The History of Cosmetology

The Ancient Egyptians were the first to cultivate beauty and wear it in an extravagant way. They included it in their every day life as a part of their beauty habits. They included it in religious ceremonies and in the preparation of burial for their dead. Around 3000 BC they were using things like minerals, insects, and berries for eye makeup, lips, and skin. They were using Henna to stain their hair and their nails a deep red color. Perfumes were made from infusing leaves, bark, and blossoms of flowers. They were credited for being the first to create these perfumes.

Photo Credit - Public Domain

Queen Cleopatra in 50 BC created her own personal cosmetics factory next to the Dead Sea.

Queen Nefertiti in 1400 BC dipped her nails into henna to make them red.

Kohl makeup was used first by the Egyptians. Kohl is made from a mixture of ground galena which is a black mineral, sulfur, and animal fat. They used it to elaborately line their eyes. It also served as a means to protect them from the glare of the sun.   

The people of Ancient Greece were applying makeup as early as 500 BC. They used makeup in their religious ceremonies, in every day grooming, and for medicinal purposes. They were creative in their products too. They used white lead on their faces, kohl on their eyes, and vermillion on their cheeks and lips. They would make a red pigment by grinding up cinnabar to a fine powder. They would use it on their faces in the fine powder form or by mixing it with an ointment.   

Photo Credit - CCSA - Evi Michailidou

The Romans would give themselves facials using things such as flour, eggs, milk, and butter. Chalk and white lead would be used for facial makeup. Only nobility could wear their hair the color red. Middle class would wear theirs blonde and the lower class poor would typically be seen with black hair.