The make-up industry is a massively growing market with the average woman spending approximately $9000 on cosmetics in her lifetime! According to a poll of 3,000 women conducted by Superdrug, research also found that 70 per cent of women never leave the house without applying some form of cosmetics, and that a fifth of the nation’s boyfriends have never seen their partners without make-up – even in bed.

Sixty-eight per cent of the 3,000 women polled said they feel more confident in full make-up, and rarely let people see them without it. Half said they wear make up all the time and 41% said they would be mortified if a colleague saw them without it.

My boyfriend always tells me he thinks I look better without make-up (although I’m not sure if I believe him!) and I am certainly not one the 20% of the female population who wears make up in bed or wakes up extra early on a morning to brush my hair and apply lipgloss and mascara. I firmly believe that it is so important to clean my face thoroughly on a night and allow my skin to breathe.

So why do we have such a fascination with makeup products and achieving the perfect made up look? Do we do it to attract men or do we do it for ourselves – to boost our confidence and make us feel better? I asked my girlfriends and the answering was a resounding reply that they all do it for themselves. Only a couple of friends admitted to wearing make-up to attract the opposite sex, and this was usually only on a night out. The ladies still wore make-up during the day so again this is surely more for their own benefit than for any flirting possibilities? Most of my friends are happily married or in a long term relationship and yet still choose to wear make-up for themselves. They say their husbands barely even notice!

I certainly feel more confident and happier with even a touch of make-up on and will adjust my look according to my mood. If I am feeling happy and at ease I’ll only wear very light, natural looking makeup; Just a touch of powder, blusher, mascara and lipgloss. If however, I am feeling low and self-conscious I tend to go for the full makeup; primer, illuminator, foundation, powder, blusher, smoky eyes, lashings of mascara and lipstick. I suppose I use it as a mask to hide my true feelings and it certainly helps me keep a brave face when I’m a bit blue.

I’m very lucky to have good skin and very rarely suffer from breakouts, however this is also a consideration when wearing makeup and many of my friends choose to wear makeup to cover imperfections and even out skin tone.

Another reason I like make-up is for the retail therapy. There’s nothing better than going into a store and browsing through the cosmetic stands, checking out the newest products and colours and lusting after beautiful packaging. I love the sparkly, glitteriness (ok I know that’s not a real word but you know what I mean) and the neat rows of makeup on the stands appeals to my inner OCD. Finding the perfect Lipstick shade or nail varnish colour to match that outfit can be a full afternoon mission and may need to be attempted commando style with stealth and purpose!

So when did women first start using makeup and cosmetics? The word cosmetics derives from the Greek kosmetike tekhne, meaning “technique of dress and ornament” and archaeological evidence of cosmetics dates at least from Ancient Egypt and Greece. It is believed that the Ancient Egyptians used castor oil as a protective balm, and skin creams made of beeswax, olive oil, and rosewater are described by the Romans. You only have to look at busts of Ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti to see she is portrayed with kohl eyeliner around 1,320 BC. Cosmetics are also mentioned in the Old Testament where Jezebel painted her eyelids (approx. 840 BC).

Cosmetics have been around for 6,000 years across almost every society on the earth and are going nowehere. In the 21st Century a growing number of males are using cosmetics to enhance their appearance and it seems that even in this difficult economic climate, make up is here to stay!

Carole Cook MBA is a registered nurse and her sister Julie is an expert in skincare. They run a successful [http://www.thecosmeticpractice.co.uk/]online retail cosmeceutical store established in 2003. Find out more information or complete an [http://www.thecosmeticpractice.co.uk/contact-us-i3]online consultation for all your skincare needs.
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carole_Cook]Carole Cook
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Do-We-Wear-Makeup?&id=7188727] Why Do We Wear Makeup?

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