r hundreds of years European women used a white powder called

ceruse to lighten their complexions. What was the main component of

ceruse?

Your Answer: Ground seashell

The correct answer was White lead

Powdered white lead was used for many years to make facial skin appear
artificially white. Paintings of the aristocracy throughout the Renaissance show
the women using this product. Occasional use caused lead poisoning, hair loss,
and mental deterioration. Long-term use was known to cause death.

57% of players have answered correctly.

2. Many modern cosmetics make use of an unusual organic

substance to add shimmer to lipsticks and eyeshadow. Do
you know what this shiny material is?
The correct answer was Fish scales

Ground fish scales have been used for many years in western
societies to add shimmer and shine. This substance is often called
pearl essence and is used not only in cosmetics, but in paint and
glazes! It is harmless, but the idea of ground-up dead fish scales on
your lips is somewhat gross.

62% of players have answered correctly.

3. During the 17th and 18th centuries women used drops

made from a poisonous plant to dilate their pupils, as this was
thought attractive. Which toxic plant was used?

Your Answer: Belladonna
Belladonna was used for this purpose for many years, even though its
toxicity was well known. Occasional use damaged vision, while
prolonged use lead to permanent blindness!

63% of players have answered correctly.

4. In the 1930s a cosmetic came out that claimed to be a

permanent mascara. Sold in the USA, it blinded more than a
dozen women and killed one. What was the name of this
dangerous beauty product?
The correct answer was Lash Lure

Before there were any regulations concerning product safety, Lash

Lure was sold as a permanent answer to mascara. It contained a
compound phenylenediamine that had never been tested for use on
humans. The outcome was tragic.

36% of players have answered correctly.

5. Cochineal was used by the Aztec and Incan societies to

dye their lips and nails red. Do you know where cochineal
comes from?

Your Answer: Beetles

Cochineal dye is made from dried cochineal beetles. Unlike a lot of the
modern dyes this coloring agent is not toxic nor does it contain any
carcinogens. Production is costly and labor intensive. Today, breeding
of this insect is done just for tradition, as opposed to meeting any
economic demand.

64% of players have answered correctly.

6. In the 21st century a new substance was recognised for its
effects on facial skin. What is the product that is used in a
"geisha facial"?
The correct answer was Nightingale feces

For about $150 (US dollars) some upscale spas provide a "geisha
facial". Moistened nightingale feces is applied and allowed to dry. It is
said to diminish wrinkles and ex-foliate skin! I think I'll pass.

55% of players have answered correctly.

7. During the Elizabethan era, coal tar was used for cosmetic
purposes. What was it commonly used for?

The correct answer was Eye liner

Coal tar was used for many years as eye liner, mascara and eyebrow
pencil. Aside from smelling very badly, coal tar causes blindness and
is flammable.

51% of players have answered correctly.

8. The substance thiomersal can be found in vaccinations,

antiseptics and anti-fungals. It is also found in some
mascaras. What is thiomersal made from?

Your Answer: Mercury

Thiomersal has been used throughout the 20th century in spite of its
inherent danger. It is very toxic if ingested orally, applied to the skin or
inhaled. The use of this substance is being phased out and replaced
by more benign substances. It has been known to cause mercury
poisoning when used in mascara.

9. Ancient Roman toothpaste was in great demand because it

contained ammonia, which whitened the teeth. Where did
most of this ammonia come from?
 Your

The correct answer was Human urine

10. The ancient Roman recipe for black hair dye involved

mixing vinegar with this substance and letting it ferment for
two months before application. What is this unnamed
substance?

Your Answer: Leeches

1. In ancient times scented unguents were produced from floral

essences mixed with animal fat. In the 10th century however, an Arab,
Ibn Sina, developed a new process of extracting floral attar with
steam. Mixed with water, this scent became both a cosmetic and
flavouring staple for many centuries. What was this scent called?

Your Answer: Rosewater

Lavender water was a variant of rosewater. Hungary water, developed for

Elizabeth of Hungary in 1390, used an alcohol base. Eau de Cologne didn't
appear until the 1730s, when the Farina brothers introduced it in Cologne.

71% of players have answered correctly.

2. During the 1400s, looking pale and otherworldly was in. To

achieve this, women shaved their foreheads, plucked out
their eyelashes and eyebrows, and whitened their faces and
bosoms with ceruse. What did ceruse consist of?

The correct answer was Vinegar and powdered lead

Ceruse rapidly ate away the skin, which meant that thicker and thicker
layers had to be applied as time wore on. It eventually killed you.
Despite its obvious drawbacks, ceruse remained popular for at least
300 years, although later zinc oxide replaced the lead.

30% of players have answered correctly.

4. In what country did nail polish originate?

The correct answer was China

Although the ancient Egyptians stained their nails with henna, it was
the Chinese who developed actual nail lacquers made from gum
arabic, beeswax, eggwhite and coloured powders. The earliest traces
of nail lacquer are dated to 3000 BC.

24% of players have answered correctly.

5. Helena Rubinstein began her career creating stage and

film makeup. When Theda Bara appeared on the screen
wearing a lot of one of Rubinstein's innovations, it became
instantly popular with the general public. What was it?

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was Mascara

Rubinstein also introduced tinted face powder in the early 1920s.

33% of players have answered correctly.

6. Max Factor, like Rubinstein, was originally from Poland.
During the last years of the 19th century he became purveyor
of cremes and cosmetics to the Russian court. In 1904 he
decided to try his luck in America, where he too started out by
creating and selling theatrical makeup. What was one of his
first major innovations?

Your Answer: Pancake makeup

Factor developed pancake makeup for actors, as an improvement over

the older greasepaint. Pancake makeup didn't sweat off as easily.

63% of players have answered correctly.

7. Using scents to mask the smell of sweat has always been

very common. In what century, however, was the first real
deodorant produced?

Your Answer: 19th century

Mum deodorant in creme form was developed in Philadelphia in 1889.

The active ingredient was aluminum chlorhydrate. In 1952, inspired by
the workings of the ballpoint pen, Ban Roll-On was introduced.

37% of players have answered correctly.

8. In the early 1920s she got a tan while on a cruise aboard
the Duke of Westminster's yacht. When she got home, the
colour of her skin caused a fashion revolution. Who was she?

Your Answer: Coco Chanel

The Paris success of Josephine Baker also helped to promote the idea
of brown skin as attractive and fashionable. Women's more active
lifestyles in the 20's and ever-more-revealing fashions made tanning
practical as well as fashionable.
 56% of players have answered correctly.

9. In 1960, Yardley was a small British firm that had been
producing soaps and perfumes from lavender essence for
almost 200 years. By 1966, however, it was a giant in the
cosmetic industry, as it produced a complete line of
cosmetics and fragrances that proved tremendously popular
in Europe and in North America. What was this line called?
The correct answer was The London Look

Yardley was innovative in two ways. First, the London Look line was
the first extensive line of cosmetics created expressly for the teenage
market. Second, it was the first line inspired by an existing youth trend.

32% of players have answered correctly.

Humectants are often found in many beauty products. What do they do?

The correct answer was Attract moisture to the skin from the air

But it is also a good idea to use a moisturiser designed for your skin underneath your
general make-up to give your skin a little extra boost. Apply the moisturiser about 5
minutes before you apply your foundation in order to get your skin hydrated. This will
also help make your foundation last longer.

Coenzyme Q10 is found in every cell of our bodies. This nutrient is

particularly good at what?

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was Getting rid of wrinkles

And if it doesn't work, there's always botox!

. Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy and are plant oils that
are used as ingredients for products as well as to scent them. Lavender is an
essential oil and is commonly used in skin creams. Why?

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was Because it soothes irritation

Aqua is usually the number one ingredient in most products. It has a more
common, everyday name and is vital for healthy skin. What is it?

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was Water

6. Antioxidants such as Vitamin A, C and E help the skin by neutralizing

molecules called free radicals, which do what?

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was Destroy skin cells

Which of the following two products are botanicals, which are believed to
have healing or regenerating powers on the skin?

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was Aloe vera and ginseng

Ideal to give your skin a healthy boost and glow, aloe vera and ginseng gives your skin
a freshened feel, while making your skin feel all nice and tingly!

What useful job do lipsomes do?

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was Deliver vitamins deep into your skin

 If a product is said to contain non-comedogenics, it will be less likely to do

what?

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was Block pores

Always remember to remove your make up before you go to bed. Neglecting to do so

will lead to a build up of make-up in your pores, which will lead to a build up of oil, which
will lead to a build up of bacteria, which will lead to a build up of spots! Think of the
clean up! Eeww

Retinols are another word for products made from what?

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was Vitamin A

It's definitely a good idea to take a bunch of vitamins at least once a day. Although don't
just walk into any chemists and pick up a bunch of vitamins, just because I told you too!
If you're not sure which ones to go for, it's a good idea to ask!

This tool is essential for maintaining the shape of the eyebrows.

Your Answer: [No Answer]

The correct answer was tweezers

Other accepted answers: tweezer  

Tweezers are pretty easy to find and they come in prices to suit every budget.