Ladies, lets have a show of hands here.
How many of you abide by the “Toss your mascara after 3 months” rule? This is a “makeup rule” that we’ve been indoctrinated with and have had it drummed into us for so long its become “the norm”. The primary reason, we’re told, is that this is to protect our eyes, and prevent infections.
This “3 month rule” is also the reason for many people to go with a pharmacy or drugstore brand mascara. What’s the use of buying a more expensive mascara (never mind that it may look nicer) if we’re just going to toss it after 3 months anyway right? It’d be a waste of money! There’s a lot of truth in all that.
So come on, don’t be shy – Do you toss your mascara after 3 months? Even if its not gone bad or dried out? 🙂
Well I have a confession. I don’t 🙂
I never have, to be honest. I mean, I know the general rule and all that but I feel loathe to toss a product that is still working well just because its “the norm”. Its a waste of money too. Being a bit of a conspiracy theorist, I felt that this was a major conspiracy by the cosmetics companies to make us spend more money on mascara. I know right? I also believe in aliens and UFOs 😛 I usually toss my mascara only when its dried out or doesn’t work anymore.
Well, I’ve got one more thing to support my argument for not tossing out your mascara after 3 months – the cosmetics companies tell you you don’t have to! But how many of you notice this? 😉
I’ve picked at random, some high end and pharmacy/drugstore brand mascaras and the minimum and average life span for a mascara that I see, is 6 months from date of opening. Its that symbol of an open tub that you will see on most packaging. The number inside tells you how many months you have from date of opening before it is considered expired, and they all say 6M barring the Shiseido one that weighs in at a staggering 24M! That’s 2 years! Actually, my Shiseido Perfect Mascara has been going strong and its been with me a while and is only now starting to dry out (no trouble in all this time).
However, despite the clear marking on the packaging, we are still being told to toss our mascara after 3 months. Well, I say, lets wise up for a moment, step back and look at things objectively. The case for NOT tossing your mascara after 3 months is manifold:-
- The companies suggest a minimum of a 6 month lifespan from date of opening
- If you are the only person using the mascara (and you should NOT be sharing mascara please) and do not have an eye infection, there is no reason to assume that using it longer than 3 months will give you an eye infection
- Technology has moved on and we should expect the product to be of better quality and last longer
- If the mascara is not dried out, its a waste of money to toss it.
However, if you have an eye infection I will suggest you toss any mascara you are then using during your eye infection, because it could well be contaminated. But if your eyes are fine and the mascara is working fine and not dried out, don’t waste your money. Look at the box/packaging. Think about things and see if its logical for you to just blindly abide by a “general rule” or if you should just go with your gut 😉
What say you, Ladies? Do you currently toss your mascara after 3 months? Will you change this habit after this, or will you still stick to the 3 month rule? My personal habit is why I don’t mind splurging on a higher end mascara that works (RMK and Shiseido are 2 I will readily replenish despite the cost) because they last, my lashes look impressively good, and I don’t toss them out after 3 months anyway 🙂
Paris B
S. says
This post is so interesting Paris!
I’ve always assumed that what I do, using a mascara as long as it dries out, was wrong and I felt quite guilty.
Paris B says
Now you dont have to feel guilty, S 🙂
Denise says
I only throw out my mascaras once they’ve dried up. I would never waste good products!
Paris B says
It looks like we all have the same idea. Rules be damned! 😉
Joyce says
The 3 month time frame is just a general rule. I don’t follow the rules to makeup because I simply don’t believe that there are rules to makeup. They are just guidelines. I do whatever works for me. My Dior Iconic mascara usually lasts about 4 months before it dries out. So, I just keep using it until it dries out, as long as I don’t get any eye infection, which I have never experienced (yet, knock on wood).
However, on clients, I would never use a mascara that’s more than 3 months old, just in case he/she might have sensitive eyes.
Paris B says
It’s good to know you have your clients’ welfare at heart 🙂 some makeup artists don’t care, and I’ve seen some really dirty looking kits!
Tine says
Nah I don’t, cos I know it’s 6 months! HAH! 😛
I do chuck mine after 6 months. I don’t buy expensive mascaras, so it doesn’t hurt me too much to chuck them after the 6-month period is up. If they dry up earlier than 6 months, then into the bin it goes. If it’s still going strong, I *might* consider keeping it longer.
At the end of the day, I reckon it’s better to be safe than sorry. Things that go on the eyes, better not play play 🙂
Paris B says
That’s true. Better be safe than sorry with the eyes 🙂 I always thought a pricey mascara was fine if it’d last 6-8 months. That’s almost 1 purchase a year so learning this was great for me 😉
Leila says
Oh finally! Finally someone is speaking sense on this issue. Thank you Paris. Really, you said everything I wanted to, I cannot say more. Your points are my thoughts exactly.
It always frustrates me when I see that rule thrown about. Anyway, I always thought it was 3-6 months, so when did it get revised right down to 3?! I even see beauty bloggers throw theirs out after six weeks “just to be on the safe side.”
I never throw out my mascara after three months if it’s fine and it would be silly to do so. For all the reasons you just said.
Paris B says
Haha glad you agree, Leila! I have come across 3 months most often. The 6 week practice is new to me. 6 weeks! What a waste of money, and the scary thing is that it’s being taught to people who will follow that ‘rule’. I hope they start seeing some sense.
Becca says
I completely agree, Paris. If I know I don’t have an eye infection and always only apply my mascara to clean lashes (after cleansing my face), then why should I be scared that I’m going to get an eye infection?? Makes no sense. Of course, this usually isn’t a problem for me because I use up my CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume mascaras well before the 3 month mark. But still, I have some mascaras that are a lot older than that that I’ve only used once or twice and only use when I’m in a certain mood–if they’re not dried out or haven’t been used by anyone else, I’m keepin ’em! 😛
Paris B says
I’m going to have to take lessons on using up a mascara before the 3 month mark. I can never seem to do it! Or maybe it’s because I don’t notice when it’s time is up, maybe hehe….
Jenny says
I do. But for pricey ones every 5 or 6 month. I once had an eye infection. It was horrible. Not because of the mascara but it really makes me extra careful about anything I put near my eyes. I wear contact lens so better be careful than sorry :))
Paris B says
One of my biggest fears when wearing contact lenses was getting an eye infection. Thankfully, it never happened but it’s way too wary to contemplate. That said, since the expiry time is at least 6 months you should be good for that 🙂
emilyc says
Wow… and the whole time i thought that the symbol had something to do with recycling XD Thanks so much for that piece of info, paris! I now seem to see it on everything i own!
Being a mascara junkie, i’m guilty of never tossing out any of my mascaras.
I open so many at a time that each tube only gets used every once in a while while alternating between them.
I still use them even though they may be up to 2 yrs old for as long as they still work fine and smell fine >_<""
Paris B says
Lol! Glad you learnt something about packaging symbols 🙂 Most cosmetics will have this symbol on it to tell us how long we can safely leave it open 🙂 I know what you mean about having too many open at the same time. Sometimes we want different effects that different mascara can give us, right?
Joey says
i dun toss out too, till it’s dry or finished :p
Paris B says
Good call! 😉
Alison says
I think its nice you’re educating people about this: People just seem to assume this is the rule from hearing it around the place, rather than checking what’s written on the box.
As for me, I try to buy my mascara on eBay in travel size: I could never get through an entire full sized tube, so I figure it makes more sense to get a mini so that I don’t waste too much product! When I throw it out, I throw it out based on a change in the product: usually that its started to dry a little and has become clumpy.
I’m more than happy to splurge on a mascara formula that works best for me (say, in place of false eyelashes!). I’d actually prefer it to spending my money on something that was just “okay”. Mascara is something I use every day, so I want it to be effective.
Paris B says
Thank you Alison 🙂 I’m like you – I prefer getting a mascara that actually makes my lashes look amazing as opposed to just looking alright. Important when you have short lashes like I do 🙂 I wish more companies came out with smaller mascara sizes and drop the price a little.
miith says
i used it till it dies out..even then i dont throw it away…i used to groom my eyebrows…
Paris B says
That’s a clever idea!
ysk says
I don’t really care about the 3 months rule as I only have less than 5 mascara.after 1 year I’ll toss them.
Joanne says
what if your mascara starts smelling?
i accidentally left my Maybelline Falsies mascara in the car and when i took it out after about 3-5 days, it started smelling. i never used it yet cause im not sure if its safe to use.
is it safe? or should i throw it out?
Paris B says
I’d say that if anything starts smelling off, it’s time to toss 😛
Michelle says
I typically use my mascaras for up to 10 months depending on the brand, the last 2 diorshow blackout I used lasted 10 months. I noticed drugstore mascaras dry out or start smelling bad around 3-4 months IMO.
Amber says
My mom works for a radiologist and a woman came in with a major eye issue. Severe pain and having problems seeing. She ended up having surgery to remove bacteria that was wrapped around her optic nerve which was from using old mascara. The doctor let her know that she could have gone blind. I’m not using old mascara, sorry.
Lucy says
Glad I found this post. I purchase higher quality mascaras and unless it’s dried out I don’t ever throw mine away. What about eyeliners and lipsticks? I also have been getting more expensive and cleaner lipsticks lately just because I am a bit more picky on color and texture and feel like it’s such a waste to throw them out after a year or so. I only throw my makeup away if they start to smell or dry out or the brush/tip gets out of whack, making application difficult. Thanks for validating my makeup habit lol.