There is a controversy that I stumbled upon in the mascara world. One faction is a strong advocate of storing mascara in an upright position, while others staunchly oppose this notion.
You may not be able to settle this disagreement on your own, so let’s investigate further to see which approach holds greater merit. So, should mascara be stored upright?
Yes, you should keep your mascara bottle upright when it’s not in use. The cover should face up, while the base should face down in keep. If it’s needed to be stored otherwise, the manufacturer would clearly state it in the instructions. If not, store it like every bottle.
Mascara is one of the most popular cosmetic products used today by women. However, mascara can spoil if not stored properly. I have been on the hunt for a while now to find the best way to store my mascara and this is what I’ve found.
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What’s the Best Way to Store Mascara?
Mascara should be stored in a dry, cool place, such as your refrigerator or bathroom cabinet (one without steam). If you have sensitive eyes, store them in the fridge. The cold temperature will help it stay fresh longer.
It’s best to keep mascara away from sunlight and heat as well. This can damage the product and make it less effective. If you don’t want to refrigerate your mascara, try storing it in a jar with a tight-fitting lid or its original packaging if it comes in one.
Also, If you don’t have a makeup case, you can store it in the original packaging or a small plastic bag. Mascara should be kept away from heat and light. Heat and light can cause the mascara to dry out, clump, and lose its curl-boosting properties. If you have to store your mascara in a different container, make sure it’s airtight and clean. It’s also a good idea to clean off any makeup that collects on the wand.
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8 Storage Tips for Keeping Mascara
Here are eight storage tips for storing mascara that will keep your lashes looking their best:
1. Store mascara at room temperature
The best place to store your mascara is in a cool, dry place where it won’t be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Heat and cold can cause the formula of your mascara to dry out prematurely, which will make it clumpy and difficult to apply smoothly to your lashes.
2. Keep your mascara away from sunlight and humidity
Mascara containers should be kept away from direct sunlight as much as possible because sun exposure can accelerate the aging process of most products, including mascara. Also, try not to store it near humidity because high levels of moisture can also cause the formula in a product’s container to break down prematurely as well as cause mold growth on any leftover product left in its container after use.
3. Keep it vertical
Store your mascara vertically so that gravity doesn’t pull out too much product from the tube. If you store your mascara horizontally or upside down, you risk losing too much product over time.
4. Always keep it closed
Keep your tubes closed tightly at all times so that they don’t dry out or become contaminated with bacteria from your hands or mouth. If you want to use up every last bit of product in the tube, use a toothpick or cotton swab to scrape out any leftovers into a new container before tossing it out and replacing it with a new one.
5. Don’t freeze it
Freezing can damage the formula and change its consistency, resulting in clumps or flakes when you use it again. Instead, keep your tube warm by storing it near a heater or in a bathroom cabinet during winter months; otherwise, keep it out of extreme cold or heat conditions whenever possible.
6. Keep mascara in its original packaging
Most mascaras come with a tube or container that keeps them from drying out too quickly. So if you’re traveling with a tube of mascara, don’t throw it in your makeup bag or toss it in the bottom of your purse, keep it in its original packaging. The bottle or tube of mascara is industrially made with some befitting storage properties, so you should ensure to keep it there as you use it.
7. Add extra closing fastening
Wrap an elastic band around your tube of mascara so that when you close the lid, it doesn’t come off inside your makeup bag or purse
8. Don’t keep your mascara in the bathroom cabinet
If you have a bathroom cabinet where there is steam or moisture (like with a shower), then this is not a good place for storing your mascara. The humidity in the air will affect its consistency over time, leading to clumping or even mold growth.
You should also avoid keeping your mascara in any other cabinet that gets too hot or cold, as this may also change its consistency over time.
How Long Should You Keep Mascara?
Mascara is a makeup staple for most women. It can make your eyes pop, it can make you look like you’re wearing a ton of makeup when you’re not, and it can add the perfect finishing touch to any look. However, mascara isn’t something that you want to keep forever.
After all, mascara is made up of oil-based products that can be contaminated by bacteria and molds over time. Mascara should be replaced every three months after opening due to the bacteria that can grow inside the tube. If you keep your mascara for longer than three months, it could become contaminated with bacteria, which can cause eye infections or conjunctivitis.
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Is It OK to Store Mascara Upside Down?
No, do not store mascara upside down because mascara is a liquid solution that needs air and moisture to dry properly and not clump together or create a mess in the tube. If you store your mascara upside down, all those little air bubbles that form during the drying process will run into each other. This causes them all to stick together and create clumps in your mascara tube.
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Which can be annoying if you’re trying to get ready for work on time when that happens. So what should you do instead? Leave your mascara upright so that those bubbles can escape freely from the tube without getting trapped inside. And if there are any remaining bubbles at the top of your tube after use, give the wand a little shake before applying again so that they may be released when you open it.
Does Mascara Last Longer in the Fridge?
Yes, mascara can last longer if you keep it in the fridge. However, this isn’t necessary for most mascaras. Mascara is made up of many different ingredients, one of which is water. Water evaporates over time and the more water present in the formula, the faster your mascara will dry out.
If your mascara does contain preservatives to prevent bacteria growth and other bacteria from growing in it, those preservatives will also break down with time. The good news is that even without refrigerating your mascara, it should last for several months before drying out (unless you’ve been using it every day). And even when your mascara does dry out completely, there’s still enough product left on the wand to use as an eyeshadow or eyeliner.
How to Keep Mascaras From Drying Out
If you’ve ever opened the mascara tube to find that it has dried out, it’s no surprise. Mascara is a makeup product that tends to dry out quickly, which can make it difficult to use. While some mascaras have special ingredients in them that help prevents this problem, many do not. Even if they do, they may need to be replaced after six months or so. Here are some things you should do;
Allow the tube to stand upright in its container (not on its side). This keeps air from getting into the tube and drying out the formula. The brush should be kept in a separate container so it doesn’t get damaged by the cap when you close it. Keep your mascara in a cool place where there’s not much humidity (or no humidity at all).
If there’s too much humidity in your home, try storing your mascara in an airtight container or jar with silica gel packets inside. Silica gel packets absorb moisture so they’re perfect for keeping makeup products dry and usable over long periods without refrigeration.
Final Thought
All in all, one of the biggest causes of mascara dryness is improper storage. However, with a little care, you can avoid this drying effect and ensure that your mascara lasts for a long time.
