Adrianna M

· 06 Aug 2022

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17th and 18th centuries, the era of pale makeup

#history  
In the 17th and 18th centuries, there was an obsession with pale faces, dusted with talcum powder or rice flour powders around the neck and décolleté, and some stains such as artificially painted polka dots.


France marked the canon of beauty. Showing oneself with colored eyes and cheeks was frowned upon, so in the absence of blushes, the skin was pinched so that blood pigmented the cheekbones.

In these centuries it is also necessary to remember makeup in Asia, specifically in Japan with its Geishas.

Her makeup was a hallmark to enhance her features with innuendo. Her white makeup covered her face, neck, chest and hands, with two or three unpainted areas (forming a “W” or “V”) near the back of her neck, to accentuate this erotic area, and an uncovered patch of skin around her hair.

The eyes and eyebrows were highlighted with charcoal. Maiko (Geisha's apprentice) also wore red around their eyes. The lips were painted with a brush, establishing a heart-shaped contour above and below.