Cosmetics

Cosmetics are substances or products used to enhance or alter the appearance or fragrance of the body. Many cosmetics are designed for use of applying to the face and hair. They are generally mixtures of chemical compounds some being derived from natural sources such as coconut oil and some being synthetics. Common cosmetics include lipstick’ mascara’ eye shadow’ foundation’ rouge’ skin cleansers and skin lotions’ shampoo’ hair styling products gel’ hair spray’ perfume and cologne. Cosmetics applied to the face to enhance its appearance are often called makeup. Cosmetics are intended to be applied externally. They include but are not limited to products that can be applied to the face skin care creams’ lipsticks’ eye and facial makeup towelettes and colored contact lenses to the body deodorants’ lotions’ powders’ perfumes’ baby products bath oils bubble baths’ bath salts’ and body butters to the hands nails fingernail and toe nail polish and hand sanitizer to the hair: permanent chemicals hair colors’ hair sprays and gels. A subset of cosmetics is called make-up refers primarily to products containing color pigments that are intended to alter the user's appearance. Manufacturers may distinguish between decorative and care cosmetics. Cosmetics that are meant to be used on the face and eye area are usually applied with a brush a makeup sponge, or the fingertips. Most cosmetics are distinguished by the area of the body intended for application. Primer comes in formulas to suit individual skin conditions. Most are meant to reduce the appearance of pore size prolong the wear of makeup and allow for a smoother application of makeup. Primers are applied before foundation or eye shadows depending on where the primer is to be applied. Lipstick’ lip gloss’ lip liner’ lip plumper’ lip balm’ lip stain lip conditioner lip primer lip boosters and lip butters Lipsticks are intended to add color and texture to the lips and often come in a wide range of colors as well as finishes such as matte satin and luster. Lip stains have a water or gel base and may contain alcohol to help the product stay on leaving a matte look. They temporarily saturate the lips with a dye. Usually designed to be waterproof the product may come with an applicator brush roller ball or could be applied with a finger. Lip glosses are intended to add shine to the lips and may add a tint of color as well as being scented or flavored for a pop of fun. Lip balms are most often used to moisturize tint and protect the lips. Concealer makeup covers imperfections of the skin. Concealer is often used for any extra coverage needed to cover blemishes under eye circles and other imperfections. Concealer is often thicker and more solid than foundation and provides longer lasting more detailed coverage as well as creating a fresh clean base for all the rest of the makeup. Some formulations are intended only for the eye or only for the face. This product can also be used for contouring the face like ones nose cheekbones and jaw line to add a more defined look to the total face. Foundation is used to smooth out the face by covering spots’ acne’ blemishes or uneven skin coloration. These are sold in a liquid cream’ or powder’ or more recently in a mousse. Foundation provides sheer’ matte Dewey or full coverage. Foundation primer can be applied before or after foundation to obtain a smoother finish. Some primers come in powder or liquid form to be applied before foundation as a base while other primers come as a spray to be applied after the foundation to set the make-up and help it last longer throughout the day. This type of primer can also be called setting spray. Face powder sets the foundation giving it a matte finish while also concealing small flaws or blemishes. It can also be used to bake the foundation, so that it stays on longer. Tinted face powders may be worn alone as a light foundation so that the full face does not look as caked-up as it could. Rouge’ blush or blusher is cheek coloring to bring out the color in the cheeks and make the cheekbones appear more defined. Rouge comes in powder’ cream and liquid forms. Different blush colors are used to compliment different skin tones. Contour powders and creams are used to define the face. They can give the illusion of a slimmer face or to modify a face shape in other desired ways. Usually a few shades darker than the skin tone and matte in finish contour products create the illusion of depth. A darker toned foundation concealer can be used instead of contour products for the same purpose. Used to draw attention to the high points of the face as well as to add glow comes in liquid cream and powder forms. It often contains a substance to provide shimmer. a lighter toned foundation concealer can be used. Bronzer gives skin a bit of color by adding a golden or bronze glow and highlighting the cheekbones as well as being used for contouring. Bronzer is considered to be more of a natural look and can be used for an everyday wear. Bronzer enhances the color of the face while adding more of a shimmery look. It comes in either matte semi matte satin or shimmer finishes. Mascara is used to darken lengthen thicken or draw attention to the eyelashes. It is available in various colors. Some mascara includes glitter flecks. There are many formulas including waterproof versions for those prone to allergies or sudden tears. It is often used after an eyelash curler and mascara primer. Many types of mascara have components to help lashes appear longer and thicker. Eye shadow is a pigmented powder cream or substance used to accentuate the eye area traditionally on above and under the eyelids. Many colours may be used at once and blended together to create different effects. This is conventionally applied with a range of eye shadow brushes though it isn't uncommon for alternative methods of application to be used. Eye liner is used to enhance and elongate the apparent size or depth of the eye. For example white eyeliner on the waterline and inner corners of the eye makes the eyes look bigger and more awake. It can come in the form of a pencil a gel or a liquid and can be found in almost any color. Eyebrow pencils cream’ waxes’ gels and powders are used to color’ fill in and define the brows. Nail polish is used to color the fingernails and toenails. Transparent colorless versions may strengthen nails or as a top or base coat to protect the nail or polish. Setting spray is used as the last step in the process of applying makeup. It keeps applied makeup intact for long periods. An alternative to setting spray is setting powder which may be either pigmented or translucent. Both of these products are claimed to keep makeup from absorbing into the skin or melting off. False eyelashes are used when exaggerated eyelashes are desired. Their basic design usually consists of human hair or synthetic materials attached to a thin cloth-like band which is applied with glue to the lash line. Designs vary in length and color. Rhinestones gems and even feathers and lace occur on some false eyelash designs. Contouring is designed to give shape to an area of the face. The aim is to enhance the natural shading on your face to give the illusion of a more defined facial structure which can be altered to preference. Brighter skin coloured makeup products are used to highlight areas which we want to draw attention to or to be caught in the light. Whereas darker shades are used to create a shadow. These light and dark tones are blended on the skin to create the illusion of a more definite face shape. It can be achieved using a contour palette which can be either cream or powder.