Ever wonder about makeup?

Ever since humans have had skin (practically), we've been looking for ways to cover it up. But it hasn't always been easy to be beautiful.


In ancient Egypt, both men and women of all social classes wore eye makeup, similar to the eyeliner we wear today. It was called kohl, and was made of lead, copper, burnt almonds,and soot. In Egypt, as well as Rome and Greece, cosmetics were also made with dangerous chemicals like mercury and white lead.


In the ancient Middle East, people developed early forms of lipstick and solid deodorant. In China, people of all classes painted their fingernails beginning around 3000 BC, though metallics and bright hues were reserved for the Imperial family.


The iconic Geisha of Japan wore lipstick made of crushed flowers, brow liner, and foundation made of wax, and rice powder. They also wore rouge to define the nose and bird droppings to lighten the face.


Makeup really took off in Europe during the Renaissance, despite the Church declaring it immoral. Aristocratic women and men wore powder to lighten the complexion. This powder contained white lead, mercury, and arsenic. Obviously, a bad combination.


In the sixth century, women would bleed themselves to get pale skin, Spanish prostitutes wore pink makeup to lighten the skin, and in 13th century Italy red lipstick enhanced contrast and denoted an upper class station. 

• As early as 100,000 BC, early homo sapiens babes painted their bodies with red ocher, in a move thought to advertise their fertility.
• By 2500 BC the Egyptians were using kohl eyeliner.
• In 200 BC Greek senoritas wore lead powder. It was toxic, but women continued to use it through the 1800s.
• Roman ladies in the 1st century BC wore anti-aging masks of barley, crushed antler, and flowers.
• Greek and Roman women from the 100 BC- 300 bleached their hair with beech wood and goat fat.
• In 1st century BC Han China, women ate melon seeds, tangerine peel, and peach blossoms three times a day to whiten the skin.
• Hate your freckles? 2nd century Roman gals ate melon root, and their Greek contemporaries wore the world's first cold cream- made of crocodile dung.
• Forget teeth whitening, in 3rd century Japan, lovely ladies lacquered their teeth black with iron filings and apple peel.
• In the 500s, ladies of the Han dynasty in China used fake hair under their own to create intricate styles.
• Women in 8th century India began the practice of mehndi, or henna painting for good luck, ceremony, and beauty.
• By about 950, Arab beauties used a paste of lemon and sugar to remove unwanted hair.
• In the 1100s, European women used creams made of chick peas, barley, almonds, horseradish, and milk.
• In the 1400s medieval ladies plucked their eyebrows and hairlines into high arches.
• In Renaissance Italy strawberry-blonde hair was in vogue. It was achieved by using a dye of licorice bark, twigs, and lemon.
• In 1500 dentures were introduced in Europe; they cow bone, ivory, and even marble.
• During the Elizabethan era women wore white lead and vinegar foundation, and gave their faces some shine with egg whites.
• In the 1600s, women held herb-filled balls in their cheeks to make them appear plumper.
• In the 1770s, Marie Antoinette brought huge three-foot wigs into fashion that were powdered white and decorated with flowers, fruits, birds, and miniature ships.
• L'Oreal released the first commercial hair dye in 1909.
• The rise of the silver screen also gave rise to modern foundation. 
• In 1960, self tanners hit the market, making women everywhere look like radioactive carrots.