Pigments Used In Ancient Beauty Practices
Antiquated records show that coloring material was used for the hair, skin, and nails, and that tattooing is an ancient practice. Coloring pigments were made from berries, tree bark, minerals, nuts, herbs, insects, leaves, and other materials, and many of these colors have been used from ancient time to modern days.
Kohl is a silver- white, hard, crystalline, metallic substance related to arsenic and tin that is used a lot in chemistry and medicine. The ancient Egyptians used it as eye makeup. Kohl was often applied to the eyelids to make eyes look bigger and more intense. Lamp black was used on the eyebrows and eyelashes to make them appear darker, and it was also used as eye shadow. Red oxide of iron was used in face paint. Many of the ingredients used in ancient cosmetics would be extremely dangerous by our modern standards.
The Earliest Recorded Use of Cosmetics
The earliest recorded uses of cosmetics and hair design are linked to Royalty, and members of high society and many times religious ceremony.
The Egyptians cared about their appearance a great deal. Women spent a lot of time bathing, rubbing oils and perfumes into their skin, and using their many cosmetic implements to apply make-up and style their wigs. Women and men would apply khol, kept in a jar or pot, to line her eyes and eyebrows, using a brush or pencil made of a reed. They would use a dye called henna to redden their nails and lips. Wigs were worn by men and women. Egyptians put on a new wig each day and wigs were greatly varied in styles. The primary function of the wig was as a headdress for special occasions, such as ceremonies and banquets. Wigs were curled or sometimes made with a succession of plaits. Only queens or noble ladies could wear wigs of long hair separated into three parts, the so-called goddress. Appearance indicated a person’s status, role in a society or political significance.
Children’s heads were shaved off or cut short except for a long lock of hair left on the side of the head, this s-shaped lock was depicted by the hieroglyphic symbol of a child or youth.
Older boys often shaved their heads, while girls had ponytails hanging down the center of the back. Women’s hairstyles were more unique than those of men. Women generally preferred a smooth, close coiffure, a natural wave and long curl. Women in the Old Kingdom preferred to have short cuts or chin length bobs. However in the New Kingdom they had long hair or touted a wig.
In ancient China beautiful nails were a prominent part of a person’s image. In Japan the art of the Geisha and her makeup is centuries old, probably originating after 1600 A.D. The classic vision of the Geisha is her white face, red lips, dark eyes and ornate hair.
In traditional India, under the caste system, people were born into their occupations. People learned the family trade and worked those jobs throughout their lifetime. The customary henna artists in India were Nai caste. Nai men were barbers, and did minor surgeries. Nai women, Naun, were hairdressers, henna artists, and also midwives.
One Nai family would serve a whole town, or even a few little villages. The Nai man had recurring clientele. He would go from one house to another to shave the men and groom their hair and beards. His wife would also go from house to house to dress women’s hair, and apply henna, lac, and kumkum. Naun were allowed to pass freely through the streets from one home to another. Because of this mobility, the Naun were used as matchmakers, carrying the descriptions of available sons and daughters to mothers wishing to find suitable mates for her children. Naun were also used as “go-betweens” for adulterous liaisons, carrying messages between lovers.
When describing cosmetology practices in the Dark Ages of Britain it is an act of educated speculation. They, the Brits, probably used chalk to whiten neck and forehead, red ochre for lips and cheeks, ashes to darken eyebrows. Hot tongs to curl hair. Hair was always long and parted in the middle. Just look at any of the aged works of art during that time, and it would be a matter of deduction.
I am so happy, you have enjoyed this article about the earliest known cosmetology practices. These practices from ancient times have influenced much of what is still practiced in modern history, also. Want to learn more about the origins of cosmetology? There is a wealth of knowledge, just waiting for you at the beauty school of your choice. Get busy now, and do your research. Find the very best cosmetology college to suit your needs.
For information on what kinds of questions you should ask beauty school recruiters while you are choosing the best cosmetology college, go to www.finallywhatyouneed.com
