Who said that Cuban creativity has limits? A viral video on TikTok has sparked a wave of nostalgia and laughter among Cubans both on and off the Island, thanks to a beauty hack that, although rudimentary, has proven to be infallible: warming dry mascara in boiling water. The creator of the video, known as Una Guajira en La Habana (@unaguajiraenlahabana), didn't need to say she was Cuban... her technique gave her away immediately.
The scene is simple yet powerful: a young woman dips her mascara into a small pot over the stove and then appears applying it to her lashes with complete ease. The on-screen text cheekily summarizes it: “TELL ME YOU'RE CUBAN. Without saying you're Cuban.” The result: over 4 thousand likes and a flood of comments filled with anecdotes, laughter, and all sorts of confessions.
Among the hundreds of responses, there’s something for everyone. “I do it even living here in Miami,” confessed one user. “I put it in the microwave and it exploded,” another shared with laughter. “They sent it to me in Spain, I can’t live without that mascara,” said a third. There was even someone who claimed: “That lasts longer than the people against the dictatorship.”
The comments section turned into a virtual beauty salon filled with camaraderie and memories. “Once I forgot and the whole bottle melted,” someone recalled. “I would boil it until there was nothing left!” another confessed. Some even shared more modern tips: adding eye drops, using artificial tears, or looking for similar versions in stores like Dollar Tree or Walmart.
This trick was not just a gesture of flirtation; it was a genuine act of aesthetic survival. In times of scarcity, repurposing mascara—just like nail polish, lipstick, or eyebrow pencil—became a skill passed down among neighbors, sisters, mothers, and daughters. As is often the case with inventions in Cuba: if it works, it gets inherited.
The video of Una Guajira en La Habana achieved the most valuable thing: it activated a collective memory that crossed borders. Because, as many commented, “if you haven’t done that, you’re not a true Cuban.” Sometimes, all it takes is a bottle of boiled mascara to reconnect with who we are… even from the other side of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Beauty Trick and Creativity in Times of Scarcity
What is the viral beauty trick among Cuban women?
The trick involves heating dry mascara in boiling water to reuse it. This practice has resonated among Cuban women due to the scarcity of beauty products on the island, becoming an act of ingenuity and aesthetic survival that has crossed borders, even being replicated by Cubans abroad.
Why has this trick generated so much nostalgia and fun among Cuban women?
The trick has awakened nostalgia as it represents a common practice in Cuba during times of scarcity, where creativity and recycling are essential for daily life. The technique is seen as a shared tradition that connects Cuban women from different generations and places, evoking laughter and memories on social media.
What other reuse strategies are common among Cubans?
Cubans are known for their skill in reusing and giving multiple uses to everyday objects, such as warming up mascara, cutting toothpaste tubes to make the most of the contents, repurposing paint buckets, and using old appliances as planters. These practices are part of a culture of survival that responds to the chronic scarcity on the island.
How does scarcity manifest in the daily lives of Cubans?
The scarcity in Cuba is reflected in the need to improvise creative solutions for daily problems, such as cooking with firewood due to the lack of gas and electricity, washing clothes in rivers, or storing food without refrigeration because of blackouts. These situations are common and have been widely documented on social media, showcasing a lifestyle characterized by resilience and ingenuity.
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