Week 2 step 1

   Did you ever wonder about lipstick? Well, maybe not, but I did! I hope you find this interesting.
   Various historical records suggest that lipstick origins in ancient Mesopotamia almost 5000 years ago. Lipstick was probably invented by the Egyptians, although it may have been used years before. Evidence has also been found that women in Indus valley civilization applied red color on lips. In ancient Roman civilization, women who belonged to the upper class used lip colors that they manufactured at home.During this time, semi-precious stones were crushed and smeared on the lips as lipstick.
   Furthermore, the ancient Egyptian women squeezed out purple-red color from iodine and bromine, leading to serious diseases. With time, it came to be known as ‘the kiss of death’. It is said that Cleopatra’s lipstick were made from carmine beetles, which when worked with pestle gave a strong red color pigment. This was mixed with ant’s eggs, which provided the base. Apart from this, henna was also one of the preferred substances amongst Egyptians. To provide the shimmer to the lipstick, fish scales were used.
   The credit for developing the first lipstick or the lip color in the form of a stick is given to Abu al-Quasim al-Zahrwai. He belonged to Andalusia area of Spain and is often referred to as father of modern surgery. He created the first lipstick at around 900 A.D. He used wax to form the base to which fragrances were added and then pressed into a mold.
   Today, one can find lipstick of a wide range of shades. Apart from the color choices, there are also lipsticks in the market with special ingredients that are essential for lip care.