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The age-old question of “is waterproof mascara actually waterproof?” has rarely been
tested and answered until now. However, articles have been written about the topic of waterproof
mascara such as an article written for Refinery29. (Brillson & Bromley, 2012). The main
experiment is that the high end waterproof mascara would be the most waterproof out of all of
the mascaras tested and that the low end waterproof mascara would be more waterproof than all
While testing the mascaras, the procedure went almost exactly how it was planned. Each
mascara was applied to three eyelashes, sprayed with water, dragged across a seperate piece of
copy paper, and the data was recorded. In total, there were four mascaras tested: two waterproof
mascaras and two normal mascaras. Each price range had two mascaras being tested, a normal
The mascaras differed vastly in streak length. The normal Covergirl mascara average
streak length was 13.3 cm and the waterproof Covergirl mascara average streak length was 18.3
cm. The normal Lancome mascara average streak length was 12 cm and the waterproof version
was 4.7 cm. The high end waterproof mascara is more waterproof than all other mascaras tested.
The low end waterproof mascara was the least waterproof mascara of all tested.
This is beneficial information to know that this high end waterproof mascara is more
waterproof than the low end one. Testing these different mascaras for their waterproofness
ability is good information to have so that while purchasing mascaras, people will know some
On January 23, 2018 in a house in Atlanta, Georgia, testing the low end Covergirl
mascara began. When the testing began, two pairs of Ardell Natural Eyelashes were opened and
three eyelashes were placed on the back of a white board calendar. All of the Ardell eyelashes
used were the 110 Black Natural Lashes. After that, the Covergirl LashBlast Volume mascara
and the waterproof version of the same one were opened. Both Covergirl mascaras and both
Lancome mascaras were consistent in color, all being black. Then, the Covergirl LashBlast
Volume Mascara was applied to each of the three eyelashes on the back of the white board. Two
coats of mascara were applied on the underside of the eyelashes. After that, the timer on an
iPhone 6s was set 2 minutes the eyelashes sat for two minutes. When the timer went off, each
eyelash was sprayed two times with a spray bottle (an old rinsed out TreSemme hairspray bottle)
of room temperature tap water. One at a time, each eyelash was picked up and was placed on a
sheet of copy paper so that the side the mascara was applied to was face down on the paper. A
Q-Tip was used to drag it the full length of the 8.5 x 11 copy paper. The distance across the piece
of the paper that the mascara made a mark on is called the streak length. This was done for the
remainder of the eyelashes. Once this was finished, the eyelash was stuck on the paper and each
paper was labeled with the trial number and the length the mascara was on the paper. The length
of each streak of mascara was recorded on a MacBook Air laptop. Pictures were taken and the
On February 4th, 2018 these measures were repeated with the two high end Lancome
Grandiose Wide Angle Fan Effect waterproof and normal mascaras. These two mascaras were
tested on the floor of the kitchen instead of the back of the white board. The procedure was done
The materials from this experiment are currently in a closet on the shelf and have not
All of the mascaras tested averaged different numbers for the streak length. The normal
Covergirl Lash Blast mascara averaged 13.3 cm, and the waterproof Covergirl Lash Blast
mascara 18.3 cm. The normal Lancome Grandiose Wide Angle Fan Effect mascara averaged 12
cm, and the waterproof Lancome mascara averaged 4.7 cm. The normal Lancome Grandiose
Wide Angle Fan Effect mascara markings were lighter than the normal Covergirl Lash Blast
The average length across a piece of paper was the longest for the Covergirl Lash Blast Volume
Waterproof mascara (18.3 cm, sd=11.6), the next longest for the Covergirl Lash Blast Volume
Mascara (13.333, sd= 3.329), then the Lancome Grandiose Wide Angle Fan Effect Mascara (12
cm, sd= 6.6) and finally the Waterproof Lancome Grandiose Wide Angle Fan Effect Mascara
(4.6 cm, sd= 5.5). Each mascara was tested three times. It was applied to three fake eyelashes,
each of which was tested once.
Claims
The data of the waterproof and normal high and low end mascaras showed that the high
end waterproof mascara is more waterproof than the other types of mascara tested.The average
length across a piece of paper was the longest for the Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof
mascara (18.3 cm, sd=11.6), the next longest for the Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara (13.3
cm, sd= 3.3), then the Lancome Grandiose Wide Angle Fan Effect Mascara (12 cm, sd= 6.6) and
finally the Waterproof Lancome Grandiose Wide Angle Fan Effect Mascara (4.7 cm, sd= 5.5).
The hypothesis was partially correct because the waterproof Lancome mascara was more
Contrary to expectations, the low end waterproof mascara was the least waterproof of all
of them. It was believed that the low end waterproof mascara would be more waterproof than all
other mascaras tested except for the high end waterproof mascara. That is not what ended up
happening.
Discussion
The data does not completely support the hypothesis written. The data showed that the
waterproof Covergirl mascara was the least waterproof, followed by the normal Lancome
mascara, then the normal Covergirl mascara, and finally the waterproof Lancome mascara. The
hypothesis was based off of an experiment conducted where the waterproofness of mascara was
tested (A proposal of a standardized, 2016). In this experiment, 20 pairs off false eyelashes were
used. The mascara and eyeliner was applied and the eyelashes were then dunked in water. The
eyelashes were given twenty minutes to sit and dry. The results were determined to the scale of
greater than or less than 50% waterproof removal ratio (WPR). The waterproof mascara was
<50% which makes it waterproof and the normal mascara was >50% which makes in non
waterproof.
The Lancome waterproof mascara was expected to be the most waterproof and it was.
The Lancome normal mascara was expected to be the next most waterproof, but it came in third.
There is a big difference between these two Lancome products, a 10.5 cm difference in
averages.. The Covergirl normal mascara was the second most waterproof. The Covergirl
waterproof mascara may have been the least waterproof due to a product mix up at the factory or
a change of ingredients in the product that did not work out. The waterproof Covergirl mascara
has Tall Oil Glycerides and Pentaerythrityl Hydrogenated Rosinate which may have contributed
to the lack of waterproofness despite being designed to make the mascara more waterproof.
(Covergirl rep Phylicia, 2017). I could not find differences between the ingredients of the
Lancome Grandiose Mascara and the Waterproof Lancome Grandiose Mascara which is strange
forgotten. This may have changed the results slightly, but most likely did not. It was not thought
of to test the mascaras on the same day on the same surface with the exact same conditions. One
day, two of the mascaras were tested in a room where the fan may have been on which could
have dried them faster, therefore changing the results. The other day the experiment was
conducted, the two mascaras were tested in the kitchen without a fan.
Dragging the eyelash with the mascara on it after it had been sprayed and sat for two
minutes across a piece of paper did not seem like the best possible method because the eyelash
would stick to the paper. However, there did not seem to be any alternative way to test them
successfully. Immersing the eyelashes in water and then testing the mascara a different way is a
better idea. Using a natural mascara and waterproof version of the natural mascara as well would
be ideal to see how the ingredients work differently and if the ingredients matter in the way the
mascara works. Having more trials and more mascaras would show the differing of ingredients
and would show the way different price range mascaras work.
Makeup fans would love to know this information before investing in a mascara. Once
someone learns this information, it may spark their interest in makeup science, which would be
an interesting career choice Also, this could prevent someone from buying a mascara that does
not work. People who wear makeup know that makeup can be expensive, so researching a
product before buying it is always a good idea.Waterproof mascara is a popular topic, and there
is information about it on Refinery 29 (Brillson & Bromley, 2012). According to Natalie from
Gee Beauty, when seeking a mascara it is important to determine where it will be worn so that
the best possible one is selected. For example, go waterproof if you are attending a long event, a
sporting event, or if you have allergies so it will not run. Knowing what conditions to wear
normal mascara under and when to wear waterproof mascara is important to some people.
If a follow up experiment with unlimited money, time, and resources was available,
testing the waterproofness of eyeliners would be interesting. Testing more mascaras of different
value, such as a $1 dollar store mascara and an expensive designer mascara would be interesting
as well. Also, testing how these mascaras actually wear from day to day. For that, there would
need to be another way to test the amount of mascara that comes off. It would be interesting to
find out if the results would be different on actual eyelashes being worn all day than on false
Phylicia from Covergirl responded to my request for information about the Covergirl Lash Blast
Mascara.
b) (1-2 sentences) Relevance: Why does anyone care/how is it relevant to real life?
There should be APA-style parenthetical citations for b) and c). Click here for formatting
guide and examples.
6. Baseline control
The baseline control provides a baseline of data that you compare your results to.
Baseline/comparison control I am going to test multiple mascaras for their waterproofness.
(what are you comparing your The baseline control will be false eyelashes without mascara.
results to?)
7. Hypothesis
This should be a testable statement that indicates the IV, DV, and usually baseline control.
It should be concise and clear.
The high end waterproof mascara will be more waterproof than the high end normal mascara, low
end waterproof mascara, and the non waterproof mascara. The low end waterproof mascara will
be more waterproof than the low end normal and high end normal mascara, but not the high end
waterproof mascara.
8. Other variables
What might interfere with your results, and what can you do about it?
You need to do your best to ensure that only the variable you are testing (IV) is responsible
for your results.
a. One way to do this is to be sure that a variable is the same for all your test groups.
These are called standardized variables.
b. Another way to ensure something is not interfering with results is to test it. This
would be a control group.
c. Sometimes it is not possible or feasible to eliminate the effects of a variable. These
are called extraneous variables. You need to identify these, and acknowledge their
possible impact when you analyze your data.
In the table below, list variables and factors that you want to ensure do not interfere with
your results. Indicate if it is a standardized variable, control group, or extraneous variable.
Add as many rows as you need.
What is the What will you do about it? Is it a standardized
problem? variable, control group,
(the variable) or extraneous variable?
Coats of Apply a certain amount of coats per each eyelashes, Standardized variable
mascara even if they look different. I will try to use the same
applied/force level of force when applying the mascara.
Temperature I can take the temperature of the water every time Standardized variable
of water before I test the mascara.
Type of I will use the same brand and style of lashes every Standardized variable
eyelashes time
9. Robust results:
To generate meaningful results, you need to test many subjects and/or repeat your test
several times. Indicate below your plans for each, as applicable for your project:
Add as many rows as needed.
Sample size 3 different pairs of eyelashes per mascara.
(number of subjects)
Repeated measures
(how many times is the I am going to test each mascara 3 times.
test repeated?)
9. Subjects:
Who or what will you test? Do you need permission or help to use them?
If your project does not have living test subjects, write “none” below.
Add as many rows as needed.
Test subjects Help or permission from whom?
None None
10. Ethics:
Please put an x in the appropriate space below and complete the instructions that apply to
you:
I am testing people. I have completed the human subjects [link to your completed
ethics form (paste the link in this table, in column to the form here. Be sure it is in
right) your Biology folder]
11. Safety:
If you are handling any potentially hazardous materials or tools, list them below and
indicate the safety precautions you plan to take. Add as many rows as needed.
If you are not using any potentially hazardous materials, write “none” below.
material Safety precautions
None None
12. Materials:
If you will need to acquire materials for your experiment (not for the display board), fill in
this table. Add as many rows as needed.
material where are you going to get it from? Approximate cost
My house
1. First of all, I am going to take out six eyelashes and put them on the counter.
2. Take out the Covergirl LashBlast Volume mascara and the Covergirl LashBlast Volume
Waterproof mascara.
3. Apply two coats of Covergirl LashBlast Volume mascara to the three Ardell natural
eyelashes.
4. Leave the mascara on the false eyelashes for 2 minutes.
5. Spray the eyelashes with water two times on each eyelash.
6. Wipe the eyelashes with a q-tip the distance of a piece of paper.
7. Record the amount of mascara on the paper by taking a picture of it with my iPhone and
recording the distance it goes. Measure in centimeters and keep the papers.
8. Repeat this process steps #3-#7 but this time, apply two coats of the Covergirl LashBlast
Volume Waterproof mascara to the other three Ardell natural eyelashes.
9. Repeat this process with the Lancome Grandiose Wide-Angle Fan Effect Mascara and the
Lancome Grandiose Waterproof Mascara.
10. After this, I will record the data in my data table.
8 9
Proposals
should be
approved
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 Test 24 Test 25 26 27
drugstore expensive
mascaras mascaras
and put
data in
chart
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12
Data is due
https://docs.google.com/a/gallowayschool.org/spreadsheets/d/17zh3z5eNo-8R7bUqxe-L91c6k6dm
AGR3kILGo6SctWM/edit?usp=sharing
17. References:
Put annotated APA citations below for any works referenced in this proposal.
Annotated means you include 1) the type of source, 2) how you found it, and 3) a
meaningful sentence or two for each element of the CRAAP test. This annotation is the same
as what you did for the citations/annotations assignment.
385308D642B64BE3PQ/1?accountid=487
1. Academic Journal
3. CRAAP
with mascara.
International Journal of
Trichology.
supported by evidence.
Purpose- The purpose of this is to let people know about how mascara can make one’s
Brillson, L., & Bromley, S. (2012, April 26). All you need to know about
http://www.refinery29.com/waterproof-mascara-guide#slide-2
1. Website
3. CRAAP
ago.
Authority- There are two co-authors and they do not seem to have
Beauty. There is no proof this information is true. She seems to be involved in the beauty
industry and her statements about waterproof mascara are not too scientifical, but are more broad
Purpose- This article does not seem too opinionated and the point
Averill, L. (2015, January 5). Is mascara dangerous? I talked to a medical expert to find out.
https://www.bustle.com/articles/56351-is-mascara-dangerous-i-talked-to-a-medical-expert-to-fin
d-out
Brillson, L., & Bromley, S. (2012, April 26). All you need to know about waterproof
http://www.refinery29.com/waterproof-mascara-guide#slide-2
Dautaj, J. (n.d.). How does waterproof mascara work? Retrieved from lovetoknow
website: http://makeup.lovetoknow.com/How_Does_Waterproof_Mascara_Work
Kadri, R., Achar, A., Tantry, T., Parameshwar, D., Kudva, A., & Hegde, S. (2013).
https://search.proquest.com/docview/1495922885?accountid=4879
Parabens in cosmetics. (2016, October 5). Retrieved October 23, 2017, from FDA
website: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/productsingredients/ingredients/ucm128042.htm
Phylicia. (2017, September 29). [Personal interview by the author].
Kim, M., Seo, Y., Boo, Y., & Koh, J. (2016, January). A proposal of a
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=mascara+immersed
Riordan, T. (2004). Inventing Beauty. New York City, NY: Broadway Books.
TARTE Lights, Camera, Lashes™ 4-in-1 Mascara. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2017, from
What makes mascara waterproof? (2009, February 25). Retrieved October 23, 2017, from
Popsugar website:
https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/What-Makes-Mascara-Waterproof-2804912