Mascara –Types of Mascara, its benefits, and side effects

What is Mascara?

Mascara is a beauty-enhancing product that comes in a cosmetic range of products available over the counter. Mascara is a product that has to be applied on the eyelashes with a wand provided with the product; one can buy both things separately, too. The use of mascara is to make eyelashes dense, darker, fuller, and lush, which is the primary requirement for a beautiful eye look.

With eyelashes, mascara can also be applied on brows, which is a different product, but some companies manufacture mascara, which can be applied on both eyelashes and eyebrows. Eyelash and eyebrow growth have become common issues for decades, with unhealthy lifestyles and environmental issues. In this scenario, mascara can be a great solution, though temporary, but it can give a feeling of completion and confidence to an extent.

What is mascara made out of?

Mascara is a mix of multiple ingredients that include both chemical, natural, and nutrition-based ingredients. Generally, all types of mascara have below-mentioned ingredients.

• Castor oil – castor oil is added to the mascara at the time of manufacturing to make it work like a hydration element. Mascara with castor oil will not let the lashes dry out and fall as it moisturizes them continuously. At the same time, it gives thickness and shine to the lashes.

• Paraffin wax – the work of paraffin wax is to make mascara water resistant as it is a wax and it passes the water without absorbing it.

• Beeswax – it is derived from honeycombs and works to improve thickness and stiffen lashes for better results.  

• Flora wax – Flora wax is used in the mascara to coat and, through that protect eyelashes so they don’t get damaged and fall.

• Carnauba wax – To make mascara thick without making it hard carnauba wax is added as an ingredient in many types of mascara available in the market.

• Glycerin – The quality of glycerine sticks to the lashes and smoothens it, thus, it is added in the many mascara products.

• Carbon black – to give darkness and thicken, carbon black in the powder form is added to the mascara.

• Iron oxide – other than carbon black, many manufacturers add iron oxide to the mascara, which makes lashes dark and thick.

• Lanolin – with its moisture, lanolin makes lashes smooth and silky when applied. It is widely used in manufacturing mascara.   

• Mineral oil – viscousness is the nature of mineral oil and that is the core reason for it to be added in the mascara.

• Nylon microfibers – fiber mascara is a type of mascara that has nylon microfibers in it to give it a longer look and show volume.

Waterproof mascara ingredients (H3)

• Dimethicone copolyol – this ingredient gives your mascara a waterproof property and makes it smooth to enhance the lash look.

• Isododecane – it is a plasticizer that makes mascara spread better with the desired texture and gives lashes that beautiful look. It also provides a glossy look without feeling greasy.

• Cyclopentasiloxane – it helps the core element in the mascara to help enter the skin to work alongside work to give a smooth texture and spreadability.

Chemicals in mascara (H3)

• Parabens – parabens are added to the mascara to fight against bacteria and fungi but it is established that this chemical can increase the chances of cancer, infertility, and various skin diseases.

• PFAs – this chemical is used in mascara to increase its shelf-life but is also known for increasing infertility, skin issues, thyroid issues, and cancer.

• Thimerosal – it works in the mascara as a preservative and antiseptic, moreover, it has some amount of mercury, which could lead to autism, as a few studies suggest.

• Shellac – it acts the same as the other chemicals to bind the composition of mascara and give it a glossy look. In many cases, eyelid dermatitis is due to a chemical called shellac, so use quality mascara only.   

Different types of mascara

The best types of mascara are available in the market to suit different needs of people, which are based on looks, skin type, skin sensitivity, age is a huge factor, and, of course, affordability. Based on the requirement of the user, the following types of mascara can be chosen:

Tubing mascara

What is Tubing mascara? If you are wondering, the simple answer would be it is mascara that creates a tube-like layer on each of your eyelashes to make it look longer and thicker.

Fiber mascara

It is a mascara that uses fiber in small sizes that make lashes look longer, giving them a curve, which is made with rayon or silk materials.

Lengthening mascara

As the name suggests, it is for the lengthening of lashes; many of this type of mascara is based on fiber and tube coating.  

Volumising mascara

To showcase the volume, this mascara is used so eyelashes look dense.

Curling mascara

To give a curling look, this mascara is used which keeps the lashes up and makes the eyes look bigger and more beautiful.

Waterproof mascara

There are many types of waterproof mascara that will not come off in moisture environment or in the water. It will stay put in a bit of rain as well.

Non-clumping mascara

If someone wants each eyelash to look separate, then non-clumping mascara is the product for them.

Mascara primer

Mascara primer is to be applied as a base coat on which different mascara should be applied. Its work is to act like glue on which mascara of your choice will stick for hours. At the same time, it will give a much-needed straightness and shine to the lashes.  

Mascara for sensitive eyes

There are many types of mascara for sensitive eyes, as these types of eyes require special treatment. If normal mascara is applied, it will create irritation, itching, redness, and many other side effects. Hence, mascara for sensitive eyes was created that doesn’t have heavy chemicals in it like paraben, PFAs, and others.

Best mascara for sensitive eyes has ingredients based on nutrition and natural products like castor and other oils, aloe vera, green tea, etc. If you don’t have mascara for sensitive eyes and have to apply normal one, only apply on the tip of the eyelashes and make sure you don’t touch the eyelid so it won’t damage your skin in any way.

How to apply Mascara

There are some steps that should be followed while applying mascara; it will make the application easy and hassle-free.

Step 1: Clean your lashes

Step 2: Apply whatever makeup you want to on your eyes 

Step 3: Curl lashes

Step 4: Apply primer if you want to

Step 5: Choose the right brush from different types of mascara wands.

Step 6: Apply mascara on upper eyelashes from down to up

Step 7: Apply mascara on lower eyelashes from up to down

Step 8: Make the second coat by taking mascara on the wand if needed

Step 9: Carefully clean the extra smudges

Mascara for eyelash extensions

Mascara is available for eyelash extensions and it will enhance the look exponentially. A consumer has multiple options in the market for eyelash extension mascara. With a few quality checks and administrative care, you can have a model look with mascara for eyelash extension.

Quality checks

• Make sure of quality – use only known products with proven efficacy and great reviews.
• Oil-free mascara – Oil-free mascara is a must, otherwise, it damages the strength of the glue.
• Lengthening mascara – it won’t let the eyelash extension clump; it gives an appropriate length and model look.

A good brush is a must – make sure you choose a product that has a good quality brush among types of mascara brushes; it will not just spread the mascara smoothly on extension, but it will not damage the false and natural lash, increasing the age of eyelash extension.

Take care of extensions

• The first 48 hours are crucial; make sure they don’t get wet
• Regularly clean them
• Brushing is important
• Use quality makeup and administer it without damaging them
• Don’t use an extension curler
• Don’t sloop on the face

How long does mascara last

Mascara typically lasts for 3 to 6 months, but different products have different expiry dates. Ideally, one should stop using heavy mascara after the mentioned time frame, as the product will lose its efficacy. Many products start getting flaky, smell and dry out, and if you continue using them, they will create adverse effects on your lashes and even on your eyes. If the user doesn’t close the bottle properly or keep it under direct sunlight and moisture, the chances of it lasting are reduced.

Can you wear mascara with a lash lift?

Definitely, you can wear mascara if you have had a lash lift; it will enhance the look and be more effective. But there are some norms that need to be followed.

• Let the lash lift set for at least 48 hours  
• Do not use oil-based mascara
• Use water-based mascara
• Keep the treatment continue
• A quality mascara removal should be used

How to remove waterproof mascara

Removing waterproof mascara is absolutely important, and it should be done with proper administration using readymade products or household products. You can use mascara removal available in the market, baby shampoo, micellar, cold cream, and coconut oil. Removing waterproof mascara with these products will not damage your natural eyelashes or extensions.   

Is mascara bad for your eyelashes?

Too much of everything is bad; it is not just a saying, but it is a fact. Overdo of mascara will certainly be bad for your eyelashes, not just that it can permanently damage your natural eyelash growth and its cycle. When it comes to mascara as a product, the best mascara also will have some amount of chemicals. Some have ingredients that will not suit you for longer use, and that is why is mascara bad for your eyelashes. This type of use has to be avoided to keep having the natural eyelashes forever. 

Conclusion

Mascara is an important member of a woman’s makeup kit and it has been there since long. Without mascara a woman’s make will never be completed, even if she has the natural eyelashes. The only thing to remember while using mascara is to make sure of the product quality and administration. You can also use mascara with eyelash growth serum but with a few precautions, and it will give a model look to through your beauty on everyone.