Thin it out using saline eye solution or aloe vera, or try heating it up with hot water to extend the life of your mascara. Once thinned, you can use your mascara for 1 extra week.
One of the simplest and the most effective hack is keeping your mascara in hot water. This melts the thick formula and gives you back your mascara as new. Simply fill your coffee mug with hot water and dip the tube in it for a few minutes. Make sure the lid is tightly closed, so the water doesn't get in.
You can add a few drops of oil or water to dried-out mascara to thin it out.
Ultimately, mascara clumps because you're using too much or you're being a bit overzealous with application. This can occur when there's too much product on the wand or when you add too many layers. How to Apply Mascara Without Clumping: Make sure all old mascara has been adequately removed from your lashes.
Yep, you actually can add water to mascara. But do it when you are about to throw it after that one last use. Add a few drops of warm water and shake the mascara well before applying it.
Fill your coffee mug with hot water and dip the tube of mascara in it for few minutes. The heat will do miracles to your mascara – it will soften the dried solution and mascara will be as good as new.
Donate your mascara wands:
How does this relate to mascara? Well, with their Wands for Wildlife program, your trash can become an essential tool in helping to care for animals in need. Old mascara wands are perfect for removing larva and fly eggs from the fur wild animals.
Mascara and liquid eyeliner typically are considered safe to use for three months. Liquid products used near the eye have an increased risk of spreading bacteria. Pencil-style eyeliners, gel eyeliners and lip pencils can be used for up to a year.
“Bacterial buildup over time is common in mascara products,” explains Dr. Rosen. “Replacing your mascara every three months reduces bacterial growth and can help with dryness, allergic responses, redness, and irritation."
Switch out your mascara every four to six months or as soon as it starts smelling funky (think: burning plastic) and depositing more clumps than color, said Jeannette Graf, MD, a dermatologist in Great Neck, New York. Take no chances with eye products—germ-ridden formulas can cause infections and sties.
Dermatology specialist, Dr Rachel Nazarian told Pop Sugar that “since petroleum jelly works so well as a moisture barrier it may cause a blocking of the delicate glands and pores around the eye area. This can lead to inflammation and possible styes”.
Toss Old Mascara
One of the most common reasons mascara results in a clumpy look is because it's old and has dried out. “Mascara is only good for up to three months," says makeup artist Rachel Duncan. She adds that replacing your mascara regularly is also good for eye health.
1) Dilute your mascara adding a few generic eye drops and shake well. 2) Another easy trick is to dilute your mascara with 2 drops of almond oil or castor oil and shake well using the mascara wand. This way your mascara is enriched with extra moisturizing properties that nourish your eyelashes!
Vaseline is an occlusive moisturizer that can be used effectively on dry skin and eyelashes. It can't make eyelashes grow faster or longer, but it can moisturize them, making them look fuller and lusher.
Another common mascara hack is to add a few drops of saline, contact solution, or eye drops to the tube, then swirl it around. This method supposedly makes the formula into a nice, smooth liquid again, while also being safe for your eyes.
By using hot water to warm the product inside the tube, you're able to loosen and refresh the mascara in order to allow your wand to reach it again. Plus, it's thinned out enough to apply smoothly and clump-free.
Don't Add Water.
This will help soften the formula and make it less clumpy, but it won't dilute it and will allow you to use every last bit.
If your mascara is clumpy in the tube, try heating the whole tube up by dunking it in hot water for a few minutes. If mascara is clumping on your lashes, use a comb or spoolie brush to comb them out.
But lucky for you, dermatologists have a simple solution. The latest viral skincare trend is called "slugging," which involves coating your face in petrolatum, or Vaseline, to moisturize your skin overnight. Though the fad has become a talker recently (with over 80 million views on TikTok), it's not particularly new.
"The danger with using Vaseline too close to the eyes is that it can blur the vision if it gets into the eyes and can also cause irritation," adds Dr. Brissette. "The eyes and eyelid skin are very sensitive, so you need to be careful when using products in this area."
When stored correctly (in a cool and dry place), eyeshadows will last at least 2 years. Always check your eyeshadows for any signs of expiration. If you notice a change in smell, texture, lack of pigmentation, or if your shadows have started to harden, it is time to throw them away.
Eyeliner and mascara
Although it's been suggested to store them in the fridge to preserve the shelf life, you generally shouldn't, as the bacteria in makeup can cause eye infections or irritations.