28 Jul Make-Up Mondays :: FUN FACTS | Austin Boudoir Photography

Hello Ladies!

I can sit here and educate everyone about make-up, its importance and how to use it any day, but today I want to go off trail a little bit.  Make-up is fun, glamorous and can make even the most insecure women feel like Beauty Queens.  A lot of people don’t understand the facts and history behind cosmetics.

Today I am going to bring to your attention the science, history, and all the other fun facts about the beauty products you just can’t live without.

(Photo credit: Jenatadnes.com)

The history of cosmetics spans at least 6,000 years of human history.  It was evident that red ochre often utilized in crayons today, found in Africa, could possibly even date back to 100,000 years ago. Every single society known to man has used cosmetics in one way or another.  Cavemen were believed to use paint made out of minerals and berries to cover their bodies.  In the Bible, it is said that women would wash ones feet in perfume as a sign of respect.  Ancient Egyptians were known for their beautiful make-up.  Then we have tribes like the Mayans, the Aztecs, Indians, Africans and Natives who used makeup as a status symbol.  Everyone strived to alter their appearance, whether it was for beauty, a status symbol, protection from the elements or part of their religion.  It’s crazy to see the transformation make-up has made — from the use of mashed berries, crushed stones, oil and mud to now being chemically generated to not only beautify your skin, but also to repair it at the same time.

Enough about history, let’s get to the fun stuff!

More than 3/4 of the makeup I own has a shimmer in it.  Wanna know where most of the shimmer comes from?  I’m not talking about the mineral makeup which adds different stones and metallic combinations to create a glittery effect.  I’m talking about the beautiful iridescent eye-shadows, lip gloss, and nail polish that you love and almost everyone has in their kits.  Well ladies and gentlemen, we owe our thanks to our fishy friends!  The FDA approves the use of their scales in our cosmetics.

(Photo credit: Leblanc Studio)

In medieval times, having pale skin was equated with beauty and high-class.  Woman would go to great lengths to lighten their skin including, but not limited to, the usage of leeches or even slashing their veins to drain blood!  That is a definite surprise to me considering I have a drawer only dedicated to self tanners!  Ha!  It wasn’t until 1920 that suntans became popular when Coco Chanel went on a cruise and accidentally got sunburned.  I knew I liked her for more than just her fancy purses!

It might be hard to believe, but back in the Victorian Era, make=up was seen as something reserved for prostitutes, actresses, working class women and women of questionable morals.  Needless to say, many women of the upper crust opted to go without make-up to avoid being mistaken for a performer or call girl!  Sorry hun, no red light special here!

Last but not least, the nastiest & craziest thing I’ve happened to read didn’t involve the bat guano mascara, whale blubber lipstick, fur make-up brushes or fermented leeches used for hair dye!  It has to do with teeth whitening.  Nowadays it’s easy to walk into your local drug store and pick up a package of teeth whitener.  Back in the day though, ancient Romans didn’t have that luxury.  Instead, they would gargle and brush with their own urine.  Hah!  I’ll pass!

(Photo credit: Teeth Whitening Swabs)

It’s crazy how much the cosmetic industry has changed and the advancements we’ve made to make beauty easy, affordable and a little less disgusting.  I hope you enjoy these little “fun facts” as much as I do.

Stay you, stay beautiful!
XO,

Lauren

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