How to create eyeshadow formulas in 5 simple steps

Amber Carli 10.2026

Looking to create your own eyeshadow formulas and achieve pigmented, silky-feeling, eyeshadow powders without the need for advanced formulation knowledge? Our Create Cosmetic Formulas guide simplifies the process! 

Follow our comprehensive 5-step guide to start crafting your own eyeshadow formulas today. Read on to learn how!

Start by logging into your Create Cosmetic Formulas subscription then…

 

How to create eyeshadow formulas in 5 simple steps

1. Select Makeup, Eyeshadow – loose powder, as the type of formula you would like to create today, then click Create

Eyeshadow – loose powder: Our Create Cosmetic Formulas program uses plain mica as the base ingredient in powder formulas so you don’t need to select anything here, the program will automatically adjust the mica content as you select other materials. 

The first selections you need to make is whether you would like to include powder texturisers and which binder you would like to use.

Powder texturisers determine how your powder feels when its applied and contribute to other durability and payoff traits of your product, they are optional but greatly increase positive consumer reception of your product and are recommended. Binders help powders adsorb to the skin for lasting make-up effects.

I’ve chosen boron nitride to impart a soft, silky feel to my powder eyeshadow as well as to improve the slip and durability of my product. I have added this at just above the mid-point to ensure my end product is quite silky with substantial durability and slip. I have chosen to combine this with nylon-12 to further enhance the silky texture of my product as well as to increase colour payoff and further enhance slip. I have added nylon-12 at the mid-point to promote fair impartment of these traits to my final product.

For my binder I have chosen magnesium stearate at the maximum input to help the powder adsorb to the skin for lasting pigment.

Not sure which materials to select? That’s okay, read our go-to guide on cosmetic ingredients here for more information.
 

2. Choose your mica & colourants

The mica & colourants are what give your eyeshadow its colour and determine how pigmented the final product will be.

I have chosen ultramarine blue at the maximum input for a highly pigmented blue eyeshadow. While I have chosen to use just one pigment, you can choose to combine many to create a unique colour profile. There are also many more pigments to choose from outside of the create cosmetic formulas program, this simply serves as a small guide to what is out there so you can begin feeling comfortable with your selections.
 

3. Choose the lipids, antioxidant and fragrance / flavour / essential oil

Stabilising high inputs of lipids is very difficult in powder formulas and they serve little to no functional purpose, however can be very important for product story. 

 

I have chosen to incorporate baobab oil at 0.1% to enhance product story as it is a natural oil. I have also added mixed tocopherols as my antioxidant to protect my oil from oxidising. I have decided not to incorporate a fragrance, flavour or essential oil as I do not desire a scent for my eyeshadow, meaning it would add unnecessarily to the lipid input.
 

 

4. Select effects pigments

Effects pigments are necessary to add to the colour profile of your product and incorporate shimmer/shine/pearlescence. It is important to match your effects pigments to your mica & colourants selections as effects pigments serve as enhancements of these pigments.

 

For my effects pigment I have chosen mica light blue at the minimum input for this selection for its colour and shimmer to subtly compliment my previously chosen eyeshadow pigment. Similarly to your mica & colourant selections, you can choose to incorporate multiple effects pigments, however to keep this formula simple I have decided to include just the one.

 


5. Then… click generate method:
 

Then here is my formula, and here is the method!  

Now all you need to do is find your nearest cosmetic ingredient suppliers, order the materials, and get making your fantastic organic body lotion formulas!

Once you’ve made one formula, you’ll be keen to make more! With Create Cosmetic Formulas, you have almost limitless formulation creation, and just one low annual subscription.

It really is that simple.

Happy formulating!

 

Take our quiz: should you use a program to create cosmetic formulas or learn cosmetic science?
Find out which solution is best for you with our simple quiz!
 

Try the create cosmetic formulas program today! We’re so confident you’ll love how it helps you create cosmetic formulas, it comes with a 24-hour money back guarantee.

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