Painted Faces - by Susan Stewart (Paperback)

This book is a fascinating journey through the history of cosmetics, from ancient times to the present day.

Susan Stewart guides readers through the complex story of how make-up has been used as a visible marker of social status, gender, wealth, and well-being.

The book explores how different cultures have used various materials, such as algae and urine, to enhance their appearance, and how cosmetics survived wars and cultural shifts.

With a lively and discursive writing style, this book delights in the nitty-gritty details of make-up history.

Whether you're interested in learning about the origins of beauty trends or simply enjoy reading about the human obsession with improving how we look, this book is sure to captivate and inform.