Cosmetics

Cosmetics or makeup are substances to enhance the beauty of the human body, apart from simple cleaning. Their use is widespread, especially among women in Western countries.

History

The first archaeological evidence of cosmetics usage is found in Ancient Egypt around 4000 BC. The Ancient Greeks and Romans also used cosmetics. The Romans and ancient Egyptians used cosmetics containing mercury.

Related Topics:
Ancient Egypt - 4000 BC - Ancient Greek - Romans - Mercury

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"In the 1800s, Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup impolite. It was viewed as vulgar and something that was worn by actors and prostitutes." http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/stuff/7728scit2.html By World War II, cosmetics had common application in the West (although banned in Nazi Germany). Other notable events in cosmetics history are detailed in the external link below. In Japan, geishas wore lipstick made of crushed safflower petals to paint the eyebrows and edges of the eyes as well as the lips. Sticks of bintsuke wax, a softer version of the sumo wrestlers' hair wax, were used by geisha as a makeup base. White paste and powder colour the face and back; rouge contours the eye socket and defines the nose. Black paint colours the teeth for the ceremony when maiko (apprentice geisha) graduate and become independent.

Related Topics:
1800s - World War II - Nazi Germany - Japan - Geisha - Safflower - Eyebrows - Lip - Face - Back - Eye - Nose

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As of 2005, the cosmetics industry is dominated by a small number of multinationals that all originated in the early 20th century. Of the dominant firms, the oldest and the largest is L'Oréal, which was founded by Eugene Shueller in 1909 as the French Harmless Hair Colouring Company, and is now owned by Nestle. The true market developers were the 1910s American trio Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein and Max Factor. These firms established the market and were augmented by Revlon just before World War II and Estée Lauder just after.

Related Topics:
2005 - 20th century - L'Oréal - 1909 - Nestle - 1910s - Elizabeth Arden - Helena Rubinstein - Max Factor - Revlon - Estée Lauder

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