History & Career Opportunities in Cosmetology

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to the history and career opportunities in cosmetology.

What encompasses hairstyling, nail technology, and esthetics?

Cosmetology.

How is cosmetology defined?

The art and science of beautifying and improving the skin, nails, and hair, and the study of cosmetics and their application.

From which Greek word is 'cosmetology' derived?

Kosmetikos.

What does the term 'Kosmetikos' mean?

Skilled in the use of cosmetics.

When were haircutting and hairstyling practices first documented?

During the Ice Age.

What ordinary items were used as implements and adornments in early history?

Sharpened flints, oyster shells, bone, animal sinew, and strips of hide.

What natural products were used for coloring and tattooing in ancient times?

Berries, tree bark, minerals, insects, nuts, herbs, and leaves.

Which civilization first cultivated beauty as an extravagant fashion?

The Egyptians.

For what purposes did the Egyptians use cosmetics?

Beautification habits, religious ceremonies, preparing the deceased for burial.

When was the first evidence of cosmetics in Egypt recorded?

3,000 BC.

What did Chinese aristocrats use to color their nails?

A tinted mixture of gum arabic, gelatin, beeswax, and egg whites.

In which era did hairstyling become highly developed in Greece?

500 BC.

What preparations did Greek women apply to their faces and eyes?

White lead on their faces, kohl on their eyes, and vermillion on their cheeks and lips.

How did Greeks create the brilliant red pigment for cosmetics?

By grinding cinnabar, a mineral, into a fine powder.

In Roman society, how did hair color indicate class?

Different shades indicated social class: Noblewomen wore black, Middle-class women wore red, and Poor women wore blond.

Where did women refrain from wearing colored makeup during the Middle Ages?

On their eyes.

What was discouraged during the Renaissance regarding cosmetics?

Highly colored preparations of lips, cheeks, and eyes.

What did women use to maintain skin health during the Victorian Age?

Beauty masks and packs made from natural ingredients.

What practices did Victorian women use to induce color without cosmetics?

Pinching their cheeks and biting their lips.

What does the barber pole symbolize?

It represents bloodletting symbolism: the staff, the basin, bandages, and their twisted drying pattern.

Who invented a machine for permanent waving in the early twentieth century?

Charles Nessler.

What method of permanent waving was developed in 1941?

Cold wave.

What trend has evolved in the salon industry since the late 1980s?

Inclusion of day spas.

List some areas of specialization in the professional cosmetology industry.

Haircolor specialist, Texture specialist, Cutting specialist, Salon trainer, Distributor sales consultant, Cosmetology instructor.

What will fuel your career in cosmetology?

Personal dedication and passion.