Women's Make-up in the U.S. History Research Paper

Women’s Make-up in the US
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Make-up refers to the different substances or products that are applicable on the human face that easily alters the appearance, texture or fragrance of the face or entire body skin. These represent a mixture of chemical compounds which are derivative of natural sources artificial or synthetic. In the United States context, makeup is defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the type of chemicals applicable to the human body that serves the purposes of cleansing, alteration of appearance, beautifying or promoting body attractiveness devoid of any side-effects on body structure and functions. Make-up in some cases is referred to as the cosmetics and have been in use for many years. Examples of make-up include eye shadow, lipstick, blush, mascara, foundation amongst others. The research help in the understanding of the fact on why American women use makeups and the quality it gives to their self-identity. The exploration on the use of makeups amongst American women helped in the gaining of understanding on the reason as to why women wear cosmetics and the role of makeups in their entire lives.[Smithsonian Institution. (2019). “Make-Up.” Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved from /spotlight/health-hygiene-and-beauty/make-up#ogmt-edan-search-results/]
Many women start wearing make-up at different stages in their lives, this can be either childhood, adolescence or youth stages of life. Some women start experimenting with makeups such as lip gloss or nail polish deliberately at younger age making them enjoy the experience over time. The process of experimentation makes them develop the daily makeup schedules alongside the needs of must-haves and essentials required for makeups. Arguably, some women seek to wear cosmetics while graduating to teen age as a result of being introduced by family members. Mothers, play a key role in influencing the kind of cosmetics and their proper use by taking their teenage girls to makeup counters. In most instances, mothers are involved in determining the amount as well as approving the nature of makeup before wearing by their teenage girls. However, that was never the case in most instances since majority of the ladies wanted to discover their own identity by setting their own stage for their future habits and character.[Komar, M. (2017). “Makeup & War Are More Intricately Connected Than You Realized.” Bustle, October 28, 2017. Retrieved from ]
Women consider wearing cosmetics as form of enhancement to their beauty as well as self-confidence. Make-up plays an essential role in enhancing the women’s outward appearance, therefore, compensating for their feeling of inadequacy in terms of self-esteem and self-confidence which influences their general evaluation of personal beauty. According to some women, makeup tend to serve the purposes of hiding their physical reality, therefore, presenting their attractive and false improved self to the world. Such aspect of masking seeks to provide a motivating factor that consists of self-consciousness deception that enhances and focuses on an individual’s quality of appearance. Additionally, the makeup creates a sense of impersonation in disguise that hides an individual’s flaws, therefore, presenting a more desirable social role of the individual. Further, the makeup enables them to represent some quality of someone that they are really not.[Silverio, L. (2010). “Makeup's Effect on Self-Perception.” Old Dominion University . ODU Digital Commons , 2010.] [Britton, A. M. (2012). “The Beauty Industry's Influence on Women In Society.” University of New Hampshire Scholar's Repository. Retrieved from http://scholars.unh.edu]
In the early 20th century, it was very popular and fashionable for women especially in cities to adore conspicuous make-up which was influence from Hollywood’s glamorous film stars. During this era, the social class was highly esteemed and women made their life evaluation quite often to avoid risking their reputation. This made the women to so much consider the appearance of their complexions. Notably, it was considered a taboo for an Edwardian woman to reveal anything strange on her face other than the natural complexion. However, they were allowed to use some substance called rogue, which was always kept in tiny pots and kept inside women handbags only for special occasions. Some of the commonly used makeups during this era include the foundation, powder resembling roll up cigarette, and lipsticks.
During the 1920s there was the breaking away from the normalcy within the societal constructs. The women began to change the way their faces were painted and it’s like there was competition for extravagancy. This led to the creation of first artificial faces where majority were focusing on having startling eyes, scarlet lips as well as a pale pallor. The era marked an increased production of makeup whereby almost every lady handbag contained various essentials that they required. The film industry was very influential in the make-up world especially the stars from Hollywood. Some of the popular makeup artists in the 1920s included Helena Rubinstein, Max factor Sr as well as Elizabeth Arden. This led to the establishment of the many makeup manufacturers that span till in present times. Lipsticks became some of the most popular cosmetics in early 20th century since they were colorful and affordable to the majority. Additionally, the Flapper style was also influential in the 1920s since it encompass dark eyes, red lipsticks and nail polish which were an invention of Coco Chanel. The eyebrow pencil was perceived to be technologically superior owing to the new composition, the hydrogenated cottonseed oil.
The period after the First World War was marked by majority embracing cosmetic surgery. During this period, the concept of facial configuration as well as social identity was dominant within the world of plastic surgery. However, the face-lifts in the name of plastic surgery revolved around women, men were only considered in the event that their faces were configured during wars. Majority of the African Americans in the early 20th century embraced skin bleaching in an attempt to change their complexion including the aspect of hair straightening for the purpose of appearing whiter. This made skin bleachers and hair straighteners to account for a bigger percentage of advertisements in the black press. However, these cosmetics risked the lives of their users since high dosage could cause severe dermatitis and high dosages resulting to death.[Nadra, N. (2018). “Before Fenty: Over 100 Years of Black Makeup Brands.” Racked, Racked, 23 Jan. 2018. retreived from ]
The mid-20th century, commonly known as the age of Hollywood or the Golden years and was identified by the rise in silver screen. The era revamped the manner in which women presented their facial features. In this case, feminine look and appearance became popular something that was contrary to the previous decade of androgynous aura. The women focused on a more glamorous and attractive look that also entails the expansion of eye shadow palettes. The popularity of the eyeliner pencils was high and majority of the women began to contour their eyes whereby they created a triangle effect that began from the tear duct out flowing beyond the eye’s natural edge. Such a look on the face was seen as emphasis of feminine on the face. Further, the beautification of the lips also changed from the rosebud effect of the early years to a thinner line having different color palettes. During this era some of the popular lipstick shades included maroons, dark reds as well as raspberry hues.[McGlinchey, S. (2013). “The History of 20th Century Vintage Makeup.” Glamour Daze, Retrieved from http://glamourdaze.com]
In the 1940s there was a very distinct time within the women world of aesthetics. During this period the popularity revolved around confident up-do hairstyles, very red lipsticks alongside nails and also arched eyebrows. The era was marked by red lips adorned by every woman, in this case, the thin understated lip contours of the previous decade was replaced by a deep luscious full mouth. The era was marked by simplicity as well as convenience was hig...