Cleopatra’s soft white skin was famous throughout Egypt. To keep her skin pretty, she bathed daily in mare’s milk. She rimmed her eyes with black kohl, used a grease-based green eye shadow, and dyed her lips crimson with an iron ore extract.

In Egypt 6,000 years ago, cosmetics and perfumes were associated with death rites; the deceased were anointed before burial and made up according to burial custom. It was the priest and physicians who blended and sold cosmetics and skin care preparations.

Soil from the Greek island Lemnos was used in a facial pack to remove wrinkles. Oil, wax, and honey went into skin care products, and red ochre was used to tint the lips and cheeks.

One lip colorant was made of a blend of dried insects.  Henna was used to stain the hands and feet; green and black antimony darkened lips, eyelids and eyebrows.  Bodies were lavishly powdered with a combination of talc, clay, silica, magnesium and corn.

Archeological evidence indicates that even in prehistoric times, people attempted to enhance their appearance. Early recorded history contains many references to the use of cosmetics and preparations to improve the skin.

• The Middle ages: Make-up was understated
• The Renaissance: Women shaved off their eyebrows and hairlines in order to extend the forehead.
• 1920’s: Cupid’s bow mouths, bobbed hair, thickly mascaraed lashes and brightly rouged cheeks.
• 1930’s: Bleached platinum hair, dark pencil-thin eyebrows, lots of mascara and naturally contoured lips in dark shades.
• 1940’s and 50’s: Face make-up was used generously.
• 1960’s: False eyelashes, thick bands of eyeliner, bright eye shadow of blue, green and purple and white lipstick.
• 1970’s: Hair was worn long, and free flowing, clear lip gloss, a hint of mascara, pale natural glow on the cheeks.

Today, cosmetics are applied to camouflage imperfections and discreetly enhances the features. Lip gloss and lipsticks are worn in a variety of shades; eye lining pencils are used with the aim of creating a natural look. Foundations are worn to match the natural skin tone and are applied without being obvious. The emphasis is on letting the real you shine through.