B for Beauty: The Facts

Mar 27, 2008 @ 3:40pm

lipsticks.jpgBy now we're pretty sure most of you have read some of the fun facts in today's New York Times article on what's really in makeup.


If you missed it, or if you don't want to read a 1,200 word article on your monitor, here's the big news:

1. Sometimes, lipstick contains crushed beetles.

2. Sometimes, perfume contains whale puke (sort of.)

But what fun fact did the article totally miss?

Sometimes, perfume contains a note called "civet" which in reality should be called what it is - a French perfume ingredient that comes from the anal gland of the civet cat.

Yes.

And some of the fragrances that contain it? Shalimar, Musc Ravageur and, oh, Chanel No. 5.

Don't believe us? Check out this report from scent master Chandler Burr in an old T: Style for the full story.

Comments

posted by flizzers

Mar 27, 2008 3:50PM

That might make sense. Whenever I wore Chanel No.5, my ex boyfriend used to sniff me like a horny alley cat. Now I know why....

posted by Divina

Mar 27, 2008 3:53PM

Yes, crushed beetles, the cocheneal insect. The result is carmine, also added to food to make it nice and pretty.

http://www.cracked.com/article_15982_5-horrifying-food-additives-youve-probably-eaten-today.html

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posted by guest

Mar 27, 2008 4:15PM

fascinating article by Mr. Burr!

posted by Fassion

Mar 27, 2008 6:35PM

Damn, for all that, I could've totally signed up for Fear Factor! Hahaha. Gotta have my make up.

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posted by guest

Mar 27, 2008 7:50PM

It's called musk.

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posted by StyleFixDotNet

Mar 28, 2008 9:23AM

Ha! How ironic ... I'm reading Janet Fitch's latest book "Paint It Black" and last night read a part where a character goes on a rant about poo in perfume!

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posted by guest

Mar 28, 2008 1:21PM

Is this really news to anyone? You're into fashion and makeup and beauty products but never heard of ambergris or carmine or fragrance ingredients from animal sources? What did you think "musk" meant? Never read Moby Dick? And I think sourcing fragrance ingredients from animals is sort of illegal now, at least in the US no? Or it's scaled back or something?

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