Living Outside The Lines: Is She Born With It, Or Is It Maybelline?

Is she born with it? Not likely. Is it Maybelline? Could be. Is she vain? Who cares. Is she confident? If so, then it is money well spent…

Becky J Miller | Exclusive to Corridor News

Egyptian women were the first females to wear makeup. Therefore, credit or blame, dependent upon perspective, for our beauty-obsessed culture, rests solely at the base of their ancient tombstones.

In 2003, analysts at Goldman Sacs estimated the global beauty industry at a worth of $24 billion skin care, $18 billion make-up, $38 billion hair care products, and $15 billion perfume. At that time market growth was up 7% annually, twice the rate of the developed world’s gross domestic product. #wow

There is a verse in the book of Ecclesiastes that says, “Vanity of vanities, …all is vanity.” In 2018 most women wear make-up either to enhance their appearance, or diminish flaws and blemishes. So what was the motivation for the Egyptian women painting their faces, was it purely vanity, or something a bit more noble?

In the centuries before Christ, women felt their appearance directly correlated to their spiritual worth. Essentially cosmetics hit Nile Mini-Marts as a result of Egyptian women’s desire to please the gods.

These first products made of copper and lead ore paved the way for the mass production of beauty products at the beginning of the 20^th century. In 1909, the company that would eventually become L’Oréal was founded. Two years later Nivea entered the market place. However, it is two women, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, along with Max Factor who share credit for creating the beauty industry of today. Revlon and Estée Lauder arrived to the party a little later.

The quest for youth and beauty comes with an expensive price tag. As a teen-ager and young adult, the readily affordable brands Cover Girl and Maybelline were sufficient. As the years take their toll, my willingness to spend more, in a vain attempt to retain my youth, leads me to purchase premier brands such as Bare Minerals.

My make-up brand switch was transitional. At first I bought a small travel sized kit. I really could see the difference. While Bare Minerals doesn’t necessarily shave years off of my face, it does enhance my appearance, creating a smoother, softer look. What absolutely sold me though, was the customer service.

With their trained make-up professionals on site, retailers like Sephora and Ulta have made purchasing the right product much easier for consumers. When customers can ask questions and sample products before purchasing, there is no more money wasted on merchandise that ends up in the wastebasket.

The Bare Minerals store located in The Shops at La Cantera in San Antonio forever sealed the fate of my face. I walked in, told the woman exactly what I wanted and she set out locating the products and demonstrating, on my skin, how they would look. She listened to my concerns and I walked out the door a very happy customer. Plus, there was a bonus, a $75 full sized bottle of moisturizer for free.

In conclusion, is she born with it? Not likely. Is it Maybelline? Could be. Is she vain? Who cares. Is she confident? If so, then it is money well spent.

Until Next Time,
Becky J Miller
“Warrior Princess”

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.