Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner

Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner - Ancient Origins in Egypt and Mesopotamia

The origins of eyeliner can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia, where both men and women used kohl and other cosmetics to enhance their appearance. In these early societies, eyeliner served both practical and ceremonial purposes.

In Ancient Egypt, eyeliner was seen as an essential part of beauty and hygiene. Egyptians believed that kohl, a dark powder made of antimony, malachite, and burnt almonds, had protective powers and warded off the harsh sun and disease. Every man and woman would apply thick black kohl around their eyes on a daily basis. Eyeliner was also associated with the falcon-god Horus and the dangerous, alluring eye.Royals and elites used more elaborate cosmetics as a show of status. Queens like Nefertiti and Cleopatra famously rimmed their eyes in dramatic wings tipped with gold dust. These liner looks inspired fear, envy, and awe.

Mesopotamians also viewed eyeliner as a way to amplify beauty and social standing. Excavations of Sumerian tombs contained miniature pots of eyeshadows and liners made from copper, lead, and antimony. Ancient texts described women painstakingly applying makeup before leaving the home. The Babylonians preferred a bold eye look with colored powders. Elite women had specialized tools like ivory wands and hollow reeds to help apply precise lines.

Beyond beautification, eyeliner served a spiritual purpose in these societies. Egyptians and Mesopotamians believed eyes were the windows to the soul. Lining them provided protection from evil spirits and connected the wearer to the gods. Tombs were filled with liner pots so the dead could take their cosmetics to the afterlife. Dramatic liner looks were donned during rituals and ceremonies.

Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner - Kohl Usage Spreads Along the Silk Road

Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner - The Renaissance Era - Darker Shades for Men and Women

Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner - Victorian Times - Restrained Elegance Reigns

Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner - The Flappers of the 1920s Make a Bold Statement

Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner - Hollywood Glamour of the 1930s and 1940s

Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner - The Advent of Liquid Liner in the 1950s

The 1950s were a time of innovation and glamour in the cosmetics industry. After the more subdued looks of the 1940s, women were ready to embrace new products that enhanced their beauty. The advent of liquid eyeliner in the 1950s perfectly captured the spirit of the era. Liquid liner delivered the crisp, dramatic lines of conventional pencil liner but with more intensity and ease of application. Its launch marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of eye makeup.

The first mass-produced liquid liner hit the scene in 1957. It was introduced by none other than mega brand Maybelline, one of the trailblazers of affordably priced cosmetics. Maybelline had already made a name for itself with cake mascara in the 1920s. Now with its magic liquid liner, it transformed eyeliner into an accessible product for everyday women. The fine felt tip applicator gave users perfect control to create versatile looks, from delicate to daring. Maybelline liquid liner was an instant sensation.

Hollywood starlets like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor embraced this new liner style, using it to create their signature sultry, cat-eye shapes. Liquid liner amplified their on-screen allure and became a staple in their glamorous off-duty looks as well. The product gained more popularity through the 1960s as icons like Twiggy and other British models exaggerated the look with super skinny, elongated flicks. False eyelashes also rose to prominence, and liquid liner was the perfect partner, defining eyes to balance the drama.

For everyday women, liquid liner captured the spirit of change in the 1950s. As ladies shed the conservative styles of the post-war era, cosmetics helped them express their individuality and sensuality. Liquid liner’s precise control allowed for creativity and customization. Looks could be changed up from day to evening with the sweep of a brush. The liner’s striking finish was perfect for accentuating eyes and making lashes appear thicker. As confidence grew, liner got bolder and more experimental.

Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner - Punk Rockers Bring Dramatic Wings and Color

While liquid liner dominated mainstream looks in the 1950s and 60s, a radically different aesthetic was brewing in the underground punk scene. Punk culture emerged in the mid-1970s as a rebellion against the establishment. Musicians and followers made statements with provocative fashion that broke every rule. When it came to beauty, punks ramped up eyeliner into an act of defiance and self-expression.

British punk pioneer Siouxsie Sioux of the Banshees was one of the first to develop the exaggerated eye look. Her signature style featured harsh, jagged wings drawn far past the eyes in stark black or electric colors like cobalt and lime green. Paired with spiky hair and torn clothing, Siouxsie created an arresting, androgynous glare. Her followers in the U.K. and New York scenes faithfully copied the dramatic wings.

On the opposite coast, the Los Angeles punk scene nurtured its own take on liner. Exene Cervenka of the band X exemplified the sunny California punk aesthetic. Her liner flicks had a softer edge, subtly winged in black, gray, or burgundy. The Go-Go’s, fronted by Belinda Carlisle, also favored medium-width flicks in muted tones. Makeup that was less extreme allowed their beauty to still shine through punk’s subversive edge.

For male punks, eyeliner provided a potent way to challenge gender stereotypes. New York Dolls singer and muse David Johansen liberally applied kohl around his eyes, creating a gender-bending glam look. In the U.K., Billy Idol of Generation X rivaled Siouxsie with his trademark slashes of thick black liner paired with spiked bleached hair. The daring eye makeup of Joan Jett of The Runaways also became an unmistakable part of her signature style.

Punk eyeliner articulated the movement’s outsider perspective and cry for individuality. While earlier liner styles sought to conform to ideals of beauty, enhance femininity and maturity, or emulate Hollywood icons, punk demolished expectations. The avant-garde looks projected edginess, aggression, and even danger. Punk liner was less about beauty in the traditional sense and more about using makeup as a vehicle for communicating one’s alternative identity. The severity and extremes reflected the punk philosophy of smashing the status quo.

Lashes Through the Ages: A Global Look at the History of Eyeliner - The Rise of YouTube Makeup Tutorials

The advent of YouTube in 2005 sparked a revolution in how people learn about makeup application. With just a few clicks, endless tutorials offering step-by-step guidance are available at your fingertips. While magazines and TV makeup artists previously dominated the space, YouTube upended the status quo, allowing creators to share tips directly with viewers. The platform's dominance has significantly impacted how everyday women, and even professionals, skill up.

YouTube's makeup superstars have amassed massive followings of devoted fans. Michelle Phan was one of the first beautubers to gain fame, teaching techniques for flawless looks. Her natural on-camera style and ability to breakdown complex steps won over millions of subscribers. Other OG stars like Kandee Johnson enthralled audiences with their infectiously bubbly personalities and fierce skills. Viewers felt like they were chatting with a fun friend versus watching a stale tutorial.

As YouTube grew, a new generation of diverse creators emerged. Their instruction resonated with those looking to recreate looks from their own cultures or learn makeup techniques for their unique features. Jackie Aina's vibrant tutorials for darker skin tones filled a glaring gap in the online space. NikkieTutorials enchanted fans with her incredible makeup transformations, fostering a sense of creativity and artistry. The access to role models gave viewers confidence in applying makeup in a way that honored their beauty.

While YouTube provides inspiration and guidance, it's also fostered makeup creativity. The looks go far beyond everyday enhancement to explore makeup as artistic expression. James Charles flaunts gravity-defying eyeshadow and face paint in vivid neon hues. Jeffree Star creates next-level editorial looks with sci-fi inspiration. Their art challenges gender roles and norms around makeup wearing. Viewers are empowered to get playful with makeup as a medium.

The platform has impacted the business side too. Top YouTubers have spun their massive reach into makeup empires. Michelle Phan's EM Cosmetics delivers the products her fans crave. Huda Beauty by Huda Kattan brings her Dubai-inspired glamour into customer's hands through a mega-successful cosmetics line. The direct digital relationships with audiences help brands resonate and achieve rapid growth.

YouTube has also shaped the next generation of professional makeup artists. Budding artists learn techniques years before entering the workforce. Trends on YouTube often make their way to Hollywood red carpets and high fashion runways as today's top makeup pros grew up glued to beauty vlogs. The platform provides an edge versus learning on the job.