We’ve all heard of killer looks but very few people would be willing to die to look good. Some beauty products of the past injured, blinded and enfeebled people, other products literally killed the wearer. Thankfully things have moved on and the quest to make the most of our faces is considerably safer. From crocodile fat to faeces, people through the ages have tried just about everything on their faces.
People began sunbathing to emulate Coco Chanel. She accidentally got a sunburn while on holiday and then her burn turned into a tan.
1.The birth of the modern tanning industry came about after Coco Chanel accidentally got a sunburn while on holiday. When her burn turned into a tan many women sought to emulate her and began tanning.
At one time women used to use leeches and blood letting to achieve the desired pale look
2. In the 15th century to the 18th century pale skin was in vogue. Women used to use leeches and blood letting to achieve the desired pale look. Some women applied lead-based paint to their faces which caused hair loss, illness, and sometimes even death. In France women ate clay and applied a mixture of fat and pulverised bones to their faces in order to look pale.
3. The culture among many Western women of removing underarm hair has only been around since around 1915, when Gillette launched the first razor for women. The craze really took off when fashion changed in the 1920’s and women began wearing sleeveless dresses.
4. Maybelline was founded by a chemist called Thomas Lyle Williams in 1915.
Thomas saw his sister Mabel applying coal dust mixed with Vaseline to her eyelashes in order to make them look bigger and longer.
He modified her recipe and marketed a cake mascara using the company name Maybelline, in honour of his sister Mabel.
5. Mum deodorant was created in 1889 in Philadelphia.
6. Ancient Roman toothpaste included ammonia from human urine which helped to whiten teeth (Ewww).
7. Many cultures
throughout history have used
some form of lip stain or colourant for the lips. Ingredients included
fish scales, crushed beetles
and crushed semi-precious
jewels.
8. The 1930’s was a wild time for dangerous beauty products. There were mascaras that blinded and killed people and make up was manufactured that contained radioactive ingredients.
9. Pores can keep dirt and oil in them for up to 20 years.
10. Cosmetic use dates back over 7000 years and spans many cultures.
The first known recording of the word “blush” for reddening of the face was by William Shakespeare
11. The first known recording of the word “blush” for reddening of the face was by William Shakespeare.
12. Nightingale poop has been used in Japanese facials for centuries.
13. During the Second World War, lipstick was considered essential for female nurses in the armed forces. For some strange reason it was believed it would have a calming effect on the male soldiers.
14. Crocodile feces and fat was used in Ancient Roman cosmetics, as was snail ashes.
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