The present invention relates to semitransparent pearlescent pigments, to processes for producing them, and to the use of such pearlescent pigments, where the pearlescent pigments comprise monolithically constructed substrate platelets composed of a metal oxide having an average thickness of 1 to 40 nm and a form factor, expressed by the ratio of the mean size to the average thickness, of at least 80, which are enveloped by at least one substantially transparent coating A composed of at least one low-index metal oxide and/or metal oxide hydrate, having a refractive index of less than 1.8, and at least one interference layer in the form of a coating B composed of at least one high-index metal oxide, having a refractive index of at least 1.8.

A cosmetic composition for application to the skin comprising a first ingredient (1) which comprises the aerial plant parts of the royal fern, water and polyhydric alcohols, and further comprising a second ingredient (2) which comprises a liposomally encapsulated form of the first ingredient (1).

This invention relates to a pearlescent pigment, which is composed of flaky alumina substrate particles produced by a hydrothermal process and coat layers formed on the flaky substrate particles and composed of at least one metal oxide including at least a titanium oxide. The metal oxide has an average particle size of from 1 to 500 nm. According to this invention, it is possible to provide a pearlescent pigment, which has wholly uniform photoluminescence and an elegant and silky feel in combination and can fully satisfy artistry as desired.

A pigment mixture comprising at least two or three interference pigments of different interference colours selected from the colours red, green and blue, suitable for use in paints, coatings, printing inks, security printing inks, plastics, ceramic materials, glasses and in the preparation of pigment preparations, dry preparations and in particular cosmetic formulations.

Disclosed herein is an effect pigment having a layer stack which comprises a highly reflective metallic flake having a first major interface and opposed to this first interface a second major interface, and at least one side surface and directly adjacent on one or of both of these major interfaces a layer of a semiconducting material having an average atomic composition of: a) Si.sub.(1-x)Sn.sub.x, wherein 0<x<0.90 or b) Ge.sub.(1-y)Sn.sub.y, wherein 0<y0.80 or c) Si.sub.(1-m-n)Ge.sub.mSn.sub.n, wherein 0<m<1.00, 0<n<1.00 and with the proviso that m+n<1.00.

An aqueous liquid cosmetic containing 1 to 20% by mass of (A) a flake aluminum powder coated with a layer containing a silicon compound; 0.5 to 10% by mass of (B) a polycarboxylic acid-based dispersant having a mass-average molecular weight of 10,000 or less; and 1 to 40% by mass of (C) a film-forming polymer emulsion in terms of a solid content is provide. Normally, the aqueous liquid cosmetic contains at least 40% by mass of water, and further may optionally contain (D) a color pigment as another ingredient. This aqueous liquid cosmetic is suitable for eye makeup applications such as eyeliners, eyebrows, eye colors, and the like.

The present invention relates to silver-coloured effect pigments having a strong sparkle effect based on Al2O3 flakes and to the use thereof in paints, button pastes, automotive paints, automotive refinish paints, powder coatings, printing inks, security printing inks, plastics, ceramic materials, glasses, paper, for coating seed, in security applications, as dopant for the laser marking of plastics and papers, as additive for the laser welding of plastics, in cosmetic formulations and for the preparation of pigment preparations and dry preparations.

This invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising a physiologically acceptable medium containing aqueous phase, an oily phase and nacre particles, constituted of a substrate partially or totally coated with one or more layers.

Disclosed herein is a flaky diffractive effect pigment having a diffractive structure and comprising a flake of a highly reflective material having a first major interface and opposed to this first interface a second major interface, and at least one side surface and directly adjacent on one or of both of these major interfaces a layer of a semiconducting material having a bandgap of 0.7 to 2.5 eV. The diffractive effect pigment may be further coated with a coating which is optically non-active in the visible wavelength region.

Filler pigments based on platelet-shaped substrates, which are coated with barium sulfate and at least two metal oxides and/or metal hydroxides are highly suitable as filler pigments especially for cosmetic formulations.