It is believed that the use of cosmetics dates back to ancient Egypt circa 4000 B.C. Scented perfume jars have been discovered in the tombs of various pharaohs (Sage 33). It was during these times that cosmetics began to fulfill beautifying needs along with playing a predominant role in ritual burials. The sources used to concoct the numerous forms of cosmetics were extracted from the fertile land of the Nile River. The shepherds and hunters of the Mesolithic Period would often smear their bodies with grease

Max Factor, one of the most predominant figures in cosmetics, moved to the United States in 1904 from Poland. He was already skilled in the field of wig making and cosmetics. Factor began his career in America in the theater and film industry. In 1920, Max Factor branched out from theatrical makeup and created Society Makeup, a line of cosmetics for everyday use. By 1928, his line, Society Makeup, was sold nationwide and began to run ads in movies and women’s magazines (Peiss 101). By 1935 Factor opened a massive salon in Hollywood, California, the film capital of America. It was in that Hollywood salon that Factor introduced pancake makeup. This type of makeup was perfect for Hollywood because of its ideal coverage (A Brief www). Today’s American women are still enjoying the creations of Mr. Max Factor almost one hundred years later.

from the castor plant. This process eventually evolved into the use of cosmetics as a form of sun protection. The children, as well as the adults, would use hydro silicate of copper to counteract the harsh rays of the sun (Angeloglou 19).

Articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and articles intended for use as a component of any such articles, except that such term shall not include soap (Sage 33).

In addition to the careful adornment of their face, the women of Egypt would use henna to color their nearly perfect hair designs. The wealthier women would spend a whole afternoon creating hairstyles of various geometric proportions (Angeloglou 20). Henna was also used to tint the fingernails and palms. The henna was rubbed into the hands and dried in the sun to produce the desired orangey-brown hue (Castleton 154).

It is believed that many of the cosmetics used by the Romans were not concocted there. They were often times produced in Egypt and purchased by the Romans, hence the similarity in the adornment of both cultures (Angeloglou 22). The women of Rome used lead chalk to whiten their faces. The prolong use of the lead eventually caused muscle paralysis and even death (Sage 34). The fashionable ones in Rome would dye their hair blonde or black depending on the current fashion. The harsh dye, lye, was used so much that many times their hair would fall out and they would wear wigs. To keep the wigs in place lard was spread on the head, which attracted and eventually led to an infestation of lice (History www).

During the 15th and 16th century, Italy and France became the main centers for cosmetic manufacturing and use. During the Italian Renaissance, not only was the highly toxic lead used, but powder made of arsenic was created. Signora Toffano, creator of Aqua Toffana, a face powder, was convicted of murder in the early

Some topics in this essay:
Brief Greeks, Brief Women, Mesolithic Period, French Restoration, History Cosmetics, Aqua Toffana, Max Factor, Looking Glass, World War, Cosmetic Act, sage 33, bath houses, egyptians greeks, max factor, angeloglou 19, wealthier women, cold cream, women egypt, women paint, century cosmetics,