Where Did The Term Mascara Come From?

It is easy to think that mascara is a relatively new way to pamper lashes, make them stand out and frame the shimmering eyes behind them

In some respects, this is true, with the modern form of mascara being developed and popularised by Helena Rubinstein in 1957 as a lotion applied with a brush, although even then it would take several more years before the two were combined.

The concept of applying makeup to lashes, however, is as old as civilisation; the Ancient Egyptians used a very similar concoction known as kohl that had both cosmetic and spiritual significance.

It would take until the 19th century for modern mascaras and their use to take shape today, but the name itself could potentially come from several different places.

There is the Spanish word ‘máscara’, a term for mask that is still widely used today, as well as similar Catalan, Portuguese and Italian words that mean the same. 

Meanwhile, the Arabic word ‘maskharah’ means ‘buffoon’ and even Latin used the word, although in its case the term referred to Witches.

However, the most likely origin of the term comes from more recent history. Specifically, it is likely related to the city of Mascara in Algeria.

The name is the Arabic word ‘mouaskar’, which literally means “mother of soldiers” but typically translates simply to “camp” or “garrison”.

When it was sieged, destroyed and conquered by the French in 1841, they discovered antimony powder, which whilst primarily used today to create tungsten steel, was used by nomadic people in the region as a protective cosmetic.

Much like kohl and often called such, it was beautiful but also a way to avoid potential eye infections. However, it is also poisonous, and applying it to your eyes can cause major health problems.

But when safer cosmetics were developed in the late 19th century, the resemblance meant that the name stuck.