Who Invented Makeup?

The history of women (and to some extent men) sprucing themselves up to gain an appearance which is not natural, dates backs to the Egyptians. It is possible that the art of ‘make up’ existed before the Egyptians but the recorded history doesn’t take us that far back in time. To narrow down, who among the Egyptians was the first person to use the art is near to an impossible task – no one knows who invented make up.

The earliest archaeological evidence which suggests the use of cosmetics dates back to the 3500 BC in the ancient Egypt. People in China used to trim their nails as early as the 30th century BC. Japanese geishas also applied white rice powder on their faces. The Europeans, on the other hand, didn’t think very highly of pampering oneself. A possible reason could be; because they didn’t have much of an idea about how to apply make up or to go for the right kind of materials; ‘make up’ often did more harm than good. For example; some of them used ‘white lead’ to whiten their faces, which is a cause of lead poisoning.

The early Islamic scientists did some research into cosmetics and one of them, Abu al-Qssum al-Zahrawi who wrote a 24-volume encyclopedia on medicine, devoted the 19th volume to the ‘Medicine of Beauty’ (make up). It was only when this book was translated into Latin, did the Europeans come to know the art of ‘make up’ and then they improved on it. In the 20th century, with the spread of television, theaters and ballets, the protagonists on the screen influenced the popular mindset. There was no dearth of people who wanted to look like the actors or actresses on the TV screen. This gave the cosmetics companies a big boost. The trend is no where near the end even in the first decade of the 21st century.

2012 Makeup Trends

In addition to clothing and accessories, the fashion world would not be complete without makeup. As with clothing, makeup also has its own trends each season. According to many fashion weeks, main trends are full eyebrows, colorful eye shadow, and healthy looking skin. Takes note of the looks that you like and adapt them to your look.

1.Vampy Lipstick – Lipstick’s most iconic color was reinvented this season, proving that there are endless ways to wear a dramatic red. With inspirations that ranged from pop art expressionisms at Jason Wu to art deco experimentation at Rick Owens to Betty Draper-style elegance at Dior, it’s a great time to go for rouge.

2. Modern Cat Eyes – The familiar flick of liner returned to the outer corners of eyes but this time fashioned with inventive, even playful, variations (who says that up-tick has to be tapered? Why not apply two layers of liner instead of one?).

3. Healthy Skin – Both striking and feminine at the same time, the look of bold brows dominated the runways, recalling sixties-era icons like Liz Taylor. The best examples are darkened with pigment, brushed up, and shaped with a dramatic, willful arch.

4.Extreme Smoky Eyes – The seriously smudged-out eyes spotted on the runways made allusions to film noir beauty, troubled painters, and punk rockers. Beautiful and daring, the style doesn’t require a steady hand to pull off — just plenty of un-shaking confidence.

5.Sporty Cheeks – Athleticism inspired the dewy, sun-splashed cheeks seen backstage. Makeup artists mimicked the effects of the being out in the sun by contouring the high parts of the face with lush peach bronze. Skin even seemed sunburned at some shows — but in this case, the illusion proved to be prettier than the real thing.

6. Silver Metallics – Reflective washes of white silver sparked up the eyes and brow bones. The moonbeam hue subtly graced the lids at Chanel and Ralph Lauren while dramatic streaks of it were seen at Phillip Lim. No matter where the color is applied, choose a creamy finish, perfect for blending into skin so it seems to shine from within.

7.Brilliant Pops of Color – The nude face wasn’t entirely nude — vivid bursts of color created a pretty, painterly effect that opened up the eyes and added warmth to the skin. While some looks are merely meant to be admired (that would be the red streaks at Miu Miu), others are equally creative and wearable. Take your pick.

8.Doll Eyelashes – Designers went into the dollhouse this season. Whether curled or feathery, the precise lashes immitated the fixed fringe seen on painted, blinking eyelids. But leave it to Victor & Rolf to put a punk twist on this make-believe moment by showing off fuchsia lashes, which kept things from being too precious.

9. Glittery Eyes – Tin foil and fairy-dust went from the art supply aisle into the kits of make-up artists. Striking a balance between totally eccentric and daring chic, the embellished eyes answered the question of how to stand out in a crowd this season.

10.Rosebud Lips – The darling buds of spring — ah so romantic, and so lovely on lips. The soft rose color blends in beautifully on all skin tones, especially when paired with a similarly toned blush, as makeup artists were fond of doing at the shows. Go for a creamy lipstick, then pat it in with the fingers or blot with a tissue for a delicate stain.