- The Many Faces Of Mascara
- By Natalie Katsman
After finding the right foundation
shade, choosing mascara is probably the next most challenging
beauty task. Sure, there are less color options, but quality
of the product is what will make the difference in the way you
look.
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Volume building, lengthening,
clump-free, hypoallergenic… Will your eyelashes look longer,
become curlier or fuller? Will the mascara go on smoothly without
clumps and stay on without flaking for many hours to come? In
other words, will it live up to the promise, or all these words
are nothing more than money-making tricks? In most cases, you
will know the answer only after you trade your hard earned money
for the little pretty tube.
Lengthening Mascaras
These usually do make your eyelashes
a tiny bit longer. This is achieved by the addition of ingredients
that build up on the tip of the lashes. Actually, any mascara
will visually lengthen the eyelashes. In most people (at least
those who feel they need mascara), the tips of eyelashes are
lighter and sometimes invisible. When you apply mascara, you
show off the real length of your eyelashes. What a nice surprise!
If that is still not enough, a lengthening mascara will help. |
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Volume Building Mascara
If you desire fuller lashes,
this is the kind of mascara you need. The effect is provided
by the higher concentration of waxes in the formula. They encapsulate
each lash, making it more prominent.
Waterproof Mascara
As the name suggests, waterproof
mascara stays intact even in contact with water. Synthetic polymers,
included in the formula, instantly freeze around each lash, creating
a water resistant barrier. There is a downside, though. Waterproof
mascaras usually make eyelashes pretty stiff. In addition, waterproof
mascara will rarely perform for more than 3 months, becoming
flaky afterwards. Choosing a mascara that is truly water resistant
can also be tricky, and the price is not always the true indicator
of quality.
Hypoallergenic Mascaras
Hypoallergenic mascaras are formulated
to reduce the odds of triggering an allergic reaction. Fragrances
are known to be the most aggressive allergy causing components
in cosmetics, so they are excluded from hypoallergenic formulas.
In some people, ingredients other than fragrances may create
problems. Testing is always a good idea to avoid puffy, itchy
and watery eyes. Apply a small amount of mascara to the back
of your ear. If the area does not get inflamed or itchy after
a few hours, the product is safe for the eyes.
Colorless Mascaras
Colorless mascaras are designed
for weak or damaged eyelashes, but healthy lashes will certainly
benefit as well. Sometimes these mascaras are made with vitamins,
vitamin B in particular, and plant extracts. They are used as
a base coat under color mascara to add length, thickness and
volume. In addition, they are great to shape your eyebrows.
Do you need all the different
kinds of mascaras? Of course, not. These days, manufacturers
try to combine several features in one tube. However, it is difficult
to be perfect all around. A mascara may perform better adding
length, but not so good at building volume, or vice versa. It
may resist water well, but won’t curl as expected. And who
needs the perfect curl if it can’t provide the water resistance
you need?
Try and error method is probably
the only sure way to find a mascara that is right for you and
for your eyes, but it may become expensive. Don’t despair.
Look at it from another angle: with the ever-changing variety
of products, search for the perfect mascara will never be boring. |
Beauty Secrets of the World
