Why men wear makeup: the world history of men's makeup

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Stylist Armin Morbach shocked the whole world by releasing a project in which a brutal red-haired bearded man paints his lips with lipsticks of famous brands. Half of the ladies who saw the photo are ready to squeak from whatever the freckled handsome man does in the frame, the other half is outraged: the men have seized their sacred things. The truth is that throughout human history, including the history of Russia and Europe, men have used makeup quite actively.

Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, both men and women were painted. Makeup differed more among people of different classes than different genders. For example, the eyes let down absolutely everything. It was believed that such an eyeliner wards off evil spirits that cause conjunctivitis. Indeed, after studying eye coloring agents, scientists have come to the conclusion that they contain substances that prevent inflammation.

In an environment where a constant wind from the desert could lead to incessant conjunctivitis, this makeup was valuable. No wonder the pyramid workers once went on strike with the threat of riot because they didn't get their eyeliner on time!

The most complex and vivid makeup was, of course, with the pharaoh and the priests; it obviously had a ritual significance.

Babylonians, Assyrians and Romans

At some point, the noble Babylonians began to whiten their faces without fail in order to differ as much as possible from the rude tanned peasants. In addition, they painted their nails black and drew on their eyebrows so that they would connect. All this was forbidden to be repeated by commoners. Ancient Assyrians and Romans often went into battle with eyebrows and lips painted red or black. Probably, so the screaming face of a soldier looked more terrible to the enemy. In addition, there is a freak theory from those who like to explain everything in history on their own that the warriors were ready to die and in advance gave themselves a decent appearance for a funeral. The Romans themselves did not write this, but they knew how to write, loved, practiced.

Chinese people choose black

They were painted with black varnish - by the way, making the nails hard - by the noble Chinese in the old days. They also appreciated red lacquer, but black still strengthened better. Taking into account how long the nails grew to know, it was relevant.

They inked their nails, without any connection with the Chinese or Babylonians, the Incas, Mayans and Aztecs. In general, Goth boys can refer to a long historical tradition among the warriors of the world. If the Egyptians thought to paint only their eyes, then the Chinese painted their eyebrows with ink. And not necessarily black - the peasant revolt, known as the Red Browning Uprising, went down in history. However, it is not clear what exactly the rioters used to dye their eyebrows.

Instead of emphasizing the shape of the eyebrow, the Chinese, as a rule, drew a new one with meaning. Particularly successful were the frowning eyebrows that gave the face a formidable look.

In addition, the Chinese and Japanese painted on mustaches and sideburns for masculinity and attractiveness. Their real mustache grew very thin and unsightly, it was easier to pluck and paint again.

Harsh vikings

During the period of their formidable glory, the Vikings were great mods. They were hung with decorations and all, as one, let their eyes down - this was noticed by their opponents in battle. In addition, many young men in a peaceful life still blushed and lightened their hair with alkali - in the Scandinavian lands, bright blondes were considered beautiful. Between the fair-haired boy and the golden-haired girl, of course, she chose the second one.

One of the kings (rulers) of the Vikings went down in history as a special mod - the Norwegian Magnus the Barefoot. Having visited Scotland with an unfriendly visit, he became imbued with the local fashion of showing knees and began to walk in men's skirts, the ancestors of the kilt, all the time. By the way, he was a very belligerent ruler. He visited Scotland several times.

Red fellows

In pre-Petrine Russia, representatives of the church indignantly denounced men shaving their beards and blushing. They ridiculed their effeminacy and accused them of homosexuality. It is known, however, that Tsar Vasily the Third himself shaved his beard to appear younger to his young wife, so it is unlikely that men adorned themselves exclusively for other men. Blush was considered a sign of beauty in both sexes, for example, and which of the guys does not want to attract girlish looks? And in the nineteenth century, young ladies' men were a little browned and dyed their hair, going out to hunt for young ladies. This, however, was ridiculed.

Gallant age

In the second half of the eighteenth century, literally everyone who could afford it was painted. Delicacy and sophistication have become the ideal of beauty, but without unnecessary pain. Officers, adventurers with a pistol at the ready, and simply representatives of the upper classes powdered their faces to make them seem noble, blushed to look full of strength, eyed them when they wanted to make their eyes more expressive, and the bearded men also painted their lips so that they would not be lost from sight.

Fashionistas would grow their personal curls or put on pre-curled wigs, all of which was thickly sprinkled with powder on top. The women gazed at the muscular calves covered in white silk stockings, capable of ennobling any indescribably hairy leg.

The era of the pursuit of refinement ended with the revolutions in France and the Napoleonic wars.

Ebony seducers

Male beauty is highly valued by the large African nation Fulani. Every Fulani man can get several wives, even if he is not too rich, so women are accustomed to paying attention, first of all, to beauty.

Young men and men are looking for new wives for themselves during a week-long beauty contest. To participate in the competition, the guys paint abundantly: they lighten the face, contour it with white lines so that the nose and face appear longer and narrower, paint and draw their eyes black.

In general, their festive make-up is so generous that it looks more like a mask. To enliven the impression of the face, men make eyes and smile broadly, showing dazzling white teeth. By the way, they are mostly Muslims.

Punks and Goths

A new round of love for makeup has blossomed in European culture with the emergence of punks and goths. The difference in their male make-up is that the former will prefer to look shocking and menacing, and the latter - gloomy. Musicians became trendsetters in both movements, and the stage make-up of their favorite performers became the model. Both punks and goths prefer black.

Are you ready to see men in make-up next to you?

The ancients, perhaps, could not even think that cosmetics and makeup would become a real empire. The story of how a cosmetologist from Ryazan became a leading stylist in Hollywood, happened much later.