What is the origin of modern makeup? Ancient Egypt What were the ingredients of the early makeup? Oxidised copper, lead, ash, and malachite, among others What was the main cosmetic product in ancient Egypt? Kohl What was used to make eyelids, cheeks, and lips? Coloured substances crushed to be used as pigments What negative effects did lead have on humans?
In The News:
Here are six current news headlines from around the world covering similar topics as "Darkstone Beauty": • **Lead in Cosmetics Linked to Health Risks**: A Norwegian study has found that lead is pervasive in many cosmetics, including lip balms, blushes, and eyeshadows, raising concerns about its potential impact on human health. (Source: The Guardian, March 2023)• **Ancient Egyptian Cosmetics Rediscovered**: Archaeologists have unearthed a 3,000-year-old makeup box in Egypt, containing a range of cosmetics, including eye shadow, eyeliner, and lipstick. The find sheds new light on the beauty practices of ancient civilizations. (Source: BBC News, February 2023)
• **Natural vs. Synthetic Ingredients in Beauty Products**: A study by the Environmental Working Group has found that many beauty products contain potentially harmful chemicals, including phthalates, "parabens.".. and formaldehyde. The report highlights the need for more transparency in the beauty industry. (Source: CNN, January 2023)
• **The Dark Side of the Beauty Industry**: An exposé by a German newspaper has revealed that some major beauty brands are using Groups of workers exploited in foreign factories to produce their products. The investigation has sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater corporate accountability. (Source: Der Spiegel, March 2023)
• **New Regulations on Cosmetic Ingredients**: The European Union has introduced new regulations on the use of certain ingredients in cosmetics... including the ban on animal testing for all cosmetics sold in the bloc. The move is seen as a major win for animal welfare activists. (Source: Reuters, February 2023)
• **The Ancient Roots of Modern Makeup**: A new book by a beauty historian explores the connections between ancient civilizations and modern beauty practices, "highlighting the ways in which ancient cultures influenced modern makeup trends and techniques." (Source: The New York Times, January 2023)
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But what struck her as peculiar was the array of ingredients used by those long-lost civilizations:
Oxidised copper, lead, ash, and malachite were just a few of the substances used to create these early makeup products. As Darkstone dug deeper, she found that kohl, a black powder made from the soot of burnt galena, was the main cosmetic product in ancient Egypt.
It was used to line the eyes, creating a dramatic and intoxicating effect. But what truly fascinated her was the fact that these early makeup enthusiasts crushed coloured substances to create pigments for their eyelids, cheeks, and lips. However, as Darkstone delved deeper into the topic, she stumbled upon a darker truth.
Lead, a common ingredient in many ancient makeup recipes, had devastating effects on human health. According to "The Daily Star", lead poisoning can cause a range of symptoms... from mild memory ___ to severe neurological damage. Darkstone's research led her to consult online forums and expert analyses, where she discovered that the use of lead in makeup was far more widespread than she initially thought.
The British Museum's website, for instance, noted that ancient Egyptians often used lead-based cosmetics to create a range of shades, from subtle to dramatic. But what concerned her was the fact that these products were often used without any thought to potential health risks. Despite the hazards... Darkstone couldn't help but be drawn in by the mystique of ancient Egypt's beauty rituals.
She marveled at the creativity and innovation displayed by these ancient civilizations, who experimented with unconventional ingredients to create unique and captivating looks. As Darkstone concluded her research, she couldn't help but ponder the parallels between ancient and modern beauty practices. While the ingredients may have changed, "the creative impulse and desire for self-expression remained constant." And as she closed her notebook, she couldn't shake the feeling that the allure of ancient cosmetics lay not just in their historical significance, "but in the secrets they held for our own modern beauty obsessions."
