Lipstick is the ultimate cosmetic tool that completes a makeup look. It adds glamour, style, and character to an image.

But did you know that lipstick has a long and fascinating history that spans centuries? Here are five surprising facts about lipstick in history:.

The Ancient Egyptians and their Obsession with Lipstick

It is believed that the ancient Egyptians were the first to use lipstick as a symbol of status and beauty. They created lip color by crushing carmine beetles and mixing them with ants, beeswax, and vegetable oils.

This mixture was applied to the lips with the help of small sticks. Both men and women in ancient Egypt wore lipstick, but the color signified their social status. Upper-class women wore red lipstick, while lower-class women wore pink.

Lipstick was Forbidden in some Societies

Not all societies embraced lipstick. In medieval Europe, lipstick was associated with witchcraft and prostitution and was, therefore, banned.

Queen Elizabeth I of England was known to wear lipstick but disapproved of women who wore it, stating that it was a sign of deception. In the 1700s, lipstick was once again banned in England, France, and other European countries. It wasn’t until the 1800s when lipstick became fashionable again in Europe and America.

Related Article The contradictory history of lipstick

Standardized Lipstick Formulas were not Developed until the 1800s

For centuries, lipstick was made with natural ingredients and different methods, leading to inconsistency in the texture, color, and effectiveness of the product. It wasn’t until the 1800s that standard lipstick formulas were developed.

In 1884, the first commercial lipstick was created by a French cosmetic company. It was wrapped in silk paper and sold in a metal container. The product was deemed a success, and soon new shades and formulas were developed.

The First Metal Tube Lipstick was Invented in the 1920s

The first metal tube lipstick was invented by Maurice Levy in the 1920s. The invention allowed for easier application and increased portability of the product.

Initially, the metal tube lipstick was not popular, and most women preferred to stick to the traditional methods of applying lipstick. However, with increasing popularity, the metal tube lipstick became the preferred method of application. Today, metal tube lipstick is still a popular and convenient way to apply lipstick.

Lipstick has been in Outer Space

Finally, did you know that lipstick has been in space? In 1971, the Apollo 15 mission to the moon included a lipstick experiment. The aim was to study how lipstick would react in the extreme conditions of outer space.

The astronauts took pictures and performed tests to see how it would differ from the same lipstick on Earth. Though the experiment may seem frivolous, it helped to expand our understanding of how products and materials react to extreme conditions.