What it is and what it is for?
The aesthetic adornment is a cultural universal and the eye mascara was documented in ancient Egypt. Records from around 4000 BC refer to a substance called kohl, used to darken lashes, eyelids and eyebrows. Kohl was used to mask the eyes, which were believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the soul, both by men and women.
The cosmetic was invented by Eugene Rimmel, a talented French perfumer, founder of the House of Rimmel, in the 19th century. The modern mascara, in turn, was created in 1917 by the chemist T.L. Williams. This new mascara was made by mixing petroleum jelly and charcoal powder.
No significant improvement occurred until 1957. Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, two giants in the American beauty industry, watched and kept pace with their development. Rubinstein and Arden launched their own cosmetic brands that included mascara.
The eye mascara is used to darken, lighten or color the lashes, and also to thicken, lengthen and define them. It comes in many formulas, shades and colors. The product is available in tubes with application sticks.
What are the most used ingredients and their function?
Eye mascaras have several ingredients, the most common of which are:
The soy germ extract, which nourishes and strengthens the eyelashes, while stimulating their growth and increasing the shine.
Wheat germ extract, which acts as a concentrated serum that repairs the micro damage of the eyelashes, softens and gives elasticity. In addition, it also moisturizes the eyelashes.
Baicalin, which rejuvenates and strengthens vitality, as well as protecting eyelashes, creating a microscopic shield on its surface that protects them from damage resulting from adverse weather conditions.
Arginine, which is a natural amino acid responsible for moisturizing the eyelashes and preventing their dryness. In addition, arginine stimulates the growth of eyelashes and prevents their fall.
Panthenol, an eyelash repairer and reinforcer, giving greater elasticity and shine.
Vitamin E, one of the strongest antioxidants, which improves the transport of nutrients into the cells, strengthening the eyelashes from the bulbs, preventing aging and damage to their structure.
Vitamin A, an ingredient that improves the body's cell renewal cycle, accelerates and improves the regeneration of bulbs and increases their firmness.
Rice wax, which effectively protects eyelashes from damage. In addition, it increases shine, softens eyelashes, strengthens elasticity and conditions effectively.
Mineral pigment, a high-quality ingredient, which not only provides an excellent color to your eyelashes, but also regenerates, moisturizes and nourishes.
Which types exist and what are their differences?
Eye mascaras come in several types: stretching, volumizing, curving, waterproof and defining mascaras.
Stretching mascaras are more recommended for those who have short or separate lashes, as it will extend the natural lashes. In addition, the mascara brush has dense bristles that allow the mascara to cover the lashes thickly and effectively, just like Smoky Stretch by Make Up For Ever.
Volume mascaras promote, as the name implies, volume to the lashes. A volumizing mascara defines the eyes for a natural or multilayered appearance for a more exuberant effect, such as BADgal Bang by Benefit.
Curved mascaras have a thicker consistency that helps to improve the natural movement of the eyelashes. With the curl of the lashes, the eyes appear larger. In addition, the curved shape of the brush helps polymers to curl eyelashes, just like Climax Mascara by NARS.
Waterproof mascaras have the advantage of being completely attached to the lashes, not coming out in contact with water, such as Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara by Too Faced. However, use this type of mascaras sparingly, as they can dry out your eyelashes.
Eyelash-defining mascaras provide volume and thickness, and spread evenly over each eyelash. These mascaras are made of strong pigments for color, film polymers for extra thickness and rayon or nylon fibers for extra length; for example, Ultra Tech Volume & Definition Mascara by KIKO.
What is the most used packaging format and what are the most frequent sizes?
Eyelash mascaras all have the same type of packaging, with the typical brush applicator. The design of your packages can be varied, from the most worked and exquisite, for example Roller Lash by Benefit, the simplest but elegant ones, like Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara by Marc Jacobs Beauty.
Their quantities can vary from 5ml to 20ml.
What to take into account when choosing an eye mascara?
Depending on your tastes, you should choose the eyelash mascara according to the effect you want, be it lengthening, giving more volume, separating, among others.
It is important to choose a mascara that contains some of the ingredients mentioned above, as they are effective and beneficial.
When choosing the color of your eyelash mascara, choose a color that matches your goals: if you prefer a more natural look and a more open look, choose black. In the case of working with more complex makeup, you can choose mascaras of different colors.
What are the recommendations for use and tips?
In order to improve your experience with the moisturizer, the most important, as mentioned earlier, is the choice of the product. That is, consider your goals and look for a product adapted to them.
Be careful with the movements you make to grab the product. That is, do not make back and forth movements with the brush in and out of the packaging, in an attempt to obtain more product, as this action will dry out the mascara, as it is pushing air into the tube. Just dip the brush once and, instead of pushing it to the bottom, make circular movements for the applicator to absorb the right amount of product.
Do not leave your mascara in damp places, to avoid the appearance of fungi, or in places with too much sun exposure, to prevent it from drying out.
In the application, choose to follow the natural direction of eyelash growth with zigzag movements, as this movement gives volume and curvature. In this way, it avoids smearing, staining and sticking the eyelashes.
When applying the first layer, let it dry and then apply the next layer, for a greater effect.
Finally, never share your mascara with anyone, otherwise you could get infections.
What are the pros and cons of using an eye mascara?
Eyelash mascaras can promote greater beauty of the look, but we must also take into account the disadvantages.
Mascaras can cause eyelashes to fall. This is because using the mascara daily without taking the appropriate measures to remove it, it can make the lashes brittle, resulting in a fall.
On the other hand, the eyelash mascara can add more volume, making them appear longer and fuller. Due to their pigmentation, the mascaras darken and define the lashes and promote a more open and beautiful look.
