Advancements in cosmetology during the nineteenth, twentieth, and early twenty-first centuries reflect significant changes in products, techniques, and societal attitudes toward beauty:
Nineteenth Century
- The cosmetics industry began to grow due to increased "visual self-awareness" enabled by innovations such as mirrors, commercial photography, and electric lighting, which made people more conscious of their appearance
- Safer cosmetic ingredients were developed, such as Henry Tetlow's use of zinc oxide as a face powder in 1866, replacing toxic homemade products
- Established companies like Rimmel and Guerlain began distributing cosmetics commercially, popularizing products like face powders, rouges, and lipsticks
- Skincare became important, with cold creams (e.g., Pond's) widely advertised and used for cleansing and moisturizing
- Hair care advanced with entrepreneurs like Martha Matilda Harper opening the first public salon and inventing salon techniques
- Victorian beauty ideals favored modesty and natural looks, with botanical extracts (lavender, rose, chamomile) used in skincare
Twentieth Century
- Early 1900s makeup was still limited and often associated with actresses or prostitutes; pale skin was prized as a sign of wealth
- Max Factor invented makeup that would not cake or crack under studio lights around 1901-1910, helping popularize cosmetics among the general public
- The cosmetic industry expanded rapidly in the 1920s and 1930s, introducing innovations like the preheat-perm method and the first nail polish
- Marcel Grateau invented the curling iron, and chemical perms evolved, making hairstyling more versatile
- Nail polish and mascara in tube form were introduced mid-century, improving ease of use
- Deodorants evolved from the first commercial product "Mum" in 1888 to roll-on (1952) and aerosol forms (1965)
- Beauty standards became heavily influenced by media and celebrities, shaping trends and product development
Early Twenty-First Century
- Hair coloring techniques improved with gentler, no-fade dyes and foil hair weaving for highlights
- The rise of day spas and specialty salons, including men-only spas and barber spas, created new career opportunities for cosmetologists
- Specialization in cosmetology increased, with professionals focusing on areas like hair-styling, nail technology, and esthetics
- Continuing education became important for career advancement and adapting to new technologies and trends
In summary, cosmetology evolved from homemade, often toxic products in the nineteenth century to a sophisticated, media-driven industry in the twentieth century, with diverse professional opportunities and advanced techniques emerging in the early twenty-first century
