A cosmetic product applied to eyelashes to darken, thicken, lengthen, or define them. It typically comes in a tube with a brush applicator.
From Italian 'maschera' meaning mask, which came from Arabic 'maskharat' meaning buffoon or mockery. The cosmetic sense developed because early makeup was seen as creating a 'mask' or false appearance.
Ancient Egyptians made mascara from kohl, crocodile dung, and honey - quite different from today's formulas! The modern tube-and-brush applicator wasn't invented until 1917, revolutionizing how people applied eye makeup.
Cosmetics marketing heavily gendered mascara as feminine essential in mid-20th century; male cosmetic use remains stigmatized in many cultures despite historical gender-neutral use (kohl, kohaku historically worn by all genders).
Use 'mascara' as product name, not as gendered marker of femininity. Acknowledge cosmetics/grooming as personal choice across genders.
["eye makeup","cosmetic product"]
Women built cosmetics industry historically, including as chemists and entrepreneurs; cosmetics restriction to women is marketing invention, not tradition.
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