"silly" (?!)" question re mascara

[RoseFairy]

I know it is suggested that you use the mascara for only 3 months and then chuck it - but i use it for at least 6months because i can see that there is more left. i have done this with no problem or infection for the past several years since beginning to use mascara.

even by 6 months there feels to be some mascare left - (don't use it everyday) - so how can you tell if it really is finished?

i know it might sound silly - but for example say body lotion and toothpaste - you know when its 99% finished but when you cut the tube/bottle open theres at least a couple of weeks worth left - so why waste -being MSEr's!
now with other makeups this is obvious too - excepts for mascara you can;t see through it either.

wdyt?:rolleyes: :confused:

[Alikay]

I tend to know when I don't get decent coverage from the brush...either it's nearly empty or has dried up. Either way, it means it's time for a new mascara.:D

Incidently, I wish you could buy mascara at that "3 or 4 weeks after opening" stage. I don't like brand new ones, they always seem too wet!

[whatatwit]

I put my getting past it's best mascara in a cup of hot water, below the lid of course.
I find it helps to soften it and I can get a bit longer out of it.
I don't use mascara that often and have been using a tiny one that I got free with a Clinique Bonus Time.

[Softstuff]

The people who say to chuck it after so long are the same people who buy products with microban and disinfect surfaces until you could eat from every one of them. They're worried about a risk of infection... I do what my mother and grandmother did (use the thing up) and no-one I know has ever had an eye infection as a result.

[jeannieblue]

I use my mascara's til they run out - and yes they do go on for months and months - I've not counted how many, but if you are going to get an infection, how? Unless you share it with someone with conjunctivitis, can't see the problem....

I'm going to try the hot water trick too - and agree, I do prefer mine when they are 'worn in' too! I often have two on the go... when I start a new one, I go over lashes with the older one, until new one is worn in - and so on.

[got-it-spend-it]

I find my mascaras last about 5-6 months as I use pretty much everyday. If you look at the back of all toiletries they have a little image of a pot or bottle which says '3M' or 12M' etc. This denotes how long you should keep them when open.

I personally don't pay any attention to this. If it smells ok, I'll use it!

[almar]

When I first started wearing mascara in the 1960's it was in a block and you had to wet it. We used to spit in it then rub the brush in and apply.

Mine was navy blue - the mascara not the spit. :rotfl:

We used to share it too and we all used to spit in it... never thought anything of it, but looking back it sounds discusting.

We never had an eye infection, but we were a much healthier lot back then.

[Ishtar]

I tend to use mine for longer than the recommended 3 months, unless it dries out and goes 'clumpy'. To be honest, I think it's a really good way of getting us to buy more products!!

I'm fully aware of the potential for eye infections, but as I don't share my makeup and I have regular six-monthly checkups with the optician (contact lens wearer), then I'm not so worried.

D.

[jeannieblue]

When I first started wearing mascara in the 1960's it was in a block and you had to wet it. We used to spit in it then rub the brush in and apply.

Mine was navy blue - the mascara not the spit. :rotfl:

We used to share it too and we all used to spit in it... never thought anything of it, but looking back it sounds discusting.

We never had an eye infection, but we were a much healthier lot back then.
We are too 'clean' now - nothing wrong with some shared 'spit'!!

[whatatwit]

Forgot to say, as well as warming the tube, I give the inside of the lid and the threads of the tube a good wipe as the bits of stuck on mascara seem to make it more difficult to seal the thing properly.
I also give the brush a good wash and dry it before putting it back.

[LillyJ]

Mine don't last more than 2 months - then they run out! I must use loads! I always thought that thing about throwing them away after 3months was weird - I have never got to that stage!

[LadyMorticia]

I think I have too much mascara and I never use it every day, and I tend to change which one I wear. Sometimes I wear red, sometimes purple, other times blue, another time volumising etc.
Some have been open for about 9 months and are still as good as the day I bought them. I never share makeup with anybody. If it looks and smells okay, then I use it. :)

xx

[suki1964]

Like everything - common sense has to prevail. Its not like you leave it open with the wand left lting there for flies etc to wander all over.

I have mascaras that are YEARS old.

I never "pump" them though. And I do wipe excess off with a tissue rather then a grubby finger (not that Im grubby all the time mind :) )

[Joannethecookiemonster]

I little while ago I bought a new mascara - as my old one had dried out. I stupidly got the new one home to realise that the brush on the new one, was not a brush - and was one of those comb mascara's - I didnt get on with it - so I cleaned and put my old brush - in the new mascara - I didnt want to waste any money now did I?!

Maybe a good idea to check what new mascara you are buying, so you arent in for a shock like me! :cool: