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4000 BCE
Creation of cosmetology
Cosmetic use originated in Ancient Egypt around 4000 BCE; when women would use kohl and eye coloring made from natural materials to enhance their youthful look. This epoch was the seed of cosmetics. -
3000 BCE
Polishing the future
Nail polish originated in China, and used to show social status. It has been recorded that in 600 BCE, during the Zhou Dynasty, nail polish was used to show royal status among the royal family as well. Nail polish is used today for a wide variety of reasons and in a wide variety of ways. -
500 BCE
Ancient Greece starts cosmetic use
Ancient Greece started using hairstyling as an art form. This was also the period when women started to use makeup such as white lead powder to appear lighter -
12
Lipstick was created
Surgeon, chemist, and physician Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi invented solid lipsticks; the first of the time that did not need a brush to apply -
1500
1500s
This was when the royal European makeup style started. Queen Elizabeth I made the pale white faces and painted lips popular. -
Victorian era makeup
Victorian cosmetics were often toxic and damaging. Commonly used products contain ingredients such as; lead, mercury, arsenic, and ammonia. In this period, a clean, natural face, free from imperfections was considered beautiful. -
Walkers invention
Madam CJ Walker invented her hair growth product, a revolutionary creation when not many black women had safe-to-use, working hair products. She is the mother of black hair care. -
Seducing its way into america
The 1920s was another major era. The rise of the flapper era caused It to be based on the sexual appeal of women and in this era, women wore makeup to enhance their appeal in the business world. Natural lipgloss was created during the 1920s and still lives in makeup trends today. -
Sticking up the roots
Chase Products invented Hairspray, and then In 1950, Helene Curtis minted the term hairspray with her product which became a best-seller alongside Aqua Net. -
Color the stars
Since color was now in movies in the 1950s, women could now fully see the makeup that the stars were wearing, leading to a new evolution of makeup trends. Finally, ads began for new makeup brands many of which are used today. It was also during the period in which Marilyn Monroe was famous, which heavily impacted what and how makeup was done. -
Tipped scales
The feminist movement restarted and due to this, makeup was seen by most women in this generation as sexual and trashy. On the other hand, hippies started to rise in this time, who believed the opposite and that makeup was an expression of yourself. -
Diversifying cosmetics
Women of color were finally ben recognized and catered to, more women of color were used in advertising, and brands catering towards darker skin were coming to light. Vogue was the first mainstream magazine to feature a black model, Beverly Johnson, on the front cover, in this period the gotos were natural and barely there, soft and smoky, bold and flashy. -
Dame Pat McGrath
Famous for her unique, ingenious make-up looks, which include using her hands instead of brushes. She uses bold color shades and experiments with many various materials. She was one of the basis for the wide variety of shades we have for colored skin now. Thanks to Mcgrath, we saw a wide variety of people who weren't pale. -
The 2000s
At this time, relaxing, easy-to-use products such as aromatherapy-scented body washes, as well as other liquid and gel soaps, start to replace traditional bar soaps. Congress began exploring possible modifications to the traditional “drug” and “cosmetic” definitions established under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. -
Current, but not the end
Today, modern cosmetics include, skin-care preparations; foundation blush, eye makeup; lipstick; hair curling or straightening; hair colorings, dyes, and bleaches; and nail polish or acrylic nails. Today we have a wide mix of everything that came before us, there is no set makeup style because this is the era where people can be themselves.