Ancient Egyptians were the first known to use mascara. They blended kohl with a mixture of ingredients such as copper, lead crocodile dung, burnt almonds and honey. Sticks of wood, bones and ivory were used as applicators. Believed eyes to be the windows of the soul Ancient Egyptians concealed them to ward off bad energy and evil spirits. Both Egyptian men and women wore mascara.
During the Victorian Era in the early 1800’s, castor oil and elderberry juice were believed to enhance lashes. In the late 18oo’s, petroleum jelly, the most prominent ingredient in mascara was patented. The first packaged cosmetic mascara, a blend of petroleum and black coal dust, was created in 1917 by Eugene Rimmel, the founder of Maybelline Cosmetics.
In the 1930’s, due to lack of cosmetic regulation standards, many women were left blind due to lash dyes containing aniline. Only a few years later, with the arrival of fast drying waterproof mascara containing 50% turpentine, women were able to stay chic longer. However, this mascara had an unbearable smell and caused some allergic reactions. In the 1950’s, synthetic formulas finally replaced the petroleum base used in most mascara formulas.
Today, state of the art technology and fierce competition push cosmetic companies to consistently reformulate their products till that perfect mascara is bottled. Women can purchase their ideal mascara depending on their particular lash needs and their budget!
www.fashionmagazine.com August 2007
During the Victorian Era in the early 1800’s, castor oil and elderberry juice were believed to enhance lashes. In the late 18oo’s, petroleum jelly, the most prominent ingredient in mascara was patented. The first packaged cosmetic mascara, a blend of petroleum and black coal dust, was created in 1917 by Eugene Rimmel, the founder of Maybelline Cosmetics.
In the 1930’s, due to lack of cosmetic regulation standards, many women were left blind due to lash dyes containing aniline. Only a few years later, with the arrival of fast drying waterproof mascara containing 50% turpentine, women were able to stay chic longer. However, this mascara had an unbearable smell and caused some allergic reactions. In the 1950’s, synthetic formulas finally replaced the petroleum base used in most mascara formulas.
Today, state of the art technology and fierce competition push cosmetic companies to consistently reformulate their products till that perfect mascara is bottled. Women can purchase their ideal mascara depending on their particular lash needs and their budget!
www.fashionmagazine.com August 2007
