The Beauty Of Pale Skin In Ancient Greece

White companies and white faces with white products…white. With the population of America containing thirty-seven million African and African-Americans, racism is not only discriminatory but also is socially submerged within the terms of “beauty” (Bureau of labor statistics). Women in history have been seen as inferior to men; now, in the twenty-first century, women have been subcategorized in racial boundaries including color being the most prominent divider. As the famous Shakespeare said, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” In most 21st century companies the owners of major cosmetic brands such as Too Faced and Benefit are owned and founded by white individuals, which makes sense because the promotional models are mostly white.

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

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

The celebration continues for Black History Month as William Chalmers held the much anticipated Black Greek Expo for students who are interested in learning about the National Pan Hellenic Council, founded in 1930. The council serves as an umbrella for the 9 historically African American sororities and fraternities also known as the Divine Nine. They are Alpha Kappa Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The general mission for the Divine Nine is to promotes unity, education, leadership and philanthropy for all members. These Fraternities and Sororities are mostly seen at Historically Black Colleges but they have certainly made their mark at other universities around the country.

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).

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

Land owned by previous owners and occupied by them for centuries then taken over abruptly by the British settlers who claimed it as ‘empty land’ and took over.

Also, a great point made by Lozier was the analysis of the opinion on face painting by the Europeans and how it clearly was hypocritical. At the time of contact many Europeans used cosmetic products in order to whiten their face. However, to many Europeans the use of paint in order to manipulate skin colour was “repulsive, or at the least unsettling” (25,) yet with in their culture a very similar scenario was being played out; the use of cosmetics was even seen as a sign of aristocratic identity (26.) However some Europeans (like Fray Salvador Lopez) realized that the tradition in face painting was little different from Spanish women’s practice of painting their own faces and decided to let the indigenous people continue with their tradition (28.) Lastly, Lozier talks about the introduction of new minerals that made their way into the New World due to trade, to the traditions of face painting. A few of these minerals, amongst which we can find vermilion, were mercury and led

White skin ruled as a beauty standard during Elizabethan era. Women apply deadly mixtures (white lead) on their skin to stay fair. And some even took the beauty trend to the next level by painting blue lines on their skin to make it appear more translucent because the veins underneath were showing. Possessing a pale skin was essential for Elizabethans because it demonstrated wealth and status. A woman with a “blue blood” was sought after by

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

Ancient Greece: 750 BC - 323 BC During this periods, fruits, nuts and vegetables were used to make oils and lotions. Greek woman found their own method for distilling oils and essences from herbs and other plants. Their goal was smooth and supple skin with the ideal Greek woman seeking pale skin. They coated their faces with white powder which was made from

The white lead continued to be used as a foundation to achieve pale skin but it was done more naturally and secretly and women pinched their cheeks and bit their lips to get a rosy natural look. The idea was to look like you weren’t wearing any makeup at all.

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.

Cosmetics are substances that are applied onto the body and/or face to enhance a person’s looks or scent. Cosmetics can be make-up which is mostly used by women and it is to enhance a female’s appearance. It is normally applied to face, hair, and body. Cosmetics has been used throughout society since Ancient times. In Ancient Egypt, cosmetic chemistry was being used before anyone knew it related to chemistry. Cosmetics was being used for many reasons in Ancient times. It is said that Cleopatra bathed in donkey milk to keep skin smooth, this is an example to show that chemistry is being used for the benefit of skin care. Skin care is another example of cosmetic chemistry being used. Skin care has been an important factor in society. Skin care has been around since 3000 BC in Ancient Egypt. This was prepared by natural materials.

“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.”