For every woman, beauty is a symbol of power, respect and self-confidence; her image is her letter of introduction to the outside world. Motivated by
For every woman, beauty is a symbol of power, respect and self-confidence; her image is her letter of introduction to the outside world. Motivated by the need to always look beautiful throughout history, they have been in charge of practising different techniques of makeup, hairdressing, skin improvement, among others, with the aim of enhancing their femininity. Believe it or not, sometimes they were capable of mistreating themselves in order to be considered “the perfect woman”.
With the purpose of commemorating the month of women, it is appropriate to take a historical tour of the different beautification techniques used by women in various parts of the world, as well as to learn how beauty standards have been in each era up to the present.
Reviewed by the BeautynFacts editorial team. Last updated: May 2026.
Egyptian beauty
The Egyptian civilisation was one of the first to take advantage of the field of cosmetics. Frequently, women applied creams and ointments that favoured skin care, leaving it protected against high temperatures. The aforementioned products could also be based on apricot pulp or snails when it was desired to prevent the appearance of wrinkles.
To start with their makeup, the Egyptians used a mask made of soot and ammonia on their eyes known as ‘kohl’. As a rule indicated by the beauty canons of the time, the eyes should be outlined in black and green colours. They also used iron oxide compounds with red ochre to paint their lips.
The concepts of manicures as well as pedicures also began to be used on this side of the world, as well as waxing, prepared from gums or ashes. For them, this last technique was one of the most important on their path to beautification, since a hairless body could be considered “perfect”.
Queen Cleopatra has been described as one of the most beautiful women in Egypt. To achieve softer and more elastic skin, she took donkey milk baths with honey.
What did the Greeks and Romans do?
Both Greek and Roman men and women combed their hair, waxed, and made up equally since, for both sexes, beauty was of great importance.
The canons of ancient Greece responded to harmonic as well as mathematical patterns. For them, bodies were perfect when they enjoyed great symmetry. According to the sculptor Polykleitos, a body must measure seven times the head to be considered “ideal”.
As if that were not enough, women had to have small breasts, wide hips, wavy hair and a sharp nose to be taken as references in terms of beauty.
For their part, Roman women used tartaric acid obtained from wine leftovers for chemical peeling procedures. It should be noted that, among the occupations of certain Roman slaves, was the beautification of their masters, so they had to be specialists in makeup as well as hairdressing.
In this civilisation there was already talk of cosmetic surgery, which had a reconstructive value. Women submitted to them when they needed to have their eyes, lips, teeth or nose touched up. This last case was that of those adulterers or thieves, who were ordered to remove their noses as punishment.
Christianity vs beauty
During the Middle Ages, women did not care about their physical appearance because, according to the ideals of Christianity, the female should only focus on the salvation of her soul instead of the frivolity that fashion represented.
With the passage of time, flirting returned to its peak with the influence of Muslim culture since they did give real importance to their personal appearance.
This type of woman provided important care to her face by applying lipstick to both her cheeks and lips, as well as lining her eyes with kohl. To go anywhere, they covered their faces with long veils of various colours.
They also kept perfumed with very fine aromas, took care of their nails and adorned their hands with different kinds of jewellery. In the same way, several sessions of relaxing massages were carried out for the care of their skin. This is how beauty once again took on the importance it deserved during that time.
Not so white faces for rebirth
During the Renaissance, the beauty canon that inspired women of the time was based on proportion and harmony. An example of this style at the female level was Venus de Milo, one of the most memorable statues of the Hellenistic period.
For a woman to be considered beautiful or perfect at that time, she had to have the following characteristics:
- Blond hair
- Thin
- Big clear eyes
- Long neck
- Small breasts
- Short hands as well as thin.
At this time, the use of scented creams or perfumes was used to hide bad odours caused by dirt or lack of bathrooms.
With regard to makeup, the women used rice powder to make their faces more pale. She, in turn, was given a greater vibrancy with blush on the cheeks and kohl to line the eyes.
Those who suffer from a disease choose to use more makeup than normal, thus hiding said condition.
On the contrary, in the Baroque era, the tendency was to exaggerate the features, which is why the mixture between saffron and pollen became more frequent until obtaining a blue colour that was applied both on the forehead and on the hands to give a greater appearance. pronunciation to the veins of those places.
In the same way, moles and wigs were placed. The first could paint themselves black or be made of velvet to hide the marks left on their faces by smallpox. The use of corsets was also fashionable; with them, the curves of females were accentuated.
Oriental beauty
In Japan, geishas were another standard for a perfect woman. They were dedicated to the practice of traditional dances; singing; literature; playing musical instruments; poetry, among other arts that they used to entertain their clients at different banquets or social events.
For their makeup, they used binsuke wax as a base, as well as crushed safflower petal pencils to paint their lips; each of them was in charge of taking care of their makeup because it is a fundamental piece of their work.
Victorian beauty
During Queen Victoria’s tenure, women underwent painful procedures to look beautiful.
Those who were older than 30 years could do the makeup of the time; this consisted of hiding the natural colour of the face by turning it completely white. Subsequently, they proceeded to make outlines with chalk or mercury. As if that were not enough, they used to take sulphur baths to improve the quality of their skin, which is also beneficial for their nails and hair.
The women who practised it had to be very careful, since if they inhaled this substance, they could die of poisoning.
During this time the “big manes” that could be wigs or made with natural hair were in fashion. Those who enjoyed blonde hair burnt some locks to get more volume. In view of the repetitive action, the women of the time used fat from brown bears to prevent hair loss and also to soften it. This action caused the extinction of these animals.
As his age progressed, more wrinkles were displayed; to eliminate them, they took baths with water and salt. Subsequently, mild electric shocks were carried out.
During this time, women were forced to follow these standards of beauty in order to be seen as “the perfect woman”.
What has been the beauty canon in recent years?
With the arrival of the new millennium, the standards have changed rapidly since now the bodies of women must be slim and tall, with a large bust, flat abdomen, and smooth or wavy hair. The physique continues to be of great importance, making some want to undergo cosmetic surgery regardless of the risks they may take to become an example of beauty.
In addition to the best appearance, both human quality and intellect have become more relevant. That is, just like a sculptural body, the perfect woman must also have solid ideals, self-confidence, and even a vocation to serve society.
As much as makeup or beauty techniques in general change, the need to look and feel beautiful to better face all of life’s challenges will never go out of style.
History of Female Beauty: From Cleopatra to Today
The history of female beauty is essentially the history of culture itself. Every era has redefined what looks desirable, from the elongated necks favoured in ancient Egypt to the rounded faces idealised in Renaissance Florence. Studying the history of female beauty reveals less about biology and more about which qualities a society chose to reward at a given moment.
The most thorough modern documentation of the history of female beauty comes from museum-curated histories like the BBC Culture series on changing faces of beauty, which traces 3,000 years of shifting ideals. Patterns emerge: standards swing towards whatever signals wealth and rest, then swing again when economic conditions change.
The 20th century alone reshaped the history of female beauty more times than the previous 2,000 years combined: 1920s androgyny, 1950s hourglass, 1990s waif, and 2010s curves. As Smithsonian Magazine’s beauty history feature documents, the acceleration tracks the rise of photography, cinema, and now algorithmic feeds. Knowing the history of female beauty in this context is its own form of liberation.
Frequently Asked Questions About History of Female Beauty
How have female beauty standards changed over time?
Female beauty standards have shifted dramatically across cultures and centuries, from the full curves valued in the Renaissance to the slim figures of the 1920s flapper era, from natural beauty in the 1970s to the heavily contoured looks of the 2010s. Each era reflects social, economic, and political influences, with beauty ideals often tied to class, wealth, and access to leisure. The current trend toward natural, clean girl aesthetics signals a swing back toward less heavily processed beauty, though social media still amplifies certain features and looks.
What ancient beauty practices are still used today?
Many ancient beauty practices remain relevant in modern skincare and beauty routines. Egyptian use of kohl eyeliner inspired today’s eye makeup. Greek olive oil use for skin and hair continues in luxury skincare. Roman bathing rituals influence modern spa culture. Indian Ayurvedic principles guide many natural beauty brands. Chinese gua sha tools are now mainstream. Cleopatra’s milk baths inspire lactic acid skincare. These ancient roots remind us that the desire for beauty and self-care has been universal across human civilisation.
What is the most iconic beauty era in history?
The 1920s flapper era, the 1950s Hollywood glamour, the 1960s mod movement, and the 1990s supermodel decade each define iconic beauty moments. The 1950s, with its emphasis on red lips, defined eyebrows, soft waves, and tailored silhouettes, remains particularly influential. The 1990s supermodel look, featuring strong brows, minimal makeup, and natural beauty, has heavily inspired today’s clean girl aesthetic. Each era’s icons, from Audrey Hepburn to Cindy Crawford, continue to shape contemporary beauty inspiration.
How did social media change beauty standards?
Social media has transformed beauty standards by accelerating trend cycles, amplifying certain features through filters and editing, and creating a global standardisation of looks. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok promote specific aesthetic trends rapidly, from full lips to specific brow shapes to dewy complexions. Filters have shifted what people see as their own real face. Influencer culture creates aspiration and pressure simultaneously. The current trend toward authentic, unfiltered beauty is partly a backlash to this saturation of edited images.
Are beauty standards different across cultures?
Yes, beauty standards vary significantly across cultures, though globalisation has narrowed differences in recent decades. Skin tone preferences vary widely; some cultures prize fair skin, others tanned. Body type ideals also differ, from preferences for fuller curves in some regions to slimmer builds elsewhere. Hair textures, facial features, and even age perception are valued differently. Local beauty practices like Korean glass skin, Brazilian wax, French effortless chic, and Indian kohl reflect cultural identity and tradition. Cross-cultural beauty exchanges are increasingly common.
What is the future of female beauty standards?
Future beauty standards appear to be moving toward greater diversity, authenticity, and inclusivity. Trends include broader representation across body types, ages, skin tones, and abilities. Skin positivity, age positivity, and natural beauty movements are gaining traction. Technology will continue influencing through AI, augmented reality, and virtual beauty applications. The most sustainable beauty future likely emphasises individual expression rather than uniformity, with women defining their own standards rather than chasing universal ideals. Beauty as wellness rather than appearance is becoming central.
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