Mascara
From ArticleWorld
Mascara is a cosmetic product that is used to define, color and thicken one’s eyelashes.
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Forms of mascara
Mascara can come in three forms:
- Liquid.
- Cake.
- Cream.
It can be provided in a variety of formulas and a wide range of tints and colors. Mascara is available in both tube and wand applicators and application brushes can be straight or curved (to help curve one’s eyelashes) and feature fine or thick bristles, which may or may not contain rayon or nylon fibers.
Purpose
Mascara is used to thicken and lengthen lashes – and to make them uniform in color. It can be used on all eyelashes.
Danger
The United States Food and Drug Administration says that the most common cosmetic injury occurs when one scratches her eye while applying mascara. The danger in this scratch is that it can become infected and lead to corneal ulcers, eyelash loss or blindness.
Use
A mascara wand is hand-dipped into a tube of mascara and is used to apply mascara from the base of the lashes to the tips of the lashes. When applied only to the top lashes, one achieves a heavy lidded look, whereas when mascara is only applied to the bottom lashes it will widen the eyes.
It is essential to change mascara every few months (to prevent it from becoming clumpy and causing allergic reactions). It is also important to avoid leaving the wand out of the tube, which could result in mascara hardening and rendering the entire tube useless.
History
The Chemist T.L. Williams created mascara in 1913 for his sister Mabel. Early on, it was made from coal dust and Vaseline petroleum jelly. When he realized his sister liked the product, he developed a company, Maybelline (combining his sister’s name with “Vaseline”), to sell it through the mail. Maybelline went on to be come one of the leading cosmetics companies. In 1957, the modern tube-and-wand application method appeared, introduced by Helena Rubinstein.
Today, waterproof mascara is popular in that it does not clump and is allergy friendly. It is also easier to remove.