How Makeup Works

# Episode Summary

Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating history and science of makeup, tracing its origins from ancient Egypt and Sumer through the glamorous golden age of Hollywood to today's massive $60 billion cosmetics industry. The episode explores how makeup evolved from a status symbol to a cultural phenomenon, featuring colorful stories about legendary figures like Max Factor and Estée Lauder who revolutionized the industry. But things get serious when they tackle the surprisingly outdated FDA regulations governing cosmetics—unchanged since 1938—and discuss the potentially harmful chemicals women absorb through makeup daily, including ingredients banned across Europe but still legal in the U.S.