Like any other first-timers, especially in the vast and colourful world of makeup and cosmetics, I’ve always encountered some terms that I find confusing and am not fully aware of, thus, I always end up consulting the dictionary, both cyber and printed, for their meanings.
I’ve listed, defined, compared, and contrasted some words and products in the makeup and cosmetics industries that even I just only encountered recently. I heard these words but didn’t know the distinctions between each, so, I always ended up misusing them. So, let’s start with the basics.
Source: WeheartIt
COSMETICS vs. MAKEUP
Cosmetics: Consists of wide variety of products used to enhance or alter the face or body (from head to foot) using different products, natural and artificial. They can also be used by both genders and not fully concentrated on the skin alone.
The categories that fall under Cosmetics are: creams, lotions, toe and nail polishes, hair colours, and sprays, gels, lotions, baths deodorants, contact lenses (coloured), makeup, etc.
Makeup: They are just a category among the diverse list of products that fall under cosmetics. Makeup similar to cosmetics are also used to improve or change one’s appearance. But mostly, these products are used for the face only. Examples are lipsticks, eyeshadows, eyebrow pencils, mascaras, lip glosses, etc.
Source: WeHeartIt
LOTIONS vs. CREAMS
Lotions: Thick liquids you rub in your arms and legs for soothing, moisturizing, and cleaning the skin.
Creams: These products are like lotions too. They both share the same purposes except for its viscosity and the type of skin each kind serves.
Lotions and creams can be both water and oil based. Oil-based means it’s an emulsion of water into oil. And water-based is a mixture of oil into water. Apparently, they are the same but slightly different in some manners. Like for example, creams are a lot thicker than lotions. Most products come in tubs and other non-pressed containers because it will be very hard to squeeze them out of the tube. Creams can be very effective on dry skin because of the extra protection they have. Lotions on the contrary, are less thick. These products usually come in tubes, bottles or any container that you can press or squeeze. They are not that oily and heavy like that of creams. Lotions are good for moisturizing normal type of skins.
PERFUMES vs. COLOGNES
Perfumes: Fragrant liquids made from a mixture of oils and other extracts and odoriferous compounds from artificial and/ or natural sources (like flowers and animals) that give off a pleasant smell to humans, animals etc.
Colognes: “A scented liquid made of alcohol and various fragrant oils. Also called eau de cologne.” (from The Free Dictionary by Farlex)
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These words are commonly used alternately. Though both are restrained to accessorize someone with a fragrant smell, these two have a modest disparity in terms of their concentrations. We learned that perfumes and colognes are made from a mixture of extracts, oils, etc. One of the essential ingredients of these products is alcohol. Alcohol is used as a base for fragrances. When combined with the others it produces a concoction that dictates the staying power of such. The one with the highest concentration and longest-lasting is the Perfume or extrait perfume it is the purest among all the types. It has 20-50% concentrates. And that makes it the most expensive perfume. Example is the Chanel No. 5 Parfum which costs around $260 in the US. It only requires a few drops to last for hours. Imagine that! ☺ Followed by Eau de Parfum of Parfum de Toilette concentrated between 10%-30%. This is the most popular and common type of perfume, and less expensive than Extrait. Chnnel No. 5 Eau de Parfum edition is an example of it. With 5%-20% perfume concentrates is, Eau de Toilette. These are the perfumes you commonly see in department stores that are affordable to the masses. It gives a refreshing smell good enough to wake up people in the morning. And lastly, the Eau de Cologne, with 2%-5% aromatic compounds. This is the reason why we’re wondering why colognes do not last long. They are the citrus types that do not have base notes.
BB CREAMS vs. FOUNDATIONS
BB creams: (also known as the Blemish Balm/Base) Korean artists made them famous worldwide. These products originated from Germany give a natural-looking effect when applied on skin. They are similar to a foundation but the coverage is usually sheer. It can be used as a base for makeup or like a primer to cover imperfections, redness, and discolorations. Aside working as a concealer, impressively, it promises healing and soothing. Not to mention that it contains SPF and anti-ageing properties too!
Foundations: According to Wikipedia, “it is a skin coloured cosmetic applied to the face to create an even, uniform colour to the complexion, to cover flaws, and, sometimes, to change the natural skintone. Foundation applied to the body is generally referred to as “body painting” it is also rising in popularity with males.”
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BB creams and foundations are relatively similar in its form and purpose. Aside from the ingredients and formulations, one obvious distinction of the two is the kind of coverage they provide. BB cream has a sheer coverage, it is not cakey, and it doesn’t clog pores. But the downside of this product, because of its very thin coverage, it does not hide your scars, acnes, blemishes, and other imperfections completely. BB cream is ideal for people with already good skin; it makes their skins look finer and softer.
Foundation on the other hand covers very well. But because of its thick consistency, it tends to get cakey. The thicker it gets the cakier it becomes.
LIP STAIN vs. LIP GLOSS
Lip stain: Lip stain comes in a marker/pen form. It contains pigment that gives the lips a just-bitten look. Lip stain however does not have any shine or gloss; it gives a matte, dry finish for the lips. It stays for hours and it doesn’t smudge off.
Lip gloss: Unlike lip stains, lip gloss gives a glossy finish on the lips. It has a wide variety of finishes ranging from slightly shiny to almost wet.
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Lip stain and lip gloss are both lip enhancers, hence, they differ in finish and viscosity. Most lip glosses are made with a thick consistency that is thicker than water. As the word itself says, it gives gloss and sometimes glittery effects. Lip stains on the contrary, are gel-like; it has a little percentage of alcohol in it that causes the lips to dry. That’s why many people apply lip balms first before putting on lip stains to prevent their lips from chapping and drying.
On a personal note, the very reason of writing this article is not to expose the pros and cons of the products mentioned above. Which is good to buy and which is not. They are just a handful of terminologies that comprise the vast universe of such. And for a newbie/late bloomer like me, I only have insufficient knowledge about these products. True enough, there is more than what meets the eye. And working on this article gives light to some of my misconceptions with regards to makeup and cosmetics.
For 2014, my goal is to have a new passion for something; and just before last year ended, I came to know this site, bringing with me my little knowledge on perfumes alone. I was given the chance to share my expertise. Though not fully, I am taking baby steps getting out of my comfort zone. I aim to try more products soon, makeup in particular. Who knows? Perhaps this is the newly discovered passion that my heart is yearning for.
Stay fab!
Product Reviews by Ruth 