Makeup History

Cosmetics: In 1909 Gordon Selfridge had opened the first cosmetics counter to allow women to ‘try before you buy.’ By the 1920s, every pharmacy and department store in the world included makeup counters. The previous stigma attached to makeup was gone and women felt at ease scrutinizing the latest powders, vanishing creams, pan sticks, lipsticks and mascaras (or mascaros as they were known in the 1920s).

Autobiography of a Face: Lucy Grealy The psychology of beauty is complex not just because the concept of beauty is as yet undefined, but also because it is largely true that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder or how individuals perceive other people or things. The importance of beauty has been taught since the first civilizations. It is known that the cave people of the Mesolithic period (around 10,000 B.C.) softened their skin with castor oil and grease, and also used plant dyes to tattoo their skin. Lipsticks first appeared in the ancient city off Ur, near Babylon, 5000 years ago. Ancient Greek women painted their cheeks with herbal pastes made from crushed berries and seeds. A dangerous development of beauty

Did you know that makeup has been around for 12,000 years. The ancient Egyptians were the ones that invented the beautiful work of art …. Makeup. Studies show that about 44% of women are “ dependent on makeup”. What’s the purpose of makeup? Why do so many people wear it? How do you even put it on? For beginners, It’s good to know the purpose of wearing makeup, the different types of makeup, and the proper application to create a fresh- faced work of art.

Make-up has been beloved by woman throughout history. Some wear a little, some wear a lot, it can make a statement, or it can be simple. We are introduced to make-up at a young age. As a young child we all loved to play with our mother’s make-up. I know firsthand that smothering my face in my mother’s deep purple eye shadow and bright red lipstick was a favorite past time of mine. Even now as a grown adult I buy my younger cousins make-up kits for holidays and birthdays. I laugh and snap pictures of them drawing a neon pink smile across their faces with lipstick. But if you take a look at what ingredients go in to that lipstick that that ten year old has in his or her hand, it would not be so funny.

Makeup has been around since the 1800s, but the “in” style changes from generation to generation. The 21st century has been the era with the most technological advance. This has allowed anyone with an idea on what makeup look is the best to share via a “vlog”, social media, and

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).

Have you ever thought about who created makeup? Or how it was created? When, where and how? Why was it created? How has it changed over time? Has it affected anyone? Well I’m going to tell you some of it. Make up wasn’t just created by powder or anything small and simple like that, no. Makeup actually has a lot of its own differences. In 180 BCE was when makeup had first had started but it wasn’t commonly used as much as then. People would limit the use of makeup because it was so expensive and hard to get and or find. The women who actually had it or used it were the prostitutes and the wealthier women. The “Cheap Knockoff’s” were the ones who were sold to the poorer women. The people didn’t really care if the slaves used makeup but

Historians believe makeup was invented by ancient Egyptians to enhance their outer beauty, however, the makeup used included lead that was known to be highly dangerous. Once the lead-based makeup was further investigated in the 20th century, it became a thing of the past. (“Color Them Extraordinary With a Makeup Career”) I believe that makeup artists have the ability to create anything out of anyone, and that they have a unique canvas to paint on; the human body. Applying and learning about makeup has been an interest of mine ever since I was little, and it only made sense to start looking into a career in the world of makeup artistry. Makeup artistry as a career interests me because I’d wake up knowing that my job for the day is exercising my creativity and help make others feel confident. If one is truly interested in makeup, this career never feels like a job. (Clark)

When it comes to us women wearing makeup, it seems like we are shamed if we do, and shamed if we don’t. Although, the face powder in Renaissance era were harmful to skin, I am still glad that they came up with the idea. Without the Renaissance’s idea of face powder, Mr. Max Factor would not have invented the pancake foundation. Half of my makeup collection are: cake foundation, liquid foundation, face powder, setting powder—you name it. What can I say? Perfect skin ideal is hard to emulate, especially if you are genetically prone to acne. Nevertheless, it seems as though, whether you embrace the significance of makeup or choose to step out of the house—"bare-faced," you will be criticized either way. Because one day you attended a family gathering

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,

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

Unmasking Beauty Standards: An Analysis Across Generations As women, we can alter our appearance through the use of beauty products, such as makeup. According to Paula Black, author of The Beauty Industry : Gender, Culture, Pleasure, "When women put on a face, they continue to express ideas of naturalness and

Who Invented Makeup The history of makeup is a long one, dating all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. They used natural materials like kohl and berries to add color to their faces. Egyptian women even used a moisturizing substance called unguent on their faces to keep wrinkles away. In Roman times, women used kohl on their eyes and chalk to impart a whiter complexion. Cheeks and lips were given a rosy glow with rouge made from fruit juices. Makeup in olden days was quite dangerous, however. White lead was often worn to achieve an aristocratic pale appearance. In the sixth century, women would even bleed themselves until their skin was pale enough.

Cosmetics, first used in Ancient Rome for ritual purposes, were part of daily life for women, especially prostitutes and the wealthy. Cosmetics were applied in private, usually in a small room where men did not enter. Cosmetae, female slaves that adorned their mistresses, were especially praised for their skills. They would beautify their mistresses with cultus, the Latin word encompassing makeup, perfume and jewelry.

“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.”