Cosmetics

Consumption

People have used natural pigments for beautification since the beginning of human civilization. The earliest and most impressive instances of using plant pigments as cosmetics come from Paleolithic cave paintings and decorated prehistoric ceramics. The ornaments depicted on the pottery can be seen also on the bodies of miniature ceramic figurines and on the walls of houses; for instance, in the Copper Age cultures of the Balkans. These early examples are evidence that people also applied decoration as beautification or with ideological meanings on their bodies. Ethnographic instances of tattoos indirectly confirm that human ideals [Page 158]of beauty include body decoration. The Sitagroi, a female head of a figurine with linear painted ornamentation, is a possible replication of 5th-millennium-B.C.E. fashions of face decoration, and it is among the most beautiful examples of how people looked in the ancient past. Learning more is a question of increasing access to archaeological records and learning about early uses of natural fragrances or more natural means of caring for hair, for example. Generally, the development of different styles of prehistoric female figurines during the Neolithic and the Copper Ages (later 7th–early 4th millennium B.C.E.) reflects an evolution in women's beauty ideals, and these, in turn, indicate not only the existence of, but also the development of cosmetics and fashion styles.

Cosmetics became a hallmark of state civilizations during the origin of state societies in the later 4th millennium B.C.E. Egypt, Mesopotamia, Crete, and Mycenae offer exclusive instances of ancient makeup and fashion related to wealthy and ruling segments of society. Cosmetic jars excavated in the tomb of Tutankhamun (1341–1323 B.C.E.) contained skin cream composed of approximately nine parts of animal fat to one part of perfumed resin.

Cosmetics in the Middle Ages and Renaissance were used for beautification, but poisonous components, such as mercury and white lead (and likely unknown ingredients), often damaged the face. There was no toothpaste, although some herbs were recommended for maintaining white and pearly teeth. Because bathing was not considered of importance, perfume became increasingly necessary. Queen Elizabeth I introduced “sweet coffers” containing paint, power, and patches. Cosmetics were socially sensitive through the ages, promoted by some or blamed as a sign of lower social status or amorality by others. In the 21st century, the worldwide cosmetics market totals more than $140 billion (32 percent for skin care, 27 percent for hair care, 12 percent for toiletries, 17 percent for makeup, and 12 percent for fragrances).

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