Homemade Natural Eyeliner Using Traditional Oils and Dakota Plant Fragrances

My Homemade Cultural Eyeliner’s Story- Khloe Sandy

I really love makeup and cosmetics so I wanted to do some kind of science project related to makeup products. Makeup makes me feel confident, and one of my favorite things to wear is eyeliner. When my teacher discussed about science fair I was excited to participate and wanted to choose something I actually enjoy, not something boring for me.

My teacher Mrs. Singh and our Vice Principal Ms. Sree shared some ideas with me. They helped me think how science can connect with real life. After thinking a lot, I chose eyeliner because I wear it almost every day. I also wanted to make my project cultural, not just a normal makeup project from the store.

The main question I wanted to answer was: Can I make a homemade eyeliner using cultural plants that is safe for skin and good for health? I wanted to see if natural ingredients can work like store‑bought eyeliner. I used Dakota cultural plants like sage and sweetgrass because they are important in our culture and also good for skin and fragrance.

Many people can benefit from this project. Young girls, elders, and ladies with sensitive skin can use natural eyeliner. It is chemical free and low cost. This project can make the world better by showing people how culture and science can work together. I feel proud because I made something I love and learned science at the same time.

How I Performed My Experiment

Background Research: First, I did background research, I gathered all informtaion I needed to know about my projects. I searched online about the health benefits of sage, sweetgrass, and traditional oils. I also read books and used trusted websites. I talked to a community knowledge keeper(Jody Hall) and an Elder to learn how these plants were used traditionally. My science facilitator, my teacher, and our Vice Principal helped me understand which sources were safe and trustworthy. I also added references to show where my information came from.

Materials: I used a recycled glass bottle, cotton wick, sunflower oil, sage, sweetgrass, a metal plate to collect soot, aloe vera gel, vitamin E, cotton swabs, paper for testing, pH strips, and a clean airtight container.

Method / Design Process: I made a small oil lamp using the bottle, oil, and wick. When I lit it, black soot formed. I carefully collected this soot because it is the pigment. I infused sage and sweetgrass in oil overnight for fragrance and cultural value. Then I mixed the soot with the infused oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E to make eyeliner.

Testing and Data Collection: I made three samples, each with a different ratio of soot, oil, and aloe vera. I tested them on paper and on adult hand skin with permission. I observed color, smoothness, smell, and if any skin reaction happened. I wrote down my observations each time.

Controlling Variables: I kept most things the same, like the oil type, soot source, and testing method. I only changed the amount of ingredients. This helped me compare results fairly.

Results and What I Found Out

Results: My project showed that it is possible to make a natural, homemade eyeliner using cultural Dakota plants and simple ingredients. All three eyeliner samples worked, but they did not work the same. The eyeliner made with the best balance of soot, oil, and aloe vera gave the darkest color, smooth application, and less smudging.

How My Prototype Works: The eyeliner works because carbon soot creates a deep black color. When mixed with oil, it sticks together and can be applied smoothly. Aloe vera helped make the eyeliner smoother on skin, and vitamin E added skin benefits. Sage and sweetgrass did not change the color but gave a natural fragrance and cultural meaning.

Results from Testing: I made three samples, each with different ingredient ratios.

Sample 1: Too oily and lighter in color. It smudged easily.

Sample 2: Smooth texture, dark color, and stayed on longer. This was the best result.

Sample 3: Very dark but too thick, making it hard to apply evenly.

Hand testing on adults (with permission) showed no skin irritation for any sample. All pH test results were in a safe range for skin use.

I collected my data by observing:

Color darkness, Smoothness, Smudge resistance, Skin reaction.

Analysis: The results support my idea that natural materials can work like store‑bought makeup. The sample with balanced ingredients worked best, showing that ratios are very important. Using cultural plants added value without harming performance.

Conclusion: My project was successful. I learned that science, culture, and cosmetics can work together. This eyeliner is affordable, natural, and meaningful, and it could be improved even more in future testing.

Why My Results Matter

Discussion and Conclusion: My results are interesting and important because they show that natural and cultural ingredients can be used to make a safe and usable eyeliner. From my testing, I learned that carbon soot works very well as a black pigment, just like in traditional and historical makeup. When it was mixed with oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E, the eyeliner became smooth and easy to apply.

I also learned that ingredient ratios matter a lot. One sample was too oily and smudged easily, while another was too thick and hard to use. The best sample had a balance of soot, oil, and aloe vera, which gave good color and less smudging. This helped me understand how scientists test different versions to find the best result.

Using Dakota plants like sage and sweetgrass did not change how the eyeliner worked, but they added cultural meaning and a natural fragrance. This showed me that science is not only about experiments, but also about respecting culture and traditional knowledge. All skin tests showed no irritation, which means the ingredients were safe.

From this project, I learned that science, culture, and personal interests can come together. My results prove that homemade, natural cosmetics are possible and can be improved even more in the future. This makes my project meaningful and useful.

Future Improvements and Next Steps

I would focus on making my eyeliner more smudge‑proof and long‑lasting. My next steps are already in progress. I am testing beeswax because it is a safe and strong natural binder that helps reduce smudging by forming a protective layer on the skin. I am also experimenting with bison or beef tallow, which was traditionally used by Plains peoples to thicken mixtures and help them stick better.

I also added chokecherry for cultural importance and natural fragrance. Also I would test wear time for longer hours and compare results with store‑bought eyeliner.

Acknowledgements

Many people helped make my project successful. I am very thankful to Ms. Jody Hall, who shared her cultural knowledge with me and provided sage and sweetgrass for my project. Her help made my project meaningful and respectful to Dakota culture.

I would like to thank my science teacher Mrs. Reena Singh for guiding me from start to end. She helped me refine my project idea, arranged materials, and supported my experiments. I am also thankful to our school principal, Ms. Delonna Pratt, for supporting my project and encouraging my learning.

My science facilitator, Mr. Rockford McKay, helped me with the science board setup and understanding how to present my work clearly. I also thank our Vice Principal, Ms. Sree, for her help and support.

Their guidance made my project better and helped me feel confident.

References

References

Cosmetics and Skin. (n.d.). Greasepaint and carbon-based cosmetics. http://cosmeticsandskin.com/bcb/greasepaint.php

Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs. (n.d.). Sweetgrass. Government of Ontario. https://www.ontario.ca/page/sweetgrass

Pollen Paths. (n.d.). The original beeswax. https://pollenpaths.com/the-original-bees-wax/

Spirit Native Foods. (n.d.). Traditional tools and glue. https://spiritnativefoods.com/learn/tools-and-glue/

Mazawasicuna, B. (n.d.). Muskegē: Carol’s traditional medicines. Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc.

Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc. (n.d.). Instructional resource library. https://mfnerc.org/

[mfnerc.org]

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n.d.). Salvia (SALV2). PLANTS Database. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=SALV2