Makeup has always played an important part in the total look of fashion and image alike. Fashion looks tend to come and go but image consulting advocates learningTo fully understand why women wear makeup today, we must recognize the history and cultural significance behind it. Below we cover a brief history of makeup dating back to the Egyptian times up to the present plus we go over tips for looking your best without overdoing it with face paint.
When Did Makeup Become Popular?
As you’re about to find out, makeup has been popular for quite a while.
Ancient Egypt
Makeup was first recorded in ancient Egyptian times and provided several benefits. Kohl (an eye cosmetic used to line the eyes) was widely available in North Africa and was thought to protect the skin from flies and infections and is still used in eyeliner products today!
Imperial China
According to China Daily, in Imperial China, around 700 BCE, a form of foundation was created from ground fine rice or sometimes lead. Women used it to lighten their skin. In the time of the Shang dynasty, rouge was created from the juices of flowers and mixed with livestock entrails, increasing the color payoff. Women began shaving their eyebrows and redrawing them during the Han dynasty period. Like people copy celebrity fads, makeup in this time was typically used to please the current emperor. If the wife of that emperor wore a particular style, common folk would tend to follow.
From the Renaissance to the Enlightenment
During the 17th and 18th centuries, white lead paint became a primary foundation choice as Queen Elizabeth I of England considered it her “holy grail” of products. By the 1700s, men and women wore white foundation, red rouge, and powdered wigs. Unfortunately, lead-based foundation poisoned many women as well as men.
The Victorian Era
In the Victorian era, face powder from China became popular in Europe to hide blemishes or freckles, while lip balm was regularly used to soften the lips and increase shine. At this time, being of lighter skin became more desirable as it was a sign of wealth and privilege since working-class Europeans had to work outdoors; which tanned the skin. And although women at the time knew arsenic was poisonous, some women risked death for beauty and took pills laced with trace amounts of the toxin to lighten their skin.
The Gilded Age & Gibson Girls
According to Sanda Sava Make-Up, in the early 20th century, makeup was not incredibly popular. Women who worked in cabarets and films were typically the only cosmetics wearers. Similar to Victorian times in Europe, pale skin was a sign of wealth and was achieved using paint that contained arsenic.
From Flappers to Hollywood’s Golden Age
By the 1920s, flappers rebelled against the no-makeup look of the Gibson Girl and applied cosmetics to attract attention. At the same time, Coco Chanel made tanning famous, and pale skin started to go out of fashion.
Many of the present-day cosmetics companies flourished in the 1930s. L’Oréal, Maybelline, and Elizabeth Arden brands were created and typically contained safe ingredients. Makeup rose in popularity, thanks to stars like Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo.
The Post- War Era
Despite rationing in Europe and austere times during the war, women managed to afford their lipstick and powder so cosmetics experienced a boom from then on. In the late 1960s we piled on the eye shadow, eye liner and false eyelashes but in the 1970s, the feminist movement called for ditching cosmetics and throwing them in trash cans in public protests. In the late 1970s, cosmetics became popular again and there were generally two camps – a “barely there” daytime look for the girl next door, and a heavy made-up look for seductive nights out. At this time, women became more concerned about the products they were using, and by the 80’s heavy contouring and highlighting became popular.
Makeup Trends in the 21st Century
In present times, makeup can be fun and creative. Thanks to vloggers and how-to videos from social media influencers, there’s a plethora of advice for achieving the perfect face. But following the latest YouTube makeup tutorial for applying a full face can take upwards of an hour or more! Furthermore, many of those looks are designed for appearing on camera and can look overdone in real life.
Why Do Women Wear Makeup?
While makeup has been around since ancient times, more people today are in search of ways to feel beautiful with less makeup. As girls we are taught typically to see makeup as “beautiful” from childhood – Disney princesses, Barbie dolls, and your mother use cosmetics. You grow to see this as mature and can’t wait to try it on your own. Some girls begin to wear makeup in pre-teen years and by teenage they view cosmetics as a way to attract boys
As women, we learn from marketing and advertising that true beauty means perfect, airbrushed skin without a trace of freckles, blemishes, or scars. After this barrage of messages, young girls and women like us begin tailoring our preferences in appearance to an ideal and unrealistic false image. We try to hide what others may perceive as flaws, though studies have shown that light makeup enhances beauty while heavy makeup can detract from it.
London Image Institute has a worldwide reputation for teaching image consultants how to create a polished image for both themselves and their clients. For more information on where to get in-depth training on improving your image and becoming an image consultant, contact us today.
Is Less More When it Comes to Wearing Makeup?
Has your reflection without makeup ever made you feel insecure? Have you ever wished you could look a little better without a 37-step full face routine? Every woman can feel and look her best with little to no makeup.
We’ve all heard it before, “less is more.” But is that true when it comes to cosmetics? A skilled makeup artist, Melissa Hoffman, says, “When you show your true self, you build trust by exposing who you are without the protective mask of makeup.”
Focus on Self-Confidence
The first piece of advice is to increase your confidence. Being happy with who you are, and those features that make you unique lay an excellent foundation for feeling your best without painstakingly obsessing over your makeup application.
Heavy Makeup Ages You
Wearing less makeup has physical benefits too! Heavy cosmetics can age you by causing dry skin and wrinkles, pimples, or other breakouts. Using less makeup is not only skin-friendly, but it also saves time and money.
How to Apply Less Makeup and Look Your Best
There are four simple to follow tips that allow you to look your best with less makeup.
#1 Avoid Layering
You don’t need layers of moisturizer, primer, foundation, concealers, and powder.
If you’re looking to cut down on time and products used, a Blemish Balm or Color Correcting cream can be your best friend says Fashionista WHO? She describes Blemish Balm creams as first becoming popular in Asia. They provide a thin coverage and other skin benefits like antioxidants or SPF. Similarly, Color Correcting creams have balm cream benefits with a smooth, natural finish and the ability to color correct redness or dullness.
#2 Go for Natural
Go for more natural-looking eyebrows and eyelashes.
For eyebrows, a tinted brow gel is lighter and easier to use than drawing in your eyebrows fully. You can use a quick swipe of mascara rather than two to three coats to extend the lashes without clumping them.
#3 Opt for Lip Balm
Use tinted lip balms instead of lipstick.
For lips, tinted lip balm can go a long way in adding just a slight touch of color without overdoing it. Even if your lip product smears, the tint is usually so light that it is unnoticeable.
#4 Save the Highlights
Save contouring and highlighting for photographs and special occasions.
There are more natural alternatives than contour and highlight products. Rather than using contour, blush and highlighter, opt for a light touch of blush instead which provides a hint of color.
How to Look Good with No Makeup
No law says you must wear makeup. You can still have a polished appearance, professional appearance with little to no cosmetics at all.
#1 Focus On Skincare, Not Cosmetics
One of the best tips from My Awesome Beauty is to focus on your skincare – allowing you to forego heavy foundations. Exfoliating with a facial scrub can remove acne scars and dead skin that make your skin lackluster. After exfoliating, using a moisturizer is vital to restore the soft and silky feel of healthy skin. Properly hydrating the skin even reduces wrinkles.
Focus on Your Signature Style Instead of Makeup
Another way to feel your best with minimal makeup is to wear clothing and accessories that express your personality. Rather than applying heavy eye makeup, full highlighting, contour and lipstick, you can channel that energy into putting together outfits that help you feel confident.
Final Thoughts
Today, makeup of all types is acceptable for wear. Women have choices and can choose to wear the “barely there” look, a full face of heavy makeup, or even artistic looks that are more like painting on canvas! The primary advice is to ensure that you feel comfortable and confident in whichever look you choose.
London Image Institute has a worldwide reputation for teaching image consultants how to create a polished image for both themselves and their clients. For more information on where to get in-depth training on improving your image and becoming an image consultant, contact us today!
