Cosmetics 101: The Basis of Your Beauty Regimen

Looking good should always be a priority and not just for women. When you make an entrance, there should be something distinctive about you, whether it’s your fragrance, skin or lipstick and cosmetics help you achieve that.

Thing is, you will always leave people with something to remember you by. So why don’t you make it something spectacular? This is where your choice of cosmetics comes in.

Now, you have to know that cosmetics are not just makeup products. No, they are a lot more than that. A cosmetic is any product or substance that alters, cleans or enhances a person’s overall appearance and smell.

So if it makes your face glow, it is cosmetic. If it makes you smell heavenly, it is cosmetic. And if it changes the colour of your skin, it is cosmetic. Your hair care products are also cosmetic products.

Note that you are not meant to ingest any cosmetic. If you do ingest any, be sure to seek professional medical help immediately.

 

What Makes Up Cosmetics?

This is a question with a very vast answer. But it is necessary that you know what comes under the umbrella of cosmetics. Why? There are people who tend to frown when you say you use cosmetics.

 

This is because they have this view that cosmetics are makeup accessories only.

However, this guide is intended to educate as well as inform. Let us take a look at some, not all, of the products that come under the term ‘cosmetics’.

 

Skincare Creams and Lotions

These are your day-to-day lotions and creams. Most times, people have different creams or lotions for face, body, feet and hands. All these fall under cosmetics.

 

Cologne

Usually worn by men, cologne is made up of about 4% essential oils. These keep it potent for about two and a half hours. It adds to the overall positive effect from a person hence, it is cosmetic.

 

Bath Salt

This is a substance which is crystalline and dissolves easily in water. It is perfumed and softens water, making bathing more enjoyable than normal. It is mainly used for soaking in tubs.

 

Body Butters

Everybody’s skin is not the same. Some have it drier than others. A body butter locks in moisture, making changing seasons more tolerable for different skin types.

 

Coloured Contact Lenses

You did not see this one coming, did you? Some coloured contact lenses are recommended while most are cosmetic items. But yes, they enhance your looks so they are cosmetics.

 

Lipsticks

Ladies, these are an essential part of your makeup kit. Your makeup is not complete if you have not applied some lipstick. A lipstick colours, conditions and enhances the look of lips.

 

Concealers

 

 

 

 

 

These are used to blot dark circles under your eyes and hide all kinds of blemishes. They could come in different formulas, like powder, liquid, mousse, serum and so on. Their finishes also differ as you can find matte, semi-matte and dewy finishes. For a better knowledge of what concealers can do, read this article.

 

Aftershaves

These are used by men after shaving to keep away irritation and infection if there are cuts. They usually smell great, too.

 

Eyeliner

It enhances the eyes and brings out the colour, making them sharper and brighter.

 

Gels

There are different types of gels, apart from hair gels. For example, there are eyebrow gels used to keep the hairs in place, especially if they are scanty.

 

Hair Colors

This is common everywhere. Whatever colour you wish your hair to be to make you look amazing, it is available for you.

 

Nail Polish

Have you ever wondered what the world would have been like if there weren’t nail polishes? It is not that we cannot do without them but, let’s admit it, they play their part. They add brightness and beauty to your general look.

 

Lip Stains

These are not lipsticks but serve the same purpose. If lipsticks feel too heavy or concentrated for you, you could try one of these.

 

Lip Liner

It is meant to add colour to your lips. It can also be used to outline the edges of your lips to make lipstick application easier and better. Some people also use it as a base for lip gloss.

 

Hair Spray

This is meant to keep your hair protected from excess wind and humidity.

 

Primer

 

 

 

 

 

Used as a base, it makes the application of foundation and makeup smoother. It also helps hold everything together, keeping it on for a long time.

 

 

Mascara

It makes your lashes fuller, plumper, longer and coloured, giving a shimmer and allure to your eyes.

 

Hand Sanitizer

This is an important part of your everyday life. If you have no immediate access to water to wash hands, you could use this to tide over. Sometimes, even when you wash your hands, you need it for extra fortification. Why is it a cosmetic? Well, it cleans you and smells great.

 

Moisturizer

It hydrates the skin and keeps moisture locked in so it is not lost. It also makes the skin soft and supple, leaving room for nutrients to be effective.

 

Shampoo

Used on hair to clean, retain moisture and feed with vitamins and minerals.

 

Powders

These are used to give your face an even and smooth finish after your concealer and foundation.

 

Toner

A toner helps to wipe every underlying grease and makeup off your face. Cleansing and washing are great but a toner goes that important extra mile. Besides, it tightens your pores, giving your face a flawless look and feel.

 

Baby Oils and Lotions

Babies are not left out of this. They get clean and have their skin taken care of, don’t they? Their soaps, oils and lotions are their cosmetics.

 

Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

Just like the foundation of a house, makeup foundation offers support and evenness to your face. It makes it one colour and reduces obvious blemishes. It can come in different finishes like matte and dewy.

 

 

Lip Plumper

If you have been bothered about having thin lips, this is for you. Lip plumper adds volume to your lips so that your lipstick or lip stain can be shown off better.

 

Deodorants/Antiperspirants

Summer, or any other time of the year for that matter, would not be complete without deodorants. We all need it one time or another. They do not just keep the sweats away, they add to make your scent great.

 

Eyebrow Pencil and Wax

Give precision to your brows with pencils and your face would look sharper. Eyebrow wax keeps hair growth minimal because it pulls the hair from the roots. This means that it would take a longer time for hairs to grow back, leaving you with a smooth brow.

 

Sunscreen

This is a must-have for everyone during the summer. A good sunscreen keeps the UV rays from giving you sunburn while allowing you to get a tan.

 

Eye Shadow

There are so many beautiful colours that you can get from a palette. There are also so many other colours you can get from mixing the ones you have. Oh, the sweetness of variety! Eye shadow makes the eyes glow.

 

Contour Powders and Creams

These give your face a different shape. For a slimmer, more defined face, get one of these.

 

Cleansers

 

 

 

 

 

A cleanser removes makeup alongside dirt, oil, dead cells and any other type of impurity from your face. It also helps to prevent acne and pimples by unclogging your pores, allowing your skin to breathe.

 

Face Mask

It is used to moisturize, clean, hydrate and smoothen your face. It works deeper than any other facial cleansing product because it sits longer and penetrates.

 

 

Acne Creams

These are meant to prevent and treat acne and pimples. They are gentle on the skin so that no further irritation is caused.

 

Exfoliators

Exfoliators get rid of dead cells, open up your pores and gives a glow to your skin.

 

Factors to Consider When Buying Cosmetics

Some people have the most amazing and fabulous skin. No matter what they use, they come out looking great and smelling like roses. They make the rest of us shake our heads in wonderment and ask “what are they doing that I’m not?”

But since everybody cannot have it good like that, you can pay attention to what you put on your hair and skin.

So what factors are absolutely imperative to consider before you buy any cosmetics? Bear in mind that there are thousands of products available so you are not necessarily restricted in what to use. Branch out and see what is on offer.

 

Ingredients

First of all, know your body. If you are allergic to any substance, you should be aware of it. Even if you are not, you still have to be careful about what you use.

There are certain ingredients commonly found in cosmetics that are harmful to the skin. People have been known to react adversely to ingredients like hydroquinone, parabens and chemical dyes.

So read labels. If you’re not sure of what you are looking at, ask someone or surf the internet. The bottom line is to keep yourself safe.

 

Purpose

 

 

 

 

 

What is the reason for buying that cosmetic product? For example, you cannot buy a brightening cream if you have no plans of changing your skin tone. And you cannot buy concealer if you have no plans of using it.

Stick to what you need and be sure of why you need it before you buy. If you are not going to use it often enough, then you probably do not need it.

If you wear makeup often, a cleanser and a toner should be your best friends. And do not leave off using them for only special occasions except you have sensitive skin.

The best thing to do here is to be certain of your regular beauty regimen. Then make a list of all what it entails and buy.

 

Preference

Get to buying based on what you prefer, not what is in vogue. Your sensitive skin will not thank you for the wrong products.

For those with normal skin, you are freer to use products. That is part of the beauty of having normal skin. But you still have to apply caution. Some products with a high concentration of some chemicals may irritate your skin in the long run.

 

Price

The price of any product does not necessarily affect its effectiveness. If it is expensive, it doesn’t automatically equal great results. And if it is cheap, it does not mean it won’t work. Gone are the days when price determined the effectiveness of a product.

Besides, its inexpensiveness could mean fewer ingredients. And fewer ingredients could mean less harmful chemical substances in the product.

 

In other words, keep within the lines of what you can afford. There are countless cosmetic products for everyone, no matter the budget.

Don’t worry that you may not find what you need with what you can afford to spend. It may only take a little more searching. And the internet is one of the best bets to find the greatest items, based on reviews.

 

Fragrance

Cosmetic items like sunscreen and lotions have some of the best and softest fragrances. And this is all good and fine until you wear them into a wooded area.

Smells attract insects. Even on the beach, some lotions would unduly attract sand flies or other insects. More times than not, it is best to buy those that hardly have any smells or no smell at all.

 

4 Awesome Tips for Staying Safe with Your Cosmetics

How do you make absolutely sure that you are safe, apart from knowing what your skin needs?

 

Do Some Research

Do not depend on what other people have to say. Therefore, it is important you pick up the ingredients in your favourite products, one by one, and read about them. That way, you would know if you are doing more harm than good to your skin or hair.

 

Make Homemade Products

You will find that it is not difficult to come up with something that agrees with you.

Generally, honey, oatmeal, turmeric, carrot and papaya are some of the finest natural ingredients you can find. Therefore, make masks and scrubs using some of them. The absence of any chemical is to your advantage.

 

Keep Things Simple

Complicated beauty regimens do not guarantee the best outcome. Sometimes, less is more. So why don’t you try simplifying your beauty regimen? See how that goes and take it up from there.

 

Don’t Always Scrimp

“There is no price for awesomeness…or attractiveness, for that matter.” As much as it is not advisable you break the bank to buy these products, do not scrimp.

If you cannot afford it at any given time, leave it for later. Do this instead of settling for ridiculously cheap products that may do you more harm than good. You will be glad you did.