Mineral Make-up is the most popular among
people returning to natural elements in their daily
lifestyles or simply because Mineral Cosmetics is an
excellent alternative for body and skin care. Marketed under
different names, but sharing a common ingredient, minerals,
these cosmetics are found everywhere around the world.
Mineral Cosmetics, as their name says, are
made with minerals and inorganic pigments that exist in
nature, in many combinations, including those of colored
minerals, such as zinc, iron oxides, mica, titanium dioxide,
and ultramarine pigments, used as makeup from foundation to
eye-shadow to shimmer powder for the body.
Being a modern boom, Mineral Cosmetics
come from remote ancient times. Perhaps the Egyptians were
the most devoted to them believing that beauty and fashion
were very important. Egyptians used mineral pigments to
produce the make-up that we can see in their papyruses and
tombs.
Some Egyptians dynasties used powdered
green malachite brushed under the eyes, and all of them
throughout the history of Egypt had rouge to color the face
and lips, made from red ochre. The scientific analysis of
some Egyptian cosmetic powders date back to as early as
2,000 BC.
Minerals such as galena and malachite was
ground on stone palettes to make eye painting, applied with
their fingers or a kohl pencil made of stone, ivory or wood.
Such palettes have been found in graves, perhaps to ensure
that the deceased had the means to grind eye makeup after
life according to their beliefs.
The emphasizing of the eyes was not only
cosmetical, but also to protect them from the bright
sunlight of the desert. Egyptians used cosmetics regardless
of sex and social status for both aesthetic and therapeutic
reasons. Oils and fats were applied to the skin to protect
it, besides being mixed into perfumes and incenses.
Mineral Cosmetics used today in countries
such as Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and other countries of the
Middle East are modern natural variations of those belonging
to the ancient empires of Egypt and Rome. Herbal Face Packs
have also been used since before recorded times,
particularly by Indian dancers in combinations with mineral
cosmetics that are now impossible to find.
Some other mineral cosmetics come from
oral traditions from generation to generation, including
concoctions with crushed pigments that now are mixed with
neutral cold cream to be applied as natural lipstick,
protecting the lips against dryness at the same time.
Modern Arabic world has never stopped
using the mineral crushed blends to line the eyes not only
for beauty but superstitions coming from Egyptian times, in
the belief that "kohl" eyeliner will ward off evil spirits.
Originally, Kohl made of galena or lead sulfide was mined in
Upper Egypt, or at the Red Sea Coast.
Today, most women use Mineral Cosmetics to
avoid wrinkled skin caused by the heavy and constant
application of modern makeup with synthetic formulation, or
restore skin damaged by abuse due to harsh makeup products,
and for those who want a natural look and feel, that stays
on all day long.
A wide range of products are available in
the market today, including lipstick, eyebrow pencil,
concealer, mascaras and even gels that can be used as
moisturizers and foundations, as well as other Mineral
Cosmetics enhanced with Vitamins A and E incorporated into
the mineral formulation, that liquefy once applied to the
skin, producing a satiny finish.
Mineral Cosmetics are inorganic and do not
contain moisture, preventing bacteria from growing with no
need of preservatives, oils or waxes, which could affect the
skin, and they are practically well tolerated by everyone in
all climates, available both as natural beauty care by
health providers, or as part of traditional cosmetic lines,
introduced to make their products more affordable and
accessible.
