Who Invented Makeup?

The art of wearing Makeup was invented approximately 12,000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians. In Egyptian culture, it was customary to adorn the body with a variety of scents and colors. Ancient Egyptian makeup was generally made from common plants and other ingredients.

While modern cosmetics are generally worn by women, ancient Egyptians of both sexes adorned themselves with makeup. The fact that much of early makeup was made from poisonous ingredients did not lessen its use. It wasn’t until the use of cosmetics reached Rome and Greece that its use became more prominent among women, who were viewed as more desirable while wearing it.

Makeup is a phenomenon that’s exceedingly popular in almost every community in the world. It would appear that we’ve been using makeup for an exceptionally long time. Linked to all kinds of spiritual and physical attributes, you might be surprised how long it has been around.

No one person invented makeup, as it can be traced back to the First Dynasty of Ancient Egyptians, with the first instances of makeup recorded as early as 4000 BC. There are also some notable references in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, to the wearing of makeup.

So, where did it all begin? In the rest of this article, I’ll delve into the details of the world of Ancient Egyptian makeup, how it all began in America, the very first makeup brand in the United States, and patenting options for those with a new cosmetic.

-A Brief History of Makeup and When It Was First Used

First used by Ancient Egyptian men and women in 4,000 BC, makeup was used for all kinds of things. At first, these weren’t just products associated with beauty but also with spirituality, health, and social status.

It’s widely acknowledged that Ancient Egyptian men and women were exceptionally innovative in their time. They experimented with all kinds of compounds to create makeup and body art.

For example, using burnt matches was an inventive way to shape eyebrows.

Unlike today’s paradigm of makeup-wearing aficionados, Egyptian men and women used red clay and ochre made from animal fats for their lips, kohl made of burnt almonds, copper ores, and lead for their eyes. There’s also evidence of the prolific use of unguent, which was a material used for supple and wrinkle-free skin.

At the time, those of royal status and the upper class, in general, tended to go to extremes when they wore makeup, using cosmetic treatments that today probably would have been deemed relatively unsafe.

-Makeup Meaning in Religion

However, using makeup was said to bring you closer to the Gods, with the eyes having the most importance. For example, using kohl around the eyes was said to protect them from evil spirits, specifically the Evil Eye.

In particular, the size and shape of makeup palettes and mason jars were significant in Ancient Egypt. For example, fish-shaped containers were relatively meaningful for the Egyptians, as the fish was an important symbol of fertility.

-Health was also a significant part of using makeup.

Since the Egyptians lived in a very hot, dry climate, they needed to protect their skin from the elements. Using creams and oils made from animal fats was one way to ensure that their skin didn’t dry out or crack in the heat.

-Makeup in the Roman Era

The Romans followed in the footsteps of the Ancient Egyptians, and many, especially those in the upper classes, used colorful powders to create blush for their cheeks and similarly painted their lips.

However, if you were living in the middle-to-late stages of the Roman Empire, it was widely accepted that colorful makeup was only for prostitutes or very low-class women. The typical Roman woman would use lightning powder on her face to achieve the traditional pale-skinned beauty that was so prevalent at that time.

There was widespread disdain for such obvious beautification of the skin. Instead, more emphasis was placed on health and hygiene. Many people of that time used skincare products to enhance their natural beauty.

Fun fact: The Romans used a concoction called belladonna drops, which would be used to make the pupils appear larger. Unfortunately, belladonna drops are poisonous to humans, so after a while, this practice ceased.

-The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages was a time of significant change in the world of makeup. The beauty ideal for women became even paler. A more unnatural color was generally used by the upper classes and royal family members to achieve an utterly whitewashed face and neck.

They often used a cerulean and vinegar mixture to create this look, and it would act as a complete skin foundation. A typical example of this look is Elizabeth I of England, who used cerulean throughout her lifetime.

Once again, most women entirely rejected the concept of colorful makeup.

Only very low-class women and prostitutes generally wore brighter makeup, with the occasional exception of rouge for the lips of the middle class.

-History of Makeup in America

Although eye makeup was used in abundance during the age of the Ancient Egyptians, the relative reserve of North Americans before 1900 stopped them short of using eye makeup. But how did makeup come to America?

-Who Invented Makeup In America?

Although the concept of makeup was around for a long time in the United States, it was never formally an industry until Florence Graham (Elizabeth Arden) came on the scene.

Elizabeth Arden introduced North Americans to the world of eye makeup. After moving to New York in 1910, Elizabeth Arden created her makeup salon on Fifth Avenue, a salon that would become the very place from which the makeup industry would bloom.

Working alongside a professional chemist, she created a line of skin tonics, foundations, eye products, and softening creams that would eventually set the international standard for makeup going forward.