Cosmetics in ancient times

In ancient times, makeup was very popular and common. Here is a list:

It was especially amongst both men and women to wear eyeblack, which reduced the glare of sunlight. This is still being used today amongst athletes and outdoor sports players. The Vikings mainly used charcoal for this and applies it over and around their eyes.

Eyeliner and/or Kohl was worn by women and this helped reduce glare, medicinal reasons and enhance their eyes. Kohl was made from antimony, plants, charcoal, galena and soot. Women have been using kohl since ancient times.

Woad was colourful and blue, coming from the Isatis tinctoria plant. Used by both men and women for decoration on the body. Celtic warriors in Britain and Ireland covered themselves in woad warpaint. There are tribes who tattooed themselves in blue patterns, such as the Picts. Women today use eyeshadow of woad.

Berry juice was very popular amongst women for cosmetics. It was used to redden the lips and rouge cheeks. Women from ancient Greece and Rome put on berry juice to appear more vivid and stunning, as their red lips and cheeks brightened their faces. They also used vermillion and red chalk. The use of berry juice continued through the ages to give women rosy complexions. 

Pallor was used to make women extremely ghostly pale, as this was considered a sign of innocence. However in ancient times there were harmful ingredients such as Venetian ceruse and lead. In ancient Egypt women applied lead based pallor as cosmetics but this caused much skin damage and illnesses. Even recent as Victorian times, women applied toxic materials such as arsenic wafers as makeup. 

Belladonna eye drops and eye shadow was used by women in ancient times until the Italian Renaissance period. The use of belladonna was to enlarge and sparkle the eyes. This substance comes from the toxic Deadly Nightshade plant. 

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