History of makeup (Middle Ages)

The Middle Ages spanned from the 5th century to the 15th century, and was a period of great influence of the Catholic Church and religious morality. Makeup at this time was heavily influenced by the religious beliefs and social norms of the time. Makeup was considered immoral and associated with witchcraft and vanity, which led to social disapproval of its use.

According to the doctrine of this faith, the body was created in the image and likeness of God and did not need cosmetics to beautify it. Makeup was considered immoral and associated with witchcraft, vanity and temptation, which led to social disapproval of its use. Despite this position of the Church, women continued to use makeup thanks to their ingenuity in creating natural products that made them more beautiful.

The dominant ideal of beauty in Medieval Europe was directly related to the literature of the time and courtly love, where the knight is sincerely and nobly moved by his lady, who should look like the Virgin Mary, considered the ideal woman. Therefore, pale skin, straight or lightly curled blonde hair, preferably, was what was sought after. A look that seemed simple, but was not easy for women to achieve.

The products used in makeup in the Middle Ages were very different from what we know today. Some of the common products included:

• Powder: Naturally derived powders, such as rice flour or corn starch, were used to create a pale, smooth complexion.

• Blush: Blush was made from natural ingredients, such as crushed berries or beet juice, to give a rosy appearance to the cheeks.

• Eye shadow: Eye shadows were made from crushed minerals, such as iron oxide, and applied to the eyelids to enhance the look.

• Lipstick: Lipsticks were made from natural ingredients, such as crushed fruits or vegetable dyes, to color the lips.

Makeup trends in the Middle Ages varied by region and social class. Some common trends included:

• Pale complexion: A pale complexion was considered a sign of beauty and purity. Women used white powder to achieve this effect.

• Thin eyebrows: Eyebrows were plucked or shaved to achieve a more refined and elegant appearance. Women often shaved their eyebrows and then redrew them higher on the forehead.

• Highlighted eyes: Dark eye shadows were used to highlight the eyes and create an intense look.

• Red lips: Red lips were considered sensual and attractive. Women used natural dyes to achieve this effect.

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 networks.