1. Chemistry of MascaraBy: Caylee Cantrell

2. What is mascara?Definition of Mascara-Mascara is a type of cosmetic applied to the eyelashes. It serves tothicken and define the eyelashes and may also color, lengthen, or curlthem, depending upon the type. Its usually sold as a liquid cosmetic in atube and applied with a round brush called a wand. However, cream andcake versions also exist.History of Mascara-Surprisingly mascara has been around sinceancient times. Even AncientEgyptians and Romans have been known tobe the first to ever use mascara. A sanskritcalled the Kama Sutra from the fourthcentury contains an eye makeup recipe thatthey used in the same way we continue to dotoday. 3. Main IngredientsIron OxideChromium OxideCarbon BlackBeeswax 4. Iron OxideIron oxides may have the chemical formula of FeO (IronII Oxide) or Fe2O3 (Iron III Oxide), depending on thecharge of the iron atoms. Balancing these compoundsbased on the charge of the atom is something that wehave learned to do in class this year.Iron Oxide is made through oxidation,something that we have also studied inclass. The oxidation occurs when the ironis exposed to the air. 5. Chromium OxideChromium (II) Oxide (CrO) is an inorganiccompound made up of oxygen and chromium. Thiscompound is made by heating chromium hydroxide(Cr(OH)3). Chromium oxide is a black powder until itcrystalizes in the rock salt structure and is used inmascara. 6. Carbon Black andBeeswaxCarbon Black (CH4) is also a fine black powderused in mascara. This compound is formed byincomplete combustions of hydrocarbons.Carbon black is not only used in mascara butalso things such as printer ink, tires, and manyrubber products.Beeswax (C15H31CO2C3H61) is a big ingredientis mascara as well. Beeswax is made up ofalkyl esters and carbohydrates such asglucose and sucrose. 7. ChemistryAnother way that chemistry ties into mascara is the waythat there are two types of mascara.Mascaras that are hydrophilic, which are soluble inwater, are not water proof. These types of mascara haveweak hydrogen bonds.The other type of mascara is hydrophobic whichmeans this type of mascara is waterproof. This type hasstrong hydrogen bonds and is non polar. 8. Works CitedKolberg, Rebecca. "The Chemistry of Cosmetics." World Book Student. World Book Student. Web. 11 Apr. 2013..Menlos Sun Server. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. .Ritter, Gina. "Common Mascara Ingredients." Wise Geek. Ed. Jenn Walker. Conjecture, 26 Jan. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. .