This President’s Birthday weekend got me thinking about makeup and beauty trends in the 1800’s vs today. Just how different would it have been for me back then? Turns out it’s not hard to make the case that we are reverting back to beauty trends 200 years ago.
Here are some examples:
- The healthy/natural look is in.
- There is an appreciation for skincare with natural ingredients .
- Homemade and natural makeup are popular.
- Various hair styles are popular. Use of wigs and clip on extensions allow women to adjust their style daily if they wish.
- Big butts and small wastes are all the rage. Women’s curves are appreciated and our version of beauty is shifting from super skinny to healthy and more curvy.
Skin Care
In the 1800’s skin care was especially important to well-off women. Cleansers and moisturizers and were used to keep the skip soft, moisturized and clear. Natural ingredients were used like animal fat, rosewater, cucumbers, strawberries and milk. Many women made their own formulations. Women were encouraged to avoid the sun and sun tanning. Taking exercise outdoors was encouraged so that you could achieve the rosy-cheek effect.
Today, natural and organic are back on trend. When Alicia Keys announced she was not going to wear makeup and others followed suite the #NoMakeup movement was born. Alicia hosting the Grammy’s nearly barefaced got the world talking about natural beauty. It’s simple – to minimize makeup you need to take care of your skin. Alicia Keys and others have shared their skin care regime. One of the common tools among all of them is the use of a quality facial oil like SHINE.
Make up In the 1800’s was simple. The average women favored a more natural cosmetic appearance. Here are some of their beauty tips.
Blush/Rouge – Blush was the most popular cosmetic in the 19th century as rosy cheeks we’re seen as a sign of good health. Blushes came in liquid, cream, and powder forms and numerous highly pigmented shades were offered. Carmine (from insects) was the most common pigment used and some women also made their own using flowers and other natural pigments.
Eyes – Lamp black or soot was mixed with oil or water to create eyeliner, shadow or mascara. The effect was not natural as a result it was used sparingly.
Lips – Commonly used by lip salves and tints were sold in many stores. Many lip glosses were tinted in pink or red tones.
Foundations – Tinted foundations were available but not widely used. Face powders were more common. These were typically made from rice flour. Those with the budget would get powders with additional ingredients added like crushed seashells for a glow.
Does any of this sound familiar? It’s not just me – check out the predictions for 2019 below.
Some of the trends they identified for 2019 include:
- Allowing hair to go Grey
- Natural Lashes & Brows with natural solutions. Organic products like WINK can offer a natural growth option for lashes & brows.
- Natural skin care with old school ingredients like with hazel
- Glossy Makeup – lips, skin and eyes. You can’t go wrong with glowing, healthy looking skin.
Physique – A big butt and small waste were popular. Many women chose large petticoats and full skirts in order to help emphasize their small waste. Bustles were used to accentuate the derriere. Women used corsets to pull in their wastes. The focus was on being healthy and women’s curves were appreciated – not hidden.
Fast forward to 2019 – no surprise that men like women’s curves. A larger bottom and chest are now preferred. Women are coming to terms with their curves as well. The Allure beauty census shares more insights.
https://www.allure.com/gallery/american-beauty-census
Hair – In the 1800’s various lengths of hair were in fashion and clip on hair extensions and wigs were commonly used in order to change styles. Long hair was most desired as it was seen as a sign of health and fertility. The up-due, wearing hair long and variations of a bun were most popular. There was a break though in hair dye around 1850 which enabled women and men to change their color. Hair was brushed 100 times a day but not washed daily. Curling irons were used to set curls.
Looking ahead at trends in 2019 we find naturally grey hair, Bob cuts, adult hair accessories and a new version of a top knot (more like an updo). Harpers Bazaar highlights more hair trends below.
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/hair/a25570298/hair-trends-2019
I guess the expression “What’s Old is New Again” is true. So go ahead and rock your new look this year knowing some ladies 200 years ago may have looked the same way.
