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The oldest lipstick discovered
International research team discovers a lipstick from about 4 millennia ago.
An international team of researchers, including experts from the University of Padua and the University of Tehran, has recently made a captivating archaeological discovery, shedding new light on ancient cosmetic practices. In their study titled “A Bronze Age lip-paint from southeastern Iran,” published in the prestigious journal “Scientific Reports,” scientists examined a finely carved chlorite bottle, dating back to 1900–1700 BCE.
A Stunning Find
The research team, consisting of specialists in archaeology, chemistry, and mineralogy, identified the contents of the bottle, unveiling a beauty secret preserved for over four millennia. The substance, hailing from the Bronze Age, turned out to be a lip cosmetic with a dark red hue, reminiscent of modern lipsticks.
An Ancient Formula
The cosmetic preparation was formulated using hematite, manganite, and braunite as pigments, mixed with waxes and vegetable oils. What made this discovery even more extraordinary was the similarity in composition to modern lipsticks, suggesting that this ancient cosmetic art was likely used for lip coloring.
