We may consider ourselves experts in the field of beauty, yet we never run out of questions to ask. Because we know you have a lot of questions, we compiled a list most popular eye makeup questions and conducted research to respond to each one.
Makeup Questions about Mascara
1. What are the different types of mascara?
Mascara is generally a combination of soap, wax, or liquid along with color pigments designed to color the eyelashes. It’s all basically the same.
- Cake mascara made with a wax formula is first wetted with water, then applied with a brush. It is moderately water-resistant.
- Cream mascara, an aqueous emulsion, comes in a tube and is applied with a brush.
- Liquid mascara is similar to the cream type but generally comes in an automatic pencil-like container with a built-in brush-type applicator. It’s also more water-resistant than cake mascara.
- The new ‘lash extender’ mascara is liquid mascara with tiny synthetic fibers added. As the liquid evaporates, the fibers adhere to the wet lashes, appearing thicker and longer.
Modern mascara preparations generally do not damage the eyelashes or eye area. Only safe, insoluble color pigments (not dyes) are permitted in eye makeup.
2. Does mascara carry and health risks?
Mascara rarely produces allergic reactions. However, to guard against possible infections, no eye makeup should ever be loaned or borrowed.
Makeup Questions about Waterproof Eyeliner
1. What is waterproof eyeliner?
There are two categories of waterproof cosmetics:
- Those resist tears, moisture in the air, and sweat
- Those that resist all three of these plus ordinary soap and water
The second type requires some other means of removal. Again, this is no reflection on the safety of the product.
2. What’s the best way to remove waterproof eyeliner?
Makeup products resistant to soap and water generally can be removed with a solvent such as mineral oil or similar oils. Most facial cleansing creams, oils, lotions, and eye-make-up removers contain one or more of these solvents as basic ingredients. This is because so many of these products may effectively remove waterproof eye makeup.
All makeup products should be removed before sleeping to avoid skin problems arising from wearing excessive or oily cosmetics over extended periods. A special remover may be easier to use where makeup is not readily removed by soap and water.
It is doubtful that any eye makeup is completely waterproof. However, products advertised as waterproof generally remain in place longer than products that do not make this claim.
3. What are the ingredients of waterproof eyeliner?
In the simplest terms, many waterproof eye cosmetics are composed of either a pigmented waxy base dissolved in a volatile solvent or a pigment suspended in a gum or resin solution.
The latter is responsible for eyeliners that dry to a glossy finish and take on the plastic-like consistency that simply peels them off.
Makeup Questions about Eye-Cosmetic
1. Eye cosmetics health risks?
Regulations govern all cosmetics to be used around the eyes. Ingredients that may damage the eyes – certain dyes and colors – may not be used.
Because eyelids are easily irritated, eye makeup, particularly eyeliner, should be removed with care. Too frequent or harsh cleansing may irritate the lid surface. Eye makeup should not be removed and reapplied repeatedly in one session. If you are not satisfied with the initial application, it is advisable to either make do or remove the eye makeup completely and wait a few hours before reapplying.
The thin skin of the eyelids is particularly susceptible to contact dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) from various causes, particularly cosmetics. Allergic reactions near the eyes are often caused by cosmetic preparations designed for other body areas, especially hair preparations and nail polish. However, some people are allergic to eye makeup. If your skin becomes red, itchy, or swollen whenever an eye cosmetic is applied, you may be allergic to one or more ingredients in the product – and you should stop using it.
Sometimes an allergy is caused by ingredients used in only one cosmetics brand, and changing brands will solve the problem. Some products do not contain the ingredients most often responsible for allergic reactions. In a few cases, the use of eye makeup must be stopped altogether. If the reaction is severe, persistent, or recurrent, see a doctor for treatment.
2. Does Eye Makeup contain mercury?
Very small concentrations of mercury (less than 0.1%) in the form of phenylmercuric salts are used in these cosmetics as a preservative to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. There is no evidence that mercury from these products is absorbed through the skin into the body in harmful amounts.
In eye cosmetics, where no satisfactory substitute preservative exists, the risk of using the mercury compound is considered much less than using no preservatives. This is because one “built-in’ safety factor is that cosmetic eye preparations are used in small amounts and applied to limited areas of the body.
3. Wearing Eye Makeup with Contact Lenses?
Cosmetics can present problems for contact lenses if they get on the lens or into the eye. However, many problems can be eliminated if you follow these precautions:
- Apply cosmetics after inserting lenses.
- Avoid using an oily agent when lenses are being worn as it may adhere to the lenses and cause blurring of vision.
- Use cosmetics sparingly around the eyelids. Use only waterproof mascara. Do not use ‘lash-extender mascara because this contains tiny fibers that enter the eye and become trapped under the lens and cause discomfort.
- When hair spray is used, keep your eyes closed during application and for a few minutes afterward to allow the mist to settle out of the air.
- Do not use hand cream or lotion before inserting contacts. They will produce an oily film that may cloud the lenses.
Cosmetics can be removed from lenses by washing them with a commercial contact lens cleansing solution. If irritation develops, stop wearing the lenses and see your ophthalmologist.
Makeup Questions about False Eyelashes and Contact Lenses
1. Can a person who wears contact lenses safely wear false eyelashes?
It is safe to wear ordinary false eyelashes and contact lenses.
If allowed to come in contact with the lens, the glue used for the eyelashes does not permanently damage the lens. It can be removed by many of the lens cleaners now available.
Eyelash adhesive, like any foreign substance, can cause discomfort if it gets into the eyes. If irritation is excessive, wearing the lenses should be postponed until the patient’s doctor advises resumption of their use.
These were our list of top eye makeup questions. If you have more makeup questions like these, please leave a comment. We will get back to you.
