BEAUTY PHARMACIES: A HISTORY LESSON

As I scoured Youtube to find the most popular makeup videos, DRUG STORE MAKEUP LOOKS came out on TOP. Hmmmm...i wonder why? maybe because its inexpensive? maybe because its accessible (drugstores run the world after all, they are everywhereeee). Well the answer is, it is all of those things and more! What was the first drugstore? How did this amazing place get its start in the world? Today I'm gunna break it down for you, with a little history lesson.....

WHEN? The first pharmacy can be dated all the way back to 754 during the Islamic Golden Age. It was so organized, they eventually integrated state regulations in the 9th century. This was purely medicinal and for the sole use of pharmacology (aka no beauty items here ladies, and you can forget about snacks or a coloring book, or slippers or whatever else is on sale that day!!). 

WHEN DID THE REAL FUN START? We can thank my Italian ancestors for this one!! The oldest standing pharmacy was the Church of Santa Maria Novella founded in 1221 in Florence, where a perfume museum now stands.

WHAT ABOUT THE U.S.A.? Welp the first recorded pharmacy was in 1823 in New Orleans, it also happened to coincide with the first pharmacist on record. 

WHAT DO WALGREENS AND KANYE WEST HAVE IN COMMON? They were both born on the South Side of Chicago. Walgreens was birthed in 1901 by a man named Charles R. Walgreen and Kanye in 1977 (he's also a gemini is anyone surprised by this? nah.) Walgreens began as a food stand! 

WHAT ABOUT WHISKEY AND ICE CREAM?: WALGREENS made a lot of their coin selling prescription whiskey during the prohibition days. PRESCRIPTION WHISKEY? hilarious. They also got their start in making and distributing ice cream. Ice Cream and Whiskey? Gosh Walgreens you-are-fun. 

There ya have it. Another history lesson in the bag folks! Click here for the makeup inspired by my drugstore beauty buys! DRUG STORE BEAUTY LOOK 

LOVE,

GAB