The article provides information on the properties and ingredients of contemporary mascara formulations. Here are the details:

Type of formulation: The most common type of mascara formulation currently sold is a lamellar gel network (LGN) based oil in water emulsion, stabilized using soluble polymers. These formulations are versatile and can provide good application, functional performance, wear/wash resistance, and rapid drying.

Ingredients: The following are the typical ingredients used in mascara formulations:

• Water as a carrier
• Volatile solvents (0-10 percent)
• Ethanol
• Isododecane
• Cyclopentasiloxane
• LGN emulsifiers
• Paraffin
• Mascara pigments: The most common pigments used in mascara formulations are black, yellow, and red iron oxides. Other pigments are normally added to the water phase with a dispersing agent prior to emulsification, and include:
  • Ultramarines
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Carmine
  • Chromium Oxide Greens
  • Chromium Hydroxide Green
  • Manganese Violet
  • Ferric Ferrocyanide
  • D&C Black No2 (carbon black)
• Mascara film formers: Lecithin, Sodium Polymethacrylate, and Sodium Polyacrylate are typical ingredients used as effective pigment dispersing agents to get good color development and uniform coverage.
• Lash lengthening/volume building fibers: Nylon 6 and Rayon are frequently used.
• Mascara preservatives: Most marketed formulations from major companies are well-preserved and extensively tested to avoid problems. The frequently used preservatives include:
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • Ethylhexylglycerin
  • Chlorphenesin
  • Caprylyl Glycol
  • Sodium Dehydroacetate

Positive aspects: The article highlights that the LGN-based mascara formulations are versatile and can provide good application, functional performance, wear/wash resistance, and rapid drying.

Negative aspects: The article does not mention any negative aspects of mascara formulations.

In summary, mascara formulations typically contain water, volatile solvents, LGN emulsifiers, paraffin, pigments, film formers, fibers, and preservatives. The formulations are versatile and can provide good application, functional performance, wear/wash resistance, and rapid drying. The most common pigments used in mascara formulations are black, yellow, and red iron oxides.