Makeup History

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

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).

This included having products for skin, eyes, nails, teeth, along with other items to fulfill cosmetic needs such as an assortment of mirrors. The products were originally used for royalty and aristocracy, but then cheap versions of a similar product were made so all social classes could wear makeup. (History of Cosmetics) It is believed that modern women of today and Ancient Roman women had access to the same types of products. Roman application of makeup first consisted of a foundation that would often be made from a white lead paste for the wealthy that was poisonous. Foundation pastes were also made from orris root and chalk or a mixture of fat, starch, and tin oxide were

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)

Accordingly Makeup can be used for many things. The ancient Egyptians used makeup made from oils and cream to help clean 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).

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.

It was not only till the Nineteenth century where makeup became gender inclusive to society and became a women dominated industry. As the years progressed society was conditioned to think that makeup was made for women. Outside ancient Egypt women had done above and beyond to enhance their beauty to become better suited for a mate or to be considered beautiful. Before makeup was even introduced to world, women went to the extremes of using burnt matches to darken their eyes, using berries to stain there cheeks and lips, and even swallow oxblood to improve overall complexion. And if it wasn’t for the help of social media, men would still be struggling to this day to get the cosmetic recognition that they deserve. Gender roles has always created social boundaries for not only men but for women as well.Women have also dealt with the hardship of trying to be accepted in a society. Since the nineteenth th century restraints of not being able to vote, or work has carried on to the Twentieth century. Women are taken seriously when it comes to sports or having physical strength. Till this day women are making less on their paychecks compared to men. Both genders have their disadvantages and both deal with trying to break the labels that have been created. A new societal culture is happening and regardless of gender the traditional constraints that have been created it is becoming less significant in not only the

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.

Ancient egyptians wore makeup. They regarded beauty as a sign of holiness. Both men and women in Egypt wore makeup, and even the statues of God wore makeup. Cleanliness and appearance of people, were highly regarded. Architects would even find tiny clay pallets in some tombs, and yes beauty was really important to the Ancient Egyptians, but makeup was a different story. Some of their makeup would be a sign of helping them with the elements, for example: repelling insects, or when the sun's rays hit their eyes, the makeup would help them not get affected by the sun. Also, makeup may be served as a routine to honor their god/goddesses. The Ancient Egyptians also created black eye makeup, and they used it with galena and kohl. What galena is, is that it is a bluish gray color, with natural minerals, and kohl is a mix between galena and soot. They also created green eye makeup using malachite. Malachite is a bright green mineral, which is made by copper hydroxyl carbonate. The Ancient Egyptians had many reasons to wear makeup. They would wear eye makeup to define the eye, and to give the eye a more cat like look. It was also a good way to prevent diseases, or any bad minerals to get into your eyes. Ancient Egyptians also wore lip gloss, or nail polish but wore them only on special occasions. As most people know, Ancient Egypt had social classes, and they mostly wear their clothes, or have different jobs, and do things

During and after World War II, lipstick was advertised in the United States as a symbol of feminism (Schaffer). Whether women were waiting for their men to come home from the war or took part in the war themselves, they could always look better with a new shade of lipstick. Under Hitler’s law in Germany, German women were not allowed to wear any face make up. This inspired advertisements across the US claiming that German women lost their glow due to their inability to wear make up (Delano pg. 49). The United States was advertised as being the superior country because women maintained their glow simply by wearing lipstick. Other featured articles described how women overseas and in Europe had to wait until the war was over to get an adequate

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

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

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,

“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.”