Volume 9 Issue 1

For the ancient Egyptians, beauty defined
culture. From body oils and soaps to henna and
perfumes, they were passionate about enhancing
their skin and creating beauty secrets specific
to their culture, like painting their eyebrows and
eyes with black paint to protect their eyes from
the brutal desert sun. Nature was their muse, and
they utilized various natural resources to create
makeup to better their everyday lives. They created
creams from scratch using flowers and resins
and used sycamore juice to quicken the healing
of scars.
Many of these same materials are used in
modern-day makeup, such as olive oil, honey, and
beeswax. While the ancient Egyptians did not
have the viral technology of today, these original
artists were some of the world’s first makeup
influencers.
Every generation has prominent beauty influencers
that helped define the beauty of that era.
From the philosophers in ancient Egypt to poets,
playwrights, and artists to modern-day social media
creators, these influencers help define what
beauty is and show how to achieve it.
Famous influencer and makeup icon Max
Factor once said, “You are not born glamorous;
glamor is created.” Society has proved that they
are willing to spend any amount of money to
achieve a desired level of glamor.
Makeup is used to create signature looks
that are easy to identify. For example, The University
of Alabama Crimsonettes, who are famous
for their big hair and dramatic makeup that can
be seen from the upper bowl of Bryant Denny
Stadium. Makeup transforms these young women,
who appear as regular students in UA classes,
and affords them the confidence to perform
for a massive audience.
Rylie Dewley, a second year Crimsonette,
says, “Being done up on game day feels amazing.
I mean, it’s a dream come true for all of us, but
it’s truly so much more than that. It’s carrying on
the tradition of those who came before us and for
those who will come after.”
From the ancient Egyptians to the ancient
Greeks to the modern day, makeup has continued
to allow people like the Crimsonettes to
enhance their confidence. To Rylie and the other
Crimsonettes, the signature makeup look of this
world-class majorette team transforms them into
the classic beauties known visually all over the
country on any given Saturday.
In many ways, America’s obsession with
physical beauty began on a boardwalk in New
Jersey over 100 years ago after a swimsuit competition
that eventually became the renowned
Miss America Competition. This annual competition
featuring the 50 most beautiful women in the
country has long since defined beauty in America.
Callie Cox was one of those 50 young
women to grace the Miss America stage in 2021,
representing Missouri. Cox says, “Leading up
to the competition, I knew my look had to be on
point. I was able to lean into my femininity, and I
was confident that I had put my best foot forward,
down to the fake eyelash placement.”
Mary Ann Owens, a Miss America local
director for 40 years, says, “Everyone defines
beauty differently. Women who are confident and
conscious of who they are certainly beautiful,
but a classic beauty dresses her face first.” Each
year, Owens personally preps pageant winners,
and credits the makeup lessons by professional
artists as a big part of the preparation.
Whether makeup is transforming an Egyptian
princess into a fierce icon, the girl in biology
class into a field-ready baton twirler or a young
woman with big dreams into a beauty queen,
makeup through the ages has proven to have
a positive impact on women’s self-esteem and
confidence levels by simply changing the way
one feels about themselves. Beauty is defined in
many ways, but it has always had a strong tie to
makeup, with a rich history and roots as old as
time. Pull up a chair and transform into the most
glamorous era yet.
Design by Sarah Mitchell
Alice Fall 2023 17