Beauticians, you are beautiful!
Most people need a little help now and then to look their best
They’re the modern day fairy-godmother, turning chamber maids into belle’s of the ball and frogs into princes. Today, 26 June, we celebrate Beauticians Day.
Most people need a little help now and then to look their best, even if they don’t admit it. That’s where the local beautician comes in to hide your flaws and highlight your best features. Beauticians have many skills including skin care, manicures, pedicures, hair care, electrology (electrical epilation to permanently remove human hair) and make up application among others.
Becoming prominent towards the end the 19th century, its part of a beauticians job to keep up with the beauty trends through time. Here is a timeline of beauty trends through the ages:
1400s to early 16th century: The age of the Renaissance was a time of more voluptuous women than any other time in history. Full figured women were the epitome of sexiness. Lighter hair color was better and pale, ivory skin was all the rage. Women also coloured their lips with vermilion, a bright red pigment made from mercury sulphide.
1837 – 1901: The women of the Victorian age were more body conscious, striving for the smallest waist possible. To achieve this they wore corsets which were extremely uncomfortable and made breathing and sitting nearly intolerable. Makeup was modest with bold colours being considered trashy and were reserved for prostitutes.
1920s: Doing away with curves altogether, these women wanted to look boyish, some even going so far as to strap down their breasts. Corsets were replaced by elastic webbed girdles to create the illusion of a flat abdomen. Bobs and finger waves were popular hair trends and bold makeup was considered sexy. Powder was applied to the skin to make it look as pale as possible. Eyebrows were lifted and penciled in to made them look thin and bold.
1960s – 1980s: It was from this time that thin was in. Many people wanted to look like supermodels. This time was also characterized by distinctive fashion trends like bell- bottoms, big hair, mini-skirts, shoulder pads, neon body-suits and spandex. The period also saw the birth of the hippie flower child and the contrasting modern woman. Tanning booths became popular and so did bold makeup with thicker brows.
1990s: Characterized by strung out, emaciated figures, the grunge evolution, crop tops and belly rings, the 90s was a time of bleach blonde hair as well as minimalist, androgynous makeup.
2000 – present: Now is the time of self-expression where anything and everything goes. For the first time the definition of beauty is not a concrete thing. This time also sees the revival of many fashion trends from the ages, bringing them together to create new looks. Recently people have also started changing their appearance to suit their own beauty ideals by using artificial beauty products like hair extensions and plastic surgery.
What’s your favourite beauty trend?
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