History of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is defined as the art and science of beautifying and improving the skin, nails, and hair and includes the study of cosmetics and their application. The term comes from the Greek word kosmetikos, meaning skilled in the use of cosmetics. Archaeological studies reveal that haircutting and hairstyling were practiced in some form as early as the Ice Age. The simple but effective cosmetic implements have been used since the dawn of history. Understanding the History of Cosmetology is important as a cosmetologists cause you can see how times have improved and what has stayed the same. African civilization had a variety of hairstyles and they were used as a symbol of tribal traditions and conveyed a message of age, marital status, power, and rank. They colored their hair with red earth, and wore hairstyles as a symbol of stature. Their hair was a symbol of their well-being. The egyptians were the first to cultivate beauty in an extreme fashion. They used cosmetics as part of their personal beautification habits, and religious ceremonies. They used minerals, insects, and berries to create makeup. Henna was used to stain their hair. They were first to use oils from leaves and blossoms as perfumes. The chinese people would rub a tinted mixture of gum arabic, gelatin, beeswax, and egg whites onto their nails to color them crimson or ebony. During the Golden Age of Greece, hairstyling became a highly developed art. They built elaborate baths and developed excellent methods of dressing the hair and caring for the skin and nails. They put white lead on their faces, kohl around their eyes, and vermillion upon their cheeks and lips. The Romans would make facials made up of milk and break or fine wine. A mixture of chalk and white lead was used as a facial cosmetic. They used hair color or indicate their class in society. The middle ages women wore colored makeup on their cheeks and lips, but not on their eyes.  They started the modern era of steam-distilled essential oils that we use today. The cosmetics industry grew rapidly during the 1920s.  It was also an era of change. Barbering ushered in a whole new set of standards that upgraded the practice of cosmetology. In 1930, the preheat-perm method was introduced. In 1932, Charles Revson marketed the first nail polish. In 1941 scientists developed another method of a permanent waving that used waving lotion. It did not use heat. In 1951-2000 they introduced tube mascara, improved hair and nail product. In 1970 they saw a new era in highlighting when they came up with hair weaving using foils. Today, hairstylists have far gentler, no-fade hair color. Estheticians can noticeably rejuvenate the skin as well as control acne. Now cosmetologists specialize in either in hair color, texture, or in haircutting. Day spas have come to the world as well. Men-only barbers have grown in popularity as well. As you can see, every new century hair keeps getting more and more advanced. The industry is growing and getting much more popular. People are learning new techniques everyday and it all started with the history of all these different countries. It’s amazing to what the hair world has come to and all the new techniques being used today.