Let’s chat mascara, babes! 😘
Now, I know you already have about 27 tubes of mascara lying around in your makeup drawer or maybe scattered in your bag, your car, or at your bestie’s house — because same. But here’s the tea: your mascara has an expiration date. Yup, that little tube doesn’t last forever (and don’t even try to argue because it ain’t just me being picky).
Like, for real: mascara is one of those products that you shouldn’t mess around with if you’re trying to avoid some nasty eye infections or spider lashes. No shade to the spider lashes look… unless that’s not what you’re going for, of course.
Let’s break it down, shall we?
How Often Should You Replace Your Mascara?
The magic number is every three months. I know, I know, three months?! 😱 You’re probably thinking, “Girl, my mascara is still full after three months; it’s like half a tube left!” But trust me, for the sake of your eyes (and your lashes), it’s gotta go.
If you can’t remember when you bought that tube of mascara, it’s probably time to toss it.
Mascara is one of those products that’s wet and goes near your eyeballs, which means bacteria can creep in there faster than an uninvited guest at a party. Once you open that tube, it starts the countdown. Even if you don’t use it every day, air goes in whenever you open it, and bacteria will show up. And nobody’s got time for bacteria boo’ing up in their lashes.
Expiration tip: Want to keep track of when you bought it? I put a little sticker or a note on my mascara with the month I bought it. If you’ve got better memory skills than me, maybe you’ll just remember it, but hey, we do what works. 💁♀️
But What Happens If I Keep Using Expired Mascara?
Okay, so if you’re stubborn and don’t want to toss it after three months (I get you)—what’s the worst that could happen? No biggie, just…you know, eye infections, styes, irritated eyes, clumping lashes, and the dreaded flaky mascara fiasco. 😬 Yikes.
Me: Cute date? Let me blink and have dust-sized mascara flakes fall into my pasta.
Also me: Please do not let this be anyone’s future. 😂
Keeping mascara longer than you should can really mess with your eye health—trust me. And speaking as someone whose eyes are like, their literal job (#makeupartistlife), I’m telling you to just cut your losses and buy a new tube. It is NOT worth the risk.
Moral of the story: Bacteria loves mascara. Period.
Signs Your Mascara is Expired (aka Your Warnings)
Sometimes your mascara straight up refuses to go on anymore and it’s like begging you to toss it. Here’s what to watch out for:
1. Funky Smell
If your mascara smells weird or kind of like it’s been festering in a crypt, toss it. That’s like warning sign number one! New mascara should smell…like nothing. If you’re getting hints of anything not neutral, then bye, tubes.
2. Clumpy, Flaky Formula
If your mascara has more clumps than liquid, it’s dehydrating faster than me skipping my 3rd cup of water. 😅 Dried-up mascara = maxed out. Even if you can still apply it, that formula is probably going to flake all over your face. Another sign that your mascara is crying its last breath.
3. Unrecognizable Wand
You ever pull out that wand and it looks like it got dunked in slime? Or like the formula dried out but it’s sticking to the wand in little clumps? It’s giving “old lady mascara that’s seen better days.” Toss that ASAP. A clean wand means smooth application; an old wand is literally just bad vibes only.
4. Irritated Eyes or Lashes
Girl, if your eyes are hurting, burning, or starting to feel weird after you put on your mascara, don’t even think twice. Take it off, toss it out, and prevent an RSVP from bacteria to your next makeup sesh. No one wants teary eyes because of mascara that’s past its prime. We cry over cute boys and sad movies, not expired wands.
FYI: There are NO “Mascara-Reviving” Trends We Can Trust
Remember that TikTok hack with the eye drops or microwaving your mascara to “bring it back to life”? Yeah, let’s not go there. 🙅♀️ If your mascara is dry, it’s time to lay it to rest. Fixing it temporarily doesn’t get rid of germs or make the product safe again…so please, don’t microwave your mascara tube or do any other wild beauty hack with it. 😂
“The beauty of a mascara lies in its ability to transform your eyes in seconds – and that beauty turns into a nightmare after it expires.” —Me, probably 🤪
PSAs! Things You Should NEVER Do with Your Mascara
Okay, cuties, I wouldn’t be a makeup artist if I didn’t spill some real “do nots” when it comes to mascara usage. Please don’t be that person, okay? 😅
1. Playing Pump the Mascara Tube™
This is NOT a game! Every time you pump the wand in and out trying to “get more product,” you’re letting more air and bacteria in, which makes things dry out faster. Plus, it messes with the consistency of the product. Just gently twist and pull the wand out instead.
2. Sharing Is Not Caring
I know you love your BFF, but sharing mascara is a hard pass. Even though you’d totally lend her your lip gloss, mascara is like, an eye product. No one needs to swap potential eye germs. Buy her a tube for her birthday instead of giving her an eye infection for free, k?
3. Sleeping in Mascara
Listen, I know what you’re going to say: “But, like, sometimes I just fall asleep and don’t want to take it off!” I feel you, but trust me, falling asleep in mascara could lead to waking up with irritated eyes because old, crumbled mascara particles are NOT what dreams are made of. You deserve better.
4. Using Expired Mascara as a “Base Layer”
I don’t know who started this trend of keeping old mascara for layering under new mascara…but I would like to have a word with them. When it’s time to let the old girl go, don’t try to “use it under a fresher one.” It’s expired, babes, let it rest.
How to Make Your Mascara Last Longer Before It Expires
Now, I totes get that buying mascara every 3 months can feel like you’re burning through your coins on repeat. So here are a few ways to extend the life of your perfect mascara within the safe time period:
1. Seal It Tight!
Look, all that talk about air getting into the tube? It’s real. Always make sure you twist the cap on until it clicks shut, firmly. No half-closed lids because that just dries things out faster and leaves your mascara a crumbly mess.
2. Keep It Out of the Sun
No, your mascara doesn’t need an outdoor vacay. Don’t leave your makeup bag sitting in the backseat of a hot car or on the window sill with lots of direct sunlight. These heat and light extremes can mess with the formula or make it spoil quicker. I keep mine in a cool drawer or a shaded part of my room.
3. Avoid Temptation To Over-Apply
You know the moment when you’re just sitting there adding more and more coats until your lashes look like you’ve applied about 50 coats (I mean, been there)? Less is more. Applying fewer coats keeps your lashes from clumping and your mascara from gunking up faster.
My Fave Mascaras (Aka the Ones I’ll Replace Every 3 Months Because I’m Obsessed)
Now, before you head out to toss that expired mascara in your drawer (hint hint), if you’re in the market for a new one, I gotta flex with some personal faves (and, like, I’ve tried sooo many). These are the ones that have my lashes looking like a million bucks — in case you’re tryna pick up a fresh one after reading this:
- Too Faced Better Than Sex: This one’s kind of undefeated in my book; big, fluffy wand and hella volume.
- Maybelline Lash Sensational: Super affordable but gives that high-end lash moment — like, more lift than most luxury brands!
- Benefit They’re Real!: One coat, and people will legit ask you if you’re wearing falsies. Obsessed.
- L’Oréal Lash Paradise: Also very budget-friendly, but gives all the drama (aka I LIVE for it).
Pro Tip Before You Go: Use a lash conditioner or oil between mascara days to keep those natural lashes hydrated and healthy while you’re in between new tubes! 💖
Okay babe, I think I’ve officially convinced you that old mascara is the enemy now, right? Cool. Three months…set a reminder on your phone, tie a ribbon around your wrist, whatever you gotta do to make sure you’re not keeping that crusty old tube longer than needed.
At the end of the day, you deserve fresh, bacteria-free lashes, and this makeup artist wants your eyes to stay healthy and fierce. 😘
Alrightie, go toss that old mascara now! xx
