Lipstick, Foundation and More

Cosmetic makeup has been around for centuries, even since the ancient times of Egypt, and was worn by children, men and women alike. Even before it became a heavily manufactured item primarily intended for women, it was often used as a sign of status amongst the privileged or to enhance specific features, as well as for spiritual reasons or practices. However, within today’s society, it is now a commonly used beauty aid for many people throughout the modern day world.

Makeup has come quite a long ways these days, even within the last decade or more. However, despite the advancement of makeup technology, there are still the main basics when it comes to the different types of cosmetics used upon the face on a day-to-day basis such as foundations, powders, eyeliner and mascara, blush, lipstick or gloss, as well as eye shadow.

In most common, daily routines, the average makeup wearer will usually start things off with a concealer and primer. Concealers are a fantastic way to help hide any unsightly blemishes, as well as to help with discoloration such as under-the-eye shadows or hyperpigmentation. Primers can be used to help makeup go on more smoothly such as with mascara or eye shadow, and can even help with evening out reddish or yellow-looking tones within the skin for a cleaner look.  Read more...

Nail polish is a thin layer of lacquer that is applied on the nail to make it attractive but also it protects the nail. Not surprisingly the earliest method of applying color on the nails started in china and Egypt. The Chinese used a mixture of bees wax, eggs and Arabic gum. The Egyptians used an herb called henna, to dye the fingernails which gave it a reddish brown look.

As time went by during the 19th century western women polished their nail using exotic oils and a piece of cloth. This was when the word “nail polishing’ became a common word. The funny thing is that even though that word is used today it is incorrect because nowadays it’s all about nail painting than polishing. But nobody knows exactly when people started to paint their nails.

What is interesting is that in the U.S during the 19th century it was in cook books, of all places that the method of nail polishing was first published. Perhaps because back then nail polishing was strictly a feminine activity and therefore women were more likely to read cook books.  Read more...