How Cosmetics Shaped Beauty, Status, and Female Identity Through the Ages

 

Like this Image? available here:  Shutterstock 

Throughout history, humanity has constantly sought ways to advance through science, medicine, economics, and politics. People have always looked for opportunities to improve their social standing and secure a better future. Yet there is another human history that is often overlooked: the role of personal appearance, particularly for women, and how it influenced their place in society.

Research shows that cosmetics have existed since Ancient Egypt. Historians believe their use began with the discovery of scented oils, which were thought to possess healing and protective properties. These oils were used not only for medicinal purposes but also in religious ceremonies. Similarly, herbs served multiple functions; they were consumed in rituals, and transformed into pigments for bodu decoration.

Both women and men applied colored clays and mineral-based pigments to their faces or bodies, depending on the region and culture. Evidence of these practices has been found in Egyptian tombs, while ancient artwork reveals the elaborate colors, shapes, and designs used to enhance personal appearance. 

The fascination with beauty rituals spread throughout many civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Asians, and Arab cultures, all of whom incorporated cosmetics into both medicinal and aesthetic traditions.

By the 18th century, pale skin had become the ultimate symbol of beauty and social status. The trend was embraced by both women and men. One of the most popular products of the era was Venetian Ceruse, white cosmetic famously associated with Queen Elizabeth I. Members of the upper classes covered their faces, necks, and chests in this powder to achieve a porcelain-like complexion. The mixture made from white lead and vinegar produced a striking effect. While we now recognize lead as a dangerous toxin, it's harmful effects were largely ignored at the time.

During Queen Victoria's reign, attitudes toward cosmetics changed dramatically, the reason? The death of Prince Albert. After his death, Victoria's ideals promoted modesty and restraint. Painted faces were considered vulgar, and a more natural appearance became fashionable. The Industrial Revolution made cosmetics widely available throug mass production, although many women still prepared beauty products at home. Despite their growing popularity, make-up remained controversial throughout the 19th century and was often sold discreetly.

The beauty industry continued to evolve. In 1916, film director D.W. Griffith popularized false eyelashes for the silver screen. Modern nail polish was introduced in 1917, while lip gloss was developed in 1930 and became commercially available two years later. The French manicure, now a classic beauty staple, was created in 1975. 

Between the first and second World Wars, women increasingly embraced beauty products, inspired by glamorous actresses and flawless models featured in fashion magazines. During the 1950s and 1960s, television brought cosmetics advertisements directly into people's homes, transforming beauty products into everyday necessities. 

Mascara became one of the most essential items in a woman's handbag, with brands such as Maybelline leading the market. The 1980's also saw the return of mascara applied to the lower lashes, reviving a trend popular in the 1920s. New beauty tools, including eyelash curlers and eyebrow stencils, helped women recreate the looks of their favorite stars. 

Today, makeup is no longer simply a tool for meeting social expectations. While beauty standards continue to be shaped by trends and the cosmetics industry, makeup has also become a powerful form of self-expression and creativity. Some women prefer a natural look, others embrace vintage styles, and many use cosmetics as an artistic medium to create entirely new aesthetics.

Thousands of years after the first pigment was applied and the debate surrounding makeup continues. Society's beauty standards have changed each decade, but cosmetics remain deeply woven into women's culture and everyday life. As for me, learning about the history of makeup made me wonder how much of what we wear is influenced by society and how much is a reflection of our true selves. 

Tell me about your relationship with makeup, does it make you feel more confident, do you use it to shine or hide? Do you prefer a natural look?  I would love to read your opinion in the comments!

BAFTAs 2015 best dressed Cele-Brit-ies on the red carpet

Makeup is a not XXI century issue.

Mankind has always sought to excel in different areas of science, economics, medicine. Always looking to improve their social, economic and political status. But there is one area that is not spoken of. How the personal image of women  played an important role in society so that they could excel from the rest.

The research and studies about makeup (cosmetics) show that they have been around since the ancient Egypt.  Apparently everything began with the discovery of scented oils. The realized (or believed) that this scented oils had healing characteristics. Not only they were used for medicinal purposes but they used them for their religious rituals, the same happened with herbs, the not only consume them but they use them to apply the paint . Women and men started to apply to their face and bodies some kind of clay in different colors. This proof was found in Egyptian tombs and we also have the old drawings that show how they decorated themselves with the colors and shapes.

The Greek,Asian, Romans and Arabic cultures followed the medicinal/beauty rituals. During the 18th-Century pale skin was fashionable, even men used it! This white makeup was called Venetian Ceruse, it was made famous by Queen Elizabeth I. The upper class painted their face, neck and chest until it was completely pale, like porcelain. The Venetian Ceruse powder was mixed with vinegar which created a milky white powder. While today lead is considered a very lethal toxin, back in the 18th century the dangers of lead were very often overlooked.

During Queen Victoria’s mourning period, she declared that painted faces were vulgar. That a minimalist look (clothing and makeup) had to be the new rule. The Industrial Revolution made the mass production of cosmetics possible although many people continued to make cosmetics at home. However in the 19th century some people disapproved of women wearing makeup and it was often sold under the counter. The film director D.W. Griffith invented false eyelashes in 1916. Women have dyed their nails for centuries but modern nail varnish was invented in 1917. The French manicure was invented in 1975. Meanwhile modern lip gloss was invented in 1930 and went on sale in 1932.

Between the World Wars, women turned to beauty products, encouraged by flawless models featured in luxury fashion magazines.  In the 1950s and 60s television brought advertisements for cosmetics and hair products to people’s homes. Today, the products supplied by the cosmetics industry , from soap and bath oil to toothpaste and shaving foam play an important role in our daily personal hygiene routine.

Mascara from brand leaders such as Maybelline was an imperative cosmetic to have in your handbag. Though it wasn’t until the 1960s that women applied it again to lower lashes again ( like in 1920’s ). Loads of newly patented cosmetic tools like eyelash curlers and eyebrow stencils helped young women achieve the look of whatever starlet took their fancy.

Nowadays, women use makeup as they please. There is obviously beauty standards made by the cosmetics corporation and trends according to the seasons but it became a form of creativity. Some women want to look as natural as they can, some use vintage makeup style and others try to create trends.The question now is: 

• Why do women wear makeup? Is it because we want to look better or we want to be a different person? 

• Our makeup has become a mask to hide more than spots and freckles?

What's your style? 

www.localhistories.org

www.cosmeticseurope.eu