At the time, the idealized pale skin rendered by artists was considered the height of white aristocratic beauty. Heavy white makeup (called “paint” and often made of lead) helped achieve that — but it also covered up facial blemishes and scars from smallpox and other diseases.
The ideal woman of the 18th century had a high forehead; plump, rosy cheeks; and white, or at least pale, skin. The use of heavy white paint on the face was actually considered more respectable than displaying your own naturally light skin. Fashionable eye colors included black, chestnut, or blue.
The wearing of cosmetics first emerged as a status symbol. The heavy application of makeup was associated with court circles, particularly in France. By the mid-eighteenth century, its use had spread across social classes and often raised criticism, especially when rouge was worn by older women.
Makeup continued to fall in and out of favor in Europe for centuries. In Elizabethan England, for example, men powdered their faces to the point where they looked ghostly white. Noble men and women were expected to have pale complexions and usually used makeup to achieve that end.
“Pale skin was a status symbol, showing that women were wealthy enough to stay indoors and avoid the sun,” says Young. Women took to extreme measures to achieve this pallid look, painting their faces with lead-based foundations and powders and even consuming arsenic to lighten their complexions.
A light skin complexion was sought after by men as it became a symbol of aristocracy, and suggested that the individual did not have to engage in labour work outdoors that would change the colour of their skin.
Colors held significant meanings: RED symbolized strength in battle and hunting, power, success. And because hunting and success in battle meant survival of the tribe, it also symbolized happiness and beauty.
For generations, makeup has been seen as a "girls-only" enterprise, so we forget that it wasn't always that way. For millennia, from 4000 BCE through the 18th century, men traditionally used makeup in myriad ways. It wasn't until the mid-1800s that makeup was relegated to one end of the gender spectrum.
The history of a geisha's iconic makeup goes back to the Heian Period (794-1185) where nobility wore the white paste in front of the emperor so that their faces would stand out in the candlelight. During this period, the influence of Chinese culture included trends in beauty and practice.
Throughout all eight episodes, Franklin dons neither a speck of powder nor a single hairpiece. “Benjamin Franklin, he never accepted the idea of wearing a wig,” said Bertolazzi, who won an Oscar in 2017 for his “Suicide Squad” hair and makeup. “Not even if they [threatened] to cut off his head.”
The habit of wearing wigs by aristocratic elites in polite society as a way to distinguish themselves from the other social classes ended with the French Revolution, as well as all the other symbols of ostentation and aristocratic power, which were all discarded because in strong opposition with the revolutionary ...
To cover up scars from smallpox, which she came down with in 1562 — just four years into her reign — and which almost killed her.
Engelman says that the French focus on maintaining skin health from the very start. For example, this can include daily sunscreen use. In conclusion, many of these French skincare secrets do indeed work, and are effective for a variety of skin types.
Wigs covered these flaws as well as both natural hair loss and hair loss related to other diseases. Make-up and thick cosmetics covered smallpox scars, lesions, and skin conditions from other ailments. Painting their faces white also showed that they did not labor in the sun like servants or peasants.
Regarding facial features, French people are known for their distinctive noses, which can vary in shape and size but are often characterized by elegance and refinement. French men and women also tend to have expressive eyes, which can be any color but are often described as deep and soulful, adding to their allure.
The Victorian Age occurred between 1837 and 1901. It was an austere and restrictive period. Makeup and showy clothes were discouraged.
Men have worn eyeliner since the dawn of civilization — just take it from King Tut. Kohl, typically made from lead sulphide, had both fashionable and practical purposes: not only did it enhance the eyes, but it also deflected the harsh desert sun.
Cosmetics were applied in private, usually in a small room where men did not enter. Cosmetae, female slaves that adorned their mistresses, were especially praised for their skills. They would beautify their mistresses with cultus, the Latin word encompassing makeup, perfume and jewelry.
Even though wigs were fashionable, George Washington kept his own hair. He kept his hair long and tied back in a queue, or ponytail. Although he didn't wear a wig, George Washington did powder his hair, giving it the iconic white color seen in famous portraits.
The French approach to beauty
The French philosophy of beauty is rooted in simplicity, confidence, and self-care. Effortless elegance: French beauty is often described as effortless. The focus is on looking naturally beautiful rather than overly made-up.
Among the many Cherokee I know personally there is great diversity in the way they look, from very dark to very fair skin, black to blond and even red hair — even blue eyes.
Throughout Mesoamerica the practice of using body paint was essential in battle. The Maya, Tlaxcaltec, Huastec, and Aztec all used body paints in warfare. Among the Aztec, the application of specific face paint was an indication of martial success.