Makeup remains a fascinating part of human culture. Today, we have the convenience of heading to Sephora to pick up our favorite waterproof eyeliner, but it has sometimes been different. Historical makeup involved things like crushed bugs. It often served a purpose, like how kohl eyeliner was used to help with the sun’s glare.
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Ancient Civilizations
Makeup dates back to ancient civilizations like Egypt. Men and women frequently wore makeup in these cultures. Henna was used to give the cheeks and lips a pop of color. Kohl was worn around the eyes. Ancient Egyptians believed the kohl, made from crushed minerals, could easily ward off evil spirits, and it helped them deal with the sun’s harsh rays.
Ancient Greece
Cosmetics were popular in Greece and Rome as well. However, these historical cosmetics symbolized status and often marked beauty. People would use anything they could, including crocodile dung, ashes, and crushed bugs, to achieve the ideal beauty standard. For example, these civilizations would use ash to lighten their skin and various substances for perfume.
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, people began to reduce their use of makeup or started wearing it in secret. The church began to wield more power, and this organization often looked down on people who wore makeup.
Sometimes, women would wear blush if they could wear it in secret. Many people began using bloodletting to achieve pale skin without the use of cosmetics. This lasted until around the 15th century.
Witches Wore Makeup
The common belief that witches wore makeup, especially lipstick, began to circulate throughout the towns. Many people began to avoid wearing lipstick or makeup to deter accusations of witchcraft.
Today, many people still believe that witches wore bold red lips. This was a rumor that helped discourage people from wearing makeup, especially bold makeup. There was a dark period in makeup history when many people wore only subtle makeup, if any at all. However, the love for cosmetics was revived during the Renaissance period.
Renaissance
The Renaissance saw prominent figures, such as Queen Elizabeth, wearing more makeup. This marked the beginning of a new era in makeup history, one that encouraged makeup as a symbol of status and self-expression. It helped pave the way for the beauty industry we know and love today.
During the Renaissance, people placed a greater value on beauty than in previous years. Historical makeup increased in popularity. Cosmetics became readily available. Both men and women wanted pale skin and a rounded face, considered the most beautiful at the time.
Products like lip tints and perfume were trendy around this period. Men and women no longer hid their desire to wear cosmetics like they did in previous years. Instead, people proudly wore the latest fashion.
18th And 19th
Famous figures like Queen Victoria popularized minimalist makeup during these centuries. Today, we call it the “no makeup” look. Wigs were crafted to look like natural hair, even if they were large and not realistic. Pale skin remained popular. The theme was simplicity.
Today’s Makeup
The world of cosmetics continued to slowly evolve, displaying one transition after another throughout the 1900s. Women began to wear makeup as a fashion statement instead of always wearing natural or minimalist makeup. The 1900s saw the biggest boom in cosmetic history.
The Lipstick Tube
Modern inventions like the lipstick tube made it easy and practical to carry cosmetics in your handbag. These inventions enabled the mass production of cosmetics and made them more marketable. The twist-up lipstick tube marked the beginning of a revolution in taking makeup with you and utilizing easy-to-use packaging.
Marketing
The 1900s also saw a massive shift in marketing techniques. Previously, people had to buy print newspapers to see ads or look to prominent figures in society to determine what was in style. The invention of the television and radio resulted in more marketing, more consumerism, and massive makeup trends that were set to shift every few years.
Makeup Trends
The 1900s saw the continuous cycle of one makeup trend after another. The 1920s brought a bold red lip onto the scene and natural blush. The 60s were packed with bold makeup ideas, paving the way for the grunge eye makeup of the 70s. The 1970s saw a range of styles, from punk rock makeup and body glitter to minimalist makeup. The 1990s brought brown lipstick onto the scene.
Makeup History
Like many people today, historical makeup was traditionally used to achieve a certain aesthetic appeal. Now, we use cosmetics for everything from achieving a desired look to expressing creativity. Browse the rest of the website for more awesome information.
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