Eye shadow is a cosmetic that is applied on the eyelids and under the eyes. It is commonly used to make the wearer's eyes stand out or look more attractive. Eye shadow can add depth and dimension to one's eyes, complement one's eye color, make one's eyes appear larger, or simply draw attention to the eyes. Eye shadow comes in many different colors and textures. It is usually made from a powder and mica, but can also be found in liquid, pencil, cream or mousse form. Just like other trends, eyeshadow looks also have trends. Civilizations across the world use eye shadow predominantly on females but also occasionally on males. In Western society, it is seen as a feminine cosmetic, even when used by men. In Gothic fashion, black or similarly dark-colored eye shadow and other types of eye makeup are popular among both sexes. In India, eye liner, called Kohl, played a prominent role in various dance forms and ceremonies such as weddings. Many people use eye shadow simply to improve their appearance, but it is also commonly used in theatre and other plays, to create a memorable look, with bright, bold colors. Depending on skin tone and experience, the effect of eye shadow usually brings out glamour and gains attention. The use of eye shadow attempts to replicate the natural eye shadow that some women exhibit due to a natural contrasting pigmentation on their eyelids. Natural eye shadow can range anywhere from a glossy shine to one's eyelids, to a pinkish tone, or even a silver look.
Use
Eye shadow can be applied in a wide variety of ways depending upon the desired look and formulation. Typically application is done using fingers or brushes. The most important aspect of applying eye shadow, and makeup in general, is blending well. However, you must not forget to include a primer to limit the chances of creases in your eye shadow later. To remove eye shadow, a commercial eye makeup remover can be utilized, though a rich face wash will usually remove all traces of color. Generally it is easy to remove, and simple water and soap can be used. Eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara may also be removed using baby oil. There are also makeup wipes that can be used.
History
Cosmetics have been used for as long as there have been people to use them. Face painting is mentioned in the Old Testament, and eye shadow was used in Egyptian burials dating back to 10,000 BC. The history of cosmetics traverse from at least 7,000 years and is common in mostly every society. Over the years many women have used burnt matches to intensify their eye makeup. Many women would often dust rice powder to hide any imperfections or freckles they had on their face. Eyeshadow or eye paint was very popular during the Victorian era, less was more. The less eyeshadow you wore, the more respected you were. The word "cosmetae" was first used to describe Roman slaves whose duty was to bathe men and women in perfume.
Modern time
Eye Shadow has gone through many different phases, for example during the 1920s where the smoky eyes were in trend, and the 1930s was when people added many colors to their eyeshadow looks.
Egypt
As early as 10,000 BC, men and women used scented oils and ointments to clean and soften their skin and mask body odor. Dyes and paints were used to color the skin, body and hair. The birth of eyeshadow can be brought up 12000 years ago to ancient Egypt, also the same goes for Eyeliner. They rouged their lips and cheeks, stained their nails with henna, and lined their eyes and eyebrows heavily with kohl. Kohl was a dark-colored powder made of crushed antimony, burnt almonds, lead, oxidized copper, ochre, ash, malachite, and chrysocolla or any combination thereof. It was applied with a small stick. The upper and lower eyelids were painted in a line that extended to the sides of the face for an almond effect. In addition to reducing sun glare, it was believed that kohl eyeliner could restore good eyesight and reduce eye infection. Kohl was kept in a small, flat-bottomed pot with a wide, tiny rim and a flat, disk-shaped lid. According to images of the time, the use of makeup was not limited to women. Highly polished silver and copper mirrors aided the application of makeup.
Greece
In Greece, precious oils, perfumes, cosmetic powders, eye shadows, skin glosses, paints, beauty unguents, and hair dyes were in universal use. Export and sale of these items formed an important part of trade around the Mediterranean. During the 7th and 8th centuries BC, Corinthian, Rhodian and East Greek traders dominated markets in perfume flasks and cosmetic containers. The containers included aryballoi, alabastra, pyxides and other small specialized shapes.
Rome
Men and women in the Near East painted their faces with kohl just like the Egyptians did. This was to protect them from the ‘evil eye.’ After the defeat of the Greeks by the Romans, the Romans adapted the Egyptian custom, albeit with different ends. To the Romans, applying eye shadow became a matter of fashion and esthetics. Other cosmetics took on a medicinal application in Rome. Plagues were so rampant throughout Rome that aromatic gums and resins were burned to repel demons and bad spirits.
Ingredients
Common ingredients in eye shadows consist of mica, which is a mineral that is used as a bulk of the powder, and makes most of the eyeshadow and also absorbs the moisture and makes the eyeshadow opaque in color. Zinc stearate, which is an ingredient that adds color and can be used to increase the thickness of the eyeshadow itself. Mica, is an ingredient that is added to give the eyeshadow shine and luster. sericite, magnesium stearate, colorants, and preservatives. Fillers in eye shadows are primarily talc. The liquid binders are typically a silicone and the dry binders are typically magnesium stearate. In order to make an eye shadow, there must be a balance between the fillers, dry binders as well as liquid binders.
Types of eyeshadow
Many types of eyeshadows exist: powder eyeshadows, liquid eyeshadows, cream eyeshadows, and many more.
Types of Brushes
There are different kind of Eyeshadow brushes, there are brushes for blending the eyeshadows, which is called a blending brush. Another brush is called the crease brush which is used to pack the eyeshadow on the crease of the eyelid and blend. Another eyeshadow brush that is used on the eyelids is an angular brush that is used for the inner tear duct of the eye to make the eyeshadow pop in eyes and is a very precise brush.
