Stories from the history and science of cosmetics, skin-care and early Beauty Culture.

Recent Stories

Doraldina

The history of Doraldina, a company founded by the woman who started the hula craze in the United States.

Guerlain

The history of Guerlain from its formation in 1828 through to the end of the First World War.

Guerlain (1920-1940)

The ongoing history of Guerlain during the interwar period from 1920 through to 1940.

Guerlain (post 1940)

The concluding history of Guerlain from the Second World War through to the 1960s with brief notes on the company after that.

There was no standard nomenclature for liquid skin-care lines and they were given a variety of names including milks, lotions, and liquid creams. The term milk was more common in Britain and Europe while lotion was more popular in America.

Mascara

The history of this eyelash darkener from its beginnings as Rimmel’s New Water Cosmetique, through its adoption by the theatrical profession as mascaro, and its later repurposing by women as mascara.