The History of Eyeshadow
Posted on March 12 2016
An earthly goddess can enchant a room of people with her natural smokey eyes using brown, beige and nude tones. Today, eyeshadows are available in pressed and loose powders, creams, and pencils in an endless number of colors. The mix and match opportunities are endless! Whether I’m feeling soft and sweet or sexy and bold, I can pick the perfect shade to express myself for that day. Let’s take a look into just where eyeshadow came from and how it became what it is today.
Egyptian records point to the first recorded use of eyeshadow in 10,000 B.C. These eyeshadows were made from kohl which is a combination of lead, chrysocolla ore, oxidized copper, ochre, malachite, crushed antimony, burnt almonds and ash. It was kept in a small pot with a lid and was painted on using a stick to give the eyes an almond shape. At first this practice as used by royalty to accentuate the eyes, but it later became popular amongst commoners.Eyeshadow then made its way into Greece. Here,
Eyeshadow then made its way into Greece. Here, eyeshadow was used as a tool for beautification. Stones like malachite and lapis lazuli were used to create hues of blues and greens, among the most common of shades. Greeks exported eyeshadows and other cosmetics at the time during the 7th and 8th century B.C. They and Romans crushed other minerals and stones to create more colors and shimmer. At the time, many of these shadows came fro India and Babylon, and so were not accessible by all classes. Royalty and extremely wealthy women used these fine cosmetics not only for their medicinal uses, but to ward off evil forces and the evil eye. Herbs, stones, plants, and dried flowers were crushed up by Romans to add color. Eyeshadow made of kohl was also common in India since the Bronze Age, where it was used to protect from the sun, disease and the evil eye. Iberia used eyeshadow to ward off disease and for beautification in the 10th century. In Japan girls used flower petals, bird droppings, and rice flours as eyeshadow in the 11th century.
Eyeshadow made of kohl was also common in India since the Bronze Age, where it was used to protect from the sun, disease and the evil eye. Iberia used eyeshadow to ward off disease and for beautification in the 10th century. In Japan girls used flower petals, bird droppings, and rice flours as eyeshadow in the 11th century.
In 1909 there was a sudden rise in the sale of eyeshadow when the London Ballet Russes used heavy eyeshadow and mascara on the stage, and after seeing Russian ballerinas on the stage in 1911, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein began to apply more bold eye makeup on their wealthier clients.
Theda Bara [ star of the 1917 version of Cleopatra ! ] was the first to adopt the heavily kohled eyes popularized by Helena Rubinstein. Her dark rimmed eyes became her trademark, which she wore on-screen and off. The look was so revolutionary, it was reported on by major newspapers.”
The fashion revolution of the 1920’s brought the emergence of the eyeshadows that we have today. Unwanted effects and ingredients were removed from the process to make more desirable pigments and eyeshadows.
Our newsprint bleu cream eyeshadow, which we are bringing back to the line, was created to look like soot and vaseline because in the 1920’s silent film era in Hollywood they burned newspaper and mixed with vaseline to put on the eyelids!
Color Your World
At Julie Hewett we have eyeshadows that you’ll love, in magnetic signature Julie Hewett palettes. Our line of eyeshadows has many different colors that will fit your every mood and need. They can even be used wet as eyeshadow! You’ll look like a star fit for the silver screen. Glamorize your look with these gorgeous shadows and you’ll feel like a celebrity, with all of the attention you’ll be grabbing. Your clients will be stunning at center stage, and are sure to be more than pleased with your work using our shades.
Eyeshadows can be used to accentuate the eyes and improve facial appearance. It is used on and off stage by people of all classes, both men and women alike. It can be used to express yourself or give a different look to add for a little change. It gives your face the dramatic or natural addition you want to portray to all those who lay eyes upon you.
Have fun with it and get creative. Don’t be afraid to try new things and venture out a bit. Shop now for eyeshadows that you can use to achieve looks you’ve always wanted to try or to improve your regular routine! Transform into a movie star and steal the show with our exclusive line of luxurious eyeshadows.