In modern society gold has come to be an emblem of beauty and refinement. Yet that notion stretches back through history as well, all the way back to ancient Egypt, where Cleopatra allegedly slept in a golden mask to keep her complexion supple. At Oro Gold Cosmetics, aestheticians follow this vein of thought, stocking a product line that uses pure gold as its active ingredient. With a nod toward Cleopatra, ancient Romans, and the queen of the Qing dynasty, the cosmetic company's lab formulates moisturizers, masks, and serums with 24-karat gold imported from Italy. This colloidal gold, or nanogold, is a suspension of submicrometer particles in a fluid, which the pores absorb to improve firmness and elasticity. In this way—by combining historical beauty techniques with modern technology—Oro Gold Cosmetics rejuvenates its clients’ complexions without sewing pieces of their old baby photos into masks.