MYTH AND MAKE-UP

Where did make-up begin?

*image courtesy of martha stewart website

Cosmetics, first used in Ancient Rome for ritual purposes,^[1] were part of daily life for women, especially prostitutes and the wealthy. Some fashionable cosmetics, such as those imported from China, Germany and Gaul, were so expensive that the Lex Oppia tried to limit their use in 189 BCE.^[2] These “designer brands” spawned cheap knock-offs that were sold to poorer women.^[3] Working-class women could afford the cheaper varieties, but may not have had the time (or slaves) to apply the makeup^[4] as the use of makeup was a time-consuming affair because cosmetics needed to be reapplied several times a day due to weather conditions and poor composition.^[5]

Cosmetics were applied in private, usually in a small room where men did not enter. Cosmetae, female slaves that adorned their mistresses, were especially praised for their skills.^[6] They would beautify their mistresses with cultus, the Latin word encompassing makeup, perfume and jewelry.^[7]

*excerpt and image courtesy of wikipedia 

 

Cosmetae applying cosmetics to a wealthy Roman woman.‎