Common Cosmetics Questions

It is not quite as old as dirt but most certainly some of it comes from dirt. What is it? It is cosmetics and it is a multi-billion dollar a year industry that has people craving more and more colors, varieties and products to enhance their already natural beauty. But have you ever wondered what cosmetics really are or what they are made of? Perhaps you have always wondered what shade fit you best but were afraid to ask.

Well...this article is for you. In this article we will cover some of the basics of cosmetics such as the history, which is as rich and diverse as the colors, as well as some of the more popular questions where cosmetics are concerned. Before you know it you will be a make-up and skin care aficionado and will be itching to get to the store to try out new colors, textures and styles of cosmetics.

What are cosmetics?

Cosmetics are more than just make-up. They include bath salts, body lotions, hair colors, deodorants, hair sprays, skin-care creams and so much more. They are basically any type of substance used to enhance or protect the skin. They are a multi-billion dollar industry that keeps growing by leaps and bounds each year. If you say the word "cosmetics" though, most people will associate it with make-up. But as you can see it covers anything that people use on their skin, nails or hair.

What is the history of cosmetics?

Cosmetics, or rather make-up, have a long and rather colorful (pardon the pun) past. Our first brush with make-up came to us from the Early Egyptians around 4000 BC. Even the Ancient Greeks and Romans used cosmetics to enhance and show signs of their wealth. Throughout history many levels of class structures have used make-up to show their hierarchy. During the Renaissance the nobility would use lead face powder and mascara to give their features a pale look. Too bad this came with a steep price of lead poisoning which led to an early death. Other examples of class division came when Queen Victoria banned the use of cosmetics stating that only vulgar people wore make-up. It was only fit for prostitutes or actors of the stage.

What types of cosmetics are there?

The basics of cosmetics are the skin care protection lines such as bath products. There are bath salts, bath gels and soaps. Then there are skin protections such as body lotions. Next up are the hair care products such as gels and hair coloring. The most familiar use of the term 'cosmetics' comes to us in the form of make-up for which there are mascaras, lipsticks, foundations, blushes and many, many more types.

What are some of the more popular brands?

The most popular brands of make-up are the ones you find in retail stores and shopping stores such as Wal-Mart, Target and Walgreens. These are the ones that most people come into contact with on a daily basis. They are relatively inexpensive and most people can afford them without breaking the bank. Some manufacturers include Revlon, Cover Girl, and Almay.

What is the average range in cost of cosmetics?

Make-up such as Revlon usually averages around ten dollars for bottles of their liquid foundation and their powder foundation. Cover Girl is around the same price. It is when you start moving up into the higher name brands that it can become expensive. Take for example MAC which is a huge name in the cosmetics industry. You could easily average twenty to twenty-five dollars for a single bottle of foundation.

What is hypoallergenic mean?

Hypoallergenic means that it causes less allergic reactions in people. It does not mean that there will be no allergic reactions. People mistakenly believe that and make that erroneous assumption quite frequently. Then they wonder why they have had an allergic reaction to the make-up that they have always worn. It can happen. Just remember that hypoallergenic does not mean allergen free.

Are cosmetics tested on animals?

Yes, some cosmetic companies still test on animals as a way to test whether or not the cosmetics are safe to use on humans. The testing labs test for skin irritation, eye irritation, toxicity, phototoxicity and mutagenicity. If you want to ensure that your make-up is not used to test on animals, you need to check out the company's website and the packaging. Most will say that their products are not tested out on animals.

Are there really cosmetics made out of bat guano?

This is a very hard answer to unearth. The main reason why mascara gives off its shine is the presence of guanine. Guanine is found in bat guano. But it is also found in the lining of shells and in fish scales so the answer is probably not for safety and health reasons. At one time it may have been used but modern science and chemistry has all but done away with the need to use feces in our make-up supplies.

What is the deal with Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter shades?

The Spring, Winter, Summer, Fall business is simply color pallets that are grouped together in shades of warms or cools that look best on a person depending on their skin tone. Someone with red hair and pale complexion may look better with more earthy tones of Fall whereas a brunette with medium skin tone might look good in Winter color tones. It really depends on your skin color and your hair color.

How do I tell what shade is best on me?

The best shade for you is found through trial and error. Many people once thought that blues were not a color for them but later found out that they were trying the wrong color or shade of blue. You have to give different shades a try if you are going to find the right color hues that look best against your skin tone. Skin foundation is perhaps the easiest to find the right shade. Simply match the skin on the underside of your wrist to the foundation. If the foundation disappears it is the right shade for your face.

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