History behind Makeup

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OHHH Yes!! Do we all know the ancient origin of makeup? Is there anyone with a clue about the Victorian era and how women embracement was enhanced through their facial outlook? Can people especially women today live without makeup? All these queries give enlightenment to today’s topic of discussion the ‘History behind Makeup.’ Everyone understands and can relate makeup because it is the basic thing that people use in their day-to-day lives to initiate appealing facial outlooks. It is all over the world, and I am sure that everyone has either used makeup before, has ever come across one or have a clue of what it is through friends’ conversations. It is guaranteed that most ladies in this room use makeup whether it is for darkening the eyes, coloring the lips or covering pores and pimples on the face.

I usually have an interest in understanding the history behind makeup since it originated and how it has developed up to today where it emerges among the well-doing sector of the beauty industry internationally. The most exciting thing in makeup history is that nature forced the illiterate women of ancient Egypt to be innovative as they desired to have a different facial look with darker eyes and more appealing lips. Initially, women were unaware of the dangers they put their health life in, but it all opened opportunities to many especially in the modern society where beauty products and cosmetics have a high demand due to a high number of consumers both men and women. Tracing the history behind makeup can be challenging, but an astonishing experience as it gives an illumination of how the cosmetics were developed from nowhere to globally accepted products acting as a significant source of income and employment to many. To facilitate elaborate understanding of the topic of discussion, I will explain the history of makeup during various eras in its process of evolution, look at its health standards and people’s perception about it in the modern society.

So let us look at ancient Egypt and Victorian eras and their related history regarding makeup.

Ancient Egypt was the source of makeup, and Egyptian women first wore it. They darkened their eyes using burnt matches, stained their lips with berries and used young boys’ urine to fade their fleckless (Walter, et.al 1999). During the Victorian era, the European women began to embrace cosmetics and makeup as they could apply rice powder on their faces to hide redness, blemishes, and spots. The classy women of this period would apply makeups made pearl and zinc oxide powder. These traditional cultures regarding cosmetics are essential in the world’s civilization as even today the makeups are applied at the similar body parts they used to and with that everybody using them believes she is beautiful. For example, eye shadow has remained to be applied under the eyebrows and on the eyelids to make the users more attractive.

The initially invented cosmetic powders were hazardous to human skin, but things have changed with government intervention and legalization of the makeup business.

At the start, women made makeup powders from health risking elements such as mercury, lead, and arsenic as they did not have the know-how on how these substances could affect their health. The homemade cosmetics involved mixing toxic and deadly components to make people look nice, but ended up putting many in skin cancer risks among other associated health problems. Culturally women only applied these locally produced cosmetics as they did not have an insight on any effects or type of disease associated with these close by available resources (BH Cosmetics, 2019). However, these beautifying products developed their inner selves and women had the belief that they were prettier with them than before.

Even though some cultures still make use of traditionally homemade cosmetics, the governments all over the world take an initiative of ensuring makeups are suitable for consumers’ use.

Today, scientific advancement has led to the production of every type of makeup that one can think of as they are produced for diversified purposes ranging from smooth complexions, hide poles and turn your pale green eyes to any desired shade outlook. For many years, cosmetics have been an integral part of human lives and acts by giving people confidence on who they are as the physical outlook significantly tells who one is. It is through self-acceptance that people gain the courage of standing up in front of others to present their ideas and share opinions on various occasions. Makeup can be rated among the most significant factors that have empowered women in terms of career opportunities, politics, and directness in socio-cultural development.

It is through cosmetics popularity that the beauty product industry has radically developed and diversified in various subsectors depending on the tastes and preferences of the target consumers.

The beauty products industry is currently employing a significant number of people in various fields whether it is producing, marketing or giving the services of applying makeups. Makeup have a long history line since ancient Egypt and changes have made it a reliable source of income. It does not only lead to economic development in the society but also builds self-confidence and women participation in the community. Therefore, the government should continue working in ensuring that the right quality cosmetics are produced and individuals should support each other when it comes to the purchase and use of makeup. Thank you.

References

“A Brief History Of Makeup”. Her Campus, 2019, https://www.hercampus.com/school/bu/brief-history-makeup.

“History Of Makeup | History Of Cosmetics | BH Cosmetics LLC”. BH Cosmetics, 2019, https://www.bhcosmetics.com/pages/resources-makeup-and-cosmetics-history.

Parry, C., & Eaton, J. (1991). Kohl: a lead-hazardous eye makeup from the Third World to the First World. Environmental health perspectives, 94, 121-123.

Walter, P., Martinetto, P., Tsoucaris, G., Brniaux, R., Lefebvre, M. A., Richard, G., … & Dooryhée, E. (1999). Making make-up in ancient Egypt. Nature, 397(6719), 483.