topic Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara in Beauty

“Old” Unopened Mascara

beach-mom — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 03:01:56 GMT

I may have asked this before, so I apologize if I have!

I have recently found so many unopened mascaras. At one time I had a fear of running out, and of course I had to buy them when they were on sale. Sometimes they came as part of a QVC beauty TSV set.

I'm very careful about the 3 month rule. I'm not sure exactly when I bought these. Some might be 5 years old, but again, brand new, sometimes sealed.

Is it safe to use some of these and give the rest to others? Or should I just give up and toss everything? I hate to do that but I will!

And I no longer keep more than one as a backup!

TIA!

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

JudyL — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 03:16:44 GMT

@beach-mom - If they are as old as you say, opened or not, I wouldn't keep them.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

NYCLatinaMe — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 03:22:01 GMT

Hi @beach-mom

At one point I had several unopened mascaras because they were on autodelivery and I wasn't using them. I hadn't opened them. When I opened them to use them they were all dry.

So no need to worry about unsafe if they can't be used.

I have also found that the thin eyeliner pencils become dry and not smooth enough t apply if stored for some time.

So I buy these things when I plan to use them. I throw them out a lot,

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 03:36:19 GMT

@beach-mom wrote:
I may have asked this before, so I apologize if I have!

I have recently found so many unopened mascaras. At one time I had a fear of running out, and of course I had to buy them when they were on sale. Sometimes they came as part of a QVC beauty TSV set.

I'm very careful about the 3 month rule. I'm not sure exactly when I bought these. Some might be 5 years old, but again, brand new, sometimes sealed.

Is it safe to use some of these and give the rest to others? Or should I just give up and toss everything? I hate to do that but I will!

And I no longer keep more than one as a backup!

TIA!

@beach-mom

I am SO glad you asked, as I have 4 old mascaras .... sealed .... and I hate to "waste" them.

I've really been procrastinating about what to do with them.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

Snowpuppy — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 03:46:28 GMT

Use the Check Fresh site to see how old they actually are before deciding. Esp GWP, Auto Delivery items, etc.

The mfg may also provide a "use by after opening" date.

Mine usually dry out within a few months so tossing is easy for me.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

Kachina624 — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 03:53:17 GMT

I throw them out. Not worth risking an eye infection.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

Desertdi — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 05:31:47 GMT

I use a couple drops of contact lens solution to thin any "old-but-unopened" mascara that may have lost consistency...

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

beach-mom — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 05:51:59 GMT

Thanks everyone! I will close my eyes and toss them.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

Shanus — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 13:18:44 GMT

@beach-mom I'm guilty sometimes of stocking up on mascara, too. The issue is that some of those laying unopened can still dry out or maybe started out that way.

I always stay true to the 3 month rule and either purchase mini sizes of BB Smokey Eye mascara when offered or on sale (25% going on now) or purchase drugstore mascara so when the 3 months are up, no guilt when tossing them out. I love minis, sample sizes, etc. and always check those off when offered when I purchase other items on makeup sites.

Pumping the wand in and out during application adds bacteria into the mascara. One pump is usually enough for both eyes for me. I stopped using an eyelash curler, too. Too many lashes were being harmed.

So Di, better safe than sorry and BTW, gifting old mascara to others is just not a great idea. If too old for you to uyse, why pass them along?

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

SilleeMee — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 14:39:43 GMT

Most all cosmetics, liquid or semi-liquid, contain some kind of preservative in them and that preservative has an expiration date which means products can start to grow 'things' such as fungus...a most common contaminant.

ETA-

There's a reason for expiration dates and for eye products that's nothing to ignore. Maybe okay for skincare or cosmetics other than for the eyes but I personally wouldn't take the chance.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

Desertdi — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 14:40:07 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@beach-mom I'm guilty sometimes of stocking up on mascara, too. The issue is that some of those laying unopened can still dry out or maybe started out that way.

I always stay true to the 3 month rule and either purchase mini sizes of BB Smokey Eye mascara when offered or on sale (25% going on now) or purchase drugstore mascara so when the 3 months are up, no guilt when tossing them out. I love minis, sample sizes, etc. and always check those off when offered when I purchase other items on makeup sites.

Pumping the wand in and out during application adds bacteria into the mascara. One pump is usually enough for both eyes for me. I stopped using an eyelash curler, too. Too many lashes were being harmed.

So Di, better safe than sorry and BTW, gifting old mascara to others is just not a great idea. If too old for you to uyse, why pass them along?

@beach-mom @Shanus

I didn't say anything about "giving old mascara as a gift".

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

Shelbelle — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 16:07:35 GMT

I agree, if it looks like the proper consistancy, smells fine and it isnt dried up, I say use it ! As long as it has remained sealed.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

San Antonio Gal — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 15:57:25 GMT

@monicakm wrote:
@beach-mom

If it looks good, smells good and works like it's supposed to, I'll use it.

@beach-mom - I have several new unopened ones too. I will open them and use them as long as they are not dried out or smell bad.

Why don't you open one before tossing it and see?

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

San Antonio Gal — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 16:00:45 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:

ETA-
There's a reason for expiration dates and for eye products that's nothing to ignore. Maybe okay for skincare or cosmetics other than for the eyes but I personally wouldn't take the chance.

@SilleeMee - Where is the expiration date listed for mascaras? I've never seen one before.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

SilleeMee — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 17:01:16 GMT

@San Antonio Gal wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:

ETA-
There's a reason for expiration dates and for eye products that's nothing to ignore. Maybe okay for skincare or cosmetics other than for the eyes but I personally wouldn't take the chance.

@SilleeMee - Where is the expiration date listed for mascaras? I've never seen one before.

@San Antonio Gal

Exp dates are sometimes printed on the packaging but there is a batch code or lot number which, if you can decipher it (LOL), has the date of manufacture. Shelf life of unopened liquid or semi-liquid cosmetics is usually 2 years but the FDA says it's shorter than that for eye products. How short? Well, there's no rule written in stone but the FDA says 4 months max from the date of purchase so take your best guess. Everything the FDA sets are guidelines so use your best judgement.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

Franklinbell — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 22:50:50 GMT

Funny thing...I met a lady today that told me she has 21 opened tubes of mascara on her vanity. She has a system for using them and knows when to toss.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

San Antonio Gal — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 02:07:55 GMT

@Franklinbell wrote:
Funny thing...I met a lady today that told me she has 21 opened tubes of mascara on her vanity. She has a system for using them and knows when to toss.

21 @Franklinbell ?? What the heck! She spends a lot of money on mascara for sure. Sounds like a waste to me.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

NYCLatinaMe — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 03:22:05 GMT

@Franklinbell wrote:
Funny thing...I met a lady today that told me she has 21 opened tubes of mascara on her vanity. She has a system for using them and knows when to toss.

@Franklinbell Why would anyone have 21 open tubes of mascara at the same time?

@monicakm I think you would be the only one who may venture a guess.

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

Franklinbell — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 03:23:17 GMT

Granted it is a lot!

Re: “Old” Unopened Mascara

beach-mom — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 18:40:28 GMT

Thanks again everyone! I did toss all of them except one unopened tube of Laura Geller Kajal, which is not THAT old! LOL! And I really like it.

@Shanus - I started doing the same thing you do in September! I decided I didn't need to store so many mascaras. I bought two travel size tubes - rms and Ilia. I alternate them.

A lot of my stockpiling of makeup and other things comes from my time teaching in Japan. I learned quickly if the store had something you wanted you'd better get it when you saw it. I can still hear my friend Kumiko telling me that! Good memories!