Many words in our everyday lives are used interchangeably, the word cosmetic and the word makeup are good examples of that. So does cosmetics have the same meaning as makeup?
Cosmetics are a mixture of chemical compounds that come from either natural resources or synthetically created chemicals. Cosmetics are products that are applied to the skin or hair, usually on the face, to enhance or alter the appearance.
Cosmetics can include makeup products such as lipsticks, eyeshadow, foundation, mascara, eyeliner, primers, and rouges. It can also include skin care products such as cleansers, toners, facial masks, moisturizers and sunscreens. Hair products like shampoos, hair conditioners and hair styling products like gels, waxes and pomades, can also be considered as cosmetics. Lastly, the list also includes other decorative products such as bronzers, false eyelashes, face powder, nail polish, fragrances, and perfumes as well.
Now that we know what cosmetics are, our next question is, “what is make up?” Makeup is a cosmetic category that contains cosmetic products such as lipsticks and powder products that are applied to the face to alter or enhance the appearance. Which includes mascara, eye liner, lip tints, lip stains, foundations, blushes, eyeshadows and primers.
So does cosmetics have the same meaning as makeup? Short answer is no, makeup is only but a subcategory of cosmetics, makeup is only referred to products that are mostly applied to the face to alter or enhance, and cosmetics can range from makeup to nail polishes, shampoos and perfumes.
Author: Luis Guillen
Photography: Lily Guillen