Do cosmetics enhance female Caucasian facial attractiveness?

This study sought to investigate whether cosmetics do improve female facial attractiveness, and to determine whether the contribution of different cosmetic products are separable, or whether they function synergistically to enhance female beauty. Ten volunteers were made up by a beautician under five cosmetics conditions: (i) no make-up; (ii) foundation only; (iii) eye make-up only; (iv) lip make-up only; and (v) full facial make-up. Male and female participants were asked to view the 10 sets of five photographs, and rank each set from most attractive to least attractive. As predicted, faces with full make-up were judged more attractive than the same faces with no make-up. Sex differences within the results were also apparent. Women judged eye make-up as contributing most to the attractiveness. Men rated eye make-up and foundation as having a significant impact on the attractiveness of a full facial makeover. Surprisingly, lipstick did not appear to contribute to attractiveness independently.     

Physical attractiveness, cosmetic use and self-perception in the elderly

The relationships between physical attractiveness, cosmetic practices and self-perception were examined in elderly females. Sixteen individuals of high and 16 of low attractiveness were evaluated with regard to 'how they saw themselves'in terms of their behaviour, attitude, appearance, etc., and some aspects of their utilization of cosmetics.
The attractive evaluated themselves more highly than the unattractive on an overall measure of self-perception, and they rated themselves more highly on a number of important individual dimensions of self-perception: they perceived themselves as being healthier, with a greater feeling of wellbeing, as having a more positive outlook on life; as being more cheerful/less depressed, and better adjusted; they registered greater satisfaction with their lives; were more socially engaged; and more realistic.
Attractiveness did not appear to be correlated with the aspects of cosmetic practices examined. The physically attractive and unattractive did not differ significantly with respect to cosmetic usage (frequency and number of products), attitude towards cosmetics, history of cosmetic care, or difference between their cosmetic and basic attractiveness.
Since our previous research¹ on this subject sample has shown that the unattractive elderly benefit from cosmetic therapy more than the attractive - not only in terms of appearance but psychologically - it is suggested that explicit training in effective cosmetic usage as used in cosmetic therapy programmes could help to bridge the psychological gap between the handsome and unhandsome elderly and reduce discrimination against the unhandsome elderly.     

Cosmetics considered in the context of physical attractiveness: a review

This review demonstrates the importance of outward appearance (especially of the face and head) in physical attractiveness and describes the methodology and results of objective experiments which assess interpersonal attraction, others' perceptions of the physically attractive and self-perception.
It shows that, although cosmetics have been used, inter alia , to manipulate physical attractiveness in some of these experiments, there are little data showing benefit of cosmetics per se to the individual.
Consequently, the review is a first step in designing objective studies to test the hypothesis that cosmetics are of demonstrable benefit to the user.
Les produits cosmetiques et l'attrait physique     

Relation between facial morphology, personality and the functions of facial make-up in women

Our external appearance plays a key role in everyday life's social interactions. Hence, taking care of our appearance allows us to adjust and protect ourselves, as well as communicate emotional disposition (i.e. sympathy or aversion) and social information (i.e. values, status). However, some discrete body parts or characteristics appear to be more salient than others in contributing to global body image. For example, authors showed that facial attractiveness is one of the best predictors of overall physical attractiveness and represent one of the primary factors influencing global self-esteem. Make-up is therefore ought to play a major influence in these parameters. Moreover, in a previous study whose subject was to explain the reasons that motivate women to make-up, we showed a high implication of specific psychological traits in correlation with two make-up functions (i.e. psycho-behavioural profiles 'Seduction' and 'Camouflage'; group S and group C, respectively). The purpose of this study was to assess the possible relation between our two psycho-behavioural profiles and some morphological parameters know to be involved in facial attraction (i.e. facial asymmetry and skin visual quality). First of all, our study revealed for women from the group C a greater asymmetry of the lower face (i.e. mouth area) that could be related to a possible larger amount of negative emotional experiences. Concerning make-up behaviour, women from the group S more extensively manipulated their relative facial attractiveness, by using a large range of colours, but also through a significantly longer make-up process used to adjust their visual asymmetry and therefore increase their potential of attractiveness. On the overall, our results suggest that make-up is used differentially, according to stable psychological profiles of women, to manipulate specific visual/morphological facial features involved in attractiveness.     

Women's use of cosmetics: psychosocial correlates and consequences

Few systematic studies have examined individual differences in women's use of facial make-up or the possible psychosocial effects of such use. In the present investigation, the researchers developed several measures of the amount and the situational and temporal patterning of cosmetics use. Among forty-two female college students, differential use was associated with a number of selected personality variables-public self-consciousness, public body-consciousness, social anxiety, and various body-image factors. Through the imagery-induction of cosmetics use and non-use conditions, cosmetics users' self-evaluative responses were studied. In a variety of imagined situations, subjects reported being more self-confident and sociable when wearing as opposed to not wearing their customary cosmetics. Findings were discussed in the context of the role of cosmetics in self-image enhancement and social impression management.
Aspects psycho-sociaux de l'utilisation des produits cosmétiques par les femmes     

The function of polyglyceryl erucate/isostearate/ricinoleate

Today, it is said that the formula design of cosmetics from ingredients of plant origin is an indispensable way and trend. From this consideration, cosmetic materials made from animal and synthetic petroleum ingredients are becoming less usable. Instead, cosmetic materials are designed from ingredients of plant origin and many and various botanical ingredients are being developed. Lanolin, which is one of the animal-based ingredients, is said to have ideal functions as a cosmetic oil, and it has been used in many fields such as make-up cosmetics as well as hair and skin care products for a long time. However, unfortunately, lanolin is an animal-based ingredient; therefore, the development of a botanical ingredient to replace lanolin was desired. Polyglyceryl-8 decaerucate/isostearate/ricinoleate, which we have developed, is an ester oil originating from plants and has an equivalent or higher function than lanolin. We have confirmed that our developed ester oil has various excellent characteristics such as a water-holding capability 2.5 times higher than that of lanolin, high air permeability, moisture keeping in dermal layers, protection of hair from changes in external environmental humidity, and excellent gloss and excellent dispersability of pigments. Thus, this newly developed ester oil is expected to be a promising new botanical cosmetic ingredient which can be applied in various fields.     

An overview of chemical straightening of human hair: technical aspects,potential risks to hair fibre and health and legal issues

Personal image, as it relates to external beauty, has attracted much attention from the cosmetic industry, and capillary aesthetics is a leader in consumption in this area. There is a great diversity of products targeting both the treatment and beautification of hair. Among them, hair straighteners stand out with a high demand by costumers aiming at beauty, social acceptance and ease of daily hair maintenance. However, this kind of treatment affects the chemical structure of keratin and of the hair fibre, bringing up some safety concerns. Moreover, the development of hair is a dynamic and cyclic process, where the duration of growth cycles depends not only on where hair grows, but also on issues such as the individual's age, dietary habits and hormonal factors. Thus, although hair fibres are composed of dead epidermal cells, when they emerge from the scalp, there is a huge variation in natural wave and the response to hair cosmetics. Although it is possible to give the hair a cosmetically favourable appearance through the use of cosmetic products, for good results in any hair treatment, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of the process. Important information, such as the composition and structure of the hair fibres, and the composition of products and techniques available for hair straightening, must be taken into account so that the straightening process can be designed appropriately, avoiding undesirable side effects for hair fibre and for health. This review aims to address the morphology, chemical composition and molecular structure of hair fibres, as well as the products and techniques used for chemical hair relaxing, their potential risk to hair fibre and to health and the legal aspects of their use.     

The functions of the female sex pheromones of Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera,Phycitidae)

The sex pheromone complex of female Ephestia cautella contains three known components. Field trials on the attractiveness to males of the three synthetic compounds (and their combinations) are described. (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate is shown to be the major attractant in the complex. (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate has no attractive effect on its own but there is a possibility that it may act as a synergist to the major attractant. (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienol also has no attractive effect alone but is shown to inhibit the attractiveness of the major attractant when the two compounds are presented together. The possibilities for use of these synthetic compounds in the control and survey of E. cautella infestations are discussed.     

How neutral coloured backgrounds affect the attractiveness and expensiveness of fresh produce

The colour of the background on which products are presented may affect their perceived attractiveness. In order to find out on which type of background various fresh food products look most attractive, we presented five different vegetables (tomato, carrot, yellow bell pepper, eggplant, mushroom) on five different backgrounds with neutral grey colours varying in degree of blackness: 5, 30, 50, 65, and 90%. Forty-six participants provided colour matches for the vegetables and evaluated them on 10 attributes.Overall, the blackness of the backgrounds had little or no effect on the perceived colour of the vegetable. Only for carrots we found a small but significant difference, mainly between the 5% and 90% blackness backgrounds. On the darkest background, the carrot would be perceived as a bit lighter, more saturated, and more yellow rather than red, compared to the lightest background.Differences in perceived attractiveness on the grey backgrounds varied between 0.3 and 1.0 units on a 9-point scale. Attractiveness and expensiveness ratings for most vegetables were highest on the 90% blackness background. In comparison to our previous study where we presented vegetables on hued backgrounds, differences between mean attractiveness ratings were smaller. Because mean attractiveness ratings in the current study were higher, we expect that grey backgrounds are more likely to present vegetable assortments with a variety of hues in an attractive way than hued backgrounds.     

Visible skin colouration predicts perception of male facial age, health and attractiveness

Although there is evidence that perception of facial age, health and attractiveness is informed by shape characteristics as well as by visible skin condition, studies on the latter have focused almost exclusively on female skin. Recent research, however, suggests that a decrease in skin colour homogeneity leads to older, less healthy and less attractive ratings of facial skin in both women and men. Here, we elaborate on the significance of the homogeneity of visible skin colouration in men by testing the hypothesis that perception of age, health and attractiveness of (non-contextual) digitally isolated fields of cheek skin only can predict that of whole facial images. Facial digital images of 160 British men (all Caucasian) aged between 10 and 70 were blind-rated for age, health and attractiveness by a total of 147 men and 154 women (mean age = 22.95, SD = 4.26), and these ratings were related to those of corresponding images of cheek skin reported by Fink et al. (J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol. in press). Linear regression analysis showed that age, health and attractiveness perception of men's faces could be predicted by the ratings of cheek skin only, such that older men were viewed as older, less healthy and less attractive. This result underlines once again the potent signalling role of skin in its own right, independent of shape or other factors and suggests strongly that visible skin condition, and skin colour homogeneity in particular, plays a significant role in the perception of men's faces.     

Scanning electron microscopic observation of oil/wax/water/surfactant system

Skin care cosmetics and emulsions are related closely. The recent emulsion technology has advanced the quality of cosmetics, and cosmetics technology has advanced the study of emulsion. Therefore, cosmetic or emulsion researchers including the author were able to develop highly functional cosmetics by studying the chemical structure of oils and the form of emulsions which are both main factors for emulsion. As for the chemical structure of oils, a study has shown that a high polar oil with unique properties was synthesized, and applied to make-up remover. This study was worthy of notice to connect the properties of the oil and emulsion with the organic conceptual diagram. As for the form of emulsion, it was reported that multiple type emulsion stabilized active ingredients and helped to permeate the skin markedly and employing a high-pressure homogenizer brought even higher efficiency.     

发用类、肤用清洁类化妆品的急性皮肤和眼刺激损害特点

分析发用类、肤用清洁类化妆品的急性皮肤刺激和急性眼刺激损害特点,了解其卫生安全状况。于2012年采用《化妆品卫生规范》(2007年版)中的急性皮肤刺激性实验和急性眼刺激性实验对发用类、肤用清洁类共计158种化妆品样品进行测试。两类受试化妆品显示出不同程度的急性皮肤刺激性和急性眼刺激性损害效应。发用类化妆品在实验中基本无皮肤刺激性损伤;肤用清洁类化妆品在实验中有少量的皮肤刺激性损伤,但大都为轻刺激性(31.0%),只有个别(3.8%)出现了皮肤红斑水肿的中刺激性损伤。发用类、肤用清洁类化妆品在急性眼刺激性实验中检出一定比例具有微刺激性及以上刺激性的样品,但引起的眼损伤都能够在观察期限内恢复。本次调查的所有化妆品中,洁面类、洗发类化妆品普遍具有急性眼刺激性和急性皮肤刺激性损害,需加强对化妆品的监督管理,进一步提升化妆品卫生安全水平,保障化妆品使用安全。     

Conceptual differences between meals

This study follows up prior research findings indicating that people employed evaluative and social-emotional criteria in significantly different ways when asked to conceptualize their recent morning, midday and evening meals. A convenience sample (N=157) of males and females ranging in age from 18 to 87 rated their most recent and their “ideal” morning, midday and evening meals on a series of evaluative and social–emotional scales. Analysis of the combined recent and ideal meal ratings showed that regardless of the variable meal contents, morning meals were generally seen as significantly less expensive, more casual, convenient and lighter than other meals, whereas evening meals were seen as more unusual, elderly, masculine and happy than other meals. Comparisons between recent and ideal meals revealed that the latter are seen as significantly better liked, less convenient, happier, heavier, and more unusual than the former. Moreover, older women stood out as rating both their recent and ideal meals as healthier than all other respondents. Additional factor analytic results showed substantial structural differences between the patterns of evaluative and social–emotional ratings applied to recent morning, midday and evening meals. Pending further research with a larger, more representative sample, it is concluded that there are important conceptual and social–emotional differences between morning, midday and evening meals.     

Host-associated kairomones used for habitat orientation in the parasitoid Lariophagus distinguendus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Males and females of the parasitic wasp Lariophagus distinguendus respond to volatiles emitted by the larval faeces of one of their hosts, the granary weevil Sitophilus granarius. Previous studies have shown that attractive chemicals are emitted by astigmatid mites living in the host faeces and that these cues are attractive only to experienced parasitoids. In the present study we demonstrate that larval faeces of the host and headspace extracts of the faeces are attractive for both sexes of the parasitoid even when the mites were experimentally excluded from the beetle rearings. The response to volatiles from mite-free host faeces is innate. In order to elucidate the chemistry of this odor, headspace extracts were fractionated by adsorption chromatography. Tests using combinations of fractions of different polarities revealed that both the non-polar pentane and the polar methanol fractions were necessary to maintain the attractiveness. This indicates that the attractive odor is composed of a complex blend of components with different polarities. The composition of the polar fraction was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, whereas elucidation of the structure of non-polar components has not been possible so far. By orientating toward the same host-related volatiles used by females for host finding, L. distinguendus males may be arrested in patches of potentially high female density and thus increase their chance of mating.     

Appropriateness,acceptance and sensory preferences based on visual information: A web-based survey on meat substitutes in a meal context

The aim of this study was to investigate the appropriateness, attractiveness, use-intention and (un)desirable sensory properties of meat substitutes in different dishes based only on visual information. A web-based survey was developed to let consumers assess the use of meat substitutes in different dishes. The survey consisted of 38 key questions with subdivisions and was completed by 251 respondents. Six different dishes (spaghetti, rice, wrap, pizza, pasta salad, and soup) were rated for their appropriateness for the use of meat substitutes. Subsequently, appropriateness, attractiveness, and use-intention were rated based on photographs of the six dishes prepared with meat substitutes that differed in shape and appearance. Respondents also had to indicate (un)desirable sensory properties of meat substitutes for every dish. Spaghetti, rice and wrap were more appropriate for the use of meat substitutes than the other dishes. The most appropriate meat substitute–meal combinations were those that are similar to common Dutch meal combinations (e.g. spaghetti with mince and rice with pieces). Attractiveness and intention scores were in line with the appropriateness scores. Furthermore, we found that current users of meat substitutes and younger respondents gave higher appropriateness ratings. This study demonstrates that appropriateness of meat substitutes in a dish is related to attractiveness and use-intention and that meal context should be taken into account in the development of new meat substitutes.     

Nanoemulsion: process selection and application in cosmetics – a review

In recent decades, considerable and continuous growth in consumer demand in the cosmetics field has spurred the development of sophisticated formulations, aiming at high performance, attractive appearance, sensorial benefit and safety. Yet despite increasing demand from consumers, the formulator faces certain restrictions regarding the optimum equilibrium between the active compound concentration and the formulation base taking into account the nature of the skin structure, mainly concerning to the ideal penetration of the active compound, due to the natural skin barrier. Emulsion is a mixture of two immiscible phases, and the interest in nanoscale emulsion has been growing considerably in recent decades due to its specific attributes such as high stability, attractive appearance and drug delivery properties; therefore, performance is expected to improve using a lipid‐based nanocarrier. Nanoemulsions are generated by different approaches: the so‐called high‐energy and low‐energy methods. The global overview of these mechanisms and different alternatives for each method are presented in this paper, along with their benefits and drawbacks. As a cosmetics formulation is reflected in product delivery to consumers, nanoemulsion development with prospects for large‐scale production is one of the key attributes in the method selection process. Thus, the aim of this review was to highlight the main high‐ and low‐energy methods applicable in cosmetics and dermatological product development, their specificities, recent research on these methods in the cosmetics and consideration for the process selection optimization. The specific process with regard to inorganic nanoparticles, polymer nanoparticles and nanocapsule formulation is not considered in this paper.     

Visual attractiveness depends on colorfulness and color contrasts in mixed salads

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of color and color combinations on visual attractiveness in food. Ten salad mixes were composed to represent pale-colored salads with no color contrasts and colorful salads with high color contrasts. A consumer study was conducted to discover the kind of color combinations that are seen as visually attractive in salad mixes. The salad portions were photographed and the photographs were introduced in the consumer study (n = 93). In addition, the color values (L*, a*, b*) of the salad compounds were measured using digital image analysis. The color dimensions chroma, saturation, vividness, depth and hue angle were calculated. The total color differences and the maximum differences between the salad components’ color values and color dimensions were calculated to describe the color contrasts in the salad portions. The results of the study indicated that colors and color combinations impacted visual attractiveness and that colorful salad portions with high color contrasts between salad components were more attractive than pale-colored salads with no color contrasts. Saturation and depth of color were the color dimensions associated with attractiveness. Color contrasts with the complementary colors red and green and with light and dark colors were preferred, along with high total color differences. The colorfulness and the color contrasts were associated with freshness, variability and complexity, and consequently with attractiveness. The improvement of visual attractiveness in food using intensive colors and stimulating color combinations is one potential way to tempt consumers to choose and consume more vegetables.     

Cyclodextrins in Food,Cosmetics and Toiletries

Stabilization of food flavours and fragrances seems to be the biggest market for cyclodextrins in the 80′-es. Possible or already realized applications of CDs are reported in:

• – Stabilization of flavours for food products,
• – Elimination of undesirable tastes and odours,
• – Preparation of antifungal complexes for foods and toiletries,
• – Stabilization of fragrances, dyes and reduction of foaming in foods, cosmetics and toiletries,
• – Improvement of quality, stability and storability of foods, etc.

     

ESTIMATION OF THE RATE OF SHEAR ENCOUNTERED IN TOPICAL APPLICATION OF COSMETICS

Abstract The rates of shear encountered in topical application of cosmetic creams and lipstick were obtained by dividing the application velocities, at which the samples are being sheared, by the applied thicknesses of the layer. The application velocity was measured by means of a high-speed camera. Beauty artists, formulating chemists of cosmetics and women employees were used as the sensory panel. For topical application of creams in make-up, the maximum rates of shear were found to be between 10⁴ and 10⁵ S^-1, though the rate of shear differed from one kind of cream to another. The maximum rates of shear for lipstick in make-up were smaller than those for creams and were between 10³ and 10⁴ s^-1.     

Internet‐based lay person rating of facial photographs to assess effects of a cleansing product and a decent cosmetic foundation on the attractiveness of female faces

It is well established that decorative cosmetics can enhance female facial attractiveness. In this study, we investigated the effects of a cleanser and a decent foundation on attractiveness of female faces. Comparative rating of a set of facial photographs by a group of lay persons revealed that the cleansing product was significantly reducing the attractiveness of the stimulus persons. Treatment with the foundation increased the attractiveness of the female faces clearly. The authors conclude that even unobtrusive cosmetic treatments like cleansers and light foundations may cause relevant changes of the attractiveness of female faces.