The modern cosmetics industry is a multi-billion dollar global enterprise, but its roots stretch back thousands of years. The daily makeup routines of women today are the result of centuries of experimentation, innovation, and evolving social standards.
The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in cosmetics, valuing hygiene and appearance as integral to spiritual well-being. Around four thousand years ago, they believed that outward beauty reflected the health of the spirit and were driven to both look and smell appealing. Beyond aesthetics, cosmetics served practical purposes. “Mesdemet,” a blend of lead and copper ore, was used as eyeshadow, believed to ward off evil and acting as a disinfectant and insect repellent. Kohl, a dark substance made from lead, ash, ochre, copper, and burnt almonds, was applied around the eyes. Red clay mixed with water enhanced the cheeks, and henna painted fingernails in shades of orange and yellow.
As civilizations interacted, the Greeks adopted makeup practices from the Egyptians. However, their pursuit of a pale complexion led to the use of lead-based foundations, with deadly consequences. The Romans embraced cosmetics with less emphasis on functionality, opting for unusual beauty treatments like decorating nails with sheep’s blood and heated body fat. An old Roman saying encapsulates their view: “A woman without paint is like food without salt.”
Centuries later, a white complexion became a global symbol of wealth and status. Pale skin indicated a life of leisure, free from manual labor. Women (and men) used powders containing hydroxide, lead oxide, and carbonate to achieve this look, but the side effect was often lethal lead poisoning. In the nineteenth century, chemists developed zinc oxide as a safer alternative, allowing the skin to breathe and preventing lead poisoning. Zinc oxide remains a common ingredient in cosmetics today.
In Edwardian London, wealthy urban women attended lavish parties, where youthful appearance was highly prized. City life, with its smog, poor diets, and lack of exercise, accelerated aging. Women relied on anti-aging and facial creams to conceal imperfections. Salons, such as the discreet House of Cyclax, offered specialized treatments and products, catering to women who wished to conceal their aging process.
Today’s woman benefits from this long history of cosmetic development, with access to an unlimited array of products. The billion-dollar skin care industry thrives even during economic downturns. Thus, we should acknowledge and appreciate our ancestors and their dedication to self-care and aesthetics.