Ancient civilizations used cosmetics to enhance beauty, protect from the sun and to promote health. They often were a luxury item, expensive to produce, and difficult to obtain.
For example, frankincense, a resin from the Boswellia trees, was an expensive perfume for both living and dead people. It was also used to hide bad breath, enrich skin and hair and as a massage oil.
Skin Care
Throughout history, civilizations have used many different substances to promote beauty and wellness. Some of these substances are still used today while others have changed greatly from their original uses.
Skin care is one of the most important components of ancient cosmetics, as it helps to cover up imperfections and enhance certain features of a person’s face. It also protects the skin from harmful sun rays and can make someone look more attractive.
Ancients believed that the best way to make their skin healthy was through a variety of natural ingredients and home remedies. They often used honey, olive oil, and berries to soften their skin and to improve its appearance.
In Greece, women mashed fresh berries with milk and then applied the mixture to their face. This was thought to help with acne and wrinkles.
Other herbs were mixed with oils to soften the skin and promote a glowing complexion. These remedies were common among Romans as well.
They were also known to use milk as a moisturizer and to reduce dryness. They also used herbal remedies to treat blemishes and uneven skin tone.
These treatments were considered effective but often left scars and discoloration in their wake. Some of these ingredients, like mercury and vinegar, are still used in modern-day treatments to remove blemishes, but they are not safe for those who have sensitive skin or who may be allergic to them.
As a result, people who are concerned about their skin’s health are turning to natural ingredients to heal and prevent the damage that chemicals cause. The result is a growing number of black and indigenous beauty labels that use ancestral rituals and ingredients to create products that work with the skin.
For example, Biosyl is a company that sells body oils that are made with olive oil and pumpkin seed oil to give your skin multiple benefits. The oil is rich in Vitamin E and it helps to soften the skin.
It is an excellent alternative to greasy petroleum-based skin care products that can leave your skin dry and irritated. It also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that are beneficial for all skin types.
Eye Makeup
Makeup is a cosmetic tool that has been used for centuries to enhance or decorate the human body. Originally used in Mesopotamia, it has become commonplace throughout the world as a form of art or a way to express social status.
Eye makeup, like all forms of ancient cosmetics, was meant to be both practical and beautiful. It was often used for religious or spiritual reasons as well as to beautify the skin, but it also had an important role in a woman’s daily life.
It was important that the makeup applied to the eyes be able to last for long periods of time without fading or looking dull. So, the ancient Egyptians had to find a way to create makeup that would be resistant to the sun’s harmful rays.
A thick paste made from lead sulfide and antimony sulfide was used to line the eyes. It was used to define and highlight the eyes as well as to prevent the evil eye from harming them.
Other materials, such as henna powder (also known as mehendi), was also used for eye makeup and to stain the fingertips and toes. It was believed that henna was a protective plant and was associated with the goddess Hathor.
Another important element in the ancient eye makeup was kohl, a black eyeliner that was made from green malachite and black galena. It was smeared all over the eyes to create an almond shape and to give the eyes a feline-like appearance.
The green and black pigments were believed to protect the eyes from the sun’s rays, which could cause blindness and damage the eyes. It also protected the eyes from dust and other environmental pollutants.
It was also believed that the kohl would repel flies and other insects and ward off infections. It was also thought that kohl would help to protect against the eye diseases that plagued the ancient world.
In the Egyptian culture, eye makeup was considered an important part of a woman’s personal beauty and social status. The ancient Egyptians wore heavy makeup, including kohl, on a daily basis. Queen Cleopatra, a famous leader of Egypt, was known for her colorful and exaggerated makeup.
Lipstick
Lipstick has been a symbol of femininity and sexuality since ancient times. Depending on its color and its context, lipstick conveys many different meanings. It can be flirtatious, a declaration of social status, an indication of wealth, or a statement of confidence.
Thousands of years ago, women from Mesopotamia crushed semi-precious jewels and used them to tint their lips. They also mixed crushed gemstones with oils and waxes to add a vibrant hue to their lips.
Later, ancient Egyptians wore red lip pigment as a way to signal their social status. Cleopatra was rumored to have made her own red lipstick by crushing carmine beetles and ants.
However, Christians and puritans were not so accepting of the use of lipstick. They believed that people with red lips were worshippers of Satan and associated them with witchcraft and sorcery.
This led to the creation of lip salves, which were more socially acceptable. They were rubbed onto the lips or applied to the skin with a stick.
While some of these salves were harmful, others were quite safe. For instance, they were formulated from a mixture of animal fats and mineral waxes.
But in modern times, it is important to keep the safety of lip cosmetics in mind. Lead and other trace metals are often found in lipstick. They can be dangerous if they get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness.
It is also possible to come into contact with trace metals in the manufacturing process of lipstick. This can be a serious concern because these contaminants can contaminate the rest of the product.
Although it is not a healthy alternative to natural makeup, lipsticks have a long history of being used by men and women throughout the world. They have been a part of several cultural and historical moments, such as the American suffragettes’ march through New York in 1912 wearing bright red lipstick.
The first commercially produced lipstick was invented in 1884 by French perfumers and formulated from deer tallow, castor oil, and beeswax. Originally, it was sold in paper tubes or pots, but Maurice Levy invented the first sliding tube for lipstick in 1915 and this greatly improved the quality of the product.
Nail Polish
Nail polish has a long and fascinating history. From Egyptian mummies with henna-tinted fingertips to modern models with French tipped nails, it has been a way of showing off one’s beauty for millennia.
The earliest known mention of nail coloring was in 3,200 BC when Babylonian warriors painted their fingers before battle. This was a common intimidation tactic that signaled a person’s status and war prowess.
Around 3000 BCE, the Chinese took the practice a step further by creating their own formulas for nail paints. These were made from varying amounts of beeswax, egg whites, gelatin, vegetable dyes and flowers.
These were poured into small glass bottles or pottery jars that were then used to decorate the hands of women. The earliest nail colors were white, but they later moved into shades of black and deep red.
In China, nail paint was also a sign of class and wealth. Royals wore colors like silver and gold, while the lower classes preferred red or black.
Even in ancient Egypt, Cleopatra favored the use of henna to color her nails. She reportedly stained her nails a deep blood red to show her power and rank.
This style of decoration was then passed on to India and Africa where it was used by both men and women. The Egyptians used henna to tint their fingertips and the Indian and African women would use it as an adornment on their nails and fingernails.
Until the late 18th century, nail polish was reserved for women of wealth and royalty. It wasn’t until the 19th century that this practice travelled across Europe.
When women first started using nail polish, they typically manicured their nails with a cream or powder polish that was buffed on before applying the lacquer. In the 1920s, nitrocellulose was introduced as an ingredient. This was then included in car paint and spurred the creation of the first modern day nail polish.
The first bottle of Cutex nail polish was a three-shade red that was only 35 cents. It was a revolutionary concept for the time and the company soon branched out into other products.