Cosmetics
have a long, off and on again relationship with various cultures worldwide.
These products’ functions range from ceremonial or spiritual meaning, marking
an individual of an occupation, to trying to appeal to other’s sense of beauty.
Certain simple cosmetics have long been in use, including henna, powders for
lightening face, eyeliners, and paints.
The first believed applications of makeup were by
the ancient Egyptians in 4,000 BC, as evidenced by the contents of their tombs:
Kohl. This simple cosmetic was designed to darken the area around the eyes, and
even thought to improve eyesight. Worn by women and men, it also had a very
sexualized connotation, and makeup was often worn with revealing garments to
signify a woman was a prostitute.
Around 3,000 BC, China had also developed a taste
for cosmetic products. It was common for women to paint their face white, again
to signify that they were a prostitute. Nails were also painted, but the bright
colors were reserved for women of a higher social status, and in this way,
cosmetics were a way of marking someone of class.
Greeks developed their cosmetics in a similar
fashion, and marked their prostitutes with makeup and brightly colored dresses.
Cosmetics through the middle ages represented
promiscuous women and nobility (the two of which are not necessarily mutually
exclusive or related). In fact, it
was considered sin to wear makeup. The bible referenced ancient Egyptians and
their use of cosmetics in a sexual manner, criticizing them for lustful dress.
Makeup made a surge of popularity in the
Renaissance, but retained its social stigma. This common, but somehow frowned
upon opinion of the open use of makeup continued into the early 20th
century everywhere (except France).
With the creation of photography and cinematography,
makeup was brought into a new light. No longer was it the stuff of prostitutes
and nobility alone. It was used by celebrities to attain flawless skin and
defined features. So the standard of female beauty began to shift. Much more
was required to look like the stars of the media. Thus began our current,
Western stance with makeup, leading it to be a fully integrated part of our
society. So where are we now? Into the 2000’s makeup has been largely directed
at the mainstream consumers as opposed to the prostitutes, nobility, and
celebrities that all preceded them.
Makeup now is worn on a daily basis by every
layperson and even attempts to look “natural”, which greatly contrasts its
former use as a specific mark for individuals. Understanding how the current
social situation arose from thousands of years of a completely different use
will only help so much. One also needs to analyze in depth the social
environment and its effect on us as members of this Western society.
Many would argue that women wearing
makeup is the result of a male dominated society. Wearing makeup is, in a sense, one way in
which women “do” gender. They distinctly
separate themselves from a male identity by doing something distinctly
feminine. Women are creating reality and identities with
others just by their use of makeup; people will know how a woman views herself
and wants to be viewed if she takes the time to make herself look nice.
Conflict theorists and Marxist
feminists would argue that makeup is an invisible net which capitalism uses to
control women. Just imagine how many
jobs and money would be lost if women weren’t taught to hate their bodies. Capitalism creates displays designed to tell
women, “You should look like this. If
not, then you aren’t good enough for a man.” Women wear products that are made
by men. So, in a way, wearing makeup is
part of a patriarchal society; men telling women they aren’t good enough. This represents the “looking glass self” of
symbolic interactionist theory; a woman is basing her identity off of the
opinions of others. Makeup is one thing, turned object, which allows women to
perform their role in life.
Sigmund Freud would argue that
women wearing makeup is a result of generations upon generations of “penis
envy” among young girls. When a girl
realizes she cannot have intercourse with her mother, she envies the fact that
her father can. But soon she realizes
she will one day be able to produce offspring and decides to emulate her mother
instead. She will emulate her in many
ways, be that doing housework or what she wears, including makeup.
The reasons for a woman wearing makeup are endless. Some make complete sense, while others are quite controversial and hard to accept. But, no matter what the reason, one cannot ignore the fact that our modern day Western culture has had a dramatic influence on how a woman chooses to present herself to others, and how she views herself in private.
References:
References:
Conley, Dalton. "Gender." You
May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking like a Sociologist. New York:
W.W. Norton &, 2011. N. pag. Print.
"Cosmetic." Encyclopedia
Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/139194/cosmetic>.
Hapman, Taylor. "Women in American
Media: A Culture of Misperception." . N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov 2012.
<http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/548/women-in-american-media-a-culture-of-misperception>.
"The History of Makeup." Safe
Beauty Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.safebeautyassociation.com/-become-a-makeup-artist/336-the-history-of-makeup>.
Pack, David C. "The Truth Hidden
Behind Makeup." The Truth Hidden Behind Makeup. N.p., n.d. Web. 15
Nov. 2012. <http://rcg.org/books/tthbm.html>.
Reisman , Suzanne. "Would the
American Economy Collapse if Women Stopped Hating Their Natural Appearance?
." . N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov 2012.
<http://www.blogher.com/would-american-economy-collapse-if-women-stopped-hating-their-natural-appearance-look-makeup>.
"1/3 of Women Won't leave Home
Without Makeup On; Are Not Me." . N.p., 27 2011. Web. 14 Nov 2012.
<http://www.lovelyish.com/739965390/13-of-women-wont-leave-home-without-makeup-on-are-not-me/>.
Summary:
Makeup has been used throughout history with varying
purposes. One main purpose of makeup in several cultures has been to identify someone as a prostitute. Makeup eventually evolved to be used by film
stars and used by women who idolized these celebrities. In our Western society
of today, women use makeup to create a flawless “natural” look. Media displays the ideals of the perfect
woman, and though women say this does not affect their opinions of makeup, one
cannot argue that it must have some subconscious influence. In the first video linked, comedian John
Cleese sets out to discover why make up has such a major role in today’s
world. The next video shows men talking
of why they don’t like makeup: comparing it to a mask, which lies to anyone who
looks at it. Some would argue that makeup is a result of a capitalist society controlling women and telling them
how they should look. Others would say
that makeup is a “prop” that helps a woman play her role in life. It is obvious that there is not just one
reason why women wear makeup, and we may never know for sure what influences
the female sex to wear it nearly everyday.