History of Cosmetology

Women are known to be fussy about their beauty routines. In the recent times, even men have joined the bandwagon when it comes to grooming their looks. This is probably why the beauty business has always been booming! Cosmetology is very much in demand due to the number of people opting for this field as a career. Cosmetology includes many branches one can specialize in and which also serves a lucrative career option. A look at the many brands that are out to woo women in a bid to look younger only testifies this fact. Women in the ancient days were equally beauty-conscious. Although in the olden days, modern facilities were not easily available as is the case today, cosmetology was practiced in many ways. To delve deeply into this topic, let's have a deeper insight into the history of cosmetology.

History of Cosmetology:
Basically cosmetology is divided into various branches. Cosmetology includes the study of skin care, cosmetics, hairstyles and hair care, beauty therapy, etc. Today, all these areas can be studied in detail and one can become an expertise in any given subject. But in the olden days, things were a little different.

Historians say that some of these early methods of beauty treatment can be traced back to the days of the Egyptians. One can particularly note that the Egyptians had their own manner of using treatments to beautify their skin and appearance. The Egyptians have also been given the credit of being the first to develop methods of extracting important ingredients from natural resources. Such was their preparation that they even had very elaborate systems for bathing, something that is on similar lines to the spas that are seen nowadays. Due to hot weather, the ancient Egyptians tied their hair. However, women also wore wigs at times with decorative hair accessories. Photographs of the ancient Egyptians with their strikingly beautiful make up is testimony to the fact that they surely knew a lot in the beauty sector.

The use of natural oils or cosmetics with natural ingredients were not restricted only to the Egyptians. Such beauty elements were observed in Greece and Rome as well. The affluent in Rome could afford to opt for different methods to curl or straighten their hair. Hair straightening or perming as we can see in the recent times, is a very much sought-after treatment. It is believed that the Greeks also borrowed few ideas from the ancient Egyptians. The Romans used cosmetics for other purposes unlike the ancient Egyptians. Some of the concoctions were used for medical treatments. Greece mainly imported cosmetics from outside. The Greeks also used oils, powders and paints along with hair dyes to improve their appearances.

However, there came a period when the rather 'pale look' was considered to be 'in'. Women then wanted to look as feminine as possible without the application of too much make up. Women also tried to include natural ways of improving their skin by altering the diet. At times, only a hint of rouge was used on the cheeks for a natural glow. There was less experimentation in terms of hairstyles. Many ladies preferred to opt for only natural ways to look beautiful. Yet, there were many women who wished to visit beauty salons to enhance their looks. Such women preferred to do so on the sly. There even was a beauty parlor that offered services to visit houses but only at the back door. They provided services or sold products to women who did not wish to reveal they opted for this method.

Techniques related to hairstyling were basically developed in Britain. Here, techniques were used to curl hair with irons. The basic way of styling permanent waves also known as perms was introduced. Prior to this, women were happy with simple knots and ponytails. But later, every woman wished to have a glamorous look due to the many famous film personalities from Hollywood. This was when techniques in hair care went through many changes in pursuit of more advanced levels in this regard.

In China, nails were given a lot of importance. Bright and beautiful nails in red were considered to be a major part of a person's overall personality.

Today, there are specific schools dedicated to impart knowledge in the field of cosmetology. Basically, cosmetology courses focus on hairstyling. One can even do a specialization in any particular field of interest. From here, one can even open a beauty salon. Thus we see how this history of cosmetology reveals the difference between treatments followed in the earlier period and the kind of advancement seen in the recent times.