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drop us a line!This Let's Dish! subject is the third and final installment of the history of makeup. If you missed the first two you can see them here:
http://blissguild.blogspot.com/2009/09/lets-dish.htmlhttp://blissguild.blogspot.com/2009/10/lets-dish.html
Makeup became heavier in the 18th century, causing medical complications such as tooth decay, adverse skin conditions, and poisonings. Lead and sulfur (for enhancing the cleavage), mercury (for covering blemishes) and white lead (for whitening the complexion) were often the culprits.
In Victorian times makeup became the mark of a loose woman, though women went to great lengths to hide their use of cosmetics. To make eyes bright some women ate small amounts of arsenic or washed their eyes with lemon juice, or worse yet, belladonna, the juice of the poisonous nightshade. Natural ingredients such as oatmeal, honey, and egg yolks were also very popular.
In the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras, ladies of society liked to preserve the myth of being naturally beautiful. A Mrs. Henning, who owned a beauty salon in London, had a special back door for her clients. Heavily veiled, a lady would hurriedly alight from her carriage and disappear into the discreet entrance. Mrs. Henning sold creams and rouges.
The 20th century brought about safer cosmetics and a new freedom of choice to wear excessive or natural makeup as the wearer desired. In the 1920s and 30s, lipsticks and the first liquid nail polish along with several forms of base powders and blushes and the first powder compact were seen. Cosmetics were now a booming business. The 1920s brought about another revolution; the Tan. No longer did women strive for the pale, wilted flower look. The wealthy of the 1920’s prided themselves of not having to work, but also the ability to go outside and play.
By the 1930’s makeup was available to women of all social classes. Cosmetic giants like Max Factor, Elizabeth Arden, and Revlon flourished. Variety opened the door for the remaining part of the century, and a high demand for eco friendly, safe, quality products brought forth a slew of new companies including Christian Dior and Clinique, providing women with classic makeup for all skin types.
The desire to have sensual eyes and lips, soft and youthful looking skin has never changed. From the kohl, arsenic, berries, and lead powders of centuries past, to the advanced products of today that can hide pores, remove wrinkles, erase age spots, smooth complexions, make your lashes longer, and turn the pale green of your eyes to a vivid shade of emerald, makeup as been an integral part of humankind for thousands of years.
So what's new in the cosmetic world? To name a few; chemical peels,
botox, collagen injections, lip and eyebrow tatoos, cosmetic surgery, anti-oxidant products, and
the first and only eyelash growth treatment.
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