28 Facts about the History of Makeup - mental_floss List Show Ep. 505

TL;DR

Makeup has a deadly past with toxic ingredients, social status indicators, and legal restrictions over the centuries.

Transcript

hi I'm John Green welcome to my salon this is Mental Floss video and did you know that the word cosmetic comes from a Greek word meaning adornment our English word came to be sometime around the 17th century anyway that's the first of many fun facts about the surprisingly lethal history of makeup I'm going to share with you today between 150 and 31... Read More

Key Insights

• 😒 Makeup history dates back to ancient civilizations like Rome and Egypt, showcasing early uses of toxic ingredients and social status indicators.
• 💅 Regulatory measures like the FDA's involvement in the beauty industry aimed to safeguard consumers from harmful makeup products.
• 💄 Innovators like Max Factor and Eugène Rimmel introduced groundbreaking makeup products that shaped the industry.
• 👨‍💼 The rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein fueled cosmetics advertising, showcasing the business competition in the makeup industry.
• 😒 Makeup wasn't always a choice, with examples like World War II and Marine Corps regulations highlighting mandatory makeup use for certain individuals.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were some toxic ingredients used in ancient makeup products?

Ancient makeup products often contained toxic ingredients like gray lead, copper-based paints, lead sulfide, and even crushed beetles (carmine), which were used to color lips or create eyeliners.

Q: How did noblewomen in the Middle Ages clear up their skin?

In the Middle Ages, noblewomen resorted to applying bat blood or ingesting arsenic to improve their skin, despite the dangerous and potentially fatal consequences of these methods.

Q: How did the FDA gain control over the beauty industry regarding makeup products?

In 1938, the FDA received regulatory power over the beauty industry with the passing of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which aimed to prevent harmful products like toxic mascaras from causing serious health issues.

Q: Who were some influential figures in the history of makeup innovation?

Max Factor revolutionized film makeup with lipgloss, while Eugène Rimmel introduced non-toxic mascara. Both individuals played a significant role in shaping the makeup industry with their creations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Makeup history spans centuries, from ancient Romans using lipstick to Egyptians using toxic eyeliners like Mohen ingredients.

• Lower classes were restricted from certain colors reserved for royalty, with references to makeup even found in the Bible.

• From Max Factor's innovations in film makeup to the FDA regulating beauty products, the evolution of makeup is intertwined with toxic risks and social norms.