The earliest historical record of makeup comes from the 1st Dynasty of Egypt. 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, which was made from antimony (a metallic element) or soot. It is believed that the Jews adopted the use of makeup from the Egyptians.
Romans widely used cosmetics by the middle of the 1st century AD. Kohl was used for darkening eyelashes and eyelids, chalk was used for whitening the complexion, and rouge was worn on the cheek.
As a Victorian beauty regimen, a woman would pluck her eyebrows, massage castor oil into her eyelashes, use rice powder to dust her nose. Lipstick was not used, but clear pomade would be applied to add sheen. However some of these products contained a dye to discretely enhance natural lip color. For a healthy look, red beet juice would be rubbed into the cheeks, or the cheeks would be pinched. For bright eyes, a drop of lemon juice in each eye would do the trick.
The real evolution actually began during the 1910's. By then, women made their own form of mascara by adding hot beads of wax to the tips of their eyelashes. The first mascara formulated was named after Mabel, the sister of its creator, T. L. This mascara is known today as Maybelline. In 1914, Max Factor introduced his pancake makeup. During this decade, the first pressed powders were introduced which included a mirror and puff for touch ups. Pressed powder blush followed soon after.
The Victorian look remained in fashion until mass makeup marketing came about during the 1920's. The newly emancipated woman of America began to display her independence by free use of red lipstick, which was often scented with cherry. By the late '20's, visible makeup was considered a must by rural women. During this decade, lip gloss was introduced by Max Factor. New shades of red lipstick were developed, although were soap-based and very drying. The first eyelash curler came on the scene, called Kurlash. Even though it was expensive and difficult to use, this did not detract from its popularity. Mascara in cake and cream form was extremely vogue.
From the 1930's through the 1950's, various movie stars proved to be the models for current trends in makeup.
With the '60's and the hippies came a more liberated makeup look, from white lips and Egyptian-lined eyes to painted images on faces. Heavily lined eyes continued through the '70's and '80's with a wide range of eye shadow colors. Today's trend seems to have reverted to the more natural look with a blending of styles from the past.
If I myself were to live again in the past, I would have to live in the 70's. Just because I love how hippies expressed themselfs in their makeup, hair and clothes.
I like this.
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