History of Makeup

When it comes down to the history of Makeup, it has been an integral part of humankind for thousands of years. Women throughout history put their health at risk with many of their homemade cosmetics. Thankfully, we've come a long way from the days of using toxic and deadly mixtures to enhance our looks. Today's multibillion dollar cosmetic industry must meet strict government regulations about what it can and cannot include in products and must follow safe manufacturing guidelines.
History of Makeup Egyptians:
The earliest historical record of makeup comes from Egypt. This is not to say that the Egyptians were the first to use face makeup, rather they were among the first to document the importance of face makeup as an important part of culture as seen in the discovery of ancient Egyptian tomb paintings. The women of Egypt decorated their eyes by applying dark green color to the under lid and blackening the lashes and the upper lid with kohl. It is believed that the Jews adopted the use of makeup from the Egyptians, since references to the painting of faces appear in the New Testament section of the Bible. From the copper and lead ore that the ancient Egyptians used to create the world's first cosmetics to the scientifically advanced products of today that can do everything from hide pores, smooth complexions and turn the pale green of your eyes a vivid shade of emerald, makeup has been an integral part of humankind for thousands of years.
History of Makeup Romans:
Romans widely used cosmetics by the middle of the 1st century AD. Women wore white lead and chalk on their faces in Greco-Roman society. Persian women used henna dyes to stain their hair and faces with the belief that these dyes enabled them to summon the majesty of the earth. Over the centuries, women used burnt matches to darken their eyes, berries to stain their lips and young boys' urine to fade their freckles. During the Italian Renaissance, women wore lead paint on their faces. The damage inflicted by the lead was unintentional—but arsenic face powder wasn't. Aqua Toffana, named for creator Signora Toffana, was a face powder designed for women from rich families.
History of Makeup England:
In Elizabethan England, cosmetics were seen as a health threat because many thought they would block vapors and energy from circulating properly. Because men's makeup wasn't as obvious as women's (women wore egg whites over their faces to create a glazed look), it was seen as even more deceptive than women's. Victorians claimed to abhor makeup. Around the time of the Victorian Era, face makeup began to be associated with prostitutes and actresses When makeup regained acceptance in the late 19th century, it was with natural tones so that the healthy, pink-cheeked look could be achieved without giving in to the moral decadence of full makeup, which was still seen as sinful.
History of Makeup European and Spanish:
Face makeup continued to evolve as did time. By the Middle Ages European cultures added to the popularity of pale skin. Pale skin became known as a sign of wealth and stature in society. Fashionable sixth-century women would achieve the look by bleeding themselves. Spanish prostitutes wore pink makeup to contrast with high-class women's pale faces, while regal 13th-century Italian women wore pink lipstick to show they could afford synthetic makeup. The Victorian face was in fashion until mass makeup marketing hit in the 1920s. American women gained the vote, and the newly liberated woman showed how free she was by displaying her right to speak out—red lipstick practically became a social necessity.
History of Makeup American:
It may be difficult to imagine makeup of the 1900's as modern, but it indeed is the beginning of the cosmetic industry as we see it today. With the rise of mass media, television, cinema pictures, and transportation, the makeup industry grew by leaps and bounds. By the 1930's makeup was available to women of al social classes. Women had icons like Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich to use as role models. Cosmetics giants like Max Factor, Elizabeth Arden, Revlon, and Lancôme flourished. Makeup became both sensual and polished. Women had a variety of shades to use and nail polish to match. . From the 1930s through the 1950s, the looks of various movie stars defined vogue, from Mary Pickford's baby-doll face to Audrey Hepburn's cat-eyes eyeliner. The '60s brought a slew of makeup changes, from whited-out lips and Egyptian-style eyeliner to fantasy images like butterflies painted on faces at high-fashion outings.
History of Makeup Today:
The more technologically advance the world becomes, the more emphasis is put upon fresh, clean makeup that conceals visible signs of aging and turns back time. Words like fresh, beneficial, pure, natural, anti-aging have become part of today's makeup vocabulary. In today's world, a woman has literally hundreds of cosmetics to choose from, with a wide variety of colors and uses. For a younger look, the options available are as simple as skin hydrators and rejuvenators, advancing to chemical skin peels, the now-popular Botox, collagen injections, and ending with the more-drastic surgical facelift.
We have come full circle with materials the earth has given as the basis for cosmetics as was the case thousands of years ago. Today's trend seems to have reverted to the more natural look with a blending of styles from the past. Even so, it is important to reflect on one's inner beauty as the real beauty of a woman. Outer beauty will not remain forever, no matter what drastic measures are taken. We have all heard the saying, "The eyes are the windows to the soul". Look into your own orbits, take stock of the woman inside, and be happy with who you are. This will reflect on your outlook on life, which will send a message to others, and will be returned to you through their reactions to the beautiful you.
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