Archaeological evidence found the use of cosmetics in Ancient Egypt around 4,000 BC. Both the Ancient Greeks and Romans also used cosmetics, neither being aware of the danger they were exposing themselves to with the harmful properties contained in these products such as mercury and white lead.
Kohl, used to outline the eyes was made up of lead, copper, burned almonds, soot and other ingredients and it was believed that by wearing makeup, it protected from evil spirits whilst also improving failing eye sight.
All levels of society in this ancient time wore makeup.
The Romans developed makeup, mainly worn by female slaves and it was called cosmetae.
North Africa, Middle East, South & East Asia
Henna and kohl can trace their roots back to North Africa and we see both these products used still widely used in many parts of the world including Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia. Since around the 4th and 5th centuries, henna has been used in India either as a hair dye or in the art of mehndi, an art where complex designs are painted on to hands and feet, especailly before a wedding or for a special occasion. This is still practised today, although for both trend as well as tradition. African designs tend to be bolder than those of India.
Cosmetics have been used in the Middle East since ancient time and you can still see the beautiful kohl pots for the Arabian Gulf made from local silver for both men and women.
In China, people started staining their fingernails with gum Arabic, gelatin and beeswax around 3000 BC and the different colours defined class with the lower classed be banned from wearing bright colours on their nails.
Geishas
The geishas of Japan wore lipstick made of crushed safflower petals from the safflower which they also used to paint their eyebrows and edges of the eyes. We are all familiar with the classic geisha white skin and rose bud lips. Bintsuke wax, as soft was used by geishas as a makeup base with rice powder colors for the face and back.
Dangerous make up!!!!
The Church of the Middle Ages considered makeup to be sinful and immoral as it was worn by prostitutes and upper class women. With the change that the Renaissance brought and up until the Industrial Revolution, makeup was revived from rediscovery and reintroduction of the Ancient World. With the lower class generally working outdoors in agricultural jobs, the usual light Caucasian skin tone was darkened by weather exposure.
The higher classes had to stay out of the sun to keep their skin pale. The result was that a number of beauty products were used to lighten the skin which included WHITE LEAD PAINT which may also have contained ARSENIC and which subsequently lead the many DEATHS. Queen Elizabeth 1 of England, famous for her red hair and white skin, is a well documented example through all her portraits and paintings.
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