OPI, MAC, Nyx - we use these cosmetics every day. Have you ever wondered how their abbreviations are deciphered? Not all beauty editors and even employees of cosmetic brands know this. But we found the answers.
OPI
Who hasn't proudly squeezed this pot-bellied bottle for Instagram Swatch proudly in hand with a fresh manicure? The shock, after which you will come to your senses for a long time, is that at that moment you were holding in your hands the result of the activities of Odontorium Products Inc. Doesn't sound glossy at all, does it? Rather, it is associated with an unpleasant dental disease or a method of its treatment. It turns out that initially the brand produced equipment for dentistry - here's OPI.
M. A. C
Three cherished letters cause madness and unbridled lust in every beauty maniac (especially when it comes to interesting collaborations). Are you ready to rush to the store just as headlong for another novelty from Make-up Art Cosmetics? But now that we know the decryption, no one else will say "M. A. C Cosmetics", right?
Maybelline
And here is the first word, not an abbreviation, in this list. Which, however, does not make it clearer. Have you also tried to find a translation from at least one of the currently existing languages? But the founder of the brand, chemist T. L. Williams turned out to be more cunning. He was so inspired by the way his sister Mabel applied a mixture of charcoal and petroleum jelly to her eyebrows and eyelashes (you get it now, right?) That he immortalized both her and her beauty secrets by combining Maybel and Vaseline. Class!
Lancaster
Who hasn't used their sunscreen! Meanwhile, the brand was created far from sunny times - right after the Second World War, in 1946. Unsurprisingly, the founders, Georges Viewers and Eugene Vresatti, named the brand after the Lancaster combat bombers. A very clear allusion to the manner of conquering the market! The girls, however, did not resist.
ghd
These irons and curling irons are just some kind of pirate treasure for Russian beauty lovers. It is not easy to get them, you will have to bypass more than one online store in order to reveal with a trained eye the only original among hundreds of fakes, but how much enthusiasm then! What is all the effort for? Are you sure you're ready to hear this? Good Hair Day - this is how manufacturers modestly describe their product. Perhaps this is our favorite among the surprise names.
Shiseido
Oh no, no long transcripts, just one VERY long translation from the Chinese philosophical Book of Changes 2,000 years ago. Get ready! Shiseido is "praising the virtues of the earth, which nurtures new life and grants great values." The capacity and beauty of the Chinese language can only be envied. Well, have you already wanted to try new items?
Nyx
Bodies of spectacular make-up, fasten your seat belts, now you might be shaken a little. Because Nyx, in fact, is not deciphered in any way! This is the name of the ancient Greek goddess of the night, which is perfect for cosmetics for parties and special occasions. So, big request, just stop saying N-Wye-X because it's just Nyx.
NARS
NARS does not bode well either, because it is named after its founder François Nars, who, by the way, has his own island, if that can make the story even a little more interesting. We loved playing acronyms so much.
The body shop
The place where there is no romance is in the name of the most fragrant brand. Its founder, Anita Roddick, simply borrowed it from car body repair shops. This is how they are called in America!
L'Oreal
Don't even try to find this word in dictionaries. It is erratic (written as it is heard, not as advised by the rules of grammar). Initially, the French brand was called l'Aureale - in honor of the then fashionable hairstyle in the country, which framed the face in waves. Apparently, it was even more difficult to write the first version correctly.
ORLY
It took a lot of time to decipher this abbreviation. And all because there were no reductions initially! The creator and inventor of French manicure Joseph Pink named his brand of varnishes and other nail products after Orly's wife. Okay, not the most common name in Russia, so we are forgiven.
Clarins
If you still thought school drama circles were not the place for your child, think again. For example, choosing a name for his Beauty Institute in 1954, Jacques Courten remembered how he played the role of the herald of Clarius in school plays, or in another way Clarence (yes, the name is pronounced that way!). Who knows where he would have been now, if not for sketches about Ancient Rome!
Nivea
Minimalists from the beauty industry Nivea, choosing a name for their own brand, did not go far. And they just called it "snow-white" (from the Latin nivius), because this is what the brand's creams and makeup removers look like.
Panthene
A vivid example of how a slight distortion of words can lead to worldwide popularity and billions of dollars in turnover. All that was needed was to change the ending of the name of the substance panthenol, which is part of all shampoos of the brand. Great publicity stunt, guys: now we will remember you every time we read the labels of shampoos, balms and hair masks.
