RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Transparent-looking skin is an objective of facial makeup products. However, this effect of makeup products has not been investigated to Korean women's faces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the perception of blue light on women's faces using the blue pearl pigment. We compared colors and/or spectra of naked skin, standard makeup powder foundation (standard foundation), and test makeup powder foundations containing the blue pearl pigment 10% (w/w) (pearl foundation) or (ultramarine blue) blue pigment 0.2% (w/w) (pigment foundation) on real women's faces (n = 6) using spectrophotometry and facial image analysis. A self-administered questionnaire showed facial images (n = 3) with applied makeup powder foundations on computer monitor (n = 35); evaluated items were blooming, transparency, smoothness, gloss, and vitality. RESULTS: In vivo, the pearl foundation showed significantly lower b* values (degree of yellowness) than did naked skin, and pigment foundation and the samples also showed significantly higher reflection of blue light (410-490 nm) than did naked skin, standard foundation, or pigment foundation. In image analysis, the image with the pearl foundation showed significantly lower quasi-b* value. On the self-administered questionnaire, the results showed that the pearl foundation had a significantly higher grade than did naked skin, standard foundation, or pigment foundation at all evaluation items: blooming, transparency, smoothness, gloss, and vitality. CONCLUSION: Blue pearl pigment creates the perception of blue light effect, including transparency and gloss in Korean women.