The first archaeological evidence of cosmetics usage is found in Ancient Egypt around 4000 BC.
Both women and men wore makeup, including kohl sticks to blacken the eyes, and copper to create rich green eyeshadow.
It is very likely body painting/ cosmetics have been a part of human existence for a very long time.
Berries were used to to stain their lips and cheeks, and mixtures of different soils, plants parts and animal derivatives have been used as body paint.
Use of dangerous substances
Historically, many societies have also used various materials to lighten their skin, ranging from rice powder to lead. Lead and arsenic were often ingredients of makeup, regular use over time could lead to illness and sometimes to death.
Greeks and Romans
The Ancient Greeks and Romans also used cosmetics. The Romans and Ancient Egyptians used cosmetics containing poisonous mercury and often lead. The ancient kingdom of Israel was influenced by cosmetics as recorded in the Old Testament—2 Kings 9:30 where Jezebel painted her eyes—approximately 840 BC. The Biblical book of Esther describes various beauty treatments as well.
Middle Ages - Regency
In the western world, the advent of cosmetics was in the middle ages, although typically restricted to use within the upper classes.
In Elizabethan England, for example, people favored a more natural look, with less heavy rouge and lipstick, while in the Regency era, both men and women used rouge heavily.
Cosmetics were also used on the hair; powdered white hair was extremely popular at one point in time, for example.
Victorian
At some points in Western history use of cosmetics was frowned upon. For example, in the 1800s, make-up was used primarily by prostitutes, and Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup improper, vulgar, and acceptable only for use by actors.
20th Century
Adolf Hitler told women that face painting was for clowns and not for the women of the Master Race.
By the middle of the 20th century, cosmetics were in widespread use in nearly all societies around the world.
