As in previous episodes we talked about cosmetics in history so now we will have a look at the Roman Era and some interesting facts about the women of that time.  Roman women used a variety of cosmetics and make-up – everything from foundation creams to eye make-up, rouge and lip color.  The higher the status of women the more makeup they wore.  Since women had no special dress that distinguished their status unlike men whose status was reflected in the clothes they wore, wealthy women wore expensive make-up together with elaborate hairstyles.

Slaves were taught the fine art of hairdressing, make-up application and were highly skilled and valued.  These slaves were called ornatrices and every wealthy woman had her very own team of beauty experts to keep her looking flawless.

The Romans were very particular about hygiene and spent a great deal of time at the Roman Baths.  Following the bath the women enjoyed pampering and had their bodies lathered from head to toe in moisturizing creams.   They spent hours having elaborate hair designs as it was an important sign of status and it became necessary for slaves to create the latest fashionable hairstyles and make-up.

Face creams consisted of orris root and chalk, some fat and starch and in some cases white lead, which was poisonous.  (No report on the incidence of lead poisoning was like in ancient Rome).   Rouge was applied over the foundation to tint their cheeks. The same rouge was used to tint their lips and was mixed with a salve mixture of alkanet root and ochre.  The red coloring came from red ochre a pigment made from hydrated iron oxide a naturally tinted clay.  The Roman women paid particular attention to their eyes emphasing the eyebrows.  The black makeup worn around the eyes was kohl made from galena a mineral form of lead sulphide and was used as eyeliner.   Eye shadows were made from saffron and eventually changed when the Romans conquered Egypt from whence they obtained malachite, which was crushed and mixed as a green eye make-up.

100 AD Rome Platus wrote, “A woman without paint is like food without salt” so even back in history we find that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the quest for beauty continues today.

Until next time we will continue to explore the world of beauty Where Time Stops and Beauty Begins.

This show is brought to you by the La Donna Fina Spa

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Tags: History of Make-up, La Donna Fina Spa, Roman Make-up, Roman Women

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