History of Makeup – 12 Interesting Facts
The use of makeup and beauty products can possibly be traced back to the Stone Age, some 100,000 years ago, where evidence of red pigments that are believed to have been used in primitive makeup has been discovered. Though no one can be certain that those Stone Age pigments were used on the body, we can be certain that the ancient Greeks and Egyptians used makeup.
Makeup has been used throughout history to adorn the body as well as for mystical or religious purposes. Makeup is now a multi-billion-pound industry, and cosmetics are widely available, but in ancient times, people had to make do with what they had.
However, those early forms of makeup gave way to what we use today, so here are 12 fascinating facts about the history of makeup.
1. China was the birthplace of nail polish.
Although the ancient Egyptians used Henna to color their nails, it is believed that the first nail polish was used in China around 3000 BC. This early nail polish was a lacquer made of gum, beeswax, egg whites, and colored pigments.
2. The ancient Egyptians applied kohl to their eyes for makeup.
To decorate their eyes, the ancient Egyptians used kohl, which was made from sheep fat, lead, and ash. Eye makeup had practical and religious significance in Egypt, in addition to being cosmetic. The darkened eyes were thought to ward off evil spirits, but they also helped to deflect the glare from the bright Egyptian sun and keep dust and bacteria out of the eyes.
3. Ladies did not wear makeup in Victorian times.
During the Victorian era, upper-class ladies did not wear any makeup at all. This was due to the fact that the ladies of breeding believed that the only women who wore makeup were either stage actresses or prostitutes!
4. The Romans and Greeks had their cheeks stained.
The Romans and the ancient Greeks both valued a pale complexion with rosy cheeks. They created the forerunner to today's blusher. The Romans used to stain their cheeks with red wine, while the Greeks used to stain their cheeks with berry juice.
5. Women went to great lengths to appear pale.
For centuries, women sought a pale complexion because a suntan indicated that they worked in the fields. In the past, women would use leeches or other forms of bleeding to make themselves appear pale. Later, they started using chalk and other whitening ingredients like hydroxide and lead oxide. The tan did not become widely popular until the twentieth century.
6. The hairless look was popular in the 1400s.
If you've ever wondered why the Mona Lisa has no brows, it's not because she overdid it with the tweezers! It was fashionable in the 1400s for a woman to have no facial hair at all, so they shaved their brows and foreheads completely.
7. Makeup was extremely toxic in the 1800s.
We are concerned about the toxic ingredients in modern cosmetics, but makeup was extremely toxic in the 1800s. Many of the ingredients in makeup were toxic, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic. Some women paid a high price for their beauty, including hair loss and more serious medical conditions.
8. The Romans despised wrinkles as well.
Anti-aging products are nothing new, and wrinkles and skin blemishes were despised by the ancient Romans. They used asses' milk, snails' ashes, and swan fat to keep their skin wrinkle-free and young-looking.
9. Tar is used as makeup by the Elizabethans.
Tar was used for makeup by the Elizabethans. They used the sticky black tar to make brow pencils, eyeliner, and mascara. The problem was that tar smelled awful, was a sticky mess to get off, and was highly flammable. Tar is also extremely toxic; it has been linked to blindness and is a sticky mess to clean up.
10. Beetles were used to create the first red makeup.
The ancient Egyptians used the ground-up bodies of cochineal beetles to color their lips and nails bright red. Before you exhale a sigh of relief that you don't live in ancient times, you should know that cochineal is still used in cosmetics to make red makeup, and fish scales are still used to add shimmer. Makeup has come a long way, but some of the same ingredients that have been used for centuries are still in use.
11. Rimmel invented modern mascara.
The commercial cosmetics industry began to expand significantly during the 1900s. Eugène Rimmel, a French chemist, and perfumer invented mascara in the form we know it today in 1913. The product was a little sloppy and inconsistent, but it was non-toxic and quickly gained popularity throughout Europe. When T.L. Williams created a similar packaging for his new company, Maybelline, mascara gained worldwide acceptance. Makeup became a way for women to express themselves in the late 1900s. Women wore makeup that suited their style and taste rather than following trends.
12. The Extremely Curled Lashes
While there is some debate about who invented the eyelash curler, a 1931 patent claims William McDonell named it the Kurlash. It was similar to today's curling wonders in that it was made of stainless steel and modeled after scissors. They were very popular because they curled the lashes in seconds and were relatively cheap. In 1933, the term mascara was coined, and Maybelline created a 10-cent package that was sold in drugstores.
Related: 7 Fun Facts About Makeup Every Beauty Lover Should Know
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