COSMETIC ART
LIPSTICK DOWN THE AGES Centuries of cosmetic art, going back beyond Cleopatra, lie behind the lipstick. Priests were the earliest perfumers, and women early took advantage of their preparations and paints. For cheeks and lips red lead and the like were used. The Crusades were instrumental in increasing the use of cosmetics, for knights brought back much Eastern lore to their ladies. The lipstick’s evolution to its present stage is a cosmetic triumph. Liquid rouges were superseded by the use of inorganic pigments, such as the iron oxides. Afterwards, organic colours were struck on colourless inorganic bases—chalk, for instance. Now we have the direct use of dyestuffs dissolved in organic solvents. The neces- [ sity for a solvent is apparent, for dyes mostly exert dyeing action only when in solution. The use of waxes, which hold the dissolved colouring matter, is the supreme modern touch, so convenient for the alarms and excursions of life to-day. The waxes are so arranged in composition as to melt at blood heat and deposit the colouring matter without friction.
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Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19959, 17 November 1934, Page 11
Word Count
176COSMETIC ART Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19959, 17 November 1934, Page 11
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