Cultural Perceptions And Ideas Of Aesthetics

Characters in musicals such as “Cats” and “The Lion King” need totally different styles of make up as performers are to look as animalistic as possible. They do this by adding extra colours over their body rather than just the face. “Elphaba” in “Wicked” has her body makeup touched up everytime she leaves the stage during the show, as her body needs to appear entirely green.

Through each generation, makeup symbolizes how women are superior, however, society today has misinterpreted the intentions of makeup believing that it is a response of the lack of confidence and there are these accusations made of it promoting false advertisement. Currently, these statements provoked some makeup artists to come together and create a challenge called #ThePowerOfMakeup, as an act of protest to spawn the true understanding that makeup is not an excuse for women, or men, to cover up their inner beauty from society. Therefore, the controversy is whether the introduction of makeup has become an option for women to mask their insecurities or is its considered an artistic way for people to express their individuality. Nevertheless,

Professional makeup artist and founder of her own line of cosmetics Bobbi Brown once stated that she “believe[s] that all women are pretty without makeup- but with it, the right makeup can be pretty powerful.” This statement is relevant to all people and says that all women have natural beauty, but with the optional added touch of makeup, their beauty can be even further accentuated. Public figure, Kat Von D encourages women to embrace their most natural selves through her own cosmetic line. The print advertisement of Kat Von D’s “Lock-It Concealer Creme” shows women of all colors, wearing minimal makeup, probably just foundation and concealer, and embracing their natural skin color and their ethnic background with her wide array of shades for each skin shade. Makeup over the years hasn’t always catered to people embracing their natural skin. The origins of foundation makeup lead to some health risks and didn’t accept people for their natural skin tone, Kat Von D’s makeup line consists of solid, well formulated, and successful products, and the influence of social media has impacted the growth of the beauty world for all people.

The idea of cosmetology and beauty was commenced by ancient tribal hunters. It is believed that they would smear ash under their eyes and use animal urine to alter their smell. This is where the idea of eyeliner and perfume originated (Schurman). Around the world cosmetology is being introduced like Egypt is suggested to be one of the most ancient culture that associates with cosmetics. Make up to them was really significant especially to the royal egyptians. Their idea of eyeliner was made up of lead, ash and mercury. The use of this eyeliner helped reduce glare, prevent any type of infection, and mostly to make their eyes beautiful (Schurman). Now the Chinese ancient culture had mixtures of natural ingredients to produce stimulating nail polish. The nail polish to these people were sign of wealth (Murphy). In ancient Rome and Greece those who could afford it would receive baths in lotions. They wore perfume, face powder, blush, eyeliner, and lipstick. During this period it was discovered that oils, lotions, and animal fat have beautification properties (Schurman).

Comically, the first time I ever wore black eyeshadow, my friends asked me “Em, what’s on your face? Did someone give you a black eye?” I knew from then on that cosmetology school was not in my future plans. I wanted my face to be flawless; to be airbrushed and smooth like the models in teen magazines. Society told me that in order to be beautiful, I had to fit into its confines of perfection. Now, I know that to not be true, for beauty is much more than looking like a Barbie doll, true beauty comes from possessing a good

Every culture has a different standard of beauty, and over the last few hundred years’ beauty has evolved and transpired into a bigger phenomenon than it should be. The American beauty culture has advanced since the 19th century. In the 19th century, beauty was told to be about the goodness in someone rather than using a cosmetic to bring out the “beauty” in you. Beauty in that time was seen as a luxury and a way to manipulate men into marrying them, but it was also seen as a way to show which social class you belonged to. Once the 20th century came around cosmetics were viewed as a negative connotation towards those who were prostitutes or women who tried to come off as a “lady”.

Eye makeup was an innovation within the Egyptian cities and life. The makeup consisted of a mineral called Malachite and Galena for a green colour, but this makeup is composed of soot making it black or very dark in colour. The Egyptians believed that it could cure eye diseases and prevent the evil eye, the reason for wearing this makeup was not just for the look, but the medical benefits. The eye lining was not just for women, though, most of the upper classes wore such makeup mainly for the appearance to boost their status. They applied very large amounts to benefit their health and their status.

Throughout time the world’s perception of makeup has always been seen as a way for women to enhance their facial features, a way to feel more accepted into society, and as a way to gain the attention of another individual. Society has set specific standards that women and only women can wear makeup. Although in theater productions it was socially acceptable for men to paint their faces, it was not encouraged that men use their cosmetic abilities outside of performances. Many cultures have drilled the idea into their son’s heads that they cannot wear or play with makeup because they would lose their masculinity. Applying makeup was never seen as a way of self expression, but that a woman's natural beauty wasn’t good enough and that her

Cosmetics was my own yellow paint. Growing up with a mole in the center of my left cheek was burdensome. With one glance, the first detail I assume others remember about me is that very mark on my cheek that is quite difficult to miss. I used to apply layers of makeup on early in the morning before school. Hours away from when school actually starts, I’m situated at my vanity with the various products of artificial beauty laid out in front of me: concealer, foundation, powder, eyeliner, eyeshadow, highlight. Because my grandmother did not believe in makeup, I would utilize my own lunch money to purchase them. This makeup was my mask, concealing my flaws and hiding my natural beauty. It didn’t do anything for my confidence because that mask only made me feel

Researchers have shown that women 's makeup is associated with positive evaluations of attractiveness. Graham and Jouhar (1981) found that female targets of average physical attractiveness presented on color photographs were judged as being more tidy, feminine, physically attractive, and sociable when they wore facial cosmetics. Cox and Glick (1986) and Workman and Johnson (1991) reported that women wearing makeup were perceived to be more feminine and sexy. Cash, Dawson, Davis, Bowen, and Galumbeck (1989) found that women who were photographed with cosmetics were evaluated by men to be more physically attractive than when no facial cosmetics were worn. Research has also revealed that the amount of cosmetics

Some girls prefer to go bare face, some keep it natural by putting only lipstick and blush, some like to put a full makeup face, and some like to change their features permanently by choosing to get plastic surgeries. As we could see, there are many different methods for improving one’s looks. However, most people, such as elders or the opposite sex, misunderstand the idea of makeup and tend to judge the girls who wear it. Writing on behalf of the girls who like to use makeup, I believe that applying makeup in moderate amount and choosing the suitable colors for the individual’s skin tone doesn’t only hide certain flaw that a girl feels insecure about but also enhances her beauty. For example, a girl suffers from acne and dermatological problems leads her to feel really insecure about showing it off in public and embracing it. She has long eyelashes with very definite high cheekbones that make her look exotic. Any make-up artist would recommend using the right shade of foundation to hide her acne and evens out her skin. To enhance her features, she could also use some volumizing mascara to pop up her long lashes and make them more visible by making the hairs thicker from the creamy black/brown mascara. Also, she could contour and high light her bone structure, for instance, her high cheekbones by highlighting them she’s showing us that she’s proud of the way she’s created and

The topic I have chosen to address as a symbol is makeup. Makeup seems pretty basic to most, but to some it means much more than that. Some describe the application of makeup as “putting on your face” and if they aren’t wearing makeup they feel ugly and rejected by men. But that’s the thing; some women aren’t viewed as pretty unless they have makeup on. This objectives women and tells them they don’t look good enough if they aren’t wearing any-and it basically seems as if they are “painting on their face” like objects.

“Makeup has been used to enhance the beauty of both men and women for over thousand years. It its through teaching others how to apply makeup, we can strive to help others feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. Wearing makeup help embrace our natural features and may also help express the ideas in a creative way like art.”

Often times, women are pressured by the mainstream media to upkeep a stellar appearance. They are expected to measure up to high standards without question. Even before most girls reach puberty, commercials are bombarding them with small Barbie esque makeup kits filled with lip glosses and chalky eyeshadows. The impact it has on impressionable children, both girls and boys is something that will likely last a lifetime if unlearned. Cosmetic companies who are marketing to young ladies say they can simply improve their looks to gain acceptance from their peers if they use the products they are selling. The makeup industry is a multi million enterprise that makes a profit from women’s insecurities and amplified pressures from society as a common tactic many cosmetic campaigns use is to push women to embrace the ‘natural look’ by providing products that will make it appear as if the individual is not even wearing makeup. Companies will spout out that with these products, the end result will be ‘you, but better.’ It is somewhat of an underlying and slightly manipulating slogan, as if to say how a woman appears could be improved because it is lacking in the moment. This distorts how we all believe how a woman is suppose to look.

Natural beauty, in this day and age, is a term that has many definitions because it is a controversial term. With the way people dress, act, and express themselves, it is extremely hard to find the true denotation of natural beauty. This is also true with the growing popularity in makeup in both genders. When asked to define it, people have formed their own opinions of the term along with the commonly known denotation, connotation, synonyms, and antonyms. The definition of the term also can be described and derived from my personal experiences along with others’. Though there is much evidence for and against the belief, natural beauty is more than what’s on the outside.