Makeup

The makeup industry is a worldwide pioneering industry that includes not only makeup, but also skincare and pigment technology. Makeup has been used since the beginning of time in Greco-Roman societies, where women wore white lead chalk on their faces. Ancient Egyptians were known for wearing lighter foundations and heavy kohl eyeliner. Persians used henna to stain their hair and faces, while Italians during the Renaissance period wore arsenic face powder.

Today's makeup is much more skin-friendly. Powders are generally made of a talc-based mixture, dyed to match skin tones, and pressed to form the hard powder found in compacts. They can also be packaged in jars of loose powder.

Most makeup, including face powders, foundations, and eye shadows, typically contain other elaborately named chemicals like polyethylene, ethylhexyl palmitate, and lithium stearate, but those are mainly for color and preservation. For those with sensitive skin, most brands carry hypoallergenic lines. As a rule, drugstore makeup will more likely irritate your skin than higher-end makeup that utilizes higher-quality ingredients.

Modern makeup application isn't as complicated as it has been in the past. For an everyday look, basic colors that match your skin tone and highlight your best features are ideal. For a more dramatic look, reach for colors that are extensions of your natural coloring and draw attention to eyes with smoky pencils and mascara. Also, older women should keep makeup simple--too much makeup makes any face look older when misapplied. When in doubt, seek a consultation from a makeup line or artist that you trust. Most department store counters offer free consultations with purchase.