A Second Look At Yourself With the Aid of Make-Up Essay

Almost all dictionaries define make-up as “the way to which an actor or other person alters his appearance for a role; the articles used for this purpose; and the manner of applying these articles.” (Barnhart, 1958: p.736)

The earliest historical record of make-up comes from the 1^st Dynasty of Egypt (3100 – 2907 B.C.). Tombs from this era have revealed unguent jars. Men and women used the unguent to keep their skin hydrated, supple, and scented; also to avoid wrinkles from the dry heat. Egyptian women also decorated their eyes by applying dark green color to the underlined and blackening the lashes and upper lid with kohl made from antimony.

Romans used cosmetics widely by the middle of the 1^st century, A.D. Kohl was also used, and rouge was worn on the cheeks. Pumice was used for cleaning the teeth. Persian women used henna dyes to stain their hair and faces in the belief that these dyes enabled them to summon the majesty of the earth.

During the Middle Ages in Europe, Spanish prostitutes wore pink make-up. 13^th-century affluent women donned pink lipstick as proof that they could afford synthetic make-up. In Elizabethan England, women wore egg whites over their faces for a glazed look. During the French Revolution in the 18^th century, red rouge and lipstick were used to give the impression of a healthy and fun-loving disposition. During the 1800s, women used belladonna to make their eyes appear more luminous. It is interesting to know that men wore make-up until the 1850s. King George IV spent a fortune on cold cream, powders, pastes, and scents.

Stage make-up dates back to a time when drama became a medium of entertainment. “Stage make-up has several functions. It accentuates normal features so that they can be clearly projected to an audience and helps to create a character. It also counteracts the undesirable effects of artificial illumination. Amateur actors are often comfortable onstage if they can lose their own identity under grease paint.” (Ommanney, 1960: p. 367)

It can be inferred now that all make-up dates back to the past and is struck by the ludicrous reasons and ways people made use of make-up. Make-up has emerged as art that all grown-ups can learn with little time and trouble. What is more, it is a most rewarding accomplishment to be able to make oneself look younger and nicer-looking all in the space of ten minutes or so.

Not everyone is blessed with good looks. Make-up is just a matter of enhancing one’s more presentable features, concealing blemishes, and voila! – a transformation takes place into a prettier or more handsome person than before. For everyday purposes, subtle make-up is the answer.

“The art of make-up consists of buying cosmetics wisely and using them well. Once we have chosen and purchased our cosmetics and correctly assembled them, then we can start learning to use them. There are seven separate cosmetics needed for full-dress make-up. Some may last for months; others may be replaced, preferable in refill form. The list to keep in mind includes the following: foundation, powder, lipstick, rouge, eye shadow, mascara, and eyebrow pencil.”(McCarthy, 1965: p. 28)

Here are the steps for applying make-up. First, place foundation cream in tiny dots over the face and throat and blend carefully with the fingertips. Blend the color down over the jawline and the throat so that there is no sharp edge of color.

Over the foundation goes rouge and eye shadow if one uses the stick variety. Place rouge where cheeks are plumpest upon smiling. Three little dots are sufficient for each cheek below the center of the eye. Blend these upwards and outwards with the fingertips until a faint blush remains.

Eye shadow should be placed close along the upper lashes and shaded upwards and outwards over the eyelids. One can apply it with a fingertip or a brush and paint on a definite shape following the line of the lashes and tracing little upward wings at the outer corners of the eyes. Liquid or pencil eyeliners may be used with smudge-proof mascara. Eyebrows may be tamed with short, straight strokes along the brows with an eyebrow pencil to darken or lengthen them.

The lipstick comes last. Most women like to wear their lipstick in a favorite shape. For beginners, in order to make a clear outline, a lip-liner or an especially slim lipstick may be used to outline the lips and filled up with the shade chosen for the day.

To set the greasy-based cosmetics, one must now powder over. Press powder puff into the powder and press it firmly over all the surfaces covered by the foundation. Brush downwards with a complexion brush to remove all surface grains of powder for a peachy finish.

One never knows how much prettier or younger she will look, and this is all part of the fun of wearing make-up. A dash of one’s favorite perfume, and she’s all set. She’s ready to face the world!

References

1. Barnhart, C. (ed) The American College Encyclopedic Dictionary, Vol I. New York: Random House, Inc., 1958
2. McCarthy, E., Frankly Feminine. London: Grolier Society, Ltd. 1965
3. Ommanney, K.A., The Stage and the School, 3^rd Edition., McGraw-Hill, 1960