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Makeup in ancient Egypt was used to distinguish others in the hierarchy of classes. Also, at this time, eyeliners such as khol were used to block dust and block the sun out of people's eyes. Khol was made up of a black dust consistent through out all Egypt at this time -
people in ancient Rome would paint their faces with led to lighten the skin while using mulberries as blush. They took Khol from Egypt and used the idea from ancient China to get pale skin. -
In ancient China, women would use a place foundation to distinguish themselves from the working class. This is also around the same period when the royals in ancient China would grow their nails and have long healthy nails to show they didn't lift a finger to work and used nail staining different from nail polish which didn't come around til max factor in the 1930's. but to protect them from breaking they'd where nail coverings. -
In the 15th century, pale complexion and rosy cheeks were the biggest trends using Lead paints to get that color and a red lip with blonde or fair hair. Another beauty standard would be a lard forehead and thin eyebrows. -
This was when the bigger forehead wasn't in style but smaller and the same lead paint rosy cheek was used by Queen Elizabeth in the 16th century. -
During the 19th century, also known as the Victorian Era, the use of heavy makeup was seen as taboo and associated with prostitution, so women favored a natural look. Blush, often made of carmine, was the most popular cosmetic, as pink cheeks were considered healthy-looking. -
The 1920s saw a shift towards bold, dramatic makeup, including pale skin, dark, smoky eyes, thick eyeliner, defined eyebrows, and "Cupid's bow" lips, a departure from the more natural styles of previous decades. This was also when max factor began working with silent film artists spreading this makeup look. -
In the 1940s, makeup trends leaned towards a natural, yet glamorous look, featuring matte red lipstick, medium-thick arched eyebrows, subtle eyeshadow, and a focus on mascara for the eyes -
In the 1950s, makeup trends focused on a flawless, natural-looking complexion, bold, defined eyebrows, a signature cat-eye or winged liner, and luscious, red or pink lips. Winged eyeliner, also known as the "cat-eye," was a defining feature of the era, creating an elegant and elongated shape. -
In the 1960s and 70s, makeup trends evolved from bold, graphic eyeliner and statement eyes to more natural, bronzed looks with glossy lips and full, natural-looking eyebrows. this also happened to be when Cher started doing work on TV ,and when people started to catch on to her look wanting to recreate it. -
The 1980s and 1990s makeup trends saw a shift from the bold, bright looks of the 80s to the more natural, grunge-inspired styles of the 90s, featuring matte skin, thin eyebrows, brown lipstick, and smudged eyeliner -
Early 2000s makeup trends were characterized by bold, shiny looks with a focus on eyes and lips, including frosted eyeshadows, glossy lips, thin eyebrows, and bronzed skin -
In the 2010s, makeup trends emphasized bold looks, including heavy contouring, defined brows, and dramatic eyeshadow, with a focus on both natural and "no-makeup" makeup looks, and the rise of social media influenced beauty trends. -
Contouring, highlighting, and bold eyebrows became mainstream trends, while Kylie Jenner's lip kits set off a global fascination with lip enhancement -
In 2025, makeup trends lean towards bold, graphic eyes, glossy lips, natural-looking skin, and a focus on enhancing features rather than concealing them.