Everyday Things: Lipstick

We take a look at the life and times of lippy - it's been around a while.

LIPSTICKS FIRST APPEARED in the ancient city of Ur, near Babylon, about 5000 years ago. At that time, semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli and malachite were ground up, and used as pastes.

It is claimed that Cleopatra’s lipsticks were made from finely crushed red carmine beetles mixed with ant eggs as a base. Henna, and other dyes were also used in ancient Egypt.

Cleopatra wasn't the only queen to like her lippy. During the era of Queen Elizabeth I, lipsticks were usually a blend of cochineal and beeswax, or dark red plant dyes. After the French revolution, make up was considered uncouth and didn't make a revival until the 1800s.