I’m not one to really lay into people about my “beauty pet peeves” because honestly, if it makes you feel good then do it. I’m just here to help guide people in the most flattering direction, and hope that it helps you feel even more good…or better if you’re a fan of good grammar.

But there are certain things that I see people do that are hygiene issues, or are ruining your products, or are a detriment to proper application, and today’s topic is all of the above.

Ladies and gentlemen Don’t pump your mascara!

And here is a list of reasons why:

• IT DRIES IT OUT // Every time you pump your brush in and out of the tube you are pushing air into the product, which makes it dry out more quickly. Now I know some of you may prefer certain mascara formulas a little drier but before you get any bright ideas…
• IT PROMOTES BACTERIAL GROWTH // Like I said before, every pump pushes more air into the tube, and what’s floating around in the air all around us? Dirt, bacteria, pollution and who knows what else. Bacteria is the real issue though because when you trap bacteria in a liquid or cream with some perishable ingredients and then close it up tight in a dark tube… you are basically growing an experiment in a petrie dish. Then you proceed to stick the bacterial experiment in your eye. Is that what you want? Didn’t think so. Stye city, or even worse pink eye! Yikes.
• YOU LOOK LIKE YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING // This really only applies if you are looking for a job or already have a job in the beauty industry, because if you are just a casual makeup user then who cares if you look like a pro. But makeup counter, freelance MUA, blogging, whatever it may be, many professionals will not take you seriously if they see you do this. I can not tell you how many times I’ve heard artists or sales people talk behind someones back because they pumped a mascara, because quite honestly I lost count. I don’t condone sh*t talking, I’m just sayin’ people will do that.
• IT DOESN’T ACTUALLY WORK // I’m not sure why so many are drawn to doing it ( I used to do it back in the day before I knew better too, it just felt right) but it actually doesn’t get any extra product on your brush. A mascara tube is designed so that when you pull it out, the bottle tapers and wipes the excess off of the brush. So pushing it in and out of the tube is just wiping it off and dipping it and wiping it off over and over again, essentially. It’s like getting out of a pool, toweling off, jumping back in and toweling off again a few times in a row… you can do it as many time as you want but aren’t going to get any wetter.

So what should you do if you are running low on mascara and need a little more product on the brush? Simply swirl the wand around inside the tube without pulling it out…and probably get a new mascara soon. They do go bad after a few months anyway so if you are running low it’s most likely time for a re-up.

So don’t pump your mascara. Do whatever you want with your makeup, draw a spiderweb on your forehead in July, contour your cheeks with navy blue or wear a green glitter highlight on your nose if it’s what makes you feel poppin’. But don’t dry out your mascara before its time or give yourself an eye infection, because I love your face and I care 😉