“If you think there is no such thing as a magic wand you’ve clearly never used mascara”

MASCARA

TYPES

Mascaras is either water proof or non-water resistant.

  • Waterproof mascara is made from various waxes, pigments, and film-forming polymers. This is good for all-day affairs where you expect to sweat or tear up. It can only be removed with special makeup removers, so make sure you always have one.

  • Non-water resistant mascara has no add-ons; it may easily run when wet or moist. It is easier to remove, but it seldom lasts more than three hours. A non-water resistant mascara is best during short affairs such as shows and parties. When using one, always bring a container with you for touchups.

 

FORMULATIONS

  • Cream mascara has a thick, semi-solid consistency. Although it is the heaviest type of mascara, it also has the strongest hold, which is ideal for all-day makeup. This type best suits women who have fine, limp lashes that need extra shape definition.

  • Liquid mascara is usually darker when applied. The applicator used for this type of mascara is usually lighter and thinner, which helps prevent dripping. For lashes that are light-colored or thick and well-shaped, it is best to use a liquid mascara.

  • Cake mascara is in pressed powder form, much like a foundation or blush. They come in a wider range of shades– some are even dusted with glitter to give your eyes more accent. You can use a cake mascara alone, however, it may also be used as finishing touches after putting on cream or liquid mascaras.

 

SHELF LIFE / EXPIRATION
3 to 6 months

  • With every use, bacteria seeps into the tube from the mascara wand/brush.

  • Expired mascara can cause serious eye infection so time to toss it after 6 months.

  • Organic mascara products expire quicker.

  • It is recommended to dispose of mascara after 3 months or as soon as it starts to dry out, gets clumpy or smells weird, toss it out!

  • Using old mascara can cause infections such as pink eye, due to the bacteria that is spread between the mascara wand and your eye.

  • Remember to remove yesterday’s mascaras before applying new coats. By leaving old dried mascara on your eyelashes, you can transfer it back into the tube.

  • Leaving the mascara tube not closed tightly or pumping the wand in and out can dry it out, shortening its lifespan.

  • Do not share mascara! This is a guaranteed way to spread germs. If you have to share, use disposable applicators and no double-dipping!

 

MAINTENANCE

Wand / Brush – There are a number of beauty blogs that encourage you to clean your mascara wands on a regular basis, however there is a transfer of bacteria with each use and with the short shelf life of mascara, it is better to dispose of in 3 to 6 months than risk an eye infection.

 

TIPS TO EXTEND

  • If you find that your mascaras are clumping up before their three month mark, here are some ideas to try to make your mascaras last longer:

    • Look for mascaras with thin brushes – less air will get into the tube. Air entering the tube will dry out the liquid.

    • You can extend the lifespan of a tube of mascara by adding 4 to 5 drops of saline solution to it. This will re-moisten the formula, allowing you to continue using it until it dries out again.

    • Avoid pumping the wand of mascaras as this will entrap air in the tube. Gently twist the wand into the tube.

 

INGREDIENTS

Despite the many variations, all formulas contain the same basic elements: pigmentation, oils, and waxes.

  • Pigmentation

    • Black mascara is similar to the pigmentation used by the Egyptians and Victorian women. Carbon black, instead of soot or ash, is used.

    • Brown mascaras typically color by use of iron oxides though the specific compounds are unique to each brand. In some mascaras, an additional pigment of ultramarine blue is added.

  • Oils

    • There is a great deal more leeway and variety among the oils used. Different mineral oils, linseed oil, castor oil, eucalyptus oil, lanolin, and oil of turpentine can be found most frequently among the many formulas. Sesame oil is also commonly used.

  • Waxes

    • Waxes usually found in mascara are paraffin wax, carnauba wax, and beeswax.

  •  Ingredient Note about Type

    • Water-resistant mascaras have basis in substances that rebuff water, like dodecane.

    • Non water-resistant mascaras have base ingredients that are water-soluble.

 

MANUFACTURING

There are two main types of mascara currently manufactured. One type is called anhydrous, meaning it contains no water. The second type is made with a lotion base, and is manufactured by the emulsion method.

  • Anhydrous — In this method, all waxes, oils, and pigments are mixed, heated, and agitated simultaneously in formulated ratios, creating a semi-solid substance that is ready to be packaged, shipped, and sold.

  • Emulsion — This method also creates a semi-solid substance, but the process is very different. In this method, water and thickeners are first combined. Separately, waxes and emulsifiers (substances used to keep liquids from separating) are mixed and heated.

Pigment is then added individually to both mixtures, which is then agitated in a homogenizer. After the mascara solution has cooled, it is moved to a filling machine, which pumps a measured amount of the mascara into glass or plastic mascara bottles. The bottles are usually capped by hand. Samples are then removed for inspection, and rest are prepared for distribution.

 

CONTAINER

  • Plastic Tube

  • Glass Tube

  • Wand

 

PACKAGING

Most drugstore mascaras are packaged in plastic on thin sheets of cardboard, but other higher end mascaras are sometimes packaged in boxes made from similar materials.

  • Laminated paper is NOT recyclable. Therefore, it’s important to use laminated paper sparingly and to re-use it as much as possible before discarding it. Paper and plastic cannot be recycled once mixed together because water is used to break down paper and heat is used to break down plastic.

  • Plastic

  • Cardboard

  • Store Bag

  • Only Buy From brands with programs that support recycling and sustainability.

 

BRANDS WITH RECYCLING PROGRAMS

 

RECYCLING PROGRAMS

 

DIY  |  REUSE IDEAS

  • Eyebrow Brush – After thoroughly cleaning, you can reuse the mascara brush as an eyebrow brush.

  • Perfume Container – After thoroughly cleaning, reuse by filling with your perfume as a refillable perfume container for travel or in your gym bag.

 

FUN FACTS

  • A tube of Maybelline’s iconic Great Lash mascara is sold about once every second somewhere in the world. Imagine how many tubes of all the brands of mascara are sold each day!

  • Mascara is one of the most ancient cosmetics known, having been used in Egypt possibly as early as 4000 B.C. Egyptians used a substance called kohl to darken their lashes, eyebrows, and eyelids. The Babylonians and ancient Greeks also used black eye cosmetics, as did the later Romans.

  • The mascara wand wasn’t invented until the early 1960s. Early mascara usually took the form of a pressed cake and was applied with a wetted brush.

 

 

REFERENCES