Makeup – History and Curiosities

The ancient Egyptians painted their eyes with a thick layer of black powder, while some Indigenous Australians decorated their faces and bodies with colourful dots and lines. British Queen Elizabeth I wore white powder, and suffragettes wore red lipstick. Dyes for body painting were even discovered in Neanderthal caves…
Why have people been painting themselves since ancient times? And why do we still do it today? Whose forehead has a colourful lightning bolt, and who matched their lipstick to the colour of their clothing? In this book, the eyes, nose, forehead, and mouth guide you through different customs and regions. Learn about the various reasons we paint ourselves.

 The BRAW Amazing Bookshelf at The Bologna Book Fair 2025