Beauty practices have evolved over thousands of years, yet their roots can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt and China. Long before the rise of modern beauty brands, women relied on their ingenuity and the natural resources available to them to enhance their appearance. In these societies, makeup was not just about vanity but also held cultural and symbolic significance. For instance, Cleopatra’s infamous eyeliner was made from kohl; a natural mineral form of lead sulfide, which was crushed up into a fine powder and used for eye protection to protect from “evil eye”. Like the Egyptians, the Geisha also tie beauty with culture, status, and spirituality. Their vibrant natural eyeshadows were only worn by those who possessed wealth and power. 

The beauty standard during this era was classified as having a fuller figure, pale makeup, and long flowy hair. Artists like Botticelli and Titian created “Birth of Venus” and “Danae”, which perfectly captured the meaning of beauty at the time. 

Snatched waists and curled hair were in! Many women used beautiful corsets and delicate hair accessories. Showing skin was seen as scandalous during these times, you could not even show your ankles. Powder was used to create the illusion of a paler complexion, as they considered pale skin beautiful. Women didn't use any sort of lipstick, instead they used rouges or natural lip-stains and blushes to bring color to the face.

Flappers were the height of beauty. Sparkly short dresses, dark makeup, bobs, and slender bodies were seen as beautiful. Only symbols of beauty were invited to these extravagant parties. They often wore bold makeup like dark lined liner around their eyes with plump red lipstick and flushed pinky cheeks. Thin, defined, and downward arched brows tied the iconic 20s look up. 

Shifting into the 1930s, Hollywood really impacted the beauty industry. Movies were being made, celebrities were being produced. Many went specifically to see what the celebrities were wearing and what makeup they wore. The standards were slender, gentle curves, long tight gowns, yet modest. Celebrities during this era included Marylin Monroe, Betta Davis, and Ingrid Bergman. Transitioning into modern beauty, the big, elegant curls stayed relevant. Both genders can wear skirts and do their makeup. Some recent trends include soap brows, bows on everything, clean girl makeup, vintage fashion, and women owning their femininity. These days, everyone has their own interpretation of beauty and fashion. As trends change, population rises, the number of trend-followers have increased. Now in 2024, there are many aesthetics to choose from, yet the classy but casual look is trending at the moment.