The Egyptians started wearing makeup 7,000 years ago. Over the years, women have been creative in finding ways to enhance their beauty, from using burnt match sticks to rim their eyes, berries to stain their lips and even the urine of young boys to fade freckles and other dark spots.
Today the beauty industry is a $500 billion dollar business. Studies show that the average woman (and more and more men) spends up to $300.00 per month ($3,600.00 annually and in a lifetime over $300,000.00) on makeup. I love makeup and have certainly purchased my fair share of beauty products but these figures sound high to me…then again, who am I to argue with the research? Included with their financial stats, the cosmetic industry has some other interesting tidbits…
- 44% of women don’t leave the house without makeup
- it takes women an average of 15-30 minutes daily to apply their makeup
- the average woman owns 7 lipsticks
- the average woman uses 16 beauty products every day
- women who wear makeup have higher-paying jobs
- wearing blush makes you look younger
- wearing makeup makes the wearer feel more attractive which builds confidence and self-esteem
I’m not sure I agree with all these findings but it’s food for thought…
Six years ago while recovering from a broken ankle (confined to 6 weeks of bed rest), I had nothing but time on my hands. I spent hours (quiet time as my grandsons call it!) on my computer. Somehow (?), I’m not even sure how I ended up on a google search for makeup artist youtube videos. That was a real lifesaver for me at the time, and that’s when I became hooked…
Today I follow numerous makeup artists on youtube finding them entertaining and enlightening. Although I don’t wear as much makeup as I used to, there are always new techniques to learn that are helpful in highlighting the features you like and minimizing the ones you don’t. Makeup artists are always on top of what’s new on the market, usually applying makeup on themselves or a model. This gives you the opportunity to decide, before purchasing, if it’s something you might try for yourself. The past month has been the lead up to the much anticipated holiday makeup launches. I’m sure the cosmetic companies must rely on these YouTubers to be influencers and are thrilled with the number of social media followers the makeup artists have! What could be better advertising for their captivate audience?
***(A little side story) A few years ago I asked my 3-year-old grandniece what she wanted for her birthday. Knowing her way around the internet, she scrolled through the iPad until she found the Barbie she hoping for. When I went to pick it up for her, there were none to be found but I did see a rolling Barbie makeup vanity case and hoped she wouldn’t be too disappointed with that. She was over the moon with excitement when she opened it and brings it along with her wherever she goes. I said to her dad, “you never know, she may want to be a makeup artist when she grows up.” His reply was, “oh no, she’s going to be an astronaut!” She promptly turned and said, “no daddy, a makeup artist.”
Like my grandniece, I was fascinated with makeup from an early age. The 1960s, when I was a teenager, had a completely new look in fashion, hair, and makeup than the 1950s look that my mom wore. My teenage rebellion came in the form of long bangs, mini skirts, winged eyeliner and false eyelashes which didn’t always go over so well on the home front…
Our hustle-bustle lifestyle and/or the size restrictions of our homes today may not allow for the luxury of the dressing tables (vanities) of past decades. I’m sure you’ve seen them in old movies or read about them in books written about times long past. I particularly loved the ones with tulle skirts and flounces.
The photo (left) is an interesting combination of both a modern and traditional decorating style that is elegant and functional.
Several years ago I decided to have a built-in shower added to my bathroom. In order to accommodate the shower, I had to give up a 6′ long vanity and replace it with a 30″ apothecary-style sink. With very little space on the sides of the sink, there was no space for my makeup and I knew I would have to come up with a plan!
This is the solution I came up with. Since I rarely use the clawfoot tub, I was able to line the pedestal of this marble table right up against the edge of the tub allowing for half of the tabletop to slide over the top of the tub. It’s tucked into a corner taking up very little space in the bathroom. The 36″ top offers ample space for my makeup collection and with the stool (that tucks in under the table when not in use) it’s a comfortable space to apply my makeup. This corner also offers the benefits of natural light provided by the window over the tub.
Applying makeup to your face (a blank canvas) allows the artist in you to paint a new masterpiece every day!
If your day isn’t going the way you want it to, take Chanel’s advice…apply some lipstick and attack it full-on…
xox Judy
These are some of the makeup artists I follow on youtube:
- Lisa Eldridge
- Erin Nicole
- Angela Van Rose
- Michelle Wang
- Abby Bliss White
- A Model Recommends
I love my makeup table (desk) in my spare room that sits right under the window. I recently purchased some new fall/holiday “colors,” and I’m having fun experimenting. Never thought of checking out youtube videos, so thank you for that tip.
I was once asked, by a male co-worker, why I wear makeup. Didn’t think at that time, to ask him why he worked out at the gym everyday. I know some people think it’s just vanity. But for me it has always been about feeling good about myself, and has always just been a part of my daily grooming routine (toilette). Plus, I don’t like going out and scaring people – lol – except at Halloween.
As always, thank you for taking the time to write Judy.
Hi Karen, Like you, I don’t want to scare people either! I think you may enjoy some of the makeup channels that I watch. There is always something new to try out…