Raise your hands if you have ever had the ‘Why is this mascara already dried up?’ moment. It is a predicament that frustrates so many mascara lovers periodically. We’re all guilty of buying the beautiful packaged mascara with sky-high promises but often fail to make it last as long as we would like. Having to replace the mascara every few weeks can hit your pocket hard and it’s not great for the environment either. The good news is, there are some tips and tricks that can help your favorite mascara last longer.
Maintenance 101: Store Mascara Correctly
It is often a surprise to many that the way you store your mascara hugely impacts its lifespan. Here are some storing tips that can go a long way:
1. Avoid heat: As much as heat is bad for your skin, it’s worse for your mascara. Heat dries up mascara faster than its natural drying pace. It’s best to avoid storing the mascara in a bathroom where a daily hot shower can quickly ruin it. Instead, find a cool, dry place to store your mascara.
2. Keep it upright: Storing the mascara tube upright helps the formula to settle at the bottom, which means the wand is always dipped in enough liquid to prevent mascara from drying.
Be Gentle: Pump Wisely
You’re not pumping water out of a well! Vigorous pumping introduces air into the mascara tube, causing it to dry out faster. The remedy? Just dip the wand once and twist it around to get an even coat of mascara on the applicator.
Give It a Shakeup
Think of your mascara as a mini cocktail in your make-up bag. Periodically, give it a shake to mix the ingredients inside to prevent them from separating and drying. However, remember to be gentle. Aggressive shaking can again lead to air getting trapped inside the mascara tube and dry it up faster.
Keep It Clean: Regular Cleaning Counts
Mascara wands attract debris from your eyelashes. Left uncleaned, these residues can back up into the tube, ruining the smooth consistency of the mascara. Therefore, make it a point to clean your mascara wand at least once a month. You can clean it with lukewarm water and mild soap. After cleaning, make sure to dry it completely before dipping it back into the mascara tube.
Don’t Share!
Sharing may be caring, but not in the case of mascara. Sharing mascara can introduce unwanted bacteria into the tube that could break down the formula quicker. Not to mention, the potential risks of eye infections and transferring makeup products.
Revive Your Mascara: Salvage the Dried-Up
If your mascara has already started to clump or dry out, you can try the eyedrops trick. Add two to three drops of saline solution (eye drops) to the tube and give it a gentle shake. The eye drops will refresh the consistency of the mascara without damaging the formula. Do not use water. Mascara contains oil, which repels water and it could cause bacterial growth.
Conclusion
These tips and tricks are meant to help you elongate the lifespan of your mascara, making it last as long as possible. However, keep in mind, that most mascaras’ life expectancy is three to six months. Using mascara beyond this period can also lead to eye infections.
Remember to enjoy the process, after all, makeup is a form of self-expression and fun. So, experiment, enjoy and keep those lashes flirty and vibrant!
We recommend trying out these tips and see how they work for your favorite mascara. Remember, everyone’s experience varies, but the key is to take the time, have a little patience, and treat your mascara with some tender, loving care. It deserves it after all the magic it works on our lashes! So what are you waiting for? Give these tips a try and let us know your results.
Let’s endeavor to make our mascara last longer! Do your beauty routine and your wallet a favor by trying and sharing these tips.
Happy Mascara-ing!
