Monday, November 18, 2013

Central Basics: Cosmetic Eye Shadow

By Haywood Hunter


Cosmetic eye shadow is a product applied in the space between the eyebrows and eyelids. It is a form of makeup that is typically worn to make the eyes appear more attractive and stand out on the face. The product is made and sold by many companies, and comes in a range of textures and colors.

The shadow adds dimension and depth to the eye. It may also complement the eye color, drawing attention to the eyes. The product is mostly usually made from mica and powder. However, it may come in pencil, mousse or liquid form.

All around the world, civilizations have long used this makeup product. It is predominately adorned by women, though some men may choose to wear it as well. It is considered a feminine product in many western societies, despite male usage. Most women are born with a space between their eyebrows and eyelashes that is twice as big as that of a man.

Typically this makeup is worn to improve appearance. It works by mimicking the natural shadow that is created on the eyes. In theatre and plays, non-traditional shades and bright colors are applied to create a certain appearance or enhance the drama.

Shadow can be applied in many different ways. How this is done depends greatly on the formulation or the desired appearance. Small brushes or fingertips are commonly used for application. An important step in applying the makeup is blending it well. Eye makeup remover and wipes, baby oil and face washing are effective ways to remove the product from the skin.

This type of makeup can be purchased at many different stores. A technician and a makeup store may even offer advice on how to apply the product and what shades work first for a specific skin tone. Some individuals use several different shades on their eyelid to create various effects, or incorporate colors from their outfit. There is no standard way on how to wear this.

Cosmetics have been around for a very long time. This type of makeup dates back to Egyptian burials of 10,000 BC. The Egyptians have used scented ointments and oils to treat their skin, and dyes and paints to color their hair and body for centuries. They stained their nails using henna, lined their brows and eyes with kohl and rouged their cheeks and lips. Both men and women used these cosmetics. The Greeks used perfumes, powders, eye shadows, glosses, dye and other cosmetics from an earlier period of time as well. Romans painted their faces to protect them from the evil eyes and discovered the multiple uses for different oils. The used resins and gums to repel evil spirits.

Many eye shadows today are made using preservatives, mica, magnesium stearate and sericite. Talc is used as a filler. Dry binders are done with magnesium stearate, and liquid binders utilize silicone. There must be a balance between liquid binders, dry binders and fillers to create this makeup. Once the correct formula has been found, it can be pressed and the cosmetic eye shadow is made. As is the case with other products, quality will vary by manufacturer.




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