How to Revive Dried Mascara

Mascaras have the ability to instantly elevate our look and, for this reason, hold a special place in our hearts — and makeup kits. Unfortunately, they can dry out pretty quickly, as evident in the number of times we’ve opened a relatively new tube of mascara only to get clumpy lashes.

As frustrating as it is, there’s no need to toss it out just yet. Sometimes, all a mascara needs is a little extra moisture or warming up to de-clump an otherwise good formula. Here are four super-simple methods that will help you fix dry mascara.

Why Does Mascara Dry Out?

Over-Pumping

This is one of the biggest mascara mistakes you can make because when you pump the wand into the mascara tube, you are pushing air inside it. This does two things to your mascara: First, the more your mascara is exposed to air, the faster it dries up the formula. Second, you are introducing bacteria into the mascara, which is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to thrive. Not only does this shorten the lifespan of your mascara, but it can potentially cause eye irritation or infection.

Not Closing the Cap Properly

From an early age, we’re all taught to properly put the lid back on everyday objects — lest we learn the hard way by cleaning up spilled drinks or food. We should apply the same discipline to our makeup products, especially ones with liquid or cream-based formulas like mascara. Leaving your mascara open even just slightly will allow air to enter the bottle, which can dry up the formula. So always make sure that your mascara is tightly closed after every use.

It’s Expired

Most mascaras have a short shelf-life of three months because liquid and cream-based eye makeup products contain more moisture and are more prone to bacteria buildup than, say, powder eyeshadow. If your mascara is a couple of months old and runs dry, it could be a sign that it’s already expired. In which case, it’s probably time to buy a new tube. Eye health and safety should always come first!

How to Fix Dried Out Mascara

Method 1: Add Eye Drops or Contact Lens Solution

Using eye drops or contact lenses solution is one of the easiest and most popular tricks for reviving dried-up mascara because they’re guaranteed to be safe on your eyes. Plus, you probably already have one of these at home. And if you don’t, you can easily find one at any nearby drugstore.

Simply squeeze two to three droplets of either eye drops or contact solution into the mascara tube, then seal the cap and shake it to incorporate. Additionally, you can use the mascara wand to mix everything together.

If the product is still dry, add more solution one drop at a time and mix until you achieve the desired consistency.

The amount of solution you’ll need to fix dry mascara will depend on how dry the formula is, how much product you have left, and the climate you’re in. Mascaras tend to dry out faster in a hot and dry environment. In which case, you might need to add one or two extra drops.

Method 2: Add Oil

Waxes and oils are common ingredients in mascara, which, as we all know, don’t mix well with water. One of the better ways to thin out a waterproof mascara is to add a few drops of a nourishing oil like sweet almond oil, castor oil, or olive oil. Not only can they bring your old mascara back to life, but they can moisturize your eyelashes as well!

Use a dropper to add two to three drops of oil into the tube, then mix it in using the mascara brush. If the product still runs dry, you can add another drop. Just be careful because adding too much oil can ruin the mascara.

Avoid this method if you have sensitive eyes or oily lids, as some oils may cause irritation or make your eyelids feel greasy.

Method 3: Add Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel has a ton of benefits for the skin, but did you know that it’s also incredibly nourishing on the eyelashes? Best of all, you can use it to revive dry mascara.

Add a small amount of aloe vera gel to your mascara, then use the wand to stir it until combined. Give it a good shake to make sure it’s fully incorporated.

Although fresh aloe vera gel is safe for topical use, it expires quickly. For this method, it’s recommended to use a store-bought aloe vera gel. Just make sure that it doesn’t contain any harmful or irritating ingredients. Remember, the eyes are a very delicate area.

Method 4: Warm It Up in Hot Water

Adding anything to your makeup products can compromise its formula. If you prefer to avoid these methods, then this hot water trick might be for you.

Mascaras contain waxes and oils that can solidify or harden up, making them more difficult to apply to your lashes.  Warming up a tube of dry mascara in hot water can help liquefy and loosen up the formula. This is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to revive dry mascara.

First, fill up a coffee mug or bowl with hot water. Make sure the lid is closed properly to prevent any water from getting in. Next, dip the mascara tube in the hot water for one to two minutes. Then, swirl the wand inside the tube and check the consistency. The heat should soften the thick formula, resulting in smooth application.

source https://degreesofvanity.com/how-to-revive-dried-mascara/