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Makeup has has always been part of the human culture for as long as anyone can remember. The earliest record of makeup was found during the 1st Dynasty of Egypt. Unguent jars were discovered, being the popular used substance that kept the skin hydrated and supple and also helped to avoid wrinkles from the dry heat. Using Kohl (which was made from antimony [a metallic element] or soot), copper and lead early Egyptian woman were the first in a long line of cosmetic users. And what a long way the cosmetics user has come.
Women for decades have tried numerous ways to 'enhance' the beauty they had or create the illusion of beauty with a wide variety of products. Within some cultures women used mercury, lead, arsenic to give them a 'pale' appearance which was considered 'attractive' for their time. From using burnt matches to darken or line eyes to berries to change the color of their lips or cheeks, humans have always thought of new ways to change and brighten their faces. In Roman times women used chalk to lighten their complexions and used pumice to clean their teeth.
Cosmetic use was frowned upon at some points in Western history. For example, in the 1800s, make-up was used primarily by prostitutes, and Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup improper, vulgar, and acceptable only for use by actors. Adolf Hitler told women that face painting was for clowns and not for the women of the Master Race. By the middle of the 20th century, cosmetics were in widespread use in nearly all societies around the world.
Cosmetics have been in use for thousands of years. They also attached silk or leather with adhesive to cover a blemish. The absence of regulation of the manufacture and use of cosmetics has led to negative side effects, deformities, blindness, and even death through the ages. Examples of this were the prevalent use of ceruse(white lead), to cover the face during the Renaissance, and blindness caused by the mascara Lash Lure during the early 1900s.
The worldwide annual expenditures for cosmetics is estimated at U.S. $19 billion. Of the major firms, the oldest and the largest is L'Oréal, which was founded by Eugene Schueller in 1909 as the French Harmless Hair Colouring Company (now owned by Liliane Bettencourt 26% and Nestlé 28%, with the remaining 46% are publicly traded). The market was developed in the USA during the 1910s by Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Max Factor. These firms were joined by Revlon just before World War II and Estée Lauder just after.
Like most industry, cosmetic companies resist regulation by government agencies like the FDA, and have lobbied against this throughout the years.
Make-Up Types:
- Lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner, lip plumper, lip balm, lip conditioner and lip boosters.
- Foundation: used to color the face and conceal flaws to produce an impression of health and youth. Usually a liquid, cream, powder or mousse.
- Powder: used to set the foundation, giving a matte finish, and also to conceal not-so-noticeable flaws.
- Rouge, blush or blusher, cheek stain used to color the cheeks and emphasize the cheekbones. This comes in powder, cream and gel forms.
- Bronzer, used to create a more tan look to the skin.
- Mascara and lash extender, lash conditioner used to enhance the eyelashes. Can be of different colors and even waterproof.
- Eye liner and eye shadow, eye shimmer and glitter eye pencils as well as different color pencils used to color and emphasize the eyelids (larger eyes are a sign of youth).
- Eyebrow pencils, creams, waxes, gels and powders are used to fill in and define the brows.
- Nail polish, used to color the fingernails and toenails.
- Concealer, a type of thick opaque makeup used to cover pimples, various spots and inconsistencies in the skin.
Also included in the general category of cosmetics are skin care products. These include creams and lotions to moisturize the face and body, sunscreens to protect the skin from damaging UV radiation, and treatment products to repair or hide skin imperfections (acne, wrinkles, dark circles under eyes, etc.). Cosmetics can also be described by the form of the product, as well as the area for application. Cosmetics can be liquid or cream emulsions; powders, both pressed and loose; dispersions; and anhydrous creams or sticks.
