Beauty: The Secrets
of a
Millennial
Fascination
From Homo Erectus to the world of augmented beauty, the quest for beauty is a universal constant. From ancestral pigments to cutting-edge cosmetic technologies, how has beauty transformed the human experience over the centuries?
Makeup and perfumes: an ancient history
As an intimate and social language, the quest for beauty transcends eras and cultures. 350,000 years ago, Neanderthal man already used powders and ornaments to adorn himself. By 10,000 BC, the Egyptians had mastered the art of skincare and the makeup for aesthetic, therapeutic, and spiritual purposes.
Born in Mesopotamia, perfumery flourished in Europe, creating a veritable luxury and refinement industry. Since the health crisis and the loss of smell (anosmia) that affected 53% of those infected with the virus, the fragrance market has experienced a resurgence.
Lipstick, a timeless icon
From the Sumerians to the Parisians of the 21st century, lipstick has transcended centuries and cultures, embodying a symbol of femininity and self-affirmation. Its commercial creation in Paris in 1884 marked a turning point in the history of cosmetics. During the Second World War, cosmetics products were rationed in the United Kingdom, except for lipstick! Winston Churchill recognized its positive impact on morale. Helena Rubinstein created the shade "Regimental Red" for the American army.
Men and beauty:
an age old story
Ancient and complex, men's relationship with beauty reflects the evolution of male grooming and social norms. The use of makeup and powders in the court of Louis XIV testifies to this long history. In the 18th century, men abandoned artifice and coquetry in favor of a more sober aesthetic. In the 20th century, a return to skincare for men and adornment began, influenced by icons like David Bowie. Today, the men's grooming market, particularly in Asia, reflects a redefinition of gender norms and a more diverse masculinity.
1884
marked a turning point in the history of beauty industry, with the first lipstick launch in Paris
When beauty rhymes with social progress
Across cultures and throughout time, beauty has played a central role in social cohesion. The bob haircut in the 1920s, the invention of Ambre Solaire sunscreen in the 1930s, long hair trends in the 1970s, the Black is Beautiful movement... beauty also symbolizes
social progress, women's emancipation, and the liberation of bodies. In the wake of the individual liberation movements of the 20th century, contemporary beauty aims to be holistic, celebrating authenticity, individuality, self-acceptance, and imperfection.
Hajeri
L'Oréal Professional Products
Omar
Hajeri
President
L'Oréal Professional Products
Hairstylists are craftsmen, artists, entrepreneurs, mentors, confidants, influencers. They connect with people, build self-confidence, and positively impact lives every day. Hairstylists are essential in society. Alongside hairstylists since 115 years, L’Oréal Professional Products Division innovates to meet all hair needs. Together, with our 3 million hairstylists partners around the world, we shape the future of professional beauty.
This is not a beauty podcast
A new podcast from L’Oréal Groupe and New York Times explores the essential role beauty plays in the human experience. Across six episodes, hear about the hidden role beauty plays in sports, technology, business, science, health and politics, interviewing individuals from around the world.
Beauty: A Spirit of Belonging
Even tiny differences in facial and bodily features can affect how attractive or powerful individuals are perceived, according to a recent study by scientists at Charles University in the Czech Republic. The study points to just how finely tuned the brain is to perceive traits that have steered the course of reproductive choices and shaped societies for as long as homo sapiens have existed.
Little wonder, then, that humans have sought ways to enhance their attractiveness and status from time immemorial. According to Lars Krutak, a tattoo anthropologist interviewed in Season 1 of “This Is Not a Beauty Podcast”, “Tattooing usually signified that an individual had become enculturated into their respective community and had mastered the skills to become an adult and a productive member of society.” So besides signaling beauty, these tattoo designs were also signs of a certain distinction.
Beyond these social markers was the act of tattooing itself, a relationship between tattooer and tattooee that could break down barriers through talk. Indeed, beauty rituals themselves, such as – makeup, hair braiding and hairstyling – can act as social glue, cementing relationships. Think of braiding, which stemmed from West Africa and continues to bond individuals today, from young girls learning to “French braid” in summer camps in the U.S.A. to how braiding salons can create a community hub, such as in the case of Marie Josee, a Congolese refugee who opened a salon in North London.
In Season 2 of the “This Is Not a Beauty Podcast” series, the host Isabella Rossellini will look at examples of this kind of bonding, and how beauty shows up in the quiet moments of our everyday as well as rites of passage throughout our lives, starting with the ‘quinceañera’, a coming-of-age tradition in Latin culture celebrated when a young girl turns 15. Another such example is that of the barbershop, where a first haircut or shave is not only a forger of male relationships, but a builder of community in itself.
The instinctive desire to embellish and adorn can be seen as a constant of our existence as a species. How has this quest shaped the societies we live in, whether politically, socially or esthetically? What are the cultural beauty practices, and how are these manifested in the rituals, practices and personal styles of today? Beyond status markers, how does inclusive beauty function to create a sense of individuality, identity and wider community?
