VIDEO: The Evolution of Masks

Lydia Sarfati
Lydia Sarfati

Masks are trending big time right now, but they have been around for centuries. In this video, shot at Repêchage's Champagne Power Lunch on Dec. 5, 2016, Lydia Sarfati reviewed the history of masks. She started by talking with Cleopatra, who was known to bathe in sour milk that contained lactic acid.

She then discussed masks in ancient China, which contained almonds. Queen Elizabeth was then said to keep her face white with lead facials, which Sarfati notes was not a good idea. Marie Antoinette had a mask of cognac, milk and lemon. Empress Elizabeth of Austria followed berries with a leather mask. Madam Rowley used what was called a toilet mask. Elizabeth Arden introduced her Vienna Youth Mask as a treatment in her spa on Fifth Avenue. Helena Rubenstein was the one who introduced the brush-on, peel-off mask. Finally, Sarfati entered the mask market in 1977 with her Honey and Almond Scrub, which is still one of her top SKUs.

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