Curious About Where And When Makeup Was Invented?
To understand the constantly changing trends in cosmetics, it is interesting to take a look at the evolution of makeup. Women and men have been wearing cosmetics for ages, although the styles have dramatic changes over time. Let's take a look at how cosmetics evolved
The history of cosmetics is almost 7,000 years ago and is present in almost every society on earth.
The earliest historical record of makeup comes from the 1st Dynasty of Egypt (c.3100-2907 BC). Tombs from this era have shown unguent jars, which in later periods were perceived. Unguent was a sense extensively used by men and women to keep their skin hydrated and supple and to avoid creases from the dry heat. The women of Egypt also trimmed their eyes by applying dark green color to the under the lid and blackening the lashes and the upper lid with kohl, which was made from antimony (a metallic element) or soot. It is thought that the Jews adopted the use of makeup from the Egyptians since regards to the painting of faces appearing in the New Testament section of the Bible. Roman philosopher Plautus (254-184 BC) wrote, "A woman without paint is like food without salt." Of course, Plautus was a dramatist, which would explain his preference for the look of a "painted woman" at that timeThe evidence for this comes in the form of utilized red mineral pigments (red ochre) including crayons associated with the emergence of Homo sapiens in Africa. Cosmetics are mentioned in the Old Testament—2 Kings 9:30 where Jezebel painted her eyelids—approximately 840 BC—and the book of Esther describes various beauty treatments as well.
The first use of cosmetics is in the ancient Egyptians; many Egyptian tombs contained makeup canisters and kits. Cleopatra was used as a lipstick that got its hue from ground carmine beetles, while other women used clay mixed with water to color their lips which we call lipstick nowadays.
Romans used cosmetics by the middle of the 1st century AD very widely. Kohl was used for darkening eyelashes and eyelids as in today's world we use mascara, chalk was used for whitening the complexion as we use foundation in our daily life, and rouge was worn on the cheek. Depilatories were utilized at that time and pumice was used for cleaning the teeth as we have several kinds of toothpaste. Women wore white lead and chalk on their faces in Greco-Roman society. Persian women used henna dyes to color their hair with the belief that these dyes enabled them to summon the majesty of the earth.
Lip balm, a clear pomade much like beeswax, was applied every morning to not only protect the drying of lips but to also add shine. Eyepaint we call it eyeshadow, was very popular during the Victorian era though respectable women were very subtle with the amount of eyeshadow they used at any given time.
Multi-billion dollar is being earned from the makeup industry. In modern times, government regulations determine the types of products that can be used in cosmetics, ensuring the safety of consumers across the world. Makeup is very common nowadays.
Coupled with the fact that most makeup is composed of skin-safe ingredients women have only increased their demand for beauty products. As time goes on the world will use makeup and cosmetics more now and then.