As reported by BBC (where I turn for real beauty news) Saturday, scientists announced findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) proving that Neanderthals used makeup. And probably not just geometric tribal tat type stuff, but also foundations and disco-glimmer reflective flecks.

Not only are the recipes complex, the Neanderthals were also apparently smart enough for this kind of symbolic thinking. The professor who led the study, Joao Zilhao, seems very excited that this finding is the ‘smoking gun’ that will finally ‘bury this view of Neanderthals as half-wits.’

So dames and wrenches, if you’re ever feeling your winged eyeliner or pink frost gloss is too vain or dumb, think again. It’s actually brilliant.

So Complex, A Caveman Can Do It