History of Makeup

There has been makeup since humans existed, and cosmetics are found in almost every society in the world today. Here is the history of face painting in makeup.

Ancient world

Egypt

Many cosmetic ingredients that are still popular today, including kohl and henna, were first used in ancient Egypt.
Men and women of all classes adorned their eyes with colored kohl, usually dark green, black, or blue. It was said that this rue protected the people from the evil eye.
*Scientists believe the lead in this makeup may have kept users healthier as it killed bacteria.
We also know that the Egyptians used castor oil as a protective ointment, and the Romans described using creams containing beeswax, olive oil, rose water, and more.
The world's first anti-wrinkle serums were also used in ancient Egypt.

China

While the royals were allowed to paint gold or silver nails, the lower classes were forbidden to paint glossy nails.
Nail painting began in ancient China around 3000 BC as a way to establish social class.
Originating from a folklore tale about a princess whose beauty was increased when a petal fell on her face, the plum blossom make-up (pictured above) was also popular during the Tang and Song dynasties (618-1279AD).

Japan

Geisha are still famous for their stunning makeup. They originally used lipstick made from crushed safflower leaves to paint their eyebrows and lips, and rice powder to color their faces.

In official ceremonies, a black dye called ohaguro was used (and still is) to color the teeth.

Europe

Even further back, Alexander the Great wore makeup for both aesthetic and health reasons. Eye makeup "protected the delicate skin around the eyes, kept flies away… and protected the eyes from the glare of the sun."

Traveling through Asia, Alexander would send plant cuttings to a friend in Athens so that they could create a garden specifically for beauty products.

20th century

In the 1900s, the lower classes were workers who spent most of their time outside working in the fields or selling their wares. As a result, they often had tan skins.
A pale complexion came to symbolize a noble or aristocratic person who did not have to work for his income. 1900s makeup ultimately attempted to emulate this pale look.
Whitening your face was a dangerous practice in the 1900s, as the main component of powders is often arsenic.
The cosmetic routine at this time included a simple powdered face, pinching to bring color to the cheeks, and lashes darken with lit matches. Colored leaves or wet red tissue paper were used to color the lips.
With the film industry boom, Hollywood began to have a major influence on popular cosmetics in the 1920s. Make-up artists of popular actresses have dramatically influenced how the public uses makeup, and big cosmetic names have come to the fore along the way.
Designers followed in Hollywood's footsteps and a classic look became popular: dark eyes, red lipstick and tan.
The new, accessible approach to makeup stumbled during World War II due to the low supply of cosmetics.
However, this did not prevent British women from remaining attractive. After all, the government constantly reminded them that "beauty is a duty".

"Beauty is a duty"

Beetroot was a popular supplement for lip staining and proved to be relatively harmless compared to using boot polish as a mascara.
Perhaps the worst trend was foundation made from a mixture of margarine and chalk.
The rise of mainstream feminism in the 1960s and 70s saw many women join an anti-cosmetics movement. They argued that makeup was a tool of objectification that saw society treating women as sex objects rather than people.
Susan Brownmiller went so far as to call the no-makeup face "the dignified new look of feminism."
"The dignified new look of feminism."

But not all women felt this way. In the 1970s, a cosmetics company introduced the world to the female marketer. Despite some feminist skepticism, the general consensus was that the popularity of makeup provided opportunities for women as entrepreneurs, inventors, manufacturers, and distributors.
The 1970s were a time of real boom for men wearing makeup. Reversing stereotypical gender roles was a symbol of challenging the counterculture. "I started growing out my hair and putting on makeup because it wasn't allowed in school," recalled The Cure frontman Robert Smith.
The iconic makeup of the rock band KISS formed the basis of their stage presence as part of the New York 'glitter movement' in the 1970s.
Many glam rock male artists, such as David Bowie, Alice Cooper, and Iggy Pop, began to wear more flamboyant make-up, both on and off the stage.
In particular, Bowie changed the cosmetic landscape with the cosmic Ziggy Stardust. Ziggy, a bisexual, gender-defying, makeup-wearing alien, had a face that taught thousands of makeup tutorials.
Accessing every imaginable makeover, the 1980s featured bold lipsticks and bright eyeshadows combined with big hair—a style that singers like Boy George and Madonna have mastered.
The 1990s brought normcore and grunge into the mainstream. Faces were clear and natural, or with eyes and dark lips that were heavily applied.
Gwen Stefani has worked with Courtney Love and Winona Ryder in the grunge look with Billie-Joe Armstrong, Kurt Cobain and Johnny Depp.

Today

Makeup in the 21st century is for everyone. Men are quickly turning to products such as concealer and eyeliner to improve their own features.
As the gender equality movements move forward, the line between who can and can't make up is increasingly blurred.
Makeup is now seen as a means of self-expression, no matter who it is.