THE NEED FOR COVER

Along with stature, features and build the appearance of the skin is very important in presenting a good appearance. Whether male or female, others will form their first opinions about you, based on the way you look. There are many conditions which can detract form the look of healthy skin. Conditions such as vitiligo, psoriasis, acne, burns and surgical scarring, as well as melasma (chloasma), age or liver spots, unwanted tattoos, spider veins, under eye circles and even birthmarks can all distract people from seeing the real you underneath. Over time cover makeup or corrective or camouflage makeup has evolved to help people hide the imperfections on their skin. The first such formulations goes back as far as ancient Egypt!....However in modern times there has been an explosive evolution in corrective makeup choices. The first types were basically known as grease paints in which simple inorganic pigments mined from the earth like iron oxides and titanium dioxides were ground together with plant or animal fats and later petrolatums. To improve the opacity of cover, the quantity of pigment could be increased and waxes added. The first widely commercially successful product was Covermark. Covermark is still the most widely available cover cream available in most countries of the world. Covermark's original formula dating back to the 1930's is still for sale. Of course Covermark has since developed more modern formulas as well.

In the 1960's a new competitor entered the market known as Dermablend. Dermablend contained titanium dioxides and iron oxides compounded with beeswax and mineral oil and it was firmly solid at room temperature. Dermablend in its original formula is the most commonly sold product of its type in the United States today. It comes in screw top tubs with a convenient little spatula to help dig it out. Once on the spatula Dermablend instructs the user to soften and warm the waxy makeup by rubbing it between the palm and fingers. Dermablend affords very good opacity and is quite water resistant. However Demablend's original has some draw backs. Dermablend will not set itself and therefore is very prone to rub off on furniture or clothing. One must purchase Dermablend setting powder which is basically a talc powder with a little pigment added. The powder sticks to the Dermablend so nothing else will adhere.

The biggest draw backs to Dermablend's powder is the mess and dust loose powders present and the fact that with the addition of Dermablend powder the color of the makeup changes somewhat. This is a big problem since it is vital that the Dermablend match the color of the skin perfectly so people can not discriminate the covered patch. The powder also give Dermablend a very flat or chalky finish with the natural translucent shine present on uncovered skin. Also once powdered the Dermablend often leaves one aware of a sensation of having something on there skin....a subtle pulling sensation like tape. Of course Dermablend also has come out with newer more sophisticated formulas like Dermablend leg and body cover. Although a good product, Dermablend leg and body has recently been reformulated and the newest version is often too sheer to completely hide discolorations on the skin.