The History of Lipstick: From Cleopatra to Crocodile Poop

What do crocodile poop, crushed beetles, and whale brain goo have in common? They’ve all been smeared across human lips in the name of beauty. In this episode of For the Love of History, we dive into the wild, weird, and dangerous history of lipstick—from 5,000-year-old lip pigments in Iran to Cleopatra’s sparkling carmine concoctions, Roman crocodile dung gloss, Mayan beetle rouge, and Martha Washington’s questionable whale spermaceti balm. But it’s not just gross ingredients. Lipstick has been outlawed as witchcraft, weaponized as a feminist symbol, and even accused of making pacts with the devil. From ancient Sumer to the Catholic Church to World War II lipstick feminism, this tiny cosmetic has carried big cultural meaning. ✨ Tune in to learn: The world’s oldest lipstick discovery (and what color it was). Why the Romans imported crocodile dung for beauty products. How Cleopatra made her signature lip color sparkle. The Catholic Church’s claim that lipstick ...