We recently got this email from a reader:
I have a make up question for you!! I just bought the L’Oreal telescopic mascara in carbon black and its really really gluggy/clumpy. Ive used the same kind before (although in regular black), and it wasnt like that. Any tips on how to un-glug it? Its brand new so I dont really want to bin it just yet.
I got Amy to answer it cos she’s smarter:
My first thought is, take it back. It might be a bung batch of mascara. Exercise your consumer power!
But if you can’t be bothered taking it back, how about a lash brush/comb – do you have a lash brush to brush out the clumps with??
Or maybe apply a lash primer first?? The lash primer that comes with my loreal mascara seems to thin the mascara out a bit and make application a bit smoother. It might work…
So we heard back:
Thanks for such a quick reply! I don’t have the receipt any more, so can’t take it back (although I did consider that).
Lash brush might be the best option. It is quite a thick mascara generally – which is why I like it. I have short blond eyelashes and it always makes them nice and long and black. This is my fourth one! I’m not very adventurous though, once I find something I like I tend to stick with it.
On a different note, I also bought the L’Oreal sensitive eye make up remover but it doesn’t seem to work with the telescopic mascara! It doesn’t seem strong enough and I always end up using a facecloth to wipe the rest off.
And Amy finished off:
Also, just one more thing… When I worked at Smith&Caugheys we didn’t require a receipt to give money back or replace a product – as long as we stocked it we had to replace it. We didn’t even ask for a reciept. So depending on where you bought it you could try taking it back…
And now we turn to you, dear reader – how do YOU deal with clumpy mascara?
Cold weather, and early mornings, can make your mascara thicker and clumpy too so sometimes I will stick the mascara under my arm or something to warm it up whilst i finish the rest of my make up. This helps it soften and go on smoothly.
You’re so right Fran. There’s other make-ups that harden up in the cold – like lip glosses & cream eyeshadows. you can run the container under hot water for a bit to soften them too.
I know that if your nail polish gets too thick and clumpy, you can add a drop of remover to it – perhaps the same is true with mascara? Also I’d give your wand a good clean and see if that helps.
Does anyone here put their nailpolish in the fridge? My nana used to do that. I’ve tried it but it tends to take longer for the polish to dry – even the superfast drying ones. Any thoughts?
My partner’s mum does that fridge thing with nail polish and she’s a pro. I’ll ask her about drying time and get back to you.