The history of cosmetics goes back very far into the past spans. So much so that it covers at least 6,000 years of human history. Cosmetic history is something that is very unifying in that every civilization on the Earth has it as a common part of their background.
The first scientific and archeological evidence of people making use of cosmetics goes all the way back to 4,000 B.C. Ancient Greeks and Romans made use of cosmetics. Cosmetics history also tells us that Romans and Egyptians used cosmetics that contained such dangerous ingredients as mercury and lead due to their lack of knowledge of how these elements caused poisoning and health issues. Fragrances such as myrrh and frankincense have been well known for their mention in the Bible and the important role that they played in relation to the birth of Jesus.
The Egyptians of the ancient world relied on a wide array of makeup items. One of them was call kohl. This was used to outline the eyes and is what produces the elegant look that they are so very famous for. This product was made from copper, lead, soot, burned almonds, and some other ingredients. It was thought by the Egyptians of that time that eye makeup was useful in warding off evil spirits and also in improving sight.
Cosmetic history, as it relates to the Middle East, is similar to others. Cosmetic items were made and used in Persia thousands of years ago. Even after Arab tribes had converted to Islam, which encouraged many rules restricting the use of makeup, there were still areas where they were allowed if they were not used to disguise a person’s appearance or to arouse sexual desire. There is actually no law in the Islamic tradition that goes so far as to prohibit the wearing of cosmetics. To the contrary, an early medical teacher named Al-Zahrawi considered cosmetics as being a branch of medicine and referred to it as “Medicine of Beauty.” He dealt with items such as scented aromatics, perfumes, and incense.
Henna has been in use in India possibly as far back as the 4th century. It was commonly used as both a hair dye and also in performing the art of Mehndi. The art of Mehndi is a process in which complex designs are placed on a person’s hands and feet. This is mainly done before a Hindu wedding. Henna is also put to use in some north African cultures where the designs are more bold that those created in India.
Looking through information about cosmetic history, you will also find out how it has also heavily influenced Asian countries further east. For instance, people in China began staining their fingernails at around 3,000 B.C. This practice was restricted to the higher class and lower class individuals were prohibited from doing so. Japanese geishas are very known for the elaborate makeup they wear. These women wore lipstick that was created from crushed safflower petals and they loved to paint their eyebrows, the edges of their eyes, and their lips.