How to get the most out of your mascara

Mascara is a ‘wet’ make-up product that is prone to promoting bacterial growth, so it’s one of those beauty items that needs to be replaced regularly, ideally every three to six months.

To help prevent bacterial growth, you need to practise proper hygiene. Firstly, never ever share your mascara with anyone else. There are a lot of bacteria naturally present on each person’s eyelashes and these bacteria are then transferred onto the wand and into the tube each time it’s used (this is why make-up artists use disposable wands and never ‘double-dip’).  This is also why you need be diligent about replacing the tube often, as the bacteria will eventually begin to breed in the tube, and that’s not something you want to put near your eyes.

Secondly, don’t pump your wand in the tube, there is no need to do this.  It action of pumping the mascara wand only introduces air into the tube, which will not only affect the consistency of the mascara formula, and will also introduce airborne bacteria into the tube.  Rather gently swirl the wand around a little before removing it from the tube.  There will still be sufficient mascara on the wand for you to use.

When shopping for a new tube of mascara, you can either settle for another tube of your old favourite, or you could go for something new, but you’ll need to buy the right formula if you want to get the most out of each tube. Think about what effect you’re wanting it to achieve with it, and purchase your mascara accordingly. Don’t opt for a tube just because the ad says it’ll give you fabulous lashes, as sometimes these adverts can be misleading. Ask yourself what you really want from your mascara. Do you need length, volume, or curl? Do you prefer waterproof, water-resistant, or classic?

Another thing to keep in mind, is that expensive does not necessarily mean that it’s going to be better. Over the years, I’ve found that some of the cheaper mascaras on the market tend to have the best formulas and perfect consistencies, so they end up being great value for money, and they don’t break the bank every three months when you have to replace them.

Some of my favourites include the classic Maybelline Great Lash (the Lots of Lashes one with the heart-shaped wand), water-resistant Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Curl, and volumising Essence The False Lashes Dramatic Volume Unlimited.

Once you’ve purchased your new tube, you still need to apply it properly to get the best effect from it. Don’t simply brush the wand through your lashes, you don’t need a lot of product on the tips. Rather wiggle the wand horizontally at the base of your lashes, before stroking it out. Doing this will really coat the roots of each lash and will help to create volume, making your lashes appear thicker and fuller without causing the mascara to clump on the tips.

To read more about what different formulas can do for you, and other mascara related items, click on these links:

Which mascara to use
Clumpy Mascara : How to be clump free
Longer Lashes
Expired make-up : Has your make-up gone bad?