Canada (CAD)
France (EUR)
Germany (EUR)
Italia (EUR)
Spain (EUR)
UK (GBP)
by Nedysia4/11/2022
But how did the mascara history begin?
Its appearance dates back to the Egyptian era when it was nothing more than a dark powder mixed with waxes and fats that was applied to the eyes and eyelashes by both men and women, not only to enhance the look, but also to protect themselves from diseases and evil spirits. This practice was later followed by the ancient Romans.
The product as recognized today was born around in 1860 by Eugene Rimmel, French perfumer from whom the product will also inherit the name giving life to the Rimmel brand, which creates the very first prototype of Mascara using petroleum jelly and charcoal powder. It was an elongating and for the first time non-toxic product, contained in a small tin can along with a small toothbrush.
At the same time, in 1913 the chemist T.L. Williams also invented, for his sister Mabel, a compound of coal powder and petroleum jelly in gel. To use it, you had to wet the toothbrush by passing it on the dough, and then apply it directly to the eyelashes. Everything was commissioned to a drug manufacturer and in 1917 Williams began to produce cosmetics by founding Maybelline, a name inspired by his sister.
For the practical and comfortable packaging with tube with brush, we must thank Helena Rubinstein, founder of the homonymous company, who invented it in 1957.
Subsequently, a real competition began between the cosmetic companies that began to compete for the most innovative idea. In 1960 Revlon created the first colored mascara, available only in mauve and dark green colors, called Brush on Mascara. In 1971 Great Lush by Maybelline was born, one of the most loved and still sold mascaras today, with a water-based, transparent formulation with a smudge-proof finish and in a shocking pink package, while in 1988 Madonna was the testimonial to Max Factor for their No Color Mascara product.
Whether they are volumizing, curved, lengthening, waterproof, long-lasting, we really have all kinds and colors, even if the traditional black is the one that always goes for the most.
The proposals also vary according to the shape of the brushes, designed to maximize the results in the application:
First, remember that mascara should be applied to clean eyelashes, free of creams or powders, so we must foremost go to remove any residues.
The techniques are different and tend to change according to the type of effect you want to achieve. The ideal, as a first step, would be to comb the eyelashes in order to open and divide them.
If you want to achieve a full and volumizing effect it is necessary to perform zigzag movements on all eyelashes, starting from the root area to the tips, then moving towards the outer and inner corners of the eye. The procedure must be repeated if you want to obtain a more intense and even more volumizing effect. Generally this technique is not recommended with mascara too full-bodied and dense as you risk the lump effect.
The mascara can also be applied in the lower part, keeping the brush vertically, especially if they are short, and we want to give a drama or Twiggy effect, made famous by the model Twiggy Lawson testimonial of this trend in the 60s.
Speaking of colors, what goes for the most is without a doubt black, although brown can be used during the day to give a little volume without weighing down the look too much.
If you are lucky enough to have long and thick eyelashes, or if you have done a lamination treatment, you can use a transparent mascara to have a completely natural look, while if you want to dare or for particular events you can also focus on colored mascara.
Mascara is short-lived and should be replaced frequently.
The important thing is to always pay attention to proper storage and changes in texture and smell, because let's always remember that we apply it in a very sensitive part of our body.
A fundamental role in the choice of a mascara lies in the brush. Experts say that it is as essential as the composition, perhaps even more so.
In fact, as far as the formulation of a mascara is concerned, it must be said that indicatively they all have the same formulation composed mainly of water, waxes, oils, emulsifiers, paraffin and pigments of different origin, to which other ingredients are then added such as polymers (able to curve, volumize and lengthen the eyelashes) and film-forming (for waterproof mascara) depending on the final effect.
Unlike organic or natural mascaras, which instead have a natural composition that is mainly based on mixes of beeswax, carnauba wax, flower extracts, oils (argan or castor) and other ingredients with nourishing, regenerating and strengthening properties.
For this reason, in fact, it lies the good application of a mascara.
Among the different types at our disposal there are: silicone that helps to separate and better reach the eyelashes, especially if short, stretching them, plastic used for volumizing mascaras, hourglass to lift and curl the eyelashes, tapered (narrow at the end) suitable for everyone, designed to stretch, increase the volume and bend the eyelashes to the outer corner. For shorter eyelashes you need a mascara with brush with shorter bristles or silicone, but if the eyelashes do not have volume it serves with longer bristles.
The thick brush, with long or short bristles, distributed on a wide base, is suitable for lengthening the eyelashes and giving a uniform application with a few passes. Finally, the arched one capable of capturing multiple eyelashes, applying the same amount of product on all and curving them at the same time. But the list is still long: there are an infinite number of products capable of satisfying your every desire.
Another valuable ally is the much feared eyelash curlerIt looks like a real instrument of torture, but it must be recognized that when you use it the effect is seen.
It is useful for those who want well-folded eyelashes and to open the gaze in the case of long and thick eyelashes, but for thin and short eyelashes it can help but not work miracles.
Furthermore, it should preferably be used on make-up remover eyelashes, as using it on make-up eyelashes risks breaking them, and you must always make sure that it is clean before use. We do not recommend the practice of heating the eyelash curler with the hair dryer before use; this is a practice that should be avoided to avoid burn and especially if you are a beginner.
To use it you have to rest the eyelid on the metal part and place the part with the rubber pads between the upper eyelashes almost reaching the base, then press gently for a few seconds doing a little pressure. If necessary, repeat the operation in several places, in this way a curve upwards is favored.
The fundamental thing is to always use it correctly and gently.
