shows they can reduce hair loss and even stimulate hair growth!⁴
• Essential oils (optional): These could be added in very small quantities to our recipe but they pack a punch! There are many to consider but my favorites are lavender and rosemary for their healing and nourishing properties.⁵

Homemade Lash Serum Recipe

1. Take a small clean bowl.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of castor oil.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of vitamin E oil.
4. Add 1/2 teaspoon of rosemary extract.
5. Add 1/2 teaspoon of red clover extract.
6. Stir it all together.
7. Pour into a clean mascara tube or small bottle with an applicator using a small funnel.

And voila! You’re done! Now let’s apply it to the lashes and see the transformation.

Fun Idea: If you buy a set of empty mascara tubes, why not make enough lash serum to create several tubes and offer them as gifts to your friends? You can customize each tube with stickers and surprise your friends with a fun, safe, homemade beauty product.

Container & Applicator

Now that we know which ingredients we’ll use, it’s time to figure out the container and applicator.

I find that your best option here is simply a mascara tube with the wand that came with it.

So, where can I find an empty mascara tube?

You have two options here. You can either use an old mascara tube (after having thoroughly cleaned it) or you can simply buy an empty mascara applicator online. You can find sets of 4 mascara applicators for less than $20 on Amazon, and in my view, this is by far the best option.

But wait – why not just use the empty mascara tube?

Technically, you can. However, it’s much less hassle – and much more hygienic – to simply buy new ones. If you want to use an old mascara tube, you’ll need to clean and disinfect it thoroughly using a safe disinfectant, ensuring no mascara product remains either in the tube or on the applicator wand.

And don’t forget: growth serums need to be applied to clean, dry lashes to work properly. If you still have traces of mascara on your lash applicator, it’s going to disturb the lash serum’s process and potentially prevent it from working entirely.

How to Apply Your DIY Lash Serum

So, is applying a homemade lash serum different from using a manufactured one?

It can be!!

It all comes down to the applicator you’re using.

Store-bought serums typically come with an eyeliner-type applicator, perfect for applying along the upper lash line. But if you’re working with a mascara wand, things change.

With a mascara wand, the application is direct – you apply the serum directly to your lashes like you would any mascara.

This allows the formula direct contact with your lashes, so they can start working their magic right away!

Where to Buy Ingredients Used in This Recipe

I carefully selected ingredients and brands in this recipe since we are applying our serum to the sensitive eye area. While there may be cheaper options available, I prioritized quality and effectiveness.

• RejuveNaturals Castor Oil: I love this castor oil because it is cold-pressed, hexane-free, USDA-certified, and organic. It also comes in a glass bottle, which is better for preservation and avoids chemical leaching.
• RejuveNaturals Vitamin E Oil: Again from the same brand, this oil is also cold-pressed, hexane-free, USDA-certified, and organic. It also benefits from a glass bottle.
• Secrets of the Tribe Red Clover Extract: This extract is perfect for our concoction because it’s alcohol-free, vegan, non-GMO, and 3rd party tested.
• Secrets of the Tribe Rosemary Extract: For the same reasons, I love this brand and its rosemary extract.

Now, for the container, I’ve used this one because it gives you the option to use an eyeliner tip or a mascara wand. It also comes with small funnels which I thought was very handy.

References

1. Yamamoto, Y., Harada, K., Kasuga, S., & Hosokawa, M. (2019). Phospholipase A2-Mediated preparation of phosphatidylcholine containing ricinoleic acid and its anti-inflammatory effect on murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 519(4), 674–680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2019.101141
2. Beoy, L. A., Woei, W. J., & Hay, Y. K. (2010). Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers. Tropical Life Sciences Research, 21(2), 91–99. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/
3. Murata, K., Noguchi, K., Kondo, M., Onishi, M., Watanabe, N., Okamura, K., & Matsuda, H. (2013). Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract. Phytotherapy Research, 27(2), 212-217. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4712
4. Lueangarun, S., & Panchaprateep, R. (2020). An Herbal Extract Combination (Biochanin A, Acetyl tetrapeptide-3, and Ginseng Extracts) versus 3% Minoxidil Solution for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-week, Prospective, Randomized, Triple-blind, Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 13(10), 32-37. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7840088/
5. Hay, I. C., Jamieson, M., & Ormerod, A. D. (1998). Randomized trial of aromatherapy: Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatology, 134(11), 1349-1352. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349