Kaolin and another clay, bentonite, are added to the earth-based face masks or packs predominately for their cleansing effects. Clays are also used as fillers in different products. Powdered calcite, a calcium carbonate, absorbs moisture. Because of this, calcite and a magnesium carbonate, processed from dolomite, are added to powders to increase the ability of the makeup to absorb moisture. When it comes to makeup, color is the name of the game.
Minerals provide the color to eyes, cheeks, lips, and nails.
Iron oxide, one of the most important color minerals, was used by Cleopatra in the form of red ochre as rouge. Today, iron oxides give red, orange, yellow, brown, and black tones to makeup. Ultramarine blue and pink coloring is made from a mixture of kaolin, soda ash, sulfur, and charcoal. Even gold has historically been used as a colorant. Ancient Egyptians used gold to color skin and hair.