

Have you ever wondered how the role of makeup has evolved over the centuries? Or why it is that sometimes makeup was a symbol of power and other times it was a mark of vulgarity? Do you know that 16th-century Venetians used poisonous materials on their own skin? Or why the au naturel look was so popular in Victorian England?
These are the questions that professional makeup artist and author of Face Paint: The Story of Makeup Lisa Eldridge answers in her mesmerizing video detailing the trends of some of the most prominent periods in history. It's a great reminder that makeup isn't just what we wear on our faces—it's also an indicator of a woman's sociocultural place in any given point in time. Now, who says beauty is superficial?
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for the latest celeb news, pretty pics, funny stuff, and an insider POV.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

My writing has regularly appeared in The New York Times, The Paris Review, Salon, VICE, Guernica, The New York Observer, BuzzFeed, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Esquire, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and many more publications.
I was previously the Senior News Editor at Best Life Online and the Viral Content Editor in the Newsroom of Hearst Digital Media. My portfolio consists of a vast and diverse body of work that includes personal essays, lifestyle articles, breaking news posts, and viral content. My areas of expertise, however, are Russia, sex and relationships, and mental wellness.
-
Cartier's New Exhibit Takes You on a Journey Through Time
The show celebrates the luxury watch house's profound legacy in full.
By Emma Childs
-
Pamela Anderson Went Makeup-Free Again For This (Excellent) Reason
"I'm going to challenge beauty."
By Sophia Vilensky
-
The Best French Fragrance Brands for that Classic Je Ne Sais Quoi
Channel your inner Brigitte Bardot.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 20 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair, According to Experts and Editors
Healthy strands, here we come!
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, According To Experts
Keep it fresh, my friends.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 11 Best Magnetic Lashes of 2023
Go ahead and kiss your messy lash glue goodbye.
By Hana Hong
-
The 32 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2023, According to Experts
Rapunzel hair, coming right up.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Beauty Advent Calendars Make the Perfect Holiday Gift
The gift that keeps on giving.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 18 Best Natural Hair Products in 2023
Remember: Your curls are your crown.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 9 Best Hot Rollers for the Curls of Your Dreams
This is how we roll.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 12 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists
The best part? They’re so easy to apply.
By Samantha Holender