There isn’t a single inventor of makeup; cosmetics emerged independently across ancient cultures, especially in Egypt and the broader Near East, and were later transformed into modern products by 20th‑century pioneers like Max Factor and Helena Rubinstein.
Ancient origins
Archaeological and historical accounts trace habitual cosmetic use to ancient Egypt, where kohl for lining the eyes and mineral pigments for the face were common among men and women for protection, spirituality, and status about 4000–3000 BCE. Kohl was typically made from minerals such as galena and other compounds, applied with sticks to create the characteristic dark eye contour associated with Egyptian art and daily practice.
Beyond Egypt
Similar eye cosmetics spread across Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East, with Sumerians and Babylonians using kohl-like preparations for dramatic eye definition and ritual purposes. South Asia developed kajal (a form of kohl) from lampblack or soot mixed with oils, reflecting both cosmetic and medicinal traditions that persisted for centuries.
Classical and later uses
In Greece and Rome, people used soot‑based liners and skin‑lightening preparations; some Roman cosmetics notoriously included lead-based formulas to whiten skin, illustrating both fashion and the health risks of early beauty practices. Through the Middle Ages and into the Islamic world, kohl remained widely used by men and women, sustaining continuity of eye cosmetics across regions and eras.
Modern makeup pioneers
Modern, film-ready and mass-market makeup owes much to early 20th‑century innovators; Max Factor popularized standardized shades, flexible formulations, and consumer products derived from movie cosmetics, effectively shaping “modern makeup” as a category. Broader 20th‑century industry growth also involved brand builders like Helena Rubinstein and other entrepreneurs who professionalized beauty products and routines globally.
