Rouge (cosmetics)

Rouge is a cosmetic used to color the cheeks or the lips. The term comes from the French word for "red." While it was once used primarily for red tints, the name now often covers a wide range of colors. This includes shades like pink, orange, and brown. Today, most people use the term blush to describe these products. People around the world value these cosmetics very highly. In fact, approximately US$25 billion is spent on buying rouge every year.

Modern rouge is created in several different forms to suit different needs. One common type is a talcum-based powder. This is often applied to the cheeks with a brush to accentuate the bone structure. The coloring in these powders can come from many sources. Some use the petals of the safflower plant. Others use a solution of carmine, which is a red pigment, mixed with ammonium hydroxide and rosewater. This rosewater is often perfumed with rose oil to add a pleasant scent.

There are also cream and liquid versions of these cosmetics. One specific cream-based variant is called schnouda. This is a colorless mixture made of Alloxan and cold cream. When applied to the skin, the mixture turns red. Modern blush can be found in many consistencies. These include pressed or loose powders, liquids, gels, or creams that feel similar to lipstick. While the term rouge was once tied mostly to red, it now identifies blush of any color.

History shows that many ancient civilizations used rouge for different reasons. The Ancient Egyptians were famous for their cosmetics. Pictographs from that time show both men and women wearing rouge on their lips and cheeks.

To make a red stain, they blended fat with red ochre. In China, rouge was used as early as the Shang Dynasty. People there extracted juice from the leaves of red and blue flowers. They sometimes added pig pancreas or bovine pulp to make the product denser. In Chinese culture, wearing red symbolizes happiness and good luck.

Other cultures developed their own unique recipes for facial color. Greek men and women used crushed strawberries, red beet juice, or mulberries. They also used red amaranth to create a paste. In Ancient Rome, people used minerals like cinnabar and red lead. Unfortunately, these specific Roman mixtures were dangerous. They could cause serious health problems like cancer, dementia, and even death. Other sources for color included minerals like antimony and malachite.

In 16th-century Europe, fashion trends changed how people used color. Many men and women used white powder to lighten their faces. They would often add heavy rouge to their cheeks to create a contrast. Over time, the use of rouge changed as other cosmetics became popular. When the trend of matching lipstick with nail polish arrived, the term rouge was no longer used for lip color. However, the name rouge remained for blush because the shade range for blush stayed more limited.

Scientists also study the connection between facial color and human behavior. Our bodies have a natural reaction called blushing. This is an involuntary and instantaneous reddening of the cheeks. It often happens when a person feels shame, guilt, or embarrassment. Because these emotions are reliable, researchers use them to study social signals. Blushing can be an indicator of prosocial behavior. This means the redness can signal that a person has positive intentions toward their social relationships.