Find out if it's time to get a new mascara....
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Mascara is without a doubt one of the most important makeup products in any makeup routine.
Who doesn’t want longer, fuller lashes?!
Mascara can truly elevate any look- regardless of if you're doing a quick 5-minute makeup look, or going full glam.
However, whether you use mascara every day or have an old unopened mascara at the bottom of your makeup bag, it’s important to understand that ALL mascara expires at some point.
Yep- all mascara, unopened or opened, expires!
But, all mascara doesn’t necessarily expire at the same rate.
Read on to learn more about questions like how long does mascara last unopened, how long does mascara last if used everyday, and so much more!
What Is Mascara?
First things first, what is mascara? And, why should you be using mascara in your makeup routine?
Mascara is an eye makeup product that is applied to your eyelashes and helps make your lashes look longer and fuller.
The goal of mascara is to essentially enhance your eyes by lengthening and darkening your eyelashes.
Typically, most people opt to wear black mascara; however, there are other colors of mascara like brown.
And, like any makeup product, there are different makeup brands that offer different features with their mascara products.
For example, Glossier’s mascara is very simple and a great go-to everyday mascara. It gives your lashes added length and subtly enhances your lashes, without going overboard.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a more dramatic mascara look, both the L’Oreal Lash Paradise and the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascaras work wonders at adding both volume + length to your lashes.
Mascara Recommendations
Don’t have mascara? Check out these top mascara favorites to achieve gorgeous lashes!
1. L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara
Arguably one of the BEST drugstore mascaras around, this mascara gives you length + volume for gorgeous lashes. And the best part is, this mascara is under $10!
This Benefit mascara is a game-changer. It lifts and lengthens your lashes, without making them too clumpy or messy, for a natural way to enhance your lashes. Great for both everyday + full glam.
Looking for a more luxury version of Lash Paradise? This mascara is the perfect mascara for getting fuller, longer lashes.
Benefits Of Using Mascara
So, why should you be using mascara in your makeup routine?
Mascara does wonders to enhance your eyes & draw attention to your eyes.
Mascara works to:
- Lengthen your lashes
- Add fullness and thickness
- Darken your lashes
- Add definition to your lashes
- And overall draw attention to your eyes!
So, now you know why you should be using mascara.
But, it’s essential you are using mascara that isn’t expired as this can make your lashes look super dry + clumpy.
How Long Does Mascara Last After Opening?
All mascara expires at some point–opened or unopened.
Inevitably, opened mascara will expire faster than unopened mascara will.
Most opened mascaras last anywhere from 3 to 6 months long before it’s time to get a new mascara.
This is because, after a few months, your mascara after use will not only begin to dry up and appear more clumpy on your lashes.
But, over time your mascara can collect and potentially transfer bacteria to your eyes and risk infection.
So, try to replace your mascara every few months.
Of course, some drugstore mascaras will dry up faster and look clumper than more luxury brand mascaras.
However, regardless of what brand your mascara is, after about a good 6-month mark, be sure to switch out your mascara for a new one.
Better safe than sorry- especially when it comes to your eyes!
Does Unopened Mascara Expire?
It probably comes as no surprise that opened mascara expires. But, does unopened mascara expire?
Yes, it does! Unopened mascara does expire.
However, unopened mascara lasts a lot longer than opened mascara.
In general, an unopened mascara can last and remain safe to use for up to about 3 years after the manufacturer’s date on the product packaging label.
Obviously, different mascaras from different brands will vary in terms of how long and how safe the mascara is to use after a period of time.
And, once you do open your mascara for the first time, the product’s expiry date will occur much faster upon opening.
Again, anywhere from 3 to 6 months.
How Long Does Mascara Last Unopened?
As mentioned above, as long as you store your unopened mascara properly, unopened mascara can last anywhere from 2-3 years after the manufacturer's date.
Therefore, you don’t want to be using mascara that you bought 5+ years ago and just found at the bottom of your makeup bag.
You can, however, safely use a mascara you bought over a year ago that’s been unopened.
When you do finally open your mascara though, be aware that it will expire much faster.
Your mascara should be stamped with a PAO (period after opening) symbol which tells you how long the product is safe to use until the product expires.
The symbol on your mascara should look like an open jar with a number and the letter M. For example, 6M means good for 6 months after opening until the product expires.
So, be sure to check out the PAO symbol stamped on your mascara to see how long after opening the product you have until it expires.
Can Unopened Mascara Dry Out?
Yes, unopened mascara can dry out, especially the longer you go without using the product.
Although technically you can go potentially 2 years without opening a mascara, this doesn’t necessarily mean it will be in the best of condition.
For instance, the consistency of the product and color may be slightly off.
And, it may have already started to dry out compared to if you used your mascara right away upon purchasing it.
How Long Do Waterproof Mascaras Last?
So, is there a difference between waterproof vs regular mascara when it comes to how long they last?
The short answer: not really.
Waterproof mascara, like regular mascara, for the most part also expires about 3-6 months upon opening the product.
While again there may be some slight differences in how long the product lasts depending on the brand and how high-quality the product is…
All in all, it’s best to replace an opened mascara (waterproof or not) about every 3 months.
How Can You Tell Your Mascara Has Expired
Of course, it can be difficult to remember sometimes when you started first using your mascara.
This can make it tricky to keep track of if your mascara has expired yet, or if it’s close to expiring.
Here are two ways you can tell if your mascara has expired.
- Your Mascara Smells Bad
An easy way to tell your mascara has expired is if it has a bad odor.
If your mascara smells off in any way or is starting to smell bad, be sure to throw it out ASAP.
And replace it with a new mascara.
- Your Mascara Is Dry Or Clumpy
Another easy way to tell your mascara has expired is if it has dried out or is super clumpy.
Now, some mascaras are inevitably more clumpier-looking than others depending on their formula.
However, if you notice your mascara looks and feels super dry and clumpy (more than usual) and is just giving you bad results, it’s time to replace your product.
If you decide to run the risk and keep using expired mascara, there are a couple of bad things that can occur.
- You run the risk of irritating your eyes and exposing your eyes to infection.
- Your mascara will just look super clumpy and bad.
How Long Does Mascara Last If Used Everyday?
The more you use any makeup product, the faster it will run out and thus the less amount of time it will last.
When it comes to opened mascara, if you use it consistently every day, most likely it will only last you about 3 months tops.
This is because eventually, you’ll just run out of product to apply to your lashes.
Of course, the higher quality and the size of the mascara play into how long your mascara will last if using it daily.
So, don’t expect a travel-size mascara or a drugstore mascara to last as long as a regular-size, more luxury brand mascara product.
How Long Does Mascara Last Once Applied To Your Lashes?
So, now you know more about how long mascara lasts unopened (& opened!).
But, what about how long does mascara last when you actually use it and apply it to your lashes?
Although this depends on the quality of the mascara, you can expect your mascara to last at least 4-6 hours before starting to wear off/ smudge.
That being said, some higher-quality mascaras can last 10+ hours.
Plus, if you use waterproof mascara, this can also prevent your mascara from smudging or sweating off, and thus, extend how long your mascara lasts on your lashes.
Here are some tricks you can try to also extend how long your mascara product looks good on your lashes!
- Curl Your Lashes
Curling your lashes can make your lashes look 10x better, especially if you have straighter lashes.
Simply use an eyelash curler and curl your lashes for about 10+ seconds (being careful to not clip your eyelid) and then immediately apply your mascara.
Your lashes will appear more lifted and longer.
- Mascara Primer
Another mascara hack is to use mascara primer.
Not only can mascara primer help make your lashes appear fuller and add volume.
But, mascara primer also works to extend the life of your mascara.
Bottom Line: ALL Mascara Does Expires
Now you know how long does mascara last unopened (& opened too!).
All in all, every mascara product, opened or unopened, expires at some point or another.
As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your opened mascara about every 3 months.
Meanwhile, an unopened mascara can last and is usable for up to 2-3 years.
However, if you have mascara that’s 5+ years old, even if it’s unopened, it’s best to throw it out and get a new one.
Otherwise, not only will the product likely be super dry, but the product itself may be unsafe to use and may irritate your eyes.
FAQs
Can I use mascara after 3 years?
Technically yes, you can use an unopened mascara up to 3 years after the manufacturer date.
However, be aware that the unopened mascara will not be in its best condition so the product may appear drier and look not nearly as good on your lashes as say you using the product right away upon purchasing it.
If you have mascara that is opened for 3 years, then definitely replace that mascara.
You should only be using mascara that has been opened for 3-6 months.
How do you store unopened mascara?
To ensure your unopened mascara lasts longer, be sure to store it in a cool and dry place away from any sunlight.
For instance, in your makeup bag or store in your makeup cabinet, NOT out in the hot sun in your car.
What does expired mascara look like?
An easy way to tell your mascara is expired is by its texture.
Your expired mascara will look dry and clumpy and when you apply the product it won’t look good.
So, be sure to always replace your mascara accordingly to keep your eyes safe and achieve the best possible makeup results for your lashes to look their best!
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