How to Fix Dry Mascara: 3 Proven Ways

Dry and clumpy mascara tube? Talk about a nightmare. Not only will a dry mascara tube be impossible to work with, but if you manage to get something out, the results won’t be pretty.

While dried-up mascara happens to the best of us, it doesn’t mean they have to stay that way. And you don’t have to worry about buying a brand-new pack of your favourite mascara, either.

If you’re fed up with dried-out mascara and want to fix it ASAP, we’ve got you covered.

Below, you will find the top three proven ways to fix dry mascara - plus some other nifty ingo like why it’s clumpy and how to keep your mascara from drying out.

Why Is My Mascara Clumpy?

There can be a few reasons behind dry and clumpy mascara, including:

• You’re pumping the mascara wand. While many people think this is a good thing, all you’re doing is pumping too much air into the mascara tube, allowing it to dry out.
• It’s in a hot environment. Mascara storage is vital. Make sure it’s not in a too-hot climate, or it will dry out.
• You didn’t close it all the way. Over-pumping and improper storage aren’t ideal, but a big culprit of dried mascara is simply forgetting to close the cap all the way. Shut properly!
• You’re using too much. Too much product on the wand can be a bad thing, leading to clumps that will dry out over time. Don’t be overzealous with the application.

How To Fix Dry Mascara

Is your mascara dry? Do you need to fix it ASAP? Then you will be happy to know that you can revive your mascara - whether you have regular, colored, or waterproof mascara.

1. Hot Water

One of the easiest ways to fix dried-up mascara is to soak it in hot water.

All you need to do is add boiling water to a bowl that’s large enough to accommodate your mascara. Then, plop the mascara inside the hot water bowl and allow it to soak for five minutes.

Check the mascara. If it’s no longer dry, then you’ve been successful. Still dry? Perform another five-minute soak in hot water.

Ensure that the cap is fully closed. You do not want the hot water to penetrate the tube and get the product wet. This will cause a thick formula that you’ll need to toss.

2. Contact Lens Solution/Eye Drops

If you wear contact lenses, then you undeniably have a contact solution. The same is true for those who suffer from eye ailments, like dry eyes, and need eye drops.

Well, these two essential products can also double as your go-to for dried mascara.

To use the contact lenses solution or eye drops, simply drop a few drops (three or four) into the tube of mascara. Mix using the mascara wand.

The result? Perfect mascara that will leave you with beautiful lashes once more.

3. Oil

Not everyone has a lens solution or eye drops at home.

And if you’re wondering how to fix dry mascara naturally, you will enjoy this tip: you can use oil to de-clump your go-to mascara.

All you need to do is add a few drops of your favorite oil to the tube of mascara. Some people will opt for olive oil, while others may choose castor oil.

Regardless of the type of oil used, use an eye dropper to drop a few drops into the tube. Start mixing with your mascara wand until it’s smooth.

Tip: Aloe vera gel is another all-natural solution aside from castor and olive oil. It’s done the same way. Add a couple drops of aloe vera gel into the tube and mix. Enjoy!

How Long Does It Take for Mascara to Dry?

How long your mascara from your makeup kit takes to dry out depends on many factors.

Most of the time, mascara has a shelf life of up to a year before drying out.

If you’re not keeping the lid tightly closed, pump the mascara too often or aggressively, or keep it in a hot environment, the drying out period can be three months or less.

How to Keep Mascara From Drying Out?

Okay, so it’s not exactly challenging to revive mascaras. But why struggle with the revival process if you can fend off drying from the get-go? Here are a couple of tips to avoid dried-out mascara.

• Keep your mascara bottle closed. The formula will dry out rather quickly if exposed to the air. So, be careful to close your mascaras after every use.
• Don’t pump the brush - dip it. While it’s tempting to pump the brush(especially if you have mascara left inside), this does more harm than good. Dip gently instead.
• Keep the brush clean. Keep your mascara wand squeaky clean. This will keep it fresh for lovely lashes while also fending off eye infections, clumpiness, and other hassles.
• Keep it in a cool and dry location. Keep your formula away from heat and dryness. In your makeup bag, underneath the sink or the cabinet is the best option.

FAQ

Can You Add Water To Mascara To Make It Last Longer?

Adding water to the formula may seem like the best solution to revive it. But that’s not the case.

While the hot water trick mentioned above will work wonders on your beauty product, you should never pour water into the tube. It will ruin the formula - no matter how much you shake it.

Instead, consider adding a bit of oils or more drops of lens solution to fix the annoying dryness and clumpiness.