History of makeup (18th and 19th centuries)

During the 18th and 19th centuries, aesthetics and makeup trends underwent significant changes compared to previous eras. These changes were permeated by cultural, social and political alterations that left their mark on the conception of beauty and the application of makeup.

The 18th century saw a shift in attitudes toward makeup and beauty, influenced in part by the Enlightenment and social changes. Although makeup maintained its popularity in the European courts, especially among the upper social classes, a softer, more natural approach was adopted. Women used white powders and soft blushes to achieve a pale, delicate look. Unlike the thin, arched brows of the Renaissance, natural brows were again preferred, and women began to wear makeup more visibly during the day, emphasizing simplicity and naturalness.

In the 19th century, the Victorian era associated beauty with morality and virtue. The valuation of pale skin was maintained, using white powders, blushes and lipsticks in soft tones. Science and medicine influenced makeup, giving rise to products with supposedly beneficial properties for the skin. As the century progressed, changes in gender roles and women's participation in society were reflected in fashion and makeup, promoting personal expression and individuality. Makeup also came to the fore in theater and entertainment, adopting more dramatic and elaborate styles to highlight facial expressions on stage.

As for specific trends in the 17th and 18th centuries, the obsession with pale faces prevailed, sprinkling talcum powder or rice flour on the face, neck and décolleté. France set the canon of beauty, frowning on blush on eyes and cheeks. Women sought a pale look, and in the absence of blushers, they pinched themselves so that the blood would pigment their cheekbones.

In Asia, especially in Japan with the Geishas, a distinctive make-up was used to highlight features in a suggestive way. White makeup covered the face, neck and hands, with strategic unpainted areas to accentuate sensuality. Eyes and eyebrows were highlighted with charcoal, and lips were painted in the shape of a heart.

In the 16th century, after the arrival in America, new materials were discovered to make cosmetic products, reducing risks and toxicity. Makeup became essential in the English and French courts. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the euphoria for make-up was evident in men and women of high society, with extravagant make-up and lipsticks composed of black grape extract and orcanthus. Baroque fashion took the obsession with makeup to exaggerated levels.

In Spain, between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, women used a perfumed ointment for the lips, colored with black grape juice and orcaneta juice. Although widespread, this custom was criticized.

The obsession with makeup in Western Europe continued into the 17th and 18th centuries, with France setting the standards. Pale skin remained an ideal, with talcum powder and flour being applied to various visible areas. These techniques were accessible to the wealthy classes, differentiating them from the lower classes. In these centuries, the obsession with makeup increased, reaching levels of exaggeration and extravagance, like powdering the face in excess.

I hope you liked this blog and remember that "beauty and intelligence are two jewels that, when combined, create an incomparable treasure." See you in the next blog. Remember to leave a like, comment, and follow me on social media.