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Get more than two American women in the same room and the conversation will quickly turn to speculation about the best anti-aging skin products.  This is not surprising.  Archeologists have discovered cosmetics in Egyptian pyramids, and even the Bible tells the story of how Queen Esther used skin care items to make herself beautiful for her night with the king.

East Versus West

Cosmetics were a significant part of Eastern culture of centuries before it caught on in the West.  For instance, Japanese Geishas were known for their paper white skin.  Unfortunately, this level of pallor came at an outrageous price.  Their pure white face cosmetics contained white lead that often eventually gave them skin cancer, or, at the very least, turn their skin a jaundiced shade of yellow by the time they reached middle age.

While women, and men, in Eastern cultures continued to use skin care products and cosmetics throughout the millennia, Western church leaders discouraged women from using makeup, pointing to the story of how evil Queen Jezebel painted her eyelids.  Women during the Middle Ages were no more obedient than modern women and would improve the look of their complexions by applying mixtures flour, chalk or even lead to make them seem paler and more delicate.  In some extreme cases, they would even resort to bloodletting.

Queen Victoria Was Not Amused By Make-Up

In fact, she declared it vulgar and suitable only for actors and prostitutes.  Like their predecessors, Victorian ladies sometimes defied convention by applying a little rouge to their delicately pale cheeks.  The famous beauties of the day, Sarah Bernhardt and Lillie Lantry, often appeared at balls with their ample décolletages carefully powdered.  What is more amazing is that some went as far as to apply the poisonous plant Belladonna to their eyes to make them dilate and appear larger.

Anything Goes

Except in Nazi Germany, where Adolf Hitler told his followers that makeup was more suitable for clowns than members of the master race, cosmetics grew in popularity during the 20th Century.  Gibson Girls powdered their faces and bosoms while flappers were known for their flat chests and red lips.  Depression Era housewives skimped and save for a small pot of rouge and then learned to apply leg make up when nylons became unavailable during World War II.

You’ve Come a Long Way Baby

Whereas churches in previous years had discouraged “face painting,” rising cosmetic companies were closely associated with church going and Christianity during the 1960s as Mary Kay Cosmetics consistently pointed to their company’s traditional family values.  At the same time, women were wearing blue eye shadow that was so thick that they could barely open their eyes.

This later gave way to the natural look in the 1970s and the glamorous looks of the 80s.

Modern Skin Care

Today women use all sorts of products to care from their skin, from all natural oatmeal scrubs to zeolite supplements.  They also have a huge number of brands and ingredients to choose from.  And like the group mentioned earlier, every girlfriend swears that her product is the best.

About the Author

Melissa Cameron enjoys discussing the best methods of skin care and does believe that the products she uses are the best on the market.