Lipstick only became a normal addition to a women's handbag near the beginning of the last century, although different mixtures have been used to decorate the lips throughout history.

Over the course of time, what was once basic and sometimes even dangerous evolved to become an effective and useful product!

What milestones were there in the evolution of lipstick? When was the modern bottle invented? Here are some interesting facts for you!

1. To obtain different shades of red, ladies of the ancient world used cinnabar (mercury sulfide), ocher (iron oxide), carmine (found in cochineal bugs), as well as saffron or henna.

2. Ancient lipstick was made from natural dyes, beeswax and animal fat. Wax, like today, helped to maintain consistency, and fat protected the skin from harmful minerals.

3. The first lipstick with a pleasant taste and aroma was born in France. In 1882, a product composed of black grape grains and fresh milk appeared.

4. In 1903, at the World Exhibition in Amsterdam, a lipstick made from deer fat and housed in a fundamentally new package was demonstrated. The product came in round or square jars at 4-5 grams. The new product was a smashing success. It could be applied with a brush or simply by just using your fingers.

5. Pencil shaped lipstick appeared in the late nineteenth century, again in France, but it didn’t feature any sort of case. Instead, it was sold wrapped in silk and paper. Around this time, the familiar tube lipstick made an appearance thanks to Helena Rubinstein. Her company released the product in 1920, although in 1915, the American Maurice Levy invented a bottle made of metal. Another of Rubinstein’s achievement at the time was a lipstick with sunscreen.

6. Machines for the manufacture of modern style lipsticks were created in 1949. The American craftsmen began to pack the lipstick in metal and even plastic tubes.

7. In 1927, the chemist Paul Bodecrouà created a long-lasting lipstick. However, the main strengths of his invention soon led to its downfall – the makeup couldn’t be washed off easily, and so the unlucky product quickly fell out of favour. In 1950, the company Hazel Bishop offered an alternative. Their lipstick was a little more delicate, although it still lasted well into the evening. And soon after they released the new slogan: "Wake up beautiful".

8. Since the mid-twentieth century, lipstick manufacturers have competed not only in visual aspects, but now popular cosmetic products should provide complete lip care. Lipsticks are created from waxes, fats and oils (mainly castor oil). Since then, thanks to the beneficial components, modern lipstick moisturizes, protects and nourishes lips. There is no longer a need to choose between comfort and beauty!

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