Cosmetics
Cosmetics (also called makeup, make up, or make-up) are products used to make the human body look different. Often cosmetics are used to make someone more attractive to one person, or to a culture or sub-culture. In Western culture, women are the main users of cosmetics. Their use by men is less frequent, but see shaving products, soap, shampoo and anti-perspirant. All cosmetics are temporary. They need to be renewed after a certain time. Cosmetics include lipstick, powders (e.g. blush, eyeshadow), and lotions as well as other things.
Cosmetics are also widely used in the world of acting.
History of cosmetics[change]
The word cosmetics comes from the Greek κοσμητική τέχνη (kosmetikē tekhnē), meaning "technique of dress and ornament", from κοσμητικός (kosmētikos), "skilled in ordering or arranging"[1] and that from κόσμος (kosmos), meaning amongst others "order" and "ornament".[2]
Archaeological confirms use of cosmetics in ancient Egypt and Greece. Cosmetics used included:
- Castor oil used by ancient Egypt as a protection balm.
- Skin creams made of beeswax, olive oil, and rosewater, used by Romans.[3]
- Vaseline and lanolin in the nineteenth century.
- Nivea Creme in 1911.
The Ancient Greeks also used cosmetics.[4][5] Cosmetics are mentioned also in the Old Testament.
Related pages[change]
References[change]
- ↑ κοσμητικός, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ↑ κόσμος, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ↑ Official lifecell reviews website
- ↑ Lesley Adkins, Roy A. Adkins, Handbook to life in Ancient Greece, Oxford University Press, 1998
- ↑ Bruno Burlando, Luisella Verotta, Laura Cornara, and Elisa Bottini-Massa, Herbal Principles in Cosmetics, CRC Press, 2010
