I've always been fascinated by the many eyelash growth serums available nowadays, but never felt like forking over fifty-plus dollars in order to get those long luscious lashes I've always wanted. I always thought those products were so overpriced, and some of them are even known to change your eye color with extended use - I'll keep my green eyes thank you very much!
Now, while I have fairly long lashes to begin with, they do seem a bit sparse here and there and I certainly wouldn't mind even more length. Seeing as how resorting to fake lashes or extensions can actually cause more harm than good like allergic reactions, infection, and losing even more lashes, I'm all about using something homemade and natural without the side effects.
So, in the name of reclaiming my long-lost eyelashes, I set out to try making my own eyelash growth serum using only simple all-natural ingredients.
How to Make Lavender Rosemary Eyelash Growth Serum at Home
This recipe couldn't possibly be any easier to make. All you need are just a few ingredients, and you're basically set!
Here's how to make my super simple lavender and rosemary eyelash growth serum:
• One empty mascara tube like this one (do not reuse and old one)
• One 1oz dropper bottle
• Castor oil (try getting black castor oil for even better results!)
• 1 drop lavender essential oil
• 1 drop rosemary essential oil
Loving Preparation - Lavender Rosemary Eyelash Growth Serum Recipe
1. Begin by adding a single drop each of lavender essential oil and rosemary essential oil to the empty 1oz dropper bottle.
2. Next, fill the dropper bottle with castor oil (you can also add sweet almond oil to thin out the mixture if desired)
3. Cap closed, then roll between your palms to mix thoroughly.
4. Use the dropper to fill your empty mascara tube with the serum.
This combo of ingredients is known to have a dramatic effect on lash growth. I've even heard of people needing to take a break from using it because their lashes were growing crazy long.
Depending on the size of your mascara tube, your 1oz bottle of serum will give you several refills of this amazing lash lengthening serum!
Also, many other bloggers will recommend adding essential oils straight to the mascara tube, but I think that this is far too strong for use.
I personally recommend making a 1oz size of serum to lower the dilution of the essential oils so that you can still reap the benefits they have to offer without the burning or irritation they can cause.
To Use
I recommend scraping off as much excess serum from the mascara wand as possible before use to prevent getting any oil into your eyes or getting too much oil on your eyelids. Castor oil is really thick and sticky, so make sure not to skip this step! If you do happen to get too much oil on your eyelids, you can simply dab away the excess with some tissue or a clean q-tip.
I like to brush a thin layer of this serum on my lashes on a nightly basis before bedtime as this allows it to sit on my lashes undisturbed for a longer period of time.
After applying it, you'll notice that the serum leaves your lashes slightly wet and tacky to the touch which will prevent regular mascara from adhering to your lashes, so keep that in mind if you plan on using it during the day.
You can expect to see results in as little as 3 weeks
Why These Ingredients Work for Naturally Longer Lashes
Castor Oil
Castor oil is hands down the best carrier oil to use if you're looking for any type of increased hair growth including your hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. It's literally food for your hair because of its follicle nourishing fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins that help lock in moisture and nutrients, protect the hair shaft, and encourage dramatic hair growth.
I've heard of people using castor oil on their scalps daily and noticing that their hair has grown two inches in a single month! It can be used to regrow bald patches, reduce thinning hair, and even help prevent hair loss. So why not give it a go on lashes?
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is known not only for its relaxing properties but also its ability to encourage healthy circulation. When applied near the root of the lashes via this serum, it will help stimulate blood flow so that the lash follicle receives more nutrients while also boosting skin regeneration.
Rosemary Essential Oil
This essential oil is a classic when it comes to all things hair care - including your lashes!
Rosemary essential oil is known for its ability to increase cellular regeneration, healthy circulation, and hair growth.
Bonus**
Cedarwood Essential Oil (atlas)
Cedarwood essential oil is probably one of the best known essential oils for reversing alopecia and hair loss by further stimulating blood flow to underactive hair follicles.
You could add 1 drop of cedarwood (atlas) essential oil to your 1oz dropper bottle of lavender rosemary eyelash growth serum to give it an extra boost!
Have you have tried using castor oil to grow your lashes? What were your results?
You may also enjoy reading:
Conditioning Hair Serum Recipe
Hyperpigmentation Reducing Acne Serum
Homemade Serum for Acne Prone Skin
Rejuvenating Rosehip Facial Serum
Essential Oils for Hair Loss and Alopecia
Nancy Pollack says
is it okay to use rosemary 1,8-cineole in this eyelash serum? I am confused by the differences in the rosemary oil
Tash says
I have used it well diluted with good results! Always pay attention to your body and how IT reacts.
Susan says
I'm definitely gonna give this recipe a try. I stopped using my Latisse about 3 months ago and my lashes are back to their normal length. I just couldn't keep affording to pay $130 for my Latisse. Thanks for the info!
Tash says
Best of luck Susan! I actually like using this formula in dropper bottle now and use the TINIEST amount possible that I then delicately dab along the lashes.
julie says
when you make this...how long will it stay "fresh" for? should you store it in the fridge to prolong its life? thanks
Tash says
Hi Julie!
I would make a new batch every week or so. if you add a preservative, you can make a new one every three months which is the same amount of time you should be replacing your mascara.
Since writing this recipe, I have found that the formula lasts MUCH longer (like a year) before you castor oil itself goes rancid just by putting it in a small dropper bottle. Since you never touch the end of the dropper to your eye like you do with the eyelash brush, germs stay out of the serum. All you have t do it use one drop for both eyes (which is more than enough!) and gently rub a tiny amount along the lash line. I hope this helps!
Abbi says
Where do you put the drop and how do you spread it? Thanks in advance!
Tash says
Hi Abbi!
I will put the drop on my finger first, just the TINIEST amount. Then I very gently rub it right above and into the roots of my lashes. You must be very careful not to get the oil in your eye when doing this. You can even use a cotton swab to apply the serum more carefully.
Ykiki says
Thanks for the recipe but you didn’t have to say muddy brown as if brown eyes are ugly, you could have just left it as simply brown. Because brown eyes are just as pretty as green and the bonus is brown eyes are more protected from the sun. Not trying to nic pick but that’s just what it sounds like to me.
Tash says
Hi Ykiki!
True! I will try and be more mindful of my wording 🙂 Both of my parents actually have brown eyes and I never thought they looked less-than than other eye colors.
Patti McTee says
I want to make this but need to know if I can sub the castor oil for almond oil and some castor essential oil. Only because I already have the EO. ?
Tash says
Hi Patti!
From what I understand, it's the castor oil that makes the eyelashes grow so you will definitely need it. I actually didn't know that there is a castor oil essential oil! Very interesting! I'm not sure if it has the same hair growth benefits, but it may be worth trying. Let me know how it goes if you decide to give it a go 🙂
Crystal says
Can i use the rosemary Jamaican black castor oil? And that will replace the rosemary essential oil drops becaue it's already in the castor oil? Or will the rosemary in the castor oil irritate my eyes due to the obvious higher concentration of rosemary? Thanks
Tash says
Hi Crystal!
If the oil is already in the ingredient list then it should be fine 🙂
Colleen says
Just made this serum and can't wait to see the results! Thanks for the post!!
Tash says
You're welcome Colleen! I've been seeing some growth, it's great!
Erica says
Can I say that rosemary oil is not only for masking the smell, but also for strengthening the hair/eyelashes and reducing the silver hair, including eyebrows!.. I was gathering this knowledge all my life, as a hobby. 🙂 Cherish Lash serum is among my favorite lifehacks, - it's not expensive and very effective. All my friends started using it after seeing my results. Nice article, I will share it!!