The History of Cosmetic in Egypt, Roman Empire and Greece

The cosmetic history is goes back to the ancient times. Few cultures valued beauty and cosmetic products in ancient times as the Egyptians did. The history of ancient cosmetics can also be traced back to the culture of ancient Greece and make-up was also popular in the Roman Empire. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that people from all these three cultures used hair dyes for instance. These people used herbal concoctions with components like henna, sage and chamomile to darken their hair. It was only in the renaissance period that blond hair became fashionable.

Cosmetic History in China

In other cultures like that of China, fingernail painting was popular in ancient times. Ancient Chinese people used a mixture of gum arabic, egg whites, gelatin and beeswax to make the first forms of nail varnish and royalty preferred to use metallic or bright colors of nail varnish at that time. In these times cosmetic stores had only very expensive products. People from lower ranks were restricted to the use of paler nail varnish colors, and this trend of discrimination using nail varnish was also visible in ancient Egypt.

Basic Concept of Using Cosmetics

Although cosmetic products have undergone many changes in modern times, the basic concept of using cosmetics to enhance the features of good health has not changed. For instance, blush-on is used to conceal pale present a picture of rosy cheeks as opposed to pale skin and nail polish can be used to conceal brittle or dry nails. The history of makeup cosmetics however is tarnished by the ill-effects that were often experienced after applying many ancient make-up products. This was because many such products were created using dangerous components and also because cleansing lotions are not anywhere to be found in the early history of cosmetics.

Dark Chapters of Cosmetic History

The history of the cosmetics industry includes very dark chapters in European and Western countries from about six centuries back. Mixtures and pastes were then used to whiten the face, a practice which remained popular till over four hundred years later. The early mixtures that were used in Europe for this purpose were so potent that they often led to paralysis, strokes or death. In that era, another method that was employed to make the skin appear fairer was to bleed oneself using leeches.

19th – 20th Century

Up to the late nineteenth century, women in Western countries may have secretly worn make-up made from mixtures of household products, as make-up was then deemed the domain of film stars. Cosmetics in cosmetic stores were only openly put up for sale in the early part of the twentieth century for the first time. Tanned or darker skin tones became popular only as late as the early twentieth century. It was in this era that tanning the skin became a popular fad.

21th Century

The history of cosmetics in the 1930s and 1940s shows how the fashion or trend with respect to lipstick colors was changed annually, getting darker and closer to red every passing year. It was around this time that eyebrow shaping also became popular. However, the true surge in make-up sales in big cosmetic stores occurred at the end of the Second World War when people were celebrating the return of their loved ones.