Mascara Deborah Blumenthal Summary

This document is an article written about mascara hazards in 1985 by Deborah Blumenthal. Blumenthal is a registered nutritionist who writes on topics such as health and beauty. In this article, Blumenthal details the dangers of mascara and its application, while suggesting ways for women to wear mascara safely. Blumenthal was writing in an era where heavy eye makeup was the look women were striving to achieve. Beauty in the 1980s was centered around maximalism. Makeup looks involved bold eyeshadow, heavy eyeliner, and of course heavy mascara. As Blumenthal writes, “more than two-thirds” of American women use mascara. Experimentation and heavy makeup departed from the natural look women aimed for in past decades. Beauty trends seemed contrary
Since people were consuming more products, makeup trends shifting away from minimalism to maximalism was an adjustment to fit the culture. Women’s increased usage of makeup products is a product of an over-consumerist culture. Bluemanthal’s concerns about mascara indicate her reaction to women’s overuse of mascara, brought on by a culture of over-consumerism and materialism. While many embraced the maximalist trends, some preferred a more simple conservative look. Throughout the article, Blumenthal lists the problems with mascara. The severity of these problems ranged from mere irritation to infections and blindness. Blumenthal advises women to completely remove their makeup and avoid certain mascaras if the person is a contact wearer. Blumenthal’s tone implies she favors a more conservative look. Blumenthal includes remarks from Dr. Siegel, an ophthalmologist. Dr. Siegel’s remarks that if women could see what he sees under a microscope, they would apply less mascara. He says they “do it so casually.” Bluemanthal’s inclusion of Dr. Siegel’s perspective reveals her conservative notions of