Beauty aids and cosmetics
Most cultures
have, as far back as trustworthy observation has been possible (approx.
5000 years), used various kinds of beautifying agents. Most often it was
done quite openly, but sometimes with great secrecy. The aim with these
preparations has always been to hide defects, create a younger appearance,
and increase the power of attraction. Enhancing body colors has also in
many cultures been an important status symbol. The ancient Egyptians tattooed
their faces and the Hindu women's markings of caste revealed status.
Today, teenagers use
cosmetics to mark their entrance into adulthood. The Egyptians, in almost
all levels of society, used cosmetics as far back as the 3rd and 2nd millennia
BC. They used henna leaves to produce a red color for cheeks, lips and nails.
They colored their nipples golden and marked the eyelashes and the eyebrows
of the eye with charcoal. The Egyptian queen Cleopatra excelled in her use
of various cosmetics and even colored her eyelids green with copper pigment.
Surface blood vessels on breasts and temples were enhanced with blue dyes.
Like many
other Egyptians, she used an astonishing amount
of various toiletries. To even out wrinkles a mixture of alabaster, salt and
honey was smeared onto the skin.
The Egyptians also attached great importance to the hair, and various chemicals
and dyes were used to keep it from thinning and turning grey. In order to
behold their beauty the Egyptians manufactured mirrors from a highly reflective
polished copper. They also believed that the necessities of this life were
important in the after-life, which explains why many of these beauty preparations
were found in King Tutankhamens burial chamber.
Although the use of these beautifying preparations was condemned during certain
periods, for example by the Jewish prophets, many Jewish women nevertheless
used cosmetics and perfume and adorned themselves with jewelry.
With the ancient Greeks the use of cosmetics was common and particularly appreciated
by the hetaeras, the courtesans of the time. However, it was considered sinful
for Greek wives and other respectable women to use cosmetics. But to spend
time on hairstyles and hair coloring was accepted. The courtesans used all
kinds of products. They bathed in herbal solutions, removed their bodily hair
with depilating creams, dyed their eyebrows and eyelids black and their cheeks
red. The complexion was kept pale with lead compounds, and the hair was dyed
blonde with potassium permanganate.
Even after these early historic descriptions there is much that has been written
down and noted about the use of beautifying creams and cosmetics in most cultures.
A detailed description of these in this book will be too long, and I think
this short historic retrospect will suffice to illustrate the way our ancestors
also were interested in improving their appearance.
