Walk into any Mexican farmacia or a neighborhood mercadito and you'll see it. It’s that familiar, slim aluminum tube with the bright green cap and a drawing of a red apple on the side. We’re talking about Apple Super Lash Mascara, a product that has survived every TikTok trend, every luxury brand launch, and every "clean girl" aesthetic shift since your tía was in high school. It costs less than a fancy latte. Honestly, in a world where Sephora wants fifty bucks for a tube of black goo, there is something deeply satisfying about a four-dollar mascara that actually works better than the expensive stuff.
People get confused because the branding looks a bit retro. They think, "Is this a knockoff?" No. Corporativo Apple—the actual manufacturer based in Mexico—has been churning these out for decades. It isn't related to the tech giant in California. It’s just a mascara that relies on mamey seed oil and a very specific wax formula to keep lashes from drooping.
What’s Actually Inside Apple Super Lash Mascara?
Let’s talk about the formula because that’s where the magic (and the controversy) happens. Most high-end mascaras are water-based. They’re easy to wash off, sure, but they also weigh down thin lashes. If your lashes are straight and refuse to hold a curl, water-based formulas are your enemy. Apple Super Lash Mascara is a different beast entirely. It’s an oil-based, anhydrous (water-free) formula.
The star of the show is Aceite de Hueso de Mamey.
Mamey sapote is a fruit native to Mexico and Central America. The oil pressed from its large seed is legendary in Latin American beauty circles for supposedly stimulating lash growth and providing crazy shine. Does it actually grow your lashes? Science is a bit "meh" on that front—there aren’t a ton of peer-reviewed clinical trials on mamey oil for trichology. But as a conditioner? It’s phenomenal. It makes the lashes look thick and ink-black without that crunchy, brittle feeling you get from cheap drugstore brands in the States.
The texture is thick. It’s goopy. If you aren't used to it, you might think the tube is old. It's not; it’s just dense with pigments and waxes. This density is exactly why it holds a curl for 16 hours. If you curl your lashes with a heated curler or a spoon—the old-school way—this mascara "locks" that shape in place like a hairspray for your eyes.
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Why the Beauty World Is Obsessed With the Green Cap
You've probably seen professional makeup artists like Hung Vanngo or Mario Dedivanovic talk about "kit staples." While they often use luxury brands on celebrities, many pro artists keep a tube of Apple Super Lash Mascara in their kit for one reason: the brush.
The "Original" version features a classic, pine-tree shaped fiber brush. It isn't silicone. It isn't "innovative." It’s just a stiff, tightly packed nylon bristle brush that grabs every tiny hair. Because the formula is so heavy, this brush acts like a comb to separate lashes before the wax sets.
- The Pine Brush: Good for volume.
- The Professional Silicon Brush: Better for length and separation.
- The "Hueso de Mamey" Specific Version: Usually the most nourishing.
There is a sort of "insider" feeling to using this mascara. It’s like a secret handshake among people who know that price doesn't always equal quality. You’ll find it in the makeup bags of drag queens who need lashes that can be seen from the back of a theater and also in the bags of minimalist Gen Zers who found it on a "hidden gems" Reddit thread.
The Safety Concerns People Keep Bringing Up
We have to address the elephant in the room. If you search for this mascara online, you’ll eventually hit a forum post from 2012 or a TikTok comment claiming it contains mercury or lead. Let's look at the facts.
In the past, some "tianguis" (street markets) sold counterfeit versions of various Mexican mascaras. Some of those knockoffs, produced in unregulated facilities, were found to have contaminants. However, the authentic Apple Super Lash Mascara produced by Corporativo Apple de México complies with standard cosmetic regulations.
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That said, because it is an imported product that often bypasses traditional US retail chains (you usually buy it at small local shops or through third-party sellers on Amazon), it doesn't always go through the same FDA-specific labeling hurdles as a brand like Maybelline. If you have extremely sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, you should always do a patch test. The formula is heavy on petroleum-derived waxes and oils, which can be irritating for some. It is also notoriously difficult to remove. You cannot use a regular foaming cleanser. You need a dedicated bi-phase oil remover or straight-up coconut oil to get this stuff off. If you scrub your eyes, you're going to lose lashes. Be gentle.
Comparing the "Apple" Versions
It’s confusing because there isn't just one "Apple" mascara. There are dozens of variations. Some have pink caps, some have silver, and some have the famous green.
- The Classic Green Cap (Super Lash): This is the baseline. It’s waterproof (mostly) and provides the best balance of volume and length.
- The Pink Cap (Crystal): Usually a clear version or a very light formula for a "no-makeup" look.
- The Black Cap (Organico): Often marketed as having more natural oils, though the base remains similar to the original.
The "Super Lash" with the red apple logo is the one that earned the cult status. It’s the one that people buy in bulk when they visit Mexico City or Guadalajara.
The Technique: How to Apply It Without Looking Like a Raccoon
Since the formula is so thick, the "wiggle and sweep" method used for most mascaras doesn't work here. If you wiggle too much, you’ll end up with three giant, chunky lashes instead of a full fan.
First, wipe the wand. Seriously. There is way too much product on the brush when it comes out of the tube. Wipe it on a tissue or the rim of the bottle until you can actually see the bristles. Start at the very base of your lashes and pull straight up in a fast, confident motion. Do not wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second. Once this stuff dries, it becomes a hard shell. If you try to add more later, it will flake.
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One weird trick? Some people swear by warming the tube in their pocket for five minutes before applying. The heat thins out the waxes, making it go on much smoother.
Where to Actually Buy the Real Thing
Finding Apple Super Lash Mascara outside of Mexico can be a bit of a treasure hunt. You won't find it at Ulta.
- Local Latin Groceries: This is your best bet. Look near the registers or in the small "beauty and health" aisle.
- Mercari or eBay: Many independent sellers import them. Check the seller's rating to ensure they aren't shipping old stock.
- Amazon: They are available here, but the price is usually marked up to ten or twelve dollars. Still a bargain, but significantly more than the 20-30 pesos they cost in Mexico.
Check the logo. The real ones always feature the "Corporativo Apple" branding. If the printing on the tube looks blurry or the "Apple" looks like a different fruit, skip it.
Final Thoughts on This Budget Icon
Is it the best mascara in the world? If you want easy removal and a "fluffy" look, no. You'll hate it. But if you want lashes that hit your eyebrows and stay curled through a rainstorm or a long night out, it’s hard to beat. It’s a utilitarian product. It doesn't have fancy packaging or a multimillion-dollar ad campaign featuring a supermodel. It doesn't need it. The results speak for themselves.
How to get the most out of your tube:
- Never "pump" the wand. This pushes air into the tube and dries out the oil-based formula faster. Twist it instead.
- Invest in a metal lash comb. Because the formula is thick, a metal comb is the only thing that will effectively separate lashes if you accidentally over-apply.
- Replace it every three months. Even though it’s oil-based and doesn't harbor bacteria as easily as water-based formulas, it’s still an eye product. At four dollars a pop, there’s no excuse to keep an old tube.
- Use a dedicated oil cleanser. Micellar water usually won't touch this. Grab a bottle of cleansing oil or a balm to melt the wax away without damaging your natural lashes.