Ancient Makeup
Recent archaeological finds in Iran show that women and men applied makeup and arrayed themselves with ornaments approximately 10,000 years ago. Archaeologists have discovered various instruments of make-up and ornamental items in the Burnt City, which date back to the third millennium BCE. It is believed that these trends at the time were more for religious convictions, rather than mere beautification motivations.
Some of the masks and statues that were unearthed, show that the people of the time blackened and extended their eyebrows, reddened their lips and cheeks and lined their eyes up to the eyebrows. Archaeologists believe that both women and men used a red powder found inside small saucer-like vessels unearthed in some tombs to redden their cheeks. It is also believed that a white powder made of lead or silver was used for beautification purposes.