Cosmetic Makeup

Cosmetics have been discovered as far back as ancient Egypt. There is also evidence that Romans and Greeks used cosmetics as well. However, they used substances that could be dangerous like white lead and mercury too. There have been findings that Egyptians had utensils to apply makeup, for instance the kohl that was used around the eyes. There were many ingredients in makeup at that time and even the poorer class of Egypt wore makeup as well. Women who made makeup at the time were called Cosmetaes and they were the slaves of the area. It has also been discovered that in Africa henna and kohl were used for makeup and these may have been the origins of their use.

Later in the Middle East, cosmetics were found to be used in Persia by ancient people. When Arab tribes entered the land, cosmetics were only allowed to ensure that desires were controlled and disguised a women from how they really looked. There were books that were written on makeup of the time as well, including information on how to use makeup and the idea of beauty as medicine. The chapters include information on how to use perfumes and incense, as well as references to lipsticks and deodorants too.

It has also been found that in China that nail polish was created by staining the nails with beeswax, egg, gelatin and gum Arabic too. This dates all the way back to 3000 BCE and the colors that people used in the cosmetics showed their social class. For instance, the royalty wore silver and gold and than later on royalty wore red and black. If you were in a lower class you were not allowed to wear any bright colored cosmetics at all. Japan also used cosmetics by the geishas. They wore lipsticks that were made from crushed safflowers. They also created cosmetics for the eyebrows, the eyes and the lips too. Geishas were able to paint their faces with rice powder and use a rouge for their eyes. It has also been discovered that geishas went so far as to use bird droppings to lighten the colors they were using too.

By the time the Middle Ages arrived, the church found makeup and cosmetics to be inappropriate and immoral to wear. However, women still chose to do so. During the Renaissance period and up through the 20th Century, the poorer class had darker skin due to sun exposure. If you were of a wealthier class, you could spend more time indoors and have lighter skin. So typically the lower class used cosmetics to lighten their skin. They would items such as white lead paint that also had arsenic in it to apply to their face. This actually did result in death for some women who used these cosmetic choices. Even Queen Elizabeth I of England was known to lighten her skin further by using the white lead paint and created her look of the Mask of Youth.

Even Native American tribes used face paint in ceremonies and battles. However, by the 20th century in the United States and Europe the ballet began to influence cosmetics too, as well as the movie industry. This is when the start of manufacturing makeup in large quantities began and companies such as Max Factor started, as well as Elizabeth Arden too. This also brought about the creation of hair dyes too, such as L'Oreal.

The cosmetic makeup products used by women today come from these ancient beginnings. Changing ones appearance about their face and hair has remained consistent throughout history. In addition, it's nice to know that cosmetics used today are safer and more practical to use than in civilizations prior.