Colour in cosmetics

History

The urge to decorate and adorn ourselves is one of the most fundamental instincts in human nature. The idea that make-up was first used in the twentieth century is wrong, although it is true that only comparatively recently has the use of make-up by women become almost universal, resulting in the development of a modem industry to mass-produce the articles.

As long ago as 3000 BC, aristocratic Egyptian ladies used complex and ornate make-up such as black eyebrows and lashes, blue eye-shadow, red lips and nails. However, attempts made to sell the 'Cleopatra look' in make-up failed in recent times because the over-all effect on the face was too gaudy by contemporary standards.

The Egyptians used kohl, made from malachite and galena, or soot to darken the eyes. Herbs and fruit were used to colour the face, producing reds and oranges for the lips and cheeks.