Makeup in the 20th century

Makeup has remained a significant part of humankind since thousands of years. There have also been instances where women are known to put themselves at risk by using cosmetics.

This is no longer the case nowadays with people abstaining from the usage of deadly or toxic mixtures.

Now, the cosmetic products are manufactured following government guidelines and are required to be made according to strict government rules.

Egypt records the first history of makeup. This does not mean that Egyptians introduced the usage of makeup but they were the first to manifest the importance of makeup.

Makeup in the Victorian Period

The Victorian era does not accept make up as a form of art or as a sign of wealth and culture, which was the cult in the earlier ages.


They usually associated face makeup with actors and prostitutes. Women during this period did not allow the Sun to change the tone of their skin, nor did they allow alterations on their skin through usage of make-up.

Their makeup solely consisted in covering their skin and using parasol for protection of their skin and keeping them light skinned. They mainly applied honey oatmeal, rosewater, egg yolks, or rosewater as cosmetics. They even plucked their eyebrows.

Their usage of powder was mainly limited to the usage of rice powders. Although cosmetic usage or skin lightening by making use of cosmetics was not exceptionally popular, women tended to make use of it but that was also from natural ingredients.

The usage of these natural cosmetic cures consisted in use of beet juice for coloring their cheeks or limejuice, which was used for skin lightening.

Be pale and sickly: The fashion statement of the 1900s

From the beginning of 1900, the pale and sickly look achieved immense popularity. In the 20th century, most of the women appeared sickly and pale looking mostly due to frequent outbreak of tuberculosis. Healthy women made use of this look as makeup and even made it popular.

In order to carry this look, they started drinking arsenic and vinegar, and dropped belladonna, an extremely poisonous liquid into their eyes, which gave them a dreamy and a misty look.

Actually, it was fashionable to look sickly during this period. They even emphasized their under-eye makeup and crimson lips or pink cheeks were even added to this sickly makeup. Probably, there are even some cosmetics that made use of harmful chemicals, thereby further adding up to some skin issues.

Some lipsticks as well as other cosmetic products are even known to have some used questionable ingredients. Cosmetic sales are known to have increased by about 100% during this period.

Modern makeup begins in 1900

Although it is somewhat difficult imagining makeup in the 1900s modern, actually this era marks the emergence of cosmetic industry. Makeup industry as well as the usage of cosmetics gained further popularity with the introduction of television, mass media, as well as transportation and communication.

In the beginning of 1900, pale skin was primarily considered to be a sign of leisure and wealth, while tanned skin was mainly connected with working class people.

By 1930, make-up became available to women from all social classes. It is during this era that women started calling Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo their icons. This era sees women making use of different shades as their nail polish or lipstick.

With the growth of the makeup industry, more varieties were being added up to the already existing booming industry of cosmetics. This period also witnesses the introduction of environment friendly, and quality products from various cosmetic companies.


Conclusion

Makeup in the 20th century introduces mostly modern make up that has remained popular till today, only with the exception of the introduction of more variety and types of make-up available today.

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