If you've ever paused to consider the multi-billion dollar cosmetics industry, you might have wondered, just where did makeup originate? The answer takes you back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, or at least that's what some evidence suggests.
Where Did Makeup Originate?

Where did makeup originate? To date, various archeological sources point to ancient Egypt as the originator for cosmetics. At that time, royalty, especially men, used certain types of ore to darken their faces or create designs. Other evidence suggests that both the Greeks and Romans wore makeup as well.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about the use of makeup in ancient times.

Some of the makeup used contained poisonous materials, such as copper or lead.
There are references to uses of cosmetics in the Bible.
Many cosmetics were made from foods or household goods, such as flour, berries, or even burnt matches.
Over the years makeup became more sophisticated and reached the masses. In Victorian times, everyday women often wore makeup, attempting to look as pale as possible. Though the use of cosmetics were largely frowned upon by the church, many women still attempted to follow rather challenging beauty regimens that could include drinking terrible concoctions of ox blood, straight vinegar and other substances or even bloodletting to turn the skin pale.

Though the use of makeup and the following of other beauty procedures was often a source of embarrassment, women continued to spend money on these products and services, even if it meant doing so in secret. Various powders and creams, rouge, and lipstick were all popular at this time.

Makeup Influences
Though beauty ideals changed as time went on, many women were heavily influenced by makeup use among certain populations. Here are just a few of those.

Actors and actresses: Even when makeup among common citizens was frowned upon, it was considered acceptable for actors and actresses to wear stage makeup during productions.
Royalty: Opinion as to whether makeup was suitable for members of the royal families swayed greatly from the Victorian era forward. At certain times, it was considered highly inappropriate. At others, the women of the royal families were symbols of feminine beauty and charm, including all the beauty regimens that accompanied that ideal.
High society ladies: It was often the older women in these circles who set the standards for high fashion. This changed over time, but at one time, it was the matrons and dowagers who called the fashion shots.
Media: As society advanced technologically, the widespread circulation of magazines, newspapers, and eventually television viewership catapulted makeup use into mainstream society. Today, the media is a huge driver in the fashion and cosmetics industries.
Modern Day Makeup
The makeup of today originated in the early 1900s. In fact, L'Oreal, one of the leading brands of cosmetics still sold today, was originally founded in 1909. Other brands familiar to most contemporary cosmetics wearers were also developed in the early 1900s and are still going strong today.

These include the following:

Max Factor
Elizabeth Arden
Estee Lauder
Concerns with the Use of Makeup

Many early makeup products contained poisons and toxins. Although major cosmetics companies in modern times attempt to use safer products, there has been a rise in the popularity of natural and organic cosmetics. Many people are concerned about the possibility of any harmful ingredients in cosmetics, and opting for natural and organic formulas is one way to help lessen the risk.

The history of makeup is a rich and varied one, filled with the story of the desire achieve a more beautiful appearance. The innovations in modern makeup offer women (and men) hundreds of choices and safer options. For information about the history of a particular cosmetics line, be sure to visit the company's website.