The History of Cosmetics

Prehistory

1,000,000 BCE

It is said that during the pre-history era women would paint themselves using plants and fruits

Egypt Beauty

10,000 BCE

Ancient women and even used eyeliner as a way to show that they were wealthy and had a high status. Eyeliner was also said to protect the ancient Egyptians from the harsh sun. The ancient Egyptians made eyeliners from Kohl which contained lead.

Ancient China

3000 BCE

One big trend that was popular in ancient China was the invention of nail polish. Nail polish represented wealth and beauty in this ancient society. The women of the hight class wore gold and silver, the class under them wore red and black and the lower class were forbidden to wear any nail polis. Nail polish was made from beeswax and egg.

Ancient Greece

3000 BCE

The women of ancient Greece were intelligent and had a lot of power at the time. While more of a natural look was popular at the time, a clean white face with dark eyebrows was popular at this time. The women used lead to make their faces white.

Ancient Japan

3000 BCE

In ancient Japan the Geisha culture was popular. These women wore makeup and were proud of it. They would use rice powder to make their face white and use crushed safflower to make their lips red.

Ancient Babylon

600 BCE

Ancient Babylon was the biggest perfume trader of the world. Perfume was named an oil and was sold in a vase. Only the wealthy wore perfume.

Ancient Rome

100

Women of the ancient Rome society all wanted to wear makeup and get the most expensive makeup from around the world. Women used Khol for eye makeup and chalk to make the face appear whiter. They also used rough to paint their cheeks.

Ancient Makeup Cases

150

Cases were made to keep the makeup and perfume ancient civilians had. They were made from wood and glass and were one of the most traded items at the time.

Blonde Romans

150

Going blonde was a big trend in ancient Rome and the men were the ones who were jumping to this trend. It was called German style and was made by sprinkling gold powder on ones head.

Middle Ages

500

During the Middle Ages religion was important and makeup was not popular. Women did wear a white face but nothing else. Colorful makeup was for only prostitutes at this time.

Elizabeth Era

Oct 10, 1492

During this era women in England wanted to look like the queen Elizabeth. They would wear egg whites for a white glazed face. They also had other remedies for the famous white face, which sadly was dangerous and lead a lot of women at the time dead.