Make-Up

[Shatnerfan]

When - and why - did people first start applying make up?

[Cetti]

Permanent makeup has been in existence since the Ice Age, when crude natural substances were used to create colour and instruments for placing colourful art in the skin. Cleopatra is believed to have been adorned with permanent makeup and Egyptian mummies have been recovered with face and body tattoos intact. The ancient Japanese art of Tebori boasts full-body tattooing intricately done by hand.
http://www.lastingmakeup.com/History%20of%20Perman
ent%20Makeup.htm

[Squirrel]

Presumably, the first people to use makeup realised that it gave them an unnaturally healthy, attractive look that helped them find a husband. Red cheeks and such give the impression of good health, etc.

[woodpam]

People first started applying make-up at about 8am in this house and finished at about five past. Not, as Squirrel would have you think, to find a husband, but to cover up the dark circles etc caused by a late night the day before and therefore not to frighten the local population. Seriously, men as well as women have applied make up on and off throughout ages and civilisations and there are many reasons. These include the desire to look healthy and attractive, to look powerful or frightening, as a disguise and to provide an outlet for creativity.

[Squirrel]

Would that be five past nine, then?

[woodpam]

Five past nine squirrel? If only it was that quick! Seriously, when your eyesight is a bit bleary from the night before 5 minutes worth is quite enough. Another reason for buying and wearing make-up: no shop assistant can ever say to you "No madam that lipstick doesn't come in your size" and when you've only got a tenner there's always something on the cosmetic counter to give you unrealistic hope of looking fabulous.