- Lipstick was considered an essential item for female nurses in the armed forces during the Second World War, both to remind women that they were ladies first and military second, and because it might have a calming effect on the male soldiers. (Although most experts now say that guys get really turned on when a girl wears red lipstick.)
- Perfume was central to Egyptian civilization and was used for both cosmetic and medical purposes. For example, Kyphi, one of the most famous Egyptian perfumes, made from flowers, honey, wine and berries, was also prepared as a drink to cure lung, intestinal, and liver problems. That said, don't go chugging a bottle of Chanel No. 5 to cure your next hangover.
- In ancient Greece, the most sought-after hair color was blond. Not many Greeks were naturally blond, so light hair was probably perceived as beautiful because it was so exotic. Women would lighten their hair using plant extracts or arsenic(!). They also washed their locks with a mixture of ashes, olive oil, and water.
- The term for a makeup artist in Egyptian hieroglyphic is derived from the root "sesh," which means, "to write, to engrave." Makeup application was taken pretty seriously back then: the same accuracy was needed to paint lips as to write out a text. (FYI: By "text" we mean etching symbols into a rock, not typing out a message on your iPhone.)
- It's a shame that extensions weren't available during the Heian Period when a Japanese woman's beauty was judged by the length of her hair, since the ideal was considered almost two feet longer than her waist. We're assuming that ponytails were a popular hairstyle back then
Photo Credit: RJ Lennon
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