Let me just start with this: I’ve never trusted the word “palette.” DIY eyeshadow palette…..It sounds fancy. It sounds like something rich girls in Paris say while sipping champagne out of crystal glasses shaped like regret.
Meanwhile, I am over here with three broken compacts, one neon blue shadow I’ll never wear, and a palette that looks like it was mauled by a raccoon.
So yeah. One day I was staring at this sad, mismatched collection of random shades—most of which I hated—and I thought: “Why don’t I just make my own DIY eyeshadow palette?”
Spoiler: I did. And it was weirdly empowering.
Why I Wanted to Make a DIY Eyeshadow Palette (a.k.a. the cosmetic chaos origin story)
Okay, quick backstory.
I’m the girl who will buy a palette for one color. Like that perfect burnt-orange shimmer that screams fall witch energy.
Then never touch the 11 other sad, chalky pastel shades named things like “Glacial Whisper” and “Dawn.”
It started to feel wasteful. Also, expensive. Also, why is there always that one glitter shade that feels like sandpaper dipped in regret?
So I Googled “how to make your own custom eyeshadow colors” at 2AM.
And I fell into a DIY rabbit hole deeper than my middle school emo phase.
Ingredients You’ll Probably Find in Your Kitchen or Local Hippie Store
Turns out? You don’t need a chem lab or a YouTube sponsorship to make your own eyeshadow. Just some simple stuff:
- Arrowroot powder – gives your shadow that silky, blendable base
- Cocoa powder – for warm browns (and it smells so good, my god)
- Mica powders – these are the ✨sparkle babies✨, and you can get ‘em online in like… 300 colors
- Activated charcoal – for black or gray shades (handle with care unless you want raccoon hands)
- Beetroot powder – reddish-pink tones, but kind of a diva to work with
- Turmeric – for yellow, just a pinch unless you’re trying to cosplay a traffic sign
- Rubbing alcohol or witch hazel – to press the powder into pans
- Shea butter or jojoba oil (optional) – for creamy shadow, if you want more of a cream-to-powder finish
- Tiny metal tins or empty palette pans – steal them from old makeup or buy cheap from Amazon
Note: Do NOT use food dye or acrylic paint. That’s a quick way to get pinkeye and maybe regret your whole existence.
Making the Magic Happen (aka The Actual DIY Eyeshadow Process)
Now here’s the real chaos recipe.
1. Mix Your Base
- Start with 1 tsp of arrowroot powder (or kaolin clay if you’re feeling bougie)
- Add your color—maybe ½ tsp cocoa powder + a pinch of mica.
- Mix it in a tiny bowl with the grace of a squirrel on espresso.
2. Test on Your Skin Like a Nerdy Alchemist
Swatch it on your wrist. If it’s too light, add more color. Too dark? Add more base. Too “what in the Lisa Frank is this”? Start over.
3. Add a Touch of Oil (Optional)
If you want a creamy shadow, mix in a drop of jojoba oil or shea butter. Not more. I learned the hard way and created eyeshadow soup. Not ideal.
4. Press It into the Pan
Once you’ve got the shade you love:
- Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol or witch hazel to your powder.
- It should feel like wet sand. Not slushy. Not dry.
- Press it into your little pan with the back of a spoon or a coin wrapped in tissue.
Let it dry overnight. Or if you’re impatient like me, blow on it aggressively for ten minutes while watching reality TV.
What Not to Do (Because I Did These Things)
- Don’t mix beetroot and turmeric unless you want to look like a sunset threw up on you.
- Don’t try to microwave mica powder. There’s no reason. I just… thought maybe it’d make it shinier? It didn’t. It just smelled weird.
- Don’t label your colors with cute names until after testing. I named one “Golden Hour Goddess” and it looked like mustard. Sad.
How to Organize Your Homemade Eyeshadow Palette
If you’re like me and have commitment issues with packaging (or just a lot of clutter), here’s what worked:
- Reuse old magnetic palettes. Just pop out the old stuff with a pin (gently).
- Glue tiny pans into Altoids tins. It’s quirky. It’s portable. It says “I’m crafty, but also probably hoarding mints somewhere.”
- Label everything. Because trust me, in a week, “mystery sparkle #4” will look exactly like “burnt sienna rage.”
The Weird Joy of Creating Your Own Colors
You ever make a color that just… hits? Like, the exact shade you imagined in your head?
That moment feels like winning the lottery, except instead of cash, you get a pigment that makes your eyeballs look like ✨mystical forest elf energy✨.
I made one that’s this kind of dusty mauve with gold shimmer. Named her “Chaos at Sunset.”
I wore it for 3 days straight and made zero plans—just walked around the house like I was starring in a dramatic indie film.
Why I’ll Probably Never Buy Another Pre-Made Palette Again
Let’s be real: most store-bought palettes are like 20% useful, 80% “why tho?”
But making your own? You get to be the artist, the mad scientist, and the main character. Plus, it’s surprisingly budget-friendly—especially if you already own half this stuff because you’ve got a random DIY streak (hi, me too).
And the best part? No more waste, glitter shades you’ll never touch. No more paying $50 for a palette just to use one dusty rose.
Wanna Try It? Here’s Your Starter Set of Shades:
| Name | Vibe | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Dust Bunny | Neutral matte taupe | arrowroot + cocoa + clay |
| Chaos at Sunset | Warm shimmer mauve | mica (rose gold + violet) + cocoa |
| Spicy Latte | Soft bronze | cocoa + cinnamon + gold mica |
| Twilight Pout | Deep plum shimmer | beetroot + charcoal + pink mica |
| Quietly Screaming | Shimmery champagne | mica + kaolin clay |
Random Bonus Tips (Because I’m Nothing if Not Extra) about DIY eyeshadow palette
- Use a contact lens case to mix tiny test shades—portable, cute, chaotic.
- Add a drop of essential oil if you want it to smell fancy. I went full lavender vibes.
- Share your creations in group chats and act smug when people ask where you bought it. You earned that. https://kohopoho.com/natural-hair-dye-alternatives/.
Wanna Go Deeper into DIY Beauty Chaos?
Check out this blog on how I accidentally invented lipstick with beet juice and hope or this unhinged tale about DIY highlighter fails.
