The Many Faces Of Mascara

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.

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.

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.

About The Author

Natalie Katsman is a co-founder of http://www.natural-aid.com where you can find fine quality aloe vera products for beauty and well-being and subscribe to HealthySkin Newsletter filled with beauty tips, recipes and information on herbal healing, skin care and cosmetic chemistry.

---

Complexion Problems - Getting a Clear, Healthy Complexion

Most of us do. There are the few lucky people who have near-perfect skin tone and color, and who never break out with an acne blemish, and yet their skin stays perpetually moisture... Read More

Effective Make-up and Beauty Tips and Products: Dos and Donts, Avoid These Most Common Mistakes!

With the amount of importance given to make-up these days, many women just tend to do a bit too much. Getting the right make-up for the particular occasion is the call of the... Read More

Plastic Surgery - A Risky Business

When most of us think of plastic surgery, we contemplate the different things we would - or are going to - have done: that bump on the nose smoothed down, the perky boobs... Read More

Buying Home Whitening Kits like Whitestrips

Tired of stained, yellow teeth? Want to give yourself a beautiful, whiter smile? Then perhaps you have thought about at home teeth whitening kits. In January 2004, Consumer Reports wrote "Home kits do... Read More

Hair Styles - How To Get The Most Flattering Hair Style

Do you ever wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and just want to crawl back in bed because of the way your hair looks? We all have bad hair days,... Read More

Color Contact Lenses for Light Eyes - What Works Best?

You may ask why a person with naturally blue or green eyes would want to wear color contact lenses? One reason is to make the natural color look brighter and more defined. Another... Read More

Massive Weight Loss Causes Turkey Waddle for WLS Patients

A friend of mine who recently lost nearly 150 pounds after gastric bypass was sharing her excitement with an acquaintance. She was excited because all symptoms of her Type II Diabetes were gone... Read More

What Are Pigtails?

There really isn't a huge debate on this subject, but there are some differences of opinion. This article looks at some of the differing opinions related to pigtails hairstyle definition, attempts to find... Read More

Are You Happy With Your Hairdresser and Salon?

How many times in your life do you think you will go to a salon to get your hair cut or styled? Let's see, if you start when you're about 2 years old... Read More

The History Of Aviator Sunglasses

Have you ever wondered where those cool big lenses and signature frame originated from? Maybe you are a little curious as to how aviation shades have gotten so big in recent years?In this... Read More

Pierced Ear Problems and Solutions

The practice of ear piercing dates back to thousands of years ago. From jungle tribes to desert nomads to royalty, pierced ears were indicators of both beauty and social standing. Ear piercing is... Read More

Plastic Surgey: The New Beauty Norm?

This is a good topic to discuss especially now since the popularity of all the make-over shows. I have always been curious as to why people, mostly women, have this idea that they... Read More

Tanning Bed Pillows - A Great Addon to Your Tanning Bed Experience!

Remember the last time you were on a plain vanilla tanning bed trying hard to get a tan and feeling uncomfortable with the posture? Now you can say good bye to those times... Read More

Can You Get Fuller Breasts From Herbal Breast Enlargement Supplements?

There have, in very recent years, been a flood of breast enhancement and breast enlargement supplements put on the market. All of them make the same claims of being an effective and safe... Read More

Self Tanning - Tips for Getting the Best Results

Self tanning products are becoming more and more popular, many tanning salons offer a spray on tan, but many tanners still choose to get their self tan in the privacy of their own... Read More

How to Remove Dye From Hair

How to remove dye from hair which is designed to ... well, dye, change the color of, alter stuff. And it does it - very well.Trouble comes when it gets on places you... Read More

Help Prevent Wrinkles Through Dieting

How many times has your mother told you, you are what you eat? As you probably know, Mom knows best. So it's no surprise that what we feed our bodies does affect what... Read More

What is Botox and Whats the Use

Botox is an injectable substance that is a medical grade form of the botulinum toxin, most often used to soften and relax forehead/scowl lines as well as crows feet around the eye area.Botulin... Read More

Divine Food for Divine Beauty

Excerpted from the book "Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You" by Tonya Zavasta. The book is available at: http://www.beautifulonraw.com/html/righttobe.htmlThe... Read More

Beautiful Eyes

Beautiful skin care starts with what people notice first. Eyes are what others notice immediately; so start your skin care program eye-to-eye!Here are four major skin care issues related to eye care, work... Read More

Can You be TOO Feminine?

I have a client, I'll call Julie. She's a beautiful and fit woman that I'm working with on the phone. She's polite and sweet and extremely smart. I enjoy her immensely and she's... Read More

Cellulite Clinical Study results

A clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and benefits of Vital Science's Cellu-System products which consist of the following four items:Cellu-System Toning Tea Cellu-System Toning Capsules Cellu-System Toning Cream... Read More

Eczema: Getting the Facts

People from all walks of life and all ages live with eczema; however, it typically appears in infants. Also called contact dermatitis, eczema is actually a group of skin conditions. Although it may... Read More

Natural Prescription for Eczema

-Identify food allergies and eliminate the offending foods from you diet. Eggs, milk, cheese, chocolate, peanuts, soy, potatoes, and the glutens in wheat are common allergenic foods. It will take four to six... Read More

Why Switch to All Natural Cosmetics?

The human skin wraps and protects our bodies. It constitutes a living, dynamic tissue system. It has the remarkable ability to absorb applied products, partially or completely, into the bloodstream. In fact, up... Read More

Tanning Bed Supplies -- Addons that Really Count!

So you are getting on a tanning bed. What next??No tanning experience is complete without the use of the entire range of quality tanning bed supplies. In much the same you love a... Read More

Ten Low-Cost Ways to Look Good for Your Man (and for Yourself!)

Face it ladies; the reason you want to look nice is to attract the opposite sex. And let's also face the fact that most men do not even notice half the things you... Read More

The Perfect Sun Tanning Bed

The perfect sun tanning bed can mean different things to different people.The perfect sun tanning bed can be one found at the tanning salon. The perfect sun tanning bed could be the one... Read More

New Hair Styles for 2005 - Summer Hair Trend

A variety of hair styles, colors, and trends are growing in popularity for 2005. New hair styles for 2005 include hair of varying lengths, from curly and wavy to sleek and straight. Some... Read More