Cos-met-ic
käz-ˈme-tik
of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion : BEAUTIFYING
käz-ˈme-tik
of, relating to, or making for beauty especially of the complexion : BEAUTIFYING
Egyptians were some of the first people to use cosmetics. In fact, evidence from burial excavations place the first use of cosmetics during the predynastic period (5000-3000 BC). They didn’t use cosmetics to only enhance their appearance, but they used them for protection as well.
The term 'cosmetic' originates from the Greek word “kosmetikos”, meaning “skilled in adorning or arranging”.
Kosmetikos comes from the Greek word “kosmos”, meaning “order”.
Cosmetics were important to the Egyptians, because they “helped create the perfect body image” (El-Kilany, E., & Raoof, E., 2017). This aligns with the way ancient artworks were represented. Egyptians practiced regular hygiene routines including moisturizing, preventing wrinkles, and cleansing the skin. This was not limited to the elite, but everyone used cosmetics. “What distinguished the rich from the poor was not the use of makeup but the luxurious material and workmanship of containers and applicators” (El-Kilany, E., & Raoof, E., 2017). Cosmetics were also used in mummification/burial process. “Under Egyptian belief, “to smell beautifully was a sign of holiness,” and only perfect-smelling persons would be received by the gods…” (Chaudhri, S. K., & Jain, N. K., 2014). Rosemary bouquets found in the tombs of pharaohs were said to have “perfumed” the trip to Hades. They also believed that healing plants had supernatural powers.