The icky side of mascara

As much as it hurt, I had to do it. As I mentioned before Clinque is very generous with their samples and one of my scores was a mini-size High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara. It was such a perfect size for my purse and I adored how one side of the brush was little comb that I could use to separate my lashes so that I wouldn't get the notorious "tarantula eyes."
But I had to toss it in the garbage. Not because I didn't like it, but because it's been in my makeup kit for a long time and, well, I really like being able to see.

That's because after several weeks bacteria is probably growing in the makeup tube. Yeah, I know it sucks to throw away a fave mascara, but on the bright side you have an excuse to go makeup shopping!

Below are some more safety tips about mascara from Consumer Reports on Health.

Apply mascara only to the tips of your lashes. If you get it too close to the root, you could block glands on the eyelids that help form tears, and your eyes might not get the lubrication they need. That condition, called dry eye, can be painful or diminish your vision.

Don’t share mascara. The membrane around the eye can harbor bacteria that can easily latch on to a mascara brush. If you come in contact with another person’s germs, you could wind up with conjunctivitis or other infections.

Don’t add liquids to mascara. Tap water, which some people use to thin mascara, isn’t sterile and can allow potentially harmful bugs into the tube. Saliva is also full of bacteria and should not be used to moisten mascara.

Avoid lash-extending mascaras if you wear contacts. The microfibers can become trapped beneath your lens and scratch the cornea, increasing the risk of infection.

Never apply mascara in a moving vehicle. If the vehicle suddenly stops or jerks, you could injure yourself with the mascara brush.

Don’t store mascara at temperatures above 85° F (29° C) or leave it in your car for long periods, since the heat may encourage bacterial growth.

Throw out mascara every three months; by then bacteria will probably be growing in it. Throw it out sooner if it’s discolored, begins to smell, or if you’ve recently had an eye infection, all of which could signal contamination.