There are two points to be emphasised:
1. THE NEED FOR MAKEUP:

a) To hide the blemishes etc. They are a sign of unhealthiness/ deficiencies/ addictions/ past sicknesses. Healthy skin is always more attractive than unhealthy skin.

Smooth, pink , luscious lips are always more attractive than dry, wrinkled, chapped lips . Shiny , pink cheekbones bring a smile rather than pale dry patchy skin. Even innocent Children notice and comment on the difference between scarred faces and smooth shiny faces.

This need has to be fulfilled by healthy lifestyles rather than covering up with carcinogenic chemicals. Most actresses (Sushmita Sen for one) don?t recommend makeup at all. Some home remedies are also effective-basically bcoz they fulfil the deficiencies.

My direct experience has come from my daughter-9yrs who had pale dry skin-I was always telling her to put some cream on her face b4 she went to school bcoz she looked so parched. When she came down with measles we put her on juice and fruits, plenty of water, cod liver oil(vit A& D), she even got a vit A shot, neem water for her hair. NO SOAPS, SHAMPOOS, CREAMS and obviously no makeup. As the marks faded we all found her skin positively radiant, pink, eyes sparkling, thick eyelashes, hair shining-GORGEOUS if I may say so. How do you explain that???

b)To attract guys/girls: I don?t blame the guys for turning their heads when a picture perfect (made up)female goes past. It?s because they just get a glimpse of the surface. I?m sure any sensible male who sees under the makeup will respond accordingly.

Only those who lack in self confidence really resort to this form of ?courting?. I have seen this difference in myself that when I am feeling full of confidence I don?t need to use makeup of any kind, whereas when I am going into an unfamiliar situation (party/interview/lecture/seminar) I need to ?arm? myself with the appropriate fineries.

Basically, we are courting society ? asking for their approval.
This need has to be fulfilled by a basic confidence that we are the best there is. We have the ability to do anything and learn anything. A humble approach would help else you?ll do yourself more harm than the chemicals!

2. THE CONTENTS OF MAKEUP:
Refer to the review by Spookay on general makeup tips. These chemicals are just a few. Parabens, ethylene glycol etc are known carcinogens. So what if your cosmetic has aloe vera in it ? It just ensures that the chemicals get an invitation to enter your skin.

Regarding Indian vs. foreign makeup. AT least Foreign makeups have an exhaustive list of ALL the contents. Indian cosmetics follow no such laws(there probably isn?t one yet!).

Even the so-called herbal preparations only mention a few ingredients , not the perfumes and colours and stabilizers and conditioners etc that go into the making of the final product.

So one really doesn?t know the eventual ?COST? of unhealthy lifestyles, courting, and lack of self confidence. Maybe receding hairlines , maybe reduced sperm count, andropause. Maybe irregular / painful periods, maybe breast/uterine/ovarian cancer.

Are you willing to take the risk?

My advice is-keep that makeup for your ’off’ days. Go and drink a bottle of water right NOW.