Makeup

People are strange animals. Amongst the various denizens of the planet Earth, humans are the only ones that find the need to adorn themselves with certain items to enhance their appearance. From simple things like pieces of necklaces and bracelets to expansive and involved make up. While both forms of decoration have been around for a long time, it is make up, perhaps, that has some of the most interesting and controversial history.

Make up, contrary to popular belief, has been around for millennia. People have been using make up to adorn themselves for a long time. They have been doing it for almost as long as humanity has inhabited the planet for the most part. There is archaeological evidence that the Ancient Egyptians and Romans used make up in a variety of forms to adorn their faces and their bodies. In fact, all over history there are signs that make up has been used by people of many different cultures. In some cultures it is not just the women who use make up either.

In many of the cultures of the world make up is not actually worn by women as the modern and popular western belief supposes. Take, for example, the Native American warriors who wore make up as a way of intimidating their enemies. Certainly these days it is called war paint or has some other name, but what else is war paint than some sort of make up for a specific purpose? More true to the nature of make up perhaps are the actors in the Karila region of India. There ancient theatrical arts use a heavy handed amount of make up for the actors who are all, by tradition, all men. The men have to take on the appearance of women, monsters, and ancient kings. With the expansive amount of make up being used they can accomplish nearly anything.

But even in western theatre make up plays an important role. The make up here has a more traditional role and the approach is more identifiable than the approach in India, for example, but the fact remains the same. Today there are even make up products being produced for men instead of women. While men are likely far from lipstick, eyeliner, and all the other little bits and pieces that the average women has in her cosmetic bag; there are base creams and the like that are meant for men.

Make up is a part of human history and is part of the modern world as well. While make up is usually associated with women who want to make their mark on the world or simply want to look their best, the ideas behind make up are changing slowly but surely as time passes. Make up has come a long way and shows no sign of stopping its development. Who knows where we may be in a few decades as far as make up is concerned.