Speaking of lipstick, it is what the ancients often referred to as lip balm. Before tube lipsticks were invented, lip balm was actually used interchangeably with rouge, stored in small boxes or jars, and directly applied with fingers.
Most of the ancient lipsticks were vermilion red. During the Tang and Song Dynasty, the tanned lip color was popular, which in modern terms is like a nude or flesh tone. This color of lip balm even continued into the 21st century.
The oldest makeup powders were made from two ingredients: one was ground rice flour, from which the word "powder" originated; the other was a paste made from white lead, commonly known as "Hu powder." Besides these two, Jiang Xue also knew that Hu powder, rice flour, and sunflower seed juice could be combined to synthesize "Purple Powder," and fine millet could be used to make "Butterfly Powder."
