FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about The Unusual History of Cosmetics
Quiz about The Unusual History of Cosmetics

The Unusual History of Cosmetics Quiz


The use of cosmetics to beautify the human body is almost as old as man himself. Throughout history many unusual substances and practices have been used. Let's explore what mankind will do to him or herself in the search for beauty.

A multiple-choice quiz by dcpddc478. Estimated time: 4 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Entertainment Trivia
  6. »
  7. Beauty Accessories & Fashion
  8. »
  9. Cosmetics

Author
dcpddc478
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
312,694
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
1624
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 173 (1/10), HumblePie7 (6/10), Guest 199 (6/10).
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. For hundreds of years European women used a white powder called ceruse to lighten their complexions. What was the main component of ceruse? Hint


Question 2 of 10
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? Hint


Question 3 of 10
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? Hint


Question 4 of 10
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? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Cochineal was used by the Aztec and Incan societies to dye their lips and nails red. Do you know where cochineal comes from? Hint


Question 6 of 10
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"? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. During the Elizabethan era, coal tar was used for cosmetic purposes. What was it commonly used for? Hint


Question 8 of 10
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? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Ancient Roman toothpaste was in great demand because it contained ammonia, which whitened the teeth. Where did most of this ammonia come from? Hint


Question 10 of 10
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? Hint



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Oct 24 2024 : Guest 173: 1/10
Oct 06 2024 : HumblePie7: 6/10
Oct 04 2024 : Guest 199: 6/10
Oct 03 2024 : davtrtmn: 3/10
Sep 18 2024 : Johnmcmanners: 10/10
Sep 10 2024 : Guest 203: 8/10
Sep 09 2024 : Triviaballer: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. For hundreds of years European women used a white powder called ceruse to lighten their complexions. What was the main component of ceruse?

Answer: 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.
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?

Answer: 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.
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?

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!
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?

Answer: 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.
5. Cochineal was used by the Aztec and Incan societies to dye their lips and nails red. Do you know where cochineal comes from?

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.
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"?

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

Answer: 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.
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?

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?

Answer: Human urine

While it may be hard to believe, human urine was used for a large variety of things including toothpaste. Ammonia is the main chemical found in urine. In ancient Rome, human urine was in such demand that it had to be imported from Portugal!
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?

Answer: Leeches

Whole leeches were fed and then put into vinegar and allowed to ferment for two months. At this time it had thickened into a paste. It was then applied to the hair and allowed to dry for a day. It must have worked well as the recipe was used for hundreds of years.
Source: Author dcpddc478

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor DakotaNorth before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
This quiz is part of series A Mix of Topics:

A mix of quizzes from all over the world.

  1. Dr. Quackery's Medicine Shop Average
  2. Ten Things to Do on a Rainy Day Average
  3. Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop Average
  4. The Unusual History of Cosmetics Average
  5. Old Occupations Average
  6. Diagnosis: Death! Average
  7. The Entity Average
  8. The Odds Are Average
  9. Oh No! I'll Never Remember That! Average
  10. Every Category II Average

10/31/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us