History did document the jealousy one man had over another man's makeup, skin care and grooming collection. When Alexander the Great entered the tent of defeated King Darius after the battle of Issos, Alexander threw out the king's makeup box of priceless grooming ointments and perfumes. Ironically, after Alexander had traveled extensively in Asia, he too became addicted to men’s grooming, makeup and aromatics. He sent plant cuttings to his Athenian classmate in Athens from everywhere he traveled. His classmate then used the cuttings to establish a botanical garden in Athens to create skin care and grooming products.

Men’s grooming habits did not fade. By about 300 BC, myrrh and frankincense from Yemen reached the Mediterranean by way of Persian traders. The trade routes swelled as the demand for roses, sweet flag, orris root, narcissus, saffron, mastic, oak moss, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, nutmeg, ginger, aloe wood, grasses and gum resins used to make men’s grooming and skin care increased.

By the middle of the 1st century AD, mans use of grooming products was common practice. The Romans were known to  use chalk for whitening their complexion, and rouge for their cheeks. Men’s grooming consisted of depilatories for hair removal and pumice for cleaning teeth. Men’s grooming practices included the use of oil-based perfumes in baths and fountains, and the application of these oils to their weapons.

During the reign of Elizabeth I, men’s grooming and cosmetics made a popular come back. Man’s use of products was prevalent and everyone was enthusiastically joining in the fun. Popular men’s grooming treatments included rosemary water for the hair and sage to whiten teeth. Men’s skin care included elderflower ointment for the skin, bathing in wine, and an egg and honey mask to smooth away wrinkles.  Men’s grooming also included the bleaching of their hair with lye, which understandably caused it to fall out. So men’s grooming began to include wigs, and men’s makeup included the use of powder.

In the late 1900’s men’s grooming and men’s skin care began to pick up in popularity. With the millenium approaching, men began focusing on their grooming and the use of skin care and cosmetics.  Men’s grooming, skin care and the use of makeup to standout has always been a part of our history, and we look forward to documenting its continued use for the record.