It may seem that humanity has only recently obsessed with beauty and variety of the means to achieve it, but cosmetics appeared thousands of years ago - probably together with the appearance of the first religious cults.

Egypt cosmetics for the soul

You've probably seen pictures of inhabitants of ancient Egypt; painted eyes - one of the most visible parts of these paintings.

The Egyptians believed that the appearance is directly related to the level of spirituality, and looking for ways to emphasize its connection with the higher powers.

One of the substances that the Egyptians used as decorative cosmetics, called mesdemet. It consisted of copper and lead - not the safest substances to the skin, but with the problems they deal with. Summing up his eyes with paint, the Egyptians did not only make their appearance more expressive, but also ward off evil spirits.

Moreover, mesdemet serve as a good disinfectant and repellent. Given that in the regions located on the banks of the Nile, there was always a lot of insects, it is possible to admire the practicality of the ancients. In order to adorn themselves, they used the substances that repel insects.

However, the Egyptians painted not only the eyes. A mixture of red clay and water, they painted their lips and cheeks, and using henna gave yellowish or orange tint nails.

Over time, they began to show even greater resourcefulness. Scientists believe that the ingredients of paint some Egyptians used for eyeliner was prepared by various chemical reactions, as in the nature of such substances do not occur. Furthermore, it was found that 7-10% mesdemet consisted of fat - thanks to this it is easy to apply and smoothly laid down on the skin. But we still use decorative cosmetics, which consists of fat.

During the reign of the Greeks, and then - the Romans, the value of cosmetics changed. People still want to be beautiful, but not for spiritual growth and for the gods and for themselves and for each other. It is believed that someone from Roman belongs to the phrase "a woman's face without paint - like food without salt." Since then, the meaning of the use of decorative cosmetics in Western culture virtually unchanged.

Aristocratic pallor

For centuries, pale skin was the standard of beauty - it indicates the position of the individual in society. White skin can only be for those who do not need to work in the open air - the representatives of the upper class. To achieve a perfect pallor, it was not enough to close a parasol; women and men for that had to use white lead. For the corresponding position of the look had to pay a price - lead poisoning has become a common problem among representatives of the upper class. In the 19th century, white lead was found safe replacement - powdered zinc oxide. This substance and to this day is an ingredient many other color cosmetics.

In the early 20th century it came into vogue tanning; It appeared then-tanning bronzers and is still in high demand.

The quest for youth

Then, in the early 20th century, middle-aged women have been actively involved in entertainment, to travel, to discover new activities. All this has forced them to pay close attention to their appearance - and recognize that excess food, polluted air of large cities and way of life, no different dimensions, affect the condition of the skin. Cosmetics manufacturers have responded - went on sale the first anti-aging creams. Moreover, in major European cities began to open beauty salons, where you could go rejuvenating treatments and make-up (for coloring eyelashes used coal, and crushed her lips painted with flower petals). The women were in such salons through the back door, down to the face veil - no one should have been aware that they need outside help to become more beautiful.

Industry Cosmetics 20th century

With the increasing popularity of beauty salons Beauty, from hairstyles to krioliftinga   began to develop the industry of cosmetics - and so far she has not had a period of serious decline.

To make-up, women no longer had to go to a beauty salon - appeared in stores a wide range of decorative cosmetics. In 1930 the sales will go dark red lipstick shade that loved me and left visible traces on the clothes - probably at a time where something happened the very first family scandal because of the lipstick stain on his shirt.

During the Second World War, production of cosmetics declined slightly due to a shortage of ingredients and reducing demand, but after its completion in the industry started to grow again.

In recent decades, the choice of makeup became wide as ever. We have today the shadows and eyeliner Eyeliner: piercing gaze , Mascara, foundation, powder, lipstick, lip gloss, nail polish a variety of colors - and it's only a small part of what can be found on the shelves of conventional and virtual stores.

In the beauty industry billions of dollars revolve giants absorb smaller players and win at the same time, perhaps, everything. Like those who profit, knowing that women do not stop wanting to become more beautiful, and women themselves, which, thanks to fierce competition in the market are becoming more quality cosmetics. The men, of course, may complain that women spend money on something that takes almost half the flat surfaces in the home and takes a lot of time. But seeing his beloved whose beauty emphasizes the perfect makeup Perfect make-up: The art of correct strokes They still are speechless for a while forget to breathe, hear only the sound of the heart and its steps - and, of course, they also remain in the win.

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