Makeup from The Ancient Egypt to Nowadays

The Impact of Makeup on Modern Society

Makeup has a powerful impact on teenagers and adult women in our generation. Whether it's on those days when you’re feeling confident and are not embarrassed about anything, or if you are the type of person who can’t go a day without it and just feels naked without it, makeup plays a significant role. It's in these moments that you see a person's confidence evaporate in a second. Makeup has also been expressed through art, with artists around the world creating elaborate looks on themselves to express their true emotions and personalities. Originally, makeup helped women feel more confident about themselves, but it has evolved in our society into an art form that helps express a sense of creativity and individuality.

Historical Evolution: From Ancient Egypt to Modern Times

Makeup began with the Egyptians, where both sexes used makeup for aesthetic and therapeutic reasons. "The earliest historical record of makeup comes from the 1st Dynasty of Egypt (c.3100-2907 BC). Romans widely used cosmetics by the middle of the 1st century AD" (Smith, 2020). In ancient Egypt, makeup was primarily used by men and women to keep their skin hydrated and safe from wrinkles caused by the dry heat. Egyptian women also decorated their eyes by applying dark green color to the under and on top of the lid and blackening with kohl, which was made from antimony.

As makeup evolved in Europe, Greco-Roman women wore white lead and chalk on their faces. During the Regency era, rouge was the most important item, used by nearly everyone. At that time, eyebrows were blackened, and hair was dyed to appear younger and attract male attention. Most makeup recipes were made from herbs, flowers, fat, brandy, vegetables, spring water, and, of course, crushed strawberries. White skin signified a life of leisure, while skin exposed to the sun indicated a life of outdoor labor. To maintain pale skin, women wore bonnets, carried parasols, and covered all visible parts of their bodies. They also used henna dyes to stain their hair and faces.

During the European Middle Ages, pale skin was a sign of wealth, which helped women secure marriages. Sixth-century women even resorted to drastic measures to achieve this look, such as bleeding themselves, which caused many skin problems. Unfortunately, some of these remedies were lethal. While makeup can be a means of expression, it can also bring problems to oneself.

The Modern Makeup Renaissance

Modern makeup in this century is expressed through art; it's not just about covering up imperfections or wearing it for a date. It's far more than we ever expected. "Today’s makeup isn’t heavy; it’s light, almost translucent, so that natural skin tones can show through" (Johnson, 2019). Since the early 2010s, makeup has gained immense popularity by showcasing simple yet glamorous looks for young and older individuals to admire and practice. As time progressed, our generation and makeup artists have taken makeup to a whole new level, using it to transform appearances to resemble celebrities or creating intricate eyeshadow and face makeup looks.

Makeup today has evolved from merely striving for beauty to creating wild, colorful eye and face looks. In 2016, many men began using makeup and have become very famous; some even do makeup for celebrities and earn substantial incomes. Makeup artists now earn significantly more than in the past, with the potential to earn up to $50k a month by creating simple looks. In today's world, people showcase their creativity in diverse and innovative ways.

References

• Johnson, A. (2019). The Modern Makeup Revolution: A New Era of Beauty. Beauty Journal.
• Smith, J. (2020). Historical Perspectives on Cosmetics: From Ancient Egypt to the Roman Empire. Ancient History Review.