How do you make old mascara good again?

Author: Dr. Baylee Okuneva DDS  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

5 Ways To Revive Dry Mascara
  1. Add some contact lens solution. To quickly revive your mascara, add a couple of drops of contact lens or saline solution to the mascara tube. ...
  2. Add a drop of aloe vera. ...
  3. Soak your mascara in a cup of hot water. ...
  4. Swipe oil onto your lashes. ...
  5. Apply petroleum jelly to your lash line.

How to revive an old mascara?

Use Hot Water to Warm It Up

Another great way to revive your favorite mascara is by using heat. If your mascara seems clumpy but not completely dry, place the tightly closed tube in a cup of hot (not boiling) water for five minutes. The heat will help soften the formula and make it usable again.

What can I add to mascara to thin it out?

To dilute dried out mascara, you can add a few drops of saline solution or eye drops to the tube and mix it with the wand. Another option is to add a few drops of coconut oil or argan oil to the mascara and mix it well.

Can I add something to my mascara to make it last longer?

Here is an easy way to make your favorite mascara last longer! There is an easy solution for thick clumpy mascaras: all you need to do is add a few drops of eye drops into the tube! That's it! What I use is a physiological saline solution from Physiodose, but Visine would also do the trick.

How to fix old clumpy mascara?

You can unclump mascara by adding just a drop of sterile water to the tube. Thins out nicely but just a drop and it has to be *sterile water. It will also give you one more use if you have a mascara that's drieded out and you haven't bought a new one.

HACK OR HOAX | Revive Dried-Out Mascara w/Contact Solution!?

How to melt clumpy mascara?

Place the mascara in boiled water.
  1. Place the mascara into the simmering water. Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
  2. Take out the mascara using tongs. After the mascara has cooled to the touch, check the mascara to see if it's more liquid-like and does not clump as much.

Why has my mascara gone gloopy?

Other times, your wand might be overloaded and in need of some cleaning. It's also possible that your lashes might not be properly prepped for the mascara application. Clumping can even be caused by using the incorrect formula for your lashes (i.e., your mascara is intended for lengthening as opposed to volumizing).

Does Vaseline make mascara last longer?

Others are mixing their mascara with Vaseline, Aquaphor, or petroleum jelly, and then applying it directly to their lashes, which they say gives them added length and helps the product last longer without flaking throughout the day.

How do you make mascara go on better?

Make sure to coat the root of your lashes with mascara

When applying mascara, brush your wand as close to the root of your lashes as possible for maximum volume. Tilbury Tip: To intensify your lash line even further, tightline with an eyeliner to make it appear thicker and fuller.

How do you make your eyelashes look longer without mascara?

Massaging the eyelids nightly helps encourage healthy lash growth by increasing blood flow and stimulating the hair follicles. Regularly brushing is a great way for making your lashes appear longer and ultimately promote growth.

What can you put in mascara to unclump it?

Add micellar water to loosen it up

Once mascara is dry and clumpy, it's a little harder to remove. But micellar water can help reduce some of the clumpiness.

How do you fix runny mascara?

You can give your new mascara the same effect by leaving your wand out for 30 secs - 1 min for the product to dry out a bit before applying it on your lashes.

How to fix clumpy mascara without eye drops?

You can remove the clumpiness without having to totally redo your mascara. Just grab an old (clean) mascara wand and gently comb through lashes in a straight upward motion from root to tip. This will help to remove the excess product (and clumps).

What's the best drugstore mascara?

Our top picks for the best drugstore mascaras:
  • Best Drugstore Mascara Overall. L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Mascara. Read more.
  • Best Budget Drugstore Mascara. Essence Lash Princess Mascara. Read more.
  • Best Drugstore Tubing Mascara. L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Lengthening 2 Step Mascara. Read more.

How to restore old mascara?

3. Soak your mascara in a cup of hot water. If you're wondering how to fix dried mascara without eye drops or aloe vera, there are a few things you can try. Dunking the mascara tube in hot water is one of the easiest hacks (and doesn't require using anything you don't already have at home).

What is the best mascara?

Lengthening
  • HourglassUnlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara. ...
  • HUDA BEAUTYLEGIT LASHES Double-Ended Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara. ...
  • Benefit CosmeticsRoller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara. ...
  • PAT McGRATH LABSFetishEyes™ Lengthening Mascara. ...
  • ILIALimitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara.

What is the Vaseline mascara trick?

The hack is simple: Apply Vaseline or a lip balm to your eyelash curler, curl your lashes, and while you're holding the curler in place, use a clean spoolie to brush your lashes upward. According to TikTok, the Vaseline will help keep your lashes curled for much longer than a typical mascara application.

What can I add to my mascara to make it last longer?

The simple solution for a almost-dry tube of mascara: Add a few drops of contact lens solution to make it last a little longer (it also has the great side effect of sort of unclumping mascaras that tend to go clumpy on lashes and it gets every last bit of formula off the sides).

What can I wear instead of mascara?

What Are Alternatives to Mascara?
  • Lash Lifts. Lash lifts are like perms for your eyelashes. ...
  • Lash Tints. Lash tints are similar to lash lifts; you can get them at a salon or do them at home. ...
  • Eyelash Serums. ...
  • Salon Lash Extensions. ...
  • DIY Lash Extensions.

How to thin clumpy mascara?

How to fix clumpy mascara in three simple steps:
  1. Drop two or three drops of contact lens solution into your mascara, close the tube and shake to allow all of the solution to mix with the mascara.
  2. Next, boil the kettle and pour hot water into a coffee cup. ...
  3. Finally, take your mascara out of the water.

Does old mascara get clumpy?

Mascara is good for about three months, and it's super important to toss it and get a new one once it's expired. Not only does old mascara end up clumping, flaking, and otherwise apply poorly, but it's considered unhygienic.

How to fix flaking mascara?

“Flaking is a lot about putting on too much too fast,” says Lobell. The soonest you should go back for a second coat is when your lashes are just a little sticky, not wet with product. “You can also try arranging your lashes while your mascara is drying with a clean wand that doesn't have anything on it.”

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