Q 01/05

The word cosmetics comes from a Greek word meaning what?

A) Beauty and youth

B) Mask and paint

C) Face and colour

D) Order and ornament

Answer · why

D) Order and ornament

Kosmos gave us both cosmetics and cosmos, since both are about arrangement.

Q 02/05

Which two ancient civilisations are cited as the earliest known users of cosmetics?

A) Chinese and Indians

B) Egyptians and Sumerians

C) Persians and Phoenicians

D) Greeks and Romans

Answer · why

B) Egyptians and Sumerians

Sumerians crushed gemstones to decorate their lips and eyes; Egyptians lined their eyes with kohl.

Q 03/05

The Egyptian eye cosmetic kohl was traditionally made with which lead compound?

A) Galena

B) Cinnabar

C) Antimony trisulfide

D) Malachite

Answer · why

A) Galena

Wearers believed the dark rim protected against the evil eye and the glare of the desert sun.

Q 04/05

As early as 10,000 BC, Egyptians and Mesopotamians wore eyeliner partly for what practical reason?

A) To improve night vision

B) To mark social rank

C) To protect the skin from the desert sun

D) To ward off insects

Answer · why

C) To protect the skin from the desert sun

The winged 'cat eye' returned to fashion after Tutankhamun's tomb was opened in 1922.

Q 05/05

Around 200 BC, what did ancient Greek women apply to lighten their skin?

A) Crushed pearl dust

B) Whipped egg white

C) White lead powder and chalk

D) Ground rice flour

Answer · why

C) White lead powder and chalk

Lead-based whiteners persisted for nearly two thousand years, culminating in the deadly Venetian ceruse.