A journey through time: the fascinating history of makeup

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If you are like me, you probably wonder a lot, especially when it comes to makeup.

According to Merriam-Webster, makeup is defined as "cosmetics (such as lipstick, mascara and eyeshadow) used to color and beautify the face." In addition, a cosmetic is defined as "a preparation (such as cream, lotion or powder) used to improve a person's appearance.

Have you ever wondered where our modern-day makeup trends come from? For us makeup lovers (or anyone who is just curious about makeup in general), the key to understanding how beauty has evolved is to understand the evolution and origins of makeup.

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The earliest documented use of makeup dates back to at least 6,000 B.C., beginning with the Egyptians. They claimed that makeup was akin to divinity and that it appealed to the Gods of Egypt. It was worn by both men and women from all social classes, and it also symbolized wealth.

In terms of applicators and storage containers, improverished peasants typically relied on clay pots and pots. Meanwhile, the wealthy used boxes and applicators that were often bejeweled and crafted from ivory.

Popular makeup products that were used by the Egyptians included kohl, red lipstick and henna. The lipstick was made from a mixture of red ochre and fat. Kohl, which is still used today, is similar to black eyeshadow but used to line the eyes. It was usually made from galena, a grey ore. Back then, kohl was commonly paired with blue or green eyeshadow. In addition, Egyptians applied malachite (a green mineral) powder all over their eyelids, which was an ancient-day eyeshadow.

Egyptians not only beautified their faces, but also their bodies. They often used henna on their fingers and toes.

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Next, we fast forward to approximately 4,000 B.C., a time period when the people of Ancient Rome and Greece also used makeup. This marked the first time where a link between the concept of beauty and makeup was established. Using makeup was viewed as a sign of wealth and socioeconomic status. In addition, skincare was equally important as makeup.

Because white skin denoted a higher economic status, Roman women used chalk powder and white lead to whiten their skin. They also wore hints of color for their cheeks and lips, which were usually created by mixing fruits or plants with mercury and lead-based dyes. To emphasize eyebrows and eyes, a mixture of charcoal and olive oil was used. Now, the aforementioned ingredients are now considered toxic.

Roman women also utilized natural ingredients for skincare, including olive oil, honey, beeswax, almond oil and rosewater.

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The Middle Ages were somewhat of a bleak period in the makeup world. Because society was dominated by religion, makeup was often viewed as immoral. Putting on makeup in a noticeable way was often viewed as defying church authority. On the other hand, women were often faced with a dilemma because they were expected to wear just the right amount of makeup to attract a future husband.

During the Renaissance, the white-skin trend reemerged, particularly in the concept of Elizabethan beauty. In other words, the idea of beauty consisted of a fair complexion, red lips and bright eyes. Vinegar and white lead were used to lighten the skin. Women also colored their lips using egg whites, ochres and mercury (now discovered to be toxic). Lots of women plucked their eyebrows to give the impression of a larger forehead. All in all, these beauty trends were often considered extreme and posed significant risks to women.

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During the Victorian era, which lasted from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, cosmetic use was often associated with female prostitutes and actresses. As a result, people embraced a more natural look, and any makeup that altered the natural color was frowned upon. During this time, women began tweezing their brows to make them appear thinner, applied castor oil to their eyelashes and used beet juice or pinched their cheeks to make them look rosy.

However, by the 1900s, makeup gained greater socially accepted and grew in popularity. This popularity also made the first commercial cosmetics available to everyone.

By the 1920s, women were encouraged to wear makeup to compete against men for jobs. The signature look of the 1920s consisted of lips painted in a cupid's bow, eyes rimmed with kohl and bright red blush for the cheeks to give a smoky-eye effect.

A lot of makeup products became popular during the 1920s, including mascara, blush and lipstick. Blushes were available in cream, liquids and rouge papers to make application less messy. Many women achieved fuller lashes by mixing petroleum jelly with coal. It was available in tube, cake and liquid form applied with a brush. The metal lipstick container resulted in an increased popularity in lipstick, which was available in stick, liquid and salve forms.

During these times, women took inspiration from decades worth of major films and iconic actresses. With the rise of color movies, people were fully able to see the makeup that movie stars were wearing.

Major makeup brands such as Revlon, Max Factor and Elizabeth Arden contributed to the increase in popularity of makeup through their advertisements.

The 1940s returned to a more natural look, only to be replaced by the winged eyeliner and bright red lipstick of the 1950s, a trend that has resurfaced in modern times.

A crucial part of the 1950s makeup look was a winged or cat eyeliner. Commercial eyeliner was made available in liquid, gel and pencil forms. In addition, eyebrows were thicker in the inner corner and then tapered to a clean point.

The feminist movement emerged in the 1960s, with women either wearing very little makeup or embracing makeup as a badge of honor. So, makeup looks tipped on both ends of the scale. The beginning of the era saw a continuation of 1950s makeup trends, with matte eyeshadows (blues, greys or greens), a flicked upper eyeliner and pink or red lipsticks.

The distinctive dark eyeshadow crease look, known as the "mod" look, also emerged during this time period, pairing it with pale lips and pastel colors. Fake eyelashes also became increasingly popular. We have supermodel Twiggy to thank for that. All in all, the 1960s makeup look put the most emphasis on the eyes, while the rest of the face was kept natural.

Much like the 1960s, the 1970s was also a diverse decade for makeup looks. The early stage continued the natural "flower power" look of the 1960s, while the later stage started to see more glam looks.

To summarize, three makeup looks defined the 1970s: natural and barely there, soft and smoky and bold and daring.

Popular 1970s lip colors included cranberry and plums. On the other hand, pastels, pinks and peaches were also worn.

The 1970s hippie movement once again brought back the natural look, only to be replaced with the bold punk style of the 1980s, which, in turn, quickly gave way to the fresh-faced look of the late 20th century.

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Nowadays, anyone can choose from a huge array of makeup looks, including those inspired by past and picking up on brand new trends. With the rise of beauty YouTube channels and Instagram and TikTok accounts, makeup is being promoted to anyone and everyone regardless of race, class or gender.

As such, makeup is now accessible to everyone.