It is interesting to know that during 10,000 BC, ancient Egyptian men and women of noble families have used various forms of cosmetics while performing daily routines. They used milk in bathing, applied scented oils and have worn wigs in ceremonies. Women at that time already had eye shadows made from crushed wings of beetles, kohl and other natural minerals. Eye shadows were applied using sharpened twigs. Instead of leather pouches, women had makeup boxes which they carried on special events.
During the medieval 750-1515 AD, there was less focus on makeup. In its place, women placed highlights on their foreheads. Hair adornments were placed above shaved hairlines. To cover unsightly areas or scars on the body and face, women used velvet patches shaped like stars and half moons.
The reign of Queen Elizabeth I and King Louis XIV, the trend among women was to have a pale skin. The pale complexion was achieved by applying lead dye. However, the use of lead die resulted to death and disfigurement of users. Lye was used to bleach the hair even though it was accounted for hair fall. To cover for the loss of hair, women and men alike wore intricate wigs which were applied with lard so they are held in place.
The Victorian period from 1837-1901 is the dark period for makeup. Makeup cosmetics were regarded as evil and so were radically moderated. Cheek makeup or then called rouge was associated with evil night ladies. It was in 1863, Alexandre Napoleon Bourjois had come up with rouge which was used by well known stage actresses. Since then, his rouge has caught on with other women. Yushin Fukuhara, the first Japanese pharmacist trained in the US, in 1872 founded Shiseido. Since then Japan had known what face powder and toothpaste are.
In 1910 during the World’s Fair, Polish Max Factor wowed the audience with a model adorned with body painting. Since then he became the most sought for makeup artist for actresses. In 1920, Flapper look was the trend, it entailed publicly smoking women with bob hair cut, eyes are smoky made up and lips are painted red.
Red lipstick managed to flourish in the market even during World War II. In 1950, the red lipstick was matched with dark and full eye rows and long eyelashes. Peach and pink colored lipsticks were introduced in the early 1950s through early 1960s. The no make-up look was dominant as 1960s ended. In the middle of 1970s, women wore just foundation on their faces.
The time of the 1980s was the beginning of liberal use of brightly colored makeup from reds to greens, to blues and yellow. During mid 1980s, sun protection was added to foundations as well as with moisturizers. By the end of the decade, makeup manufacturers offered colors for multi cultural complexions. Technicolor was popular during 1990s. Futuristic styles were dominant by the end of the decade.
To find your nearest fashion stores and accessories outlets across Australia, where you can find a range of cosmetics to direct selling of cosmetics stores near you. Please visit Australia’s Fashion Directory today.
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