Recycling

Can You Reuse Silicone Mascara Wands?

7 Mins read

Can you reuse silicone mascara wands? It’s a question that I’m sure has crossed your mind.

I mean, why pay for something over and over again when you can just reuse it?

That is a great way to save money for something else like film and photo kits, so let’s dive into whether or not you actually can reuse those wands.

Can You Reuse Silicone Mascara Wands?

While silicone is a great material for mascaras, it’s not meant to be reused.

The silicone in mascara wands isn’t designed to hold up after any amount of use and will likely become damaged over time.

This means that the wand won’t hold your favorite mascara or eyeliner as well as it could if you were using a brand new one, so there’s no point in trying to save some cash by reusing them.

Another problem with reusing mascara wands is that they can get worn out very easily when you’re applying makeup with them—especially if you’re someone who doesn’t take care of their brushes properly!

If you’ve ever tried putting on foundation with an old brush, then you know how easy it is for the bristles to bend as soon as they touch your skin.

This means that each time we use our sponges again, they’ll become less effective because we’re stretching them out even further than before!

How to Reuse Silicone Mascara Wands

You can reuse silicone mascara wands if you clean them properly. Here are some ways to do that:

  • Wash the wand with soap and water.
  • Use a soft toothbrush to clean it.
  • Use rubbing alcohol on the wand.
  • Disinfect the wand with disinfectant or boiling water, if needed.

You can also use other tools like a nail brush, makeup remover, and makeup wipe, or even an old makeup sponge.

Why Are Silicone Mascara Wands More Hygienic Than Traditional Applicators?

How are silicone mascara wands more hygienic than traditional plastic ones?

  • Silicone is better for the environment. It’s stronger and lasts longer than plastic, so you don’t have to throw it away as often.
  • Some people may be allergic to latex, which is present in many mascara applicators. Silicone wands won’t disrupt your makeup routine if this is the case!
  • Silicone offers a smoother application that’s less likely to irritate your skin or scratch eyelashes (which can lead to breakage).

How Long Do Silicone Mascara Wands Last?

How long can you use a silicone mascara wand before it has to be tossed out?

The answer: up to a year. The more you care for your wand, the longer it will last.

Here are some tips for keeping your wand in great condition:

Cleaning

Wash with mild soap and water every time you use it (or even better, cleanse beforehand with an oil-based cleanser).

If there are any stubborn mascara flakes on the wand, give it a good scrubbing with a small nail brush or toothbrush; this will help prevent clogged pores from forming in the future.

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Storing

Seal off any unused mascara wands so that air can’t get into them and start drying out their contents.

If storing multiple wands together, keep them upright so they don’t come into contact with one another as they might stick together over time due to moisture buildup inside each container (which could lead to bacterial growth).

How Often Should You Replace Silicone Mascara Wands?

You can use your silicone mascara wand for up to 30 days before replacing it.

If you take good care of it, however, you can prolong its life well beyond 30 days.

Some people have been able to get as many as six months out of an eyelash brush by following a few basic rules:

  • Never drop the curler on the floor; if you do, clean it thoroughly with warm water and soap
  • Never wash your eyelash brush with liquid hand soap or detergent; only use mild dishwashing liquid or rubbing alcohol (no bleach!)
  • Never hold wet mascara wands in an upright position for more than five minutes at a time
  • Never turn on your curler in any room where there’s air conditioning—the cold air will cause condensation inside its nozzle

Is a Reusable Silicone Mascara Wand Environmentally Friendly?

If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly way to apply your mascara, a reusable silicone mascara wand is the way to go.

There are many reasons why reusable wands are better for the environment than disposable ones.

The most obvious one is that they can be cleaned and reused over and over again.

This means less waste in landfills—and no need to buy new ones every time you run out of mascara, which will help save you money in the long run.

Reusable silicone wands are also made out of materials that don’t break down or decompose easily (like plastic), so they won’t become pollutants as quickly as disposable brushes would have done otherwise.

How Do You Clean a Silicone Mascara Wand?

There are a variety of ways you can clean your silicone mascara wand. Here are some options:

Wash with soap and water

This is the most common method, as it’s easy and straightforward.

You can do this by hand or in the dishwasher, depending on how dirty your wand is.

Use baby wipes or makeup remover wipes

These wipes are usually made out of cloth and a cleaning solution that will break down oil-based dirt, which is great for getting rid of mascara buildup!

Baby wipes work just as well as makeup remover wipes but cost much less (and sometimes are available for free at hospitals).

Clean with alcohol or rubbing alcohol

Alcohol has antibacterial properties that will kill germs on contact—an important consideration if you wear contacts or have any kind of eye infection like conjunctivitis (pink eye).

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It also helps dissolve oils from makeup soaps don’t work very well on oily things!

This method works best if you brush all around the surface area before dipping into liquid so it doesn’t drip everywhere when done; make sure there aren’t any nooks where water could get trapped after washing off excess residue afterwards because mold thrives in wet environments like these!

Toothbrush

If none of these other options seem feasible due to time constraints then consider purchasing one instead since they’re cheap enough yet still effective enough when used properly.

Do Silicone Mascara Wands Work Better Than Plastic?

What if you’re the type of person who doesn’t mind the occasional splatter, but still wants to be as hygienic as possible?

In that case, a silicone mascara wand is probably the best bet.

Silicone wands are non-porous and can be completely sterilized in boiling water or with a 10% bleach solution (instructions for cleaning silicone wands vary by brand).

This makes them much easier to clean than plastic ones—and better for your skin too.

You may also notice that silicone brushes dry out faster than their plastic counterparts.

While this isn’t necessarily an issue for most people (unless they’re prone to forgetting about their makeup), it’s worth noting if you prefer using your mascara often throughout the week or want something that will last longer than one day at a time before needing a good scrubbing and rinse off session in warm water

Who Should Use a Silicone Mascara Wand?

If you have sensitive eyes, allergies, or want to reduce waste and save money, then the answer is probably yes!

The silicone mascara wand is much easier on the eyes than traditional brushes.

This means that it’s better for people with sensitive eyes (like yours truly).

Since they are made of a soft material, they won’t irritate your eyes during application.

And since they don’t have any bristles that can fall out in the tube-like traditional brushes do (L’Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara), there’s no need to worry about bacteria getting into your mascara!

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to plastic mascara wands, then this is definitely worth considering.

Not only does it reduce waste by being more durable than a typical plastic wand but it also reduces carbon footprint by not having any packaging at all!

You can literally just pop off your old one onto whatever container you use for makeup storage or toss it back into its original case (if there was any) with no extra waste!

Are Silicone Mascara Wands Better Than Disposable Ones?

The answer is yes, but not in every situation.

Reusable wands are often more hygienic because they don’t have to be thrown away after each use.

They’re also more sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly than disposable ones.

They are more convenient because you’ll never have to go out looking for a new mascara wand when your current one breaks or gets lost (and trust me, this happens).

SEE ALSO:  Can You Recycle Glossier Products?

Another thing I like about them is that they’re durable—they won’t break off at the slightest provocation as disposable wands do!

What Are the Benefits of Using a Silicone Mascara Wand Instead of a Traditional Wand?

Silicone wands are hygienic

Silicone wands are designed to be more hygienic than traditional plastic wands.

They have smooth and seamless surfaces that can easily be cleaned with a simple wipe, making them an ideal choice for people with sensitive eyes or skin.

Silicone wands are durable

Unlike their flimsy plastic counterparts, silicone mascara wands can withstand daily use without becoming damaged or broken over time—and they’re much easier on your lashes too!

While you may think that having a harder tip on your mascara wand would hurt when applying it to your lashes, this isn’t the case with a silicone version because of how soft it is on both sides (more on this below).

If you’re concerned about breakage when applying pressure during sweeps through each section of your lash line like some people do when using traditional models made from materials whose tips aren’t as flexible—don’t worry!

The added resilience here means no more smudged lines due to bending/breaking off while trying to get into every nook and cranny without disturbing anything else around them first.

What’s the Downside of Using Silicone Mascara Wands?

You may be wondering, what’s the downside? Well, there are a few things to consider when you’re thinking about using silicone wands.

Cost

Silicone wands are more expensive than plastic ones because they’re made from a higher-quality material and their production requires more labor.

This can be an issue if you’re on a tight budget or just don’t want to spend that much on something as trivial as mascara brushes.

Cleaning

Silicone can be difficult to clean if you don’t use the right products—for example, water might not be enough, so you’ll need an oil-based cleanser instead (like olive oil).

You also won’t want to place your silicone brush in boiling water or use harsh chemicals on it, since this could degrade its integrity over time and make it less effective at removing makeup from your lashes without irritating or damaging them.

If you take care of your brushes properly by carefully rinsing them under warm running water before drying them off completely with a paper towel or cloth after each use (and never leave them sitting wet in an open container), then they should last for years—but reusing old ones may lead to bacteria buildup which isn’t good either!

Final Thoughts

Naturally, there are some caveats to be aware of: silicone wands are very tough and can easily be sterilized, but it’s also possible for them to break down at higher temperatures if they aren’t properly cared for.