2-2 Activity Topic Introduction

Southern New Hampshire University

November 6, 2022

The cosmetic industry is a billion-dollar industry with a long and complicated history. Its roots can be traced back to Ancient Greece when women would use natural ingredients to beautify themselves. Over time, the industry grew and changed, and today, cosmetic products are widely available and used by people of all ages (Sickler, 2022). One popular cosmetic product that is widely used is mascara. Mascara is used to making the eyes look larger and more open, and it can also be used to create a false lash effect. Mascara is available in a variety of colors, and it can be used to create a variety of looks.

Mascara represents a popular culture that is popular with women. The population that engages with this area of popular culture is typically women. The mascara industry is marketed to women and typically contains products that are designed to enhance the appearance of the eyelashes. The larger global society has impacted mascara in a few ways. For one, the popularity of natural beauty products has led to an increase in the use of natural mascara formulas. Mascara has also been impacted by popular culture. For example, the rise of the “big eye” look in the 1990s saw an increase in the popularity of volumizing mascaras (Bazaar, 2020).

Additionally, the trend for fuller and darker eyelashes has led to the development of more intense mascaras that can create a more dramatic look. One reason that cosmetics became something so associated with women is that women have traditionally been more concerned about their looks than men. Women have been socialized to care about their appearance, and they have been taught to believe that their looks are important (Britton, 20212). The general education interdisciplinary lens for analyzing mascara and the cosmetic industry was easy to choose because it is a lens that I have been interested in for a while. Additionally, this lens allows for a more in-depth analysis of the topic than the other lenses that were available.

However, I would have liked to have had more lenses available to choose from to explore different aspects of the cosmetic industry. Mascara is commonly used in the cosmetic industry and is often seen as a necessary part of everyday life. The population is growing increasingly interested in the cosmetic industry and its products, which in turn has led to an increase in the sale of mascara. Societal situations such as the high rates of female unemployment and the rise of unrealistic beauty standards have led more women to turn to mascara as a means of improving their appearance. The use of a general education interdisciplinary lens allows for a more in-depth understanding of the ways in which mascara has been used and abused throughout history.

Reference

Mascara and Its Impact on Society

Jennifer Moore

Southern New Hampshire University

IDS-400 Popular Culture

Professor Kozlowski

November 13, 2022

Mascara and Its Impact on Society

The cosmetic industry has seen drastic growth from its origins in ancient Greece. Specifically, the use of mascara has grown to be used by many, regardless of age and gender. While celebrities like Boy George have set the trend for men wearing mascara, the product is mainly seen as a feminine product (Rodrigues et al., 2015). The use of the product has had a significant impact on society. Through the social science lens, mascara has had a massive impact on various societal institutions, with its effect mainly being felt in the community and the economy.

The use of mascara has contributed to the debate on gender politics. Since the 1980s, society has been embroiled in a heated debate concerning gender, with the debate centering around gender fluidity (Heyes & Latham, 2018). On one side are the conservatives, who argue that there are only two genders. On the other are the left-wing individuals, who advocate that gender can be fluid and anyone can be any gender they wish. Mascara has helped to further this debate. For a long time, wearing mascara was seen as a feminine trait. However, as gender politics continue to shape society, men and other genders (for example, non-binary individuals) have begun to wear mascara as a symbol of their identity (Heyes & Latham, 2018). This has kept the debate on mascara on society's lips, helping to advance its discussion.

Mascara, as part of the cosmetic industry, has made a significant impact on society's economy. People purchase mascara, making the industry a profitable enterprise. With money in people's pockets, society can grow and fund itself, which is often a positive detail.

The cosmetic industry has deep social roots. It is nearly impossible to understand the social and gender dynamics properly. The main entity that has shaped the societal perception of mascara and other cosmetic products is the societal perception of beauty, especially toward the female gender (Mazzetti, 2022). Wide eyes have for a long time been associated with beauty, which is why women widely use the product. Societal views on beauty have profoundly shaped the use of mascara.

Understanding the social roots that define the use of mascara can help someone better understand the world by helping bring contemporary gender issues to a newer and more refined perspective (Mazzetti, 2022). No one can blind themselves to these issues, as everyone is affected. Therefore, understanding mascara from a social point of view allows an individual to understand world issues such as gender politics even better.

References

Heyes, C. J., & Latham, J. R. (2018). Trans surgeries and cosmetic surgeries: The politics of analogy.  Transgender Studies Quarterly,  5(2), 174-189.

Marasca, D. X. (2020). Exporting and Moulding Ideals of Beauty: Boom of the South Korean Cosmetic Industry in the Era of Globalisation.

Mazzetti, M. S. (2022). Is the future of the cosmetic industry genderneutral?.

Rodrigues, F., Pimentel, F. B., & Oliveira, M. B. P. (2015). Olive by-products: Challenge application in cosmetic industry.  Industrial Crops and Products,  70, 116-124.