Make-up: Making Eyebrow Pencils


Here's how I made a few eyebrow pencils the other day. 

I used to make only a couple of makeup pencils at a time – all from scratch, but over the past couple of years I have taken to pre-making my pencil base in a larger quantity (enough for about 15 slim or 5 chubby pencils) and storing the base mixture in my ingredients fridge.

When I need to do a pencil or 2, I grab the base and go from there.

So! All I needed to do here was choose and mix my colors, then add to the base.




For this batch, I'm doing a dark charcoal color. 



The pigments and powders are white titanium dioxide and silk black. The powders are measured up and sifted. 



I work with 2 small bowls so I can sift from one bowl to the next. The powders are sifted together several times. 

Titanium dioxide has a 'larger grain size' than the silk black and will show up as tiny specks in the product even after being thoroughly sifted together. Here the color has only been sifted twice. 

I usually do about 10-12 passes through the sift. I could have used a small powder grinder, but with such a small amount of color, it's faster and more practical to sift the colors together.


When the color is ready, the pencil base is measured out and put into a small beaker for melting. In the middle of the picture is the disposable syringe I will be using to fill the pencils.


The base is heated very slowly until it is entirely melted.  When the base is liquid, the pigments mixture is added and everything is stirred thoroughly. 



The mixture is transferred to a disposable syringe and the pencils are filled. 


The mixture stiffens quickly so speed and dexterity are important. It's a good idea to have a disposable layer on your work surface. I usually make a mess, so having only a layer of paper towels to discard makes cleanup easy.


After the pencils are set, they can be sharpened and are ready to go. 

I do have tops for these pencils, but they aren't in the picture. These pencil casings are plastic - easy to fill and easy to sharpen, and some of the best I've worked with.

Comments

Anna-Vera said…
Would these pencils be usable as eye liner? Or do you have to make a different mixture? And if so, how different?
LisaLise said…
the base mix is a bit different for eyeliner, but the process is the same.
Anonymous said…
Hi. What is the base made of for eyebrow pencil?
LisaLise said…
Hi Anon - I have made several different bases through the years and would have to check my notes for details, but from memory I can tell you it is a combo of beeswax, cocoa butter, and oil.
Anonymous said…
Thank you very much! Barb.
Agnes said…
Hi Lise,

You mentioned that you use black silk in this recipe. I have not heard that there is black silk available, or is there? I've been using either oxides or mica for coloring, but silk sounds terrific. If black silk is what you use, could you suggest some sites where it would be possible to get some. Thank you.
LisaLise said…
HI Agnes, I can see how this can be confusing - it is a mica color called silk black or black silk I am using. It is not as deep black as others. :)
Agnes said…
Thank you for clarification, Lise! ..:-)
Unknown said…
Hi, Lisa. Your information is super helpful. I'm wanting to start making some of my own brow pencils. Are you able to give the formula that you use for your base?
LisaLise said…
Hi Unknown — I have made so many versions over the years to refine my base, and I am still considering whether or not I want to share it.
Unknown said…
Hello!!! Where do I purchase the pencil casings?
LisaLise said…
Hi Unknown - the company closed down some years ago I'm afraid -- I haven't seen them since