Do you think that a common innovation is cosmetics? If you think so, you are totally wrong; cosmetics are as old as history itself! Ancient cultures not only had cosmetics, but they perfected the making and preparation of cosmetics. Its first use dates back to the Ancient Egyptians; there were traditional cosmetic instruments in many of their tombs. You will find several cosmetics if you visit a museum showing ancient Egyptian antiquities, or those of other ancient cultures, such as eyeliner, mirrors, wigs, among others.
Ancient Egyptians, including eye-shadows and eyeliner, were particularly good at making eye cosmetics; they used malachite powder, adding a special green dye, applying oils to cure it. In ancient Egypt, both men and women used eyeliner; they used a mixture of metal, lead, copper, ash, and burnt almonds, and we all recall the famous eyeliner that characterized the eyes of Cleopatra.
Eyeliner was applied by ancient Egyptians to ward off the evil eye and dangerous spirits, and for its effectiveness in dispersing the harsh desert Sun. In addition to the function of beautification, eyeliner has many medical advantages; scientists have noticed in recent years that the formula of the eyeliner accidentally helped the Egyptians avoid infectious diseases and get rid of bacteria. As of now, many products, including natural or industrial components, are used in the manufacture of eyeliner.
Similarly, in ancient civilizations, particularly the Roman civilization, there was an omnipresent confidence that the fairer the skin is, the greater the prestige and beauty. In some contemporary nations, this assumption still exists; that is why skin bleaching or whitening products have always been commonly used. Chalk was used in the beginning, but it did not last long; then, China and Japan extracted face powder from rice. Several materials are used in the making of foundations in modern times, such as: silicon and water, or a combination of water, oils, and moisturizing substances, or silt to create foundations based on water.
Over time, with the addition of shades, the history of cosmetics has become less strange. Fair skin was reserved for the bourgeoisie from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century; only lower-class females used shades on their lips, cheeks, or eyes. With a combination of lead and vinegar known as ceruse, upper-class women painted their ears, necks, and bosoms. I was famous for the use of this mixture by Queen Elizabeth to give herself a pale skin look; back then, it appeared to distinguish between the aristocratic and the middle class, but many claim that this mixture also contributed to her death.
Face coloring powders made of metals and stones were also used by the ancient Greeks and Romans; women in ancient Greece used mashed berries as a blusher for their cheeks. Many forms of blushers have emerged in our modern era, such as the tint that gives a long-lasting natural color. Lipsticks made of Crimean beetle dye were also used by Cleopatra. In addition, women used red iron and mud mixed with water to stain their lips in the past, but it wasn't healthy, so they replaced it with lipstick oils and beeswax.