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Cosmetics Through History |
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Michael Rupkalvis |
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2007-09-13 |
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Tens of billions of dollars are spent each year by women worldwide on makeup and other cosmetic products Advertisements for makeup, hair care products and the like abound and niche magazines promoting cosmetics are some of the very best sellers. But although today’s cosmetics industry is amongst the most dominant markets, the use of makeup has actually been with us for thousands of years. The earliest recorded use of makeup involved the Egyptians of the 4th Century before Christ. Scented oils, sheep fat based cremes and eye paint were applied by upper class women to beautify their facial features. In the following millenniums, women in the Far East, especially the Japanese and Chinese, stained their faces with a powder derived from rice to make their complexions a pasty white, while both men and women of the aristocratic classes in Europe applied white lead and chalk powders to achieve the same ghostly effect. The pale face was desirable, as it differentiated the wealthy from the ‘common’ workers who had sun-bronzed complexions. Another method of obtaining the desired look involved a powder comprised largely of hydroxide, carbonate, and lead oxide, the latter often leading to lead poisoning. During this same period, Greek women applied ocher clay and red iron to their lips – perhaps the first historical lipstick application. Little changed during the dark centuries of the Middle Ages. Perfumes with alcohol bases were introduced to Europe by Crusaders returning from the Middle East in the 1200’s. In the 1400’s upper class women in England, again seeking a whiter complexion, took to applying egg whites to their faces. But the real emergence of makeup in European society took place commencing in the following two centuries, especially in France and Italy, with the former in particular being responsible for the development of manufacturing facilities for both makeup and perfumes. These were created from aromatic natural ingredients like fruits, tree bark, flowers and roots employing a very laborious blending process that necessitated the use of excessive quantities of these natural ingredients in order to produce very small amounts of products. The use of cosmetics spread throughout Europe during the next two hundred years, with their use becoming more and more prevalent amongst all but the poorest women. And in the 1800’s, the French began developing more advanced scientific processes for the creation of new cosmetic products, with zinc oxide bases now replacing more dangerous substances such as copper and lead. And the first beauty salons made their appearance towards the end of the 19th century. It should be noted that that at some times and places, such as in Victorian England of the 19th century, the use of makeup and other cosmetics was frowned upon and seen as proper only for stage actors and the like, being far too ‘vulgar’ for upper class society. But the birth of the cosmetics industry as we know it today did not take place until the early 1930’s. In large part, Hollywood was responsible. Popular actresses such as Mary Pickford and Jean Harlow appeared on screen before millions of admiring women across America and Europe, introducing a modern tanned look to the masses. And Hollywood makeup artist Max Factor began using pancake make-up and other products to produce desirable looks for the cameras. Following the end of the Second World War and with the emerging economic boom, came the growth of today’s cosmetics industry, accelerated by the new technology of television. Ads for cosmetic products, especially lipsticks and mascaras, abounded and concurrently came the blossoming of the beauty magazine industry. Since the 1970’s an abundance of new cosmetic products to meet the concerns of a health conscious public have been created, such as natural cremes and conditioners and, more recently, mineral makeup. Today there are literally tens of thousands of cosmetic products on the market. Billboards, television, magazines, newspapers and the Internet are saturated with marketing messages for every possible sort of cosmetic need one can think of. For women, this means both more choice, and cheaper prices because of the amount of competition for the customer’s dollar. The cosmetics industry has definitely traveled a long way from the days of sheep fat cremes of the ancient world.
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cosmetic products women Cosmetics Through History Womens Interest Society |
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Related Article:Cosmetics Through History |
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Jerry White |
2007-05-29 |
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Title: History of Cosmetics
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With all the billions of dollars spent every year worldwide on cosmetics, sometimes we may find ourselves asking, “How did it get to this point? When did it become the norm for me to have to wake up every morning and before I even go out the door I get to paint my face from top to bottom? Surely a woman way back in history didn’t just wake up one day and apply eyelashes, lipstick, eyeliner, foundation, and rouge all at the same time. No, it was, like many things, a culmination of things from the past.
Remember the Egyptians? That was over four thousand years ago. Cleanliness and appearance were terribly important to the Egyptians. They believed the appearance was in direct link with the health of the soul. They strived to always look and smell good. And with a society who values their appearance, you’re inevitably going to have people who are going to make themselves stand out. But the Egyptians, being the innovative people they were, used cosmetics for reasons that were even smarter than just trying to look good.
Mesdemet was the earliest kind of eye shadow- a substance made of copper and lead ore. The dark shades they believed would ward off evil eyes to their own. It was also a great disinfectant and insect repellant. Kohl was a dark powder that was also applied around the eyes in an oval shape. It was a combination of lead, ash, ochre, copper, and burnt almonds. To further enhance their appearance, they would apply a mixture of water and red clay to the cheekbone area. They would also paint their nails colors of orange and yellow with a substance called henna.
As time moved on and cultures were exposed to each other more and more, the Greeks began to pick up on the many practices of the Egyptian’s use of cosmetics. They would give themselves a pale color with a foundation that contained lead in it. This proved fatal on more than one occasion. As the Romans began to pick up the cosmetics practice, the pursuit of beauty became much less about functionability and took a turn into much more exotic routes. The Romans would paint their nails with a combination of sheep’s blood and cooked body fat. An ancient Roman man once said, “A woman without paint is like food without salt.”
For centuries after the Egyptian empire faded, the fashion norm around the world was a pale complexion. A tanned, sun-dried face was associated with being a commoner who worked out in the field all day alongside her husband. The upper class ladies of course did not participate in physical labor like that so they stayed inside and had white faces.
A white, pale complexion was also a symbol of wealth. If you had enough money, then you didn’t have to work. So a pale complexion was extremely important to some people. To get this look, women (and men too) would use a combination of hydroxide, lead oxide, and carbonate in a powder form to paint their faces and bodies. Unfortunately, this lead to a sometimes fatal side effect, lead poisoning.
To remedy this, chemists in the nineteenth century finally discovered a mixture of zinc oxide that didn’t block the skin from being able to breathe and kept people out of that irritating lead poisoning sickness. It worked so well that it is still used today by cosmetics manufacturers.
In the Edwardian era of London, around the turn of the century of 1900, society women with a disposable income would throw lavish parties and do a lot of entertaining to show off their wealth. As hostesses of the party, it was important for them to be the best looking woman at the function, so it was extremely important for them to look the youngest they possibly could. Women at that time who lived these extravagant lifestyles did not eat well, would not exercise, and breathed in the heavily polluted air that the cities of the time produced. They would rely on products like anti-aging cream and face cream to help hide their blemishes.
They would also go to the beauty salon. It was a little different back then than it is today. Women would sneak into the back of the salons and hide their faces as they entered. One of the most famous of these discreet beauty houses was the House of Cyclax, who would sell creams and rouges to ladies. Mrs. Henning, who was the owner, sold and created many products for her desperate customers who didn’t want anyone to know that they were getting old.
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Steven James |
2008-04-25 |
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Title: Cosmetics - A little history and a whole lot of super beauty tips and advice!
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A lot of criticism of cosmetics has come from a variety of sources, including feminists, animal rights activists, authors and public interest groups. In the western world, the advent of cosmetics was in the middle ages, although typically restricted to use within the upper classes. The Romans and Ancient Egyptians used cosmetics containing poisonous mercury and often lead. During the 20th century, the popularity of cosmetics increased rapidly. Many companies have catered to this expanding market by introducing more flavored lipsticks and glosses, cosmetics packaged in glittery, sparkly packaging and marketing and advertising using young models. While there is assurance from the largest cosmetic companies that their various ingredients are safe to use, there is a growing preference for cosmetics that are without any "synthetic" ingredients, especially those derived from petroleum. Even though many products in cosmetics are regulated, there are many health concerns that come from harmful chemicals in these products. The manufacture of cosmetics is currently dominated by a small number of multinational corporations that originated in the early 20th century, but the distribution and sale of cosmetics is spread among a wide range of different businesses. It's a known fact that skincare experts disagree on all sorts of things, but most of them consider retinoids to be a miracle skin saver. While some skincare experts swear you should cleanse skin with creamy cleansers that you wipe off with a tissue, never letting water touch your skin (some hard waters are especially hard on skin), we prefer the water method. Adjust your skin care to fit your age and choose a doctor for skin rejuvenation treatmentSirtuins, longevity and skin rejuvenation. Use Oat beta-glucan's anti-wrinkle promiseAcne and skin agingNiacinamide: Can you teach an old vitamin new skin care tricks? Of course. Curcumin may spice up your regimen for disease prevention, longevity and healthy skin. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. This is why you need to know your skin type. Believe us when we say that there are right (& wrong) ways to cleanse, moisturize & exfoliate your skin. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun-damaged. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin respondswell to, and stick with it. According to Rona Berg, in her book, 'Beauty,' a French cosmetics executive once told her 'soap should only evertouch your skin from the neck down. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good and should be avoided. Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a skincare expert claim, 'toners are only for copy machines'). Steven James is a beautician and former beauty magazine editor who currently runs a website dedicated to providing FREE beauty tips and advice to keep you looking gorgeous for many years to come!
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Ursula McLean |
2008-03-25 |
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Title: Cosmetics: What can use regularly and which ones are for special occasions?
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Life is special therefore treat each day as a gift, this is true, but not when it comes to cosmetics. You need making a difference to this rule when you want to use cosmetics regularly. Can you use cosmetics every day? Whether or not you can use cosmetics everyday depends on what you are using. Your skin should always get some time off, because it is necessary that it should get time to breathe on its own. Applying creams and such products always tends to harm skin quality. For everyday wear, cosmetics like moisturizers and skin protection are the best, and most probably the only things that can be used for everyday wear. This is because of the quality of these creams to provide protection from several factors that can cause skin damage and moisturizing the skin which is equally important in maintaining the skin. Cosmetics use is quite common all over the world, however, numbers of women who have used cosmetics quite commonly have developed dark marks on skin especially where they have used cosmetics like the rouge. This is because skin did not get enough air to breathe through and caused skin damage. Though today cosmetics makers are taking enough care to make cosmetics that are least harmful, cosmetics do have certain side effects. What cosmetics can be used for a special occasion? A special occasion needs adequate preparation, the way you dress and the way you do your make up should be special too. There are numerous different types of make up you could use for your skin. Firstly you can begin by leveling and smoothening out your skin through some calamine lotion that can make your face ready for some good work, the benefit of this lotion is that it hides any dark spots or raw pimples from direct glare and smoothen the skin so that the makeup stays on a little longer and better for a period of time. You can then start by painting your skin with colors that suit your skin tone and the place you are visiting, a bridal makeup needs to be special, since it is the day of the bride, if you are about to attend a wedding you are sure to put on a different makeup. However though you are about to do something like paint on your skin, you should be sure that, the make up application suits your outfit and the occasion, applying loud make up at a wedding would make you look out of place, at social dos it is important that the make up is clearly in sync, at outings it is important that you use the water proof makeup, that can guard you against sudden climate changes if you want to, or else you could try and avoid makeup completely instead try a simple skin toner and a little eyeliner with lipstick which is long day wear. Use of make up should be easy and subtle, it is normal that some people can apply make up better and have better sense of colors, if you are not gifted regarding makeup you can get an expert’s opinion and tips while using cosmetics.
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Ursula McLean |
2008-03-25 |
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Title: Cosmetics: What are all these about?
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Cosmetics have by and large become most integral part of woman’s life, without cosmetics life would become really colorless for women who love to accentuate their natural beauty with the use of this stuff. Why are cosmetics so important? Not all will agree to the importance of cosmetics, the basic reason being not all women use cosmetics that regularly unless and until they have to attend a certain occasion that requires them to be well turned out. There is also a class of women who do not venture out of their homes without putting on one or the other cosmetics. The reasons may be many, but women find using cosmetics as good as paying attention to themselves, some women put on their formal self the moment they put on cosmetics, without these they would feel bare. Women who use this stuff are mainly office going women and mostly women who have a good financial background. Highest number of women using cosmetics is in the West, there are many reasons to it, firstly women in the western countries are financially independent and are in better financial position, than women in poorer Eastern countries, it is obvious that any woman would give more importance to buying food for the family than shopping for her cosmetics where there are limited resources. What are the most used cosmetics by women? Women are busier than men, their ability to multitask makes it possible that they can look after themselves, however, will all chores they are at a liberty of using up only a few minutes, women use lipstick, rouge and eyeliners mostly among all cosmetics. Some women gifted with really good skin generally use some moisturizer and sun ray protection instead of cosmetics. These creams generally avoid any dark spots and acne from coming on skin and some of these also protect skin against pollution along with sunlight. Cosmetics companies manufacture creams containing SPF which tends to protect skin from unwanted tan and skin damage that can result from harsh sunlight. Eyeliners change a face, this is true especially if you have eyes that are slightly set outward, using eyeliners and mascara can really gel your entire face and make it look ravishing. Another most utilized beauty product in the market, is the lipstick, for women one is not enough, because a lipstick as a sure should be matched with the outfit, therefore, there are numerous shades of lipsticks that women own never a single one. Lipsticks come in thousands of shades and ranges, prices differ depending on what the lipstick has to offer. There are lipsticks with moisturizers, lip gloss for making the lips appear glossy. These are especially useful for the party goers who would like it shiny and glossy. Lipsticks too, at times contain the SPF for protection against sunlight and skin damage, there are normal moisturizers. Another must have for well made up women is the nail polish, this does not need to be applied regularly, instead this can be done once every two weeks. There are as many numbers of shades available in nail polish as there are in lipsticks, you can also find different types of nail polishes those with gloss, without gloss, with subtle shine, nail hardeners, etc. So make you choice of cosmetics and know what makes you look well made up at all times.
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Ursula McLean |
2008-03-25 |
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Title: Cosmetics: No Woman Will Ever Say No To These!
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Decades have passed since the cosmetics bug bit women, this was the beginning of an industry which would do thriving business throughout the world only because of women, and you will hardly find any men showing any interest in cosmetics. There are different genres of cosmetics today in the market, each made especially for women who love to use cosmetics and are willing to shell out as much money required. Cosmetics industry never has to bother too much about losses, since most of the times shopping for cosmetics is never through a budget, it is generally impulsive. How have cosmetics companies evolved since their beginning? Cosmetics companies opened locally and went on to become global; therefore, they brought out quite a lot of change in their own thinking so that they could make products that suit the global tastes. During the growth period of the cosmetics companies, these manufactured cosmetics for skin types that were commonly found in their country. These cosmetics did not suit the purpose for all those women, whose skin tone was different, no wonder cosmetics did not give out the desired results. Cosmetics manufacturers also had to go through a lot of research and development to bring their cosmetics up to the mark. Did the type of cosmetics change? if you are an avid cosmetics user probably you know the best, the type of cosmetics that are not introduced in the market has changed considerably, there are different types of cosmetics that would look good on same type of skin, however, each is suitable for different type of occasion. The normal colored cosmetics can be used to enhance features, you will find colors that can range from mild to very dark and are suitable to all types of skin. Another is the matte class that has been recently introduced, this class is more specified, it can temporarily change your skin complete and yet make you appear as it there is no make up applied. This is the reason, why these cosmetics should be chosen carefully. Matte does not make your skin appear shiny, instead it enhances your normal skin tone and gives it a very equalized look. Since matte should become more synchronized with your skin, you should choose the ones that match with your skin perfectly. Are there any for all skin types? There are many designed for all skin types, you should apply more, in case you require darker color, or apply less in case you simply want to brush up your skin rather than paint it over. Darker shades are required for the Asian skin tone, because it happens to be highly pigmented unlike the European counterparts, these are the countries where darker cosmetics are chosen. Matte range of cosmetics too gives all purpose cosmetics, any color tone can use it, fair skinned and dark skinned alike, the latest ones are available as transparent, these simply hide all the blemish and dark skin spots to give your skin a smooth uniform look and give your face an attractiveness that is still based on your normal color unlike the commonly available cosmetics. Sensitive skin should check the chemical components of cosmetics, there are chances of rashes from normal cosmetics, however cosmetics are becoming more and more skin friendly because of research and development being carried out by the international brands.
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Susan Banks Sr |
2008-01-09 |
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Title: Going Organic: The Future Of Cosmetics
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The new line of organic cosmetics set apart the harmful elements found in traditional ingredients of cosmetics. Find out the benefits of these organic cosmetics in health and beauty.
Awareness has been the newest trend in the growing population today, health awareness, to be exact. More and more people have been raving for organically made products. In with the new and out with the old, as they say. In this instance, organic products are now the newest players in marketing and synthetic products are the old.
The response for the demand has been amazing. Among the following products that have responded to the call are organic vegetables and fruits, organic snacks, even organic fuel! To address the biggest chunk in marketing – women; cosmetics company have begun to drift to producing organically-made cosmetics, as well.
This new line of organic make-up does not compromise your health and your appearance, at the same time. Many people do not know that much of the organic compounds and produce grown in our world have their own benefits they can contribute to cosmetics. Not only can they give the same variety of colors many women seek for, they can also give synthetic cosmetics a run for their money. Many organic produce and compounds used in cosmetics can still offer the moisture in your lipsticks, they can give the necessary vitamins beneficial to the skin, and they can give the shine, luster, or matte finish that you prefer to stand out in the crowd! These organic materials can also play with colors and so you don’t feel that your choices are limited. Most importantly, they don’t give the immediate effects of harming your skin, and the chronic effects of skin damage in the future.
Many women have grown to like organic cosmetics more these days because of the much disseminated information that there are certain synthetic or man-made ingredients in the cosmetics of the past that are considered carcinogens. These carcinogens, when used repeatedly can have a cumulative effect and the longer you’ve been using these products, the higher your chances of cancer or any other skin diseases.
There is good news, however. It is not too late to reverse the effects of the cosmetics you used to apply in the past. Organic make-up has great compounds that have ant oxidative properties. We all know that antioxidants deter the development of cancer. Antioxidants that can be found in organic make-up prevent the process of oxidation that causes the rapid destruction of cells. With these antioxidants in organic make-ups now you won’t have to worry about carcinogens, and aside from lessening those worry lines you also get a much healthier skin.
Now, how exactly can organic cosmetics be beneficial to your skin? The biggest benefit organic cosmetics can give you are its antioxidant properties that deter the development of cancer, skin cancer being the most common. The vitamins and minerals that are already contained in organic products benefit women excessively in terms of good skin care.
Organic cosmetics are hypoallergenic and thus women who are worried of break-outs and skin irritation, this is a wiser and more affordable product for them. No need to spend more money on antihistamines to cure those allergy fits. Yet another way organic make-up can be beneficial is their ability, rather their inability to clog pores. Clogged pores brought about usually by oil-based cosmetics are the common complaints of women because clogged pores can be ghastly and can lead to the development of blackheads, pimples, or acne. In a world where appearances are everything, women have become pickier in choosing which make-up works for them.
Organic make-up is more affordable compared to well-known and much more established synthetic make-up, another benefit most women enjoy. As more and more products are becoming more on the higher end, their prices have also been increasing. Organic make-up offers you more benefits for a lesser price this is because production costs are cheaper since products the products are readily accessible. Perhaps the most significant of all benefits organic make-up can offer is that it is environmentally friendly. Since it makes use of organic compounds and earth grown fruits and vegetables, the waste products that may be incurred through production are not only hazardous to the environment but can still be recycled. No animals need to be harmed and no essential natural resources need to be depleted in the making of organic cosmetics.
Organic cosmetics are right for those who are not only health conscious but who are environmentally aware, as well. Since the environment has been growing from worse to worst, joining the force to keep this from happening can be the best contribution you can ever repay the world that has given you life. The organic movement, organic cosmetics included, has heeded this call. It does not only benefit the consumers that it targets, it is also aware of the much needed repair the damaged earth has incurred.
Choose to stay beautifully healthy inside, as well as outside and organic make-up can help you achieve this. Live in a more beautiful world by buying organic cosmetics.
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cdmohatta |
2007-11-28 |
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Title: Cosmetics - Tips To Choose Cosmetics
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You may have sensitive skin. Or you may want to use cosmetics that have minimum potential of causing irritation. Here is a brief guide about choosing cosmetics for that.
1. Avoid cosmetics that need solvents for removal. Cosmetics labeled waterproof cannot be washed away with water. They need solvents for removal and that may cause sensitivity. Moreover, solvents also dissolve the natural skin oil- sebum that protects skin from drying and from microbes. The skin gets dry with use of solvents.
2. Any product that may contain latex should be avoided. Latex may cause allergies. Liquid eyeliners may contain latex. Make sure before you buy a product that does not contain latex.
3. Avoid chemical based sunscreens. Use physical blockers. Chemical based sunscreens can cause allergies. Moreover, many users of chemical based sunscreens feel heat, because the sunscreen absorbs UV rays. The physical blockers deflect the sunrays and don't get absorbed by the skin.
4. Use less liquid cosmetics and more powder cosmetics. Powder cosmetics contain lesser preservatives compared to the liquid variety. The probability of irritation is reduced.
5. Throw away old brushes etc. Till you use them, keep them clean. Throw away cosmetics after they expire, start smelling bad, change color or look. If you feel that a cosmetic has turned bad, stop using it and throw it away.
Most of the skin care products and color cosmetics that come packed in beautiful containers and are labeled hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, natural, etc., may cause allergy or irritation to you. These products contain many ingredients, and as per law in many countries, the major ingredient is listed on top and the ingredient, lowest in quantity is at the bottom of the label. If there is an active ingredient, it should come right on top. Sometimes a product may not cause allergy immediately, but after using it for some years. It all depends on your body and how it reacts. Everybody has different reaction to different ingredients. This is a note on what ingredients in the cosmetics can cause dermatitis and how to protect yourself.
This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.
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Alison Saunders |
2007-05-23 |
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Title: Makeup Cosmetics - The Secrets To Highlight Your Beauty
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There are various kinds of makeup cosmetics on the market and these vary from mineral makeup cosmetics, MAC makeup cosmetics, MAC cosmetics makeup, and permanent cosmetic makeup. Makeup cosmetics are important to how most women feel on a day to day basis. They like to feel confident and beautiful. One way to do this is with make up cosmetics. With the many types of makeup cosmetics on the market it is hard to know which products are best for you, below are few things you need to know about makeup. If you are looking for makeup cosmetics that won't be harmful to your skin, then you should look at mineral cosmetics makeup. They contain no allergens and won't irritate your skin. Women with sensitive skin have discovered that they must be selective in choosing their facial products. Permanent cosmetic makeup may not be practical for them. Some traditional products irritate skin, causing embarrassing red blotches and skin blemishes. These women are becoming passionate about the new line of mineral makeup cosmetics. Originally introduced for women with sensitive skin, mineral makeup products contain ingredients that are safe for all skin types, and look great on all skin tones. If you have had enough of appling make up cosmetics daily, permanent cosmetic makeup will be the best way to go. You will wake up in the morning with makeup and shower with makeup, but obviously the price differs from ordinary make up cosmetics. Mineral makeup cosmetics are probably the safest route to follow, since ordinary makeup cosmetics contain allergens. Women trust familiar cosmetics, and may be skeptical about trying new products. Mineral makeup offers an entire line of products. Trying a new cosmetic product may rejuvenate your look, and work wonders on tired skin. Smart women know they don't have to come with an expensive name brand to help you look marvelous. The only advice that can be given is that most makeup cosmetics do something to your skin, and although you do not see it early in life, you will eventually. See if you can avoid using it too often, because they contain allergens that can irritate and harm your skin. Makeup has been used for ages and while rouge used to be the signature of the lower social classes we have now created a mass market for women. There are many ways to use makeup cosmetics to enhance your appearance. The methods you choose to apply makeup cosmetics is up to you; however knowing what is out there for your use will help make the decision easier. Less is more has been the new way to apply makeup, though we still see heavy eye shadow and dark lipstick most women have gone with a more subtle approach. Makeup may make us feel beautiful, but it is still how we view ourselves on the inside that counts. Makeup cosmetics products will be the best the market can offer if you are serious about your skin.
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Donna Collins |
2007-05-12 |
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Title: Cosmetics That Can Harm your Skin
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You might be wondering, if cosmetics that are supposed to be actually improving my face are spoiling it, is it better to avoid cosmetics altogether? However, I can’t do without cosmetics because I need to get that great look for my office, party or important event.
What do you do in such a situation? Well the fact is, cosmetics can be pretty harmful for your skin and they can aggravate you skin problem because of their chemical-based ingredients. Here are a couple of pointers on what type of cosmetics you can avoid to keep away from those that can harm your skin:
>> If you cosmetics label says ‘Parabens’, look for another one, because this ingredient has preservatives that cause allergies and skin rashes. It is used in cosmetic products to increase its shelf life but this factor actually makes it bad for the skin.
>> If you see the ingredient ‘Sodium lauryl sulphate’ on the cosmetic, forget it! This can irritate your eye, cause rashes and allergies. It used in the cosmetics to cleanse you face, but it’s the same ingredient that’s also used in foaming washes.
>> Many anti-aging creams and moisturizers have an ingredient called ‘Mineral Oil’. This oil actually leads to premature aging of the skin and removes the skin’s natural oils. Over a period of time, the usage of such cosmetics can make your skin dry and chap easily.
>> Cosmetics are seen in such beautiful colors now-a-days. The colors we see range from natural ones to rare ones. However, these colors are more than a point of wonder, because something to be noted here is that these shades are made from synthetic colors. Synthetic colors can cause cancer and they are labeled as FD&C or D&C, seen along with a color number. Avoid cosmetics with such ingredients at all costs.
>> Be sure to find cleansers that contain natural ingrediants . Any cosmetic cleanser which smells nice can actually have benzene derivatives or aldehydes, which can cause headaches and dizziness.
>> Talc is yet another ingredient to be avoided through it is widely used in baby powder and make-up. This is because there are strong links to it causing ovarian and it can testicular cancer
>> Quarternium-15 causes allergies and it is commonly used as a preservative in cosmetics, skin moisturizers and toiletry items.
If you look at all that’s given above, you will get a pretty dismal picture of cosmetic products and probably think never to use then again. However, not using them can put you into a dilemma. How do you look and feel great, without make-up because you have been using it so much as part of your style and simply can’t do without it?
One alternative is to go in for home-remedies. They do not cause any side effects and can give you skin a natural glow and shine… something no cosmetic will ever be able to do. However, if you want to look glossy just for some special occasion, try out mineral cosmetics because they are a great alternative to chemical-based cosmetics that contain harmful chemicals.
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Michael Rupkalvis |
2007-04-03 |
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Title: Cosmetics Through the Ages
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Tens of billions of dollars are spent each year by women around the world on makeup and other cosmetic products Ads promoting hair care products and makeup fill the airwaves and many of today’s bestselling magazines are beauty related.
While today’s cosmetics industry is amongst the most dominant markets, the use of makeup has actually been with us for thousands of years.
The earliest recorded use of makeup involved the Egyptians of the 4th Century before Christ. Scented oils, sheep fat based cremes and eye paint were applied by upper class women to beautify their facial features.
In the following millenniums, women in the Far East, especially the Japanese and Chinese, stained their faces with a powder derived from rice to make their complexions a pasty white, while both men and women of the aristocratic classes in Europe applied white lead and chalk powders to achieve the same ghostly effect. The pale face was desirable, as it differentiated the wealthy from the ‘common’ workers who had sun-bronzed complexions. Another method of obtaining the desired look involved a powder comprised largely of hydroxide, carbonate, and lead oxide, the latter often leading to lead poisoning. During this same period, Greek women applied ocher clay and red iron to their lips – perhaps the first historical lipstick application.
Little changed during the dark centuries of the Middle Ages. Perfumes with alcohol bases were introduced to Europe by Crusaders returning from the Middle East in the 1200’s. In the 1400’s upper class women in England, again seeking a whiter complexion, took to applying egg whites to their faces. But the real emergence of makeup in European society took place commencing in the following two centuries, especially in France and Italy, with the former in particular being responsible for the development of manufacturing facilities for both makeup and perfumes. These were created from aromatic natural ingredients like fruits, tree bark, flowers and roots employing a very laborious blending process that necessitated the use of excessive quantities of these natural ingredients in order to produce very small amounts of products.
The use of cosmetics spread throughout Europe during the next two hundred years, with their use becoming more and more prevalent amongst all but the poorest women. And in the 1800’s, the French began developing more advanced scientific processes for the creation of new cosmetic products, with zinc oxide bases now replacing more dangerous substances such as copper and lead. And the first beauty salons made their appearance towards the end of the 19th century.
It should be noted that that at some times and places, such as in Victorian England of the 19th century, the use of makeup and other cosmetics was frowned upon and seen as proper only for stage actors and the like, being far too ‘vulgar’ for upper class society.
But the birth of the cosmetics industry as we know it today did not take place until the early 1930’s. In large part, Hollywood was responsible. Popular actresses such as Mary Pickford and Jean Harlow appeared on screen before millions of admiring women across America and Europe, introducing a modern tanned look to the masses. And Hollywood makeup artist Max Factor began using pancake make-up and other products to produce desirable looks for the cameras.
Following the end of the Second World War and with the emerging economic boom, came the growth of today’s cosmetics industry, accelerated by the new technology of television. Ads for cosmetic products, especially lipsticks and mascaras, abounded and concurrently came the blossoming of the beauty magazine industry. Since the 1970’s an abundance of new cosmetic products to meet the concerns of a health conscious public have been created, such as natural cremes and conditioners and, more recently, mineral makeup.
There are nowadays countless cosmetic products available to women throughout the world. Billboards, television, magazines, newspapers and the Internet are replete with marketing messages and promotions for every possible type of cosmetic need one can think of. For the consumer, this means both more choice, and lower prices because of the enormous competition for the customer’s dollar. The cosmetics industry has definitely come a long way from the days of sheep fat cremes of the ancient world.
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