Why go to all trouble of applying makeup, when a few simply cantrips can produce much better results in a fraction of the time?
Appearance enhancers are amongst the few magical items that really are always jewellery of one form or another, although this appears to be more of a cultural tradition than a magical requirement. Most are enchanted rings, although broaches, studs, bracelets, anklets, lockets, and a variety of other items are not unknown, and all of these seem to work equally as well.
The magics required to make an appearance enhancer are fairly easy to enchant (any first year magic student can do it), so they are one of the more common magical items. They are also relatively inexpensive (as magical items go), typically only 10-20% higher than the price of the base item, making them available to all but the poorest members of society.
Their easy availability and relatively low price have made them into something of a 'must have' item in most civilised cultures, all but replacing the cosmetics industry while providing a steady income for traders in magical trinkets the world over.
Magical Properties
Appearance enhancers allow the user to cast a range of cantrips, glamours, and petty illusions designed to produce minor alterations in his/her appearance. Effectively allowing the user to wear a face that accords with current fashions, although repeated castings may be required to continuously maintain the effect.
Note that the user could also cast them on other people, possibly to make them appear less attractive. In any such cases normal resistance rolls (as dictated by the rules of your preferred magic system) should apply.
The spells involved, being not particularly powerful, can effect only cosmetic changes (colour of hair, eyes, or skin, length or colour of eyelashes, colour or fullness of lips, etc), mask minor imperfections (such as unsightly spots or birthmarks), or add attractive markings (such as beauty spots). All effects are however relatively short lived, typically lasting no more than an hour or so (and often much less).
The spells do not (and indeed cannot) in any way alter the basic shape and structure of their target, thus the target always remains recognisable for who and what he/she truly is.
Furthermore the spells work only on living creatures, any attempt to use them on non-living matter (such as clothes or armour) automatically fails. Thus the targets' clothes remain unaffected (if you want your clothes to look good, you'll just have to wear good-looking clothes). Note that this means appearance enhancers cannot be used to appear unarmed while sneaking into the king's bedroom carrying a heavy crossbow, so don't try it.
Note: Some 'always on' versions exist that maintain the illusions indefinitely (or until the user specifies a change). However these require a piece of Crystallised Dragon Blood to power the effects, making them prohibitively expensive and available only to the very richest people.
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An excellent example of a whole class of items, that can neatly fit into many a fantasy world, whether it has a higher magic level, or a lower one.
Also a good note about the common cosmetic industry being replaced by this invention - or rather, the industry being taken over. Some basic make-up stays, but if a lady wants to look good in the ballroom, there is a fast and simple way. But woe to the mage that casts a Dispel Magic at the wrong moment!
I like this. Innocuous, fairly inexpensive, and useful for most anyone.
And what of the cheater in the beauty contest? I'm sure someone is going to have something to say about that... ;)
So, no Color Stay Lipstick, eh?
A rival armed with Dispel Magic could make your acne show! Beware!
True, true - a simple Dispel Magic could cause havoc at the royal ball - any tricksters out there?
As for the beauty contest - rather depends on the rules regarding cosmetics
Personally I'd incline to the view that if cosmetics are allowed then so are beauty enhancers, after all they are really just another way to do the same thing - or then again, maybe not - whatever you think is funniest I suppose
Oh, wait, anybody jealous?
A more rare, but still sought item is the Dispel Cantrip ring/brooch/whatever. With several charges, the lady in control targets her envy on a rival, and *Poof!* there goes the beauty.
You know, there is an arms race not only in warfare...
Girl Power!
Updated: Updated: Re-set in-text link
Of course if magic existed, this would be an obvious use. Good one!