Make-Up/ Cosmetics

Cosmetics (pronunciation: cosmetic (help·info)) or make-up are substances used to enhance the beauty of the human body. more...

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Cosmetics include lotions, powders, lipstick and many other types of products. Their use is widespread, especially among women in Western countries. The manufacture of cosmetics is currently dominated by a small number of multinational corporations that originated in the early 20th century, but the distribution and sale of cosmetics is spread among a wide range of different businesses.

History

The first archaeological evidence of cosmetics usage is found in Ancient Egypt around 4000 BC. The Ancient Greeks and Romans also used cosmetics The Romans and Ancient Egyptians used cosmetics containing mercury and often lead.

In the western world, cosmetics were used throughout the Middle Ages, though their use was typically restricted to the upper classes.

Cosmetic use was frowned upon at some points in history. For example, in the 1800s, Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup impolite. It was viewed as vulgar and something that was worn by actors and prostitutes.

By the middle of the 20th century, cosmetics were in widespread use in nearly all societies around the world.

The cosmetics industry today

The cosmetics industry is a multinational, multi-billion-dollar industry. Of the major firms, the oldest and the largest is L'Oréal, which was founded by Eugene Schueller in 1909 as the French Harmless Hair Colouring Company (now owned by Liliane Bettencourt 27.5% and Nestlé 26.4%, with the remaining 46.1% are publicly traded). The market was developed in the USA during the 1910s by Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Max Factor. These firms were joined by Revlon just before World War II and Estée Lauder just after.

Controversy

The popularity of cosmetics in the 20th century has increased rapidly. Especially in the United States, cosmetics are being used by teens (especially teen girls) at a younger and younger age. Many companies have catered to this expanding market by introducing more flavored lipsticks and glosses, cosmetics packaged in glittery, sparkly packaging and marketing and advertising using young girls. Some social consequences of physical image continuously existing in the spot light have had much attention in the media over the last years. Many fear teens are displaying the physical signs of maturity long before they are mentally and psychologically ready to handle the attention brought forth by their physical image.

Read more at Wikipedia.org