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The History of Makeup
Most people think the Egyptians were the first to wear makeup. Not true. The history of makeup dates back much earlier.
This is how the story goes.
This truth was just recently discovered. On October 17, 2007, at Pinnacle Point, South Africa, archaeologists found evidence of early humans(homo sapiens) using ochre for primitive makeup 164,000 years ago. 57 pieces of ground-up rock that would have been reddish- or pinkish-brown were found. It's believed that this would have been "used for self-decoration and sending social signals to others, much the way makeup is used now." Read the article on Discovery.com.
Archaeological discoveries in Iran suggest that Persians adorned themselves with makeup and jewelry approximately 10,000 years ago. It's suggested that the people of this region were the first to use white powder for beautification purposes.
Between 3,000 B.C. to 300 B.C. ancient Egyptian men and women of all ages used makeup for beauty and health. White makeup and black makeup made from carbon or manganese oxides was used most often. They painted their lips and cheeks with red ocher. They died their fingernails yellow and orange with henna. Black kohl was used to outline the upper and lower eyelids and extend a line from the outer corner to the side of the face. There were professional makeup painters that would apply makeup for the rich.
The ancient Greeks, 750 B.C. to 146 B.C., used white lead paste on their faces (that did slowly poison them) and redding was used as rouge and lip color. The same type of makeup was used during the Roman Empire from 27 B.C. to 1453 C.E..
It was not a good time for makeup in medieval Europe during the 17th - 18th centuries. Makeup was forbidden and considered evil. Any woman of virtue would never paint her face. It even became against the law to wear makeup. It was considered trickery or witchcraft to change your looks.
Source: Jupiter Images
Makeup has regained its good standing since then, thank goodness. From its earlier hazardous and even deadly forms to today's beneficial and age-defying formulas, our quest and desire for "beauty" will never fade.
There is so much more I want tell you about makeup and its amazing evolution. In doing the research for this topic, I discovered that the amount of information available could fill an entire website all by itself. So if you need more information or specifics on the history of makeup then please visit trustworthy sites dedicated to this subject.
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