For generations, makeup has been seen as a "girls-only" enterprise, so we forget that it wasn't always that way. For millennia, stretching 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.
6000 BCE. Makeup dates all the way back to 6000 BCE, starting with the Egyptians. They created it as they believed makeup was next to godliness and that it appealed to the Gods; both men and women of all social classes wore makeup.
At the time, makeup was used by Egyptian men to showcase their masculinity. The ancient Greeks and Romans utilized similar techniques. Rogue was used to add color to cheeks, and they painted their faces with powders made from ground-up minerals.
“From the French courtiers of Versailles to the Macaroni of England, the 18th century was the birth of men wearing makeup in the modern context as we know it today,” Darling says.
It wasn't until the late 20th century that mainstream men once again wore obvious makeup. Though men in 1920s Hollywood wore makeup, the goal wasn't so much to show off as it was to show up on camera.
In eighteenth century America, both men and women of the upper classes wore make-up. But, shortly after the American Revolution the use of visible “paint” cosmetics (colored cosmetic for lips, skin, eyes, and nails) by either gender gradually became socially unacceptable.
In ancient Egypt, dark eyeliner got its start as an essential part of the beauty regimen for men of the upper class. The kohl liner, made from ground minerals or fats, served both a practical and aesthetic purpose. The black mixture was thought to keep both insects and the sun away from the wearer's eyes.
Makeup has always been an art form that is not tied to any specific gender, but this is becoming common knowledge now. Until it's a widely known truth, there are a lot of instances of makeup brands being more welcoming to everyone. Beauty brands like Fenty Beauty intentionally sell their products to both men and women.
By the time Kiss took the stage ten days after their first gig, the makeup was in place, and the characters were established: the Star Child, the Demon, the Cat, and the Space Ace. Except it wasn't always that easy.
Let pre-teens and young tweens experiment with tinted moisturizer, light lip tint or gloss, and a brow pencil/pomade. Skip heavy foundation and lipstick for this age group. Allow 12-13 year olds to use concealer for blemishes, eye shadow, eyeliner, powder for oily skin, and a light coat of mascara.
For millennia, stretching 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.
Men are carefully applying cosmetics to draw attention to their best features and project an air of confidence and professionalism, whether it's through emphasizing their dense brows or contouring their masculine faces. Unbeknownst to some, men have worn makeup for the majority of recorded history.
In 1872, French perfumer-entrepreneur Eugène Rimmel invented the world's first commercially available mascara. His lash-plumping formula was simple: petroleum jelly and coal dust. (Rimmel, now owned by global cosmetics giant Coty Inc., still produces a variety of popular mascaras today.)
Certainly, one thing you'll notice after spending some time in the Netherlands is that people (well, Dutch women to be precise) wear way less makeup than what you're used to. That doesn't mean they don't take care of themselves — simply that there isn't the same culture surrounding makeup as in many other countries.
1 Peter 3:3-4 “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.”
And don't be mistaken - it wasn't just women who were so attentive to their makeup. Men in Ancient Egypt commonly wore cosmetics, as well. Of course, makeup in Ancient Egypt wasn't just about looking good. Cosmetics and all their accoutremants had spiritual and ritual significance, too.
Rumors have swirled that it may stand for “Knights in Satan's Service” or “Kinder SS” or “Kids in Satan's Service.” Though the band members have denied all these associations. While the band is getting to the “end of the road,” their image, music, and antics will likely live way past any of the band members.
In 1983, Kiss began performing without makeup and costumes, marking the beginning of the band's "unmasked" era that would last for over a decade.
On Sept. 18, 1983, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Vinnie Vincent and Eric Carr showed a new side of themselves to the public. For the first time in the band's legendary history, KISS appeared on television without their trademark face paint. The band, unmasked, appeared for a televised MTV press conference.
Being a tomboy doesn't mean you can't wear any makeup at all, but you'll probably feel more like yourself when your face is fresh and clean. However, you might still choose to use a little concealer to cover up any blemishes that pop up, or you might wear lip balm if your lips start to get dry.
Your relationship to makeup should benefit and boost your life, not harm it—so if it's not your thing, that's totally fine. It's all about what makes you feel most beautiful and the most comfortable. Ahead, check out the benefits of not wearing makeup and the reasons why real women say they opt to go bare-faced.
40% of the men they asked preferred less makeup to full caked-on coverage. 40% - less than half the group. That means that the majority of the group didn't say they preferred lasses with less. And yet this has has led to a commonly assumed fact through implication, that ALL men prefer bare-faced women.
Ancient Egypt
Men would rim their eyes in black to emulate cat patterns as a sign of wealth. They also wore pigments on their cheeks and lip stains made from red ochre. Makeup was an important way of showcasing masculinity and social rank.
India has had a long history of men darkening their eyes using soorma. It's used in many different cultures in the country to ward off the evil eye, to improve eyesight (due to the medicinal properties of the kind of kohl used), especially in Muslim communities.
Wodaabe culture prizes white eyes, white teeth and height as the pinnacle of beauty, so the men don brightly-coloured makeup and eyeliner to accentuate these features. They will often put feathers in their hair or wear elaborate headdresses to accentuate their height.