Meghana Manjunath ‘Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art.’ –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Beauty is an intangible quality that holds great fascination for the masses. And it isn’t something new. For ages, poets have waxed eloquently about beauty in their poems. Authors of every era have written pages that describe the beauty of their lead characters. Songs and stories continue to draw inspiration from beauty to this day.
What is beauty? Beauty as a concept is constantly evolving. What was considered the epitome of beauty in the renaissance era holds no allure in today’s times. Simply put, beauty is what’s aesthetically pleasing to us. It brings us joy. We adore and idolize beautiful people. We aspire to be just like them. That’s why beauty has spawned a multi-billion dollar industry today that is growing rapidly. When we speak about the beauty industry, we mean the production and sale of makeup, skincare, and hair care products. You could say that beauty encompasses all of the above.
However, today we’ll be focusing our attention on beauty and makeup.
A Brief History of Makeup
Did you know that cosmetics have been around for over thousands of years? The ancient Egyptians placed a high value on beauty. They used kohl made from soot to line their eyes and green malachite to color their eyelids. Although it was frowned upon, the use of makeup has been mentioned in scriptures such as the Old Testament.
In the European middle ages, pale skin was considered a sign of affluence. This led to the creation of many concoctions to achieve lily-white skin. Makeup ingredients of those days ranged from mildly poisonous to downright lethal. The cosmetic formulations included white lead, arsenic, and mercury, to name a few. Talk about killer beauty!
In the following centuries, cosmetics enjoyed scattered popularity even as attitudes towards makeup use varied throughout this period. Finally, Queen Victoria declared makeup improper and vulgar in the 18th century, deeming that only actresses could wear makeup in public. The society ladies wanted to sport a natural glow. Thus, the use of cosmetics still continued, albeit discreetly.
By the 20th century, makeup had already gone in and out of vogue a few times. But from here on, there was a significant rise in the use of beauty products. Thus the beauty industry saw a boom in the production of innovative beauty products. Red lips were all the rage in the ‘1920s. From the 1930s to the 1950s, actresses paved the way for makeup trends. Remember Audrey Hepburn’s iconic lined, cat eyes? Thick eyeliner, vivid eyeshadows, and metallic lipstick shades were popular in the following decades.
Today, we have easy access to makeup products of every kind across the globe. Whether in drugstores, high-end retail stores, or online, makeup products are everywhere, in every color imaginable.
Evolution of Makeup and Iconic Makeup Artists
Makeup is nothing short of art. That’s why we use the term ‘makeup artist.’ Cosmetics are the paints that color the canvas of a human face.
Makeup started as a tool to accentuate the beauty of a person. In plays and musicals, it was extensively used to exaggerate the facial characteristics of the actors so as to make them clearly discernible from the back seats of the theater. Makeup combated the harsh studio lighting of those days for the silver screen, which rendered the actors’ features relatively flat.
However, with horror and fantasy themes making their way into films, makeup evolved beyond mere beautification. It opened new avenues of artistic expression. Artists like Joe Blasco and Dick Smith are known for their innovative SFX makeup in movies like ‘Shivers’ and ‘The Exorcist,’ respectively.
We feel like fashion is synonymous with beauty. It’s impossible to think about the world of fashion without the gorgeous dolled-up faces of models on the runway. And just as fashionistas love to push the envelope with their sartorial choices, the same applies to runway makeup. Iconic makeup artists such as Pat McGrath and Charlotte Tilbury have worked with top luxe brands before launching their own highly sought-after makeup lines.
In India, the wedding season is the most awaited. And it is no shock that bridal makeup is one of the essential aspects. Amazingly talented celebrity makeup artists like Ambika Pillai and Ojas Rajani skillfully wield makeup brushes to get brides shutter ready for their special day.
Beauty Influencers: Glitter and Glam
As with any art form, we often think that makeup artists must undergo rigorous training. This is true for some of the renowned artists in the world. It is easy for people to learn new things online by themselves in the internet age.
Moreover, the rise of video hosting sites led to the emergence of makeup tutorials by novice beauty influencers. Michelle Phan, Nikkie de Jager, and Rachel Levine started their journey quite early on YouTube and are followed fervently on almost every social media platform now. They’ve collaborated with major beauty brands and even have their own makeup lines.
Ankita Chaturvedi of Corallista is an Indian beauty vlogger who started her journey pretty early. Jovita George is another influencer who creates makeup tutorials and reviews products on her channel.
Beauty influencers don’t just merely post makeup tutorials. They often try new products and review cosmetics, giving us insight into what works well and what we should buy. Brands also partner with them to promote new product lines and releases.
If you’re new to makeup, beauty influencers can show you how to achieve flawless glam looks at home by yourself.
Short Video Platforms for Beauty and Makeup
Of course, vertical video and short video apps are all the rage in today’s date. And while YouTube had its charm, users today don’t want to spend 20+ minutes learning how to put a look together for a special occasion. This is where the short video platforms have an advantage. Pretty much any makeup tutorial can be easily broken down into the basic steps of the process. The addition of a video clip or a pic of the final look at the end makes for a short and simple tutorial!
It’s no wonder that beauty influencers are taking short video platforms like Rizzle and TikTok by storm. It takes a certain amount of creativity and a flair to showcase fetching makeup looks in under 60 seconds.
And these gorgeous beauties are rocking it on Rizzle:
She creates incredible transformations through the power of makeup.
She shares tips that intersect the fields of fashion and beauty
She makes tutorials that detail how to create colorful looks using bright eyeshadows
She plays with vivid eyeliner and shows you how to turn heads
She shares beauty tips and helps moms shine through self-care.
Makeup Trend Predictions for 2022
Every new year brings with it the promise of a new beginning, renewed motivation, and the all-time favorite new year’s resolutions. As seasons change, so do the trends in makeup and beauty. Some can be unpredictable, and some tend to be a continuation of the previous year’s trends.
This time around, we decided to play Nostradamus and bring you some of the makeup trends that experts think will be HUGE in 2022:
- Glossy Lips: Playfully pouty, high-shine lips are making a comeback. We can’t help but remember Serena van der Woodsen’s iconic quote from Gossip Girl: “Lipstick lasts longer, but gloss is more fun.”
- Faux Embellishments: Easy to pop on and off, futuristic accessories that resemble intricate eyeliner work will be popular.
- Satin Skin: Dewy finishes were done to death in 2021. We’ll see more wearable, light coverage sheer skin this year.
- Vivid Eyeliner: There’s definitely going to be some bold eyeliner art in popping neon shades to look out for in 2022
- Multichrome Madness: These jewel-like tone-shifting pigments are a fantasy come true. They were used extensively as eyeshadows, but we could see more experimentation with placement this year.
Makeup experts like Lisa Eldridge and Celia Burton also speak about the beauty industry’s movement towards sustainability and the rise of clean beauty.
They say true beauty lies on the inside. And we wholeheartedly agree. But there’s no reason you can’t have a little fun with makeup. After all, a good red lipstick can make you feel like you can conquer the world. Putting on some makeup can boost your mood on the days you feel out of it. You feel more confident and put together with just a touch of pressed powder or blushed cheeks.
If this blog made you feel like you want to show off your makeup skills and be the next big beauty influencer, download Rizzle today! We can’t wait to see your creations!
