Who Invented Eyeshadow?

Among makeup kit staples like eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, and concealer, you might not consider eyeshadow as an essential beauty product. But that’s not to say it isn’t a beloved one. Used to add color, depth, and dimension to the eyes, eyeshadow allows us to tap into our creativity and create beautiful eye makeup looks, from a sultry smoky eye to a fierce cut crease.

Eyeshadows are available in a dizzying array of colors, finishes, and formulas. The options are literally endless! But the eyeshadow you’re familiar with is a far cry from what it was originally — which makes sense, considering that eyeshadow has been around for millennia. You might even be surprised to know that eyeshadow shares a common ancestor with eyeliner.

Are you curious about the history of eyeshadow? Keep reading to learn more about its origins and evolution throughout the years.

When Was Eyeshadow Invented?

The earliest use of eye shadow can be traced back to 10,000 BCE, approximately 12,000 years ago, in ancient Egypt. Cosmetic palettes, pots, and applicators were found in burials from this period, as well as traces of eye paints.

Who Invented Eyeshadow?

Although the existence of ancient eye makeup was discovered through relics and artifacts, many inventions that date back to the ancient world were, unfortunately, not well-documented. Thus, the original inventor of eyeshadow is unknown.

The Evolution of Eyeliner

Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptians used an ancient eye cosmetic known as kohl. It was traditionally made by grinding stibnite, a lead-based mineral with a greyish-black hue similar to that of pencil lead.

However, there was no standard formulation for eye makeup during this time, so kohl was made from a variety of dark materials such as ochre, ash, and burnt almonds, malachite (a green mineral), and galena (a black mineral.) These substances were crushed into a fine powder, then mixed with animal fat, milk, or gum to create a spreadable paste. It was stored in a kohl jar and applied around the rims of the eyes with a small stick, akin to contemporary makeup tubes and applicators.

Kohl had a variety of purposes. It was mainly used as a form of protection against the harsh desert sun and wind. The black paste was applied generously around the eyes to help reduce the sun’s glare, repel flies, and prevent eye infections and redness.

Aside from its medicinal benefits, kohl played a prominent role in ancient Egyptian culture and religion. It was used by the royal class to mimic the appearance of the gods as a part of religious ceremonies. Kohl eventually became accessible to all social classes and was later used purely for cosmetic purposes.

This ancient form of eye makeup was also used in Mesopotamia, where kohl was made from grinding semi-precious stones.

Ancient Rome

By the time eye shadow arrived in ancient Greece and Rome, it no longer held religious significance; it was primarily used as a cosmetic to enhance once’s beauty. Eye shadows were imported from Babylon and India. Due to their rare and expensive nature, eyeshadows were seen as luxurious products and were largely worn by the upperclass men and women who could afford them.

The Romans would eventually create their own version of eyeshadow to compensate for the scarcity. They used crushed minerals, herbs, dried flowers, plant dyes, and animal material.

How Did Modern Eyeshadow Evolve?

Eye shadow has gone through multiple transformations over the centuries. It fell out of fashion during the Victorian era, when women who wore makeup excessively were viewed as promiscuous. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that eyeshadow (and makeup in general) made a comeback, thanks to the fashion revolution that led up to the roaring 20s, as well as the rise of film. Sometime during this period, chemists discovered a way to formulate eyeshadow without the associated health risks and unwanted effects of its predecessors, namely eye irritation and difficult removal.

1920s

Since movies were black and white, actors and actresses had to enhance their features in a way that would show on-screen. Actresses sported dark eyes and red lips on film, which eventually gained popularity among the masses. As the trend spread, makeup companies began creating new products to cater to the growing demand.

The flappers of the 1920s popularized smoky eyes, using eyeshadow that was similar to dark kohl eye makeup, as seen on Hollywood icons like Clara Bow and Greta Garbo.

1930s

By the 1930s, eyeshadows were available in a wide variety of colors. Women began experimenting with makeup, using eyeshadow to add color and dimension to their eyes. It was also during this decade that matching eyeshadow colors to your outfit became a trend.

1950s

Makeup became increasingly difficult to find during the later 30s and early 40s, as World War II progressed. The end of the war brought a resurgence in beauty, as cosmetic companies began to use models to advertise their makeup products. Women experimented with different eye makeup looks, which birthed various trends in the succeeding decades.

When Was the First Eyeshadow Palette Invented?

The earliest evidence of a commercial eyeshadow dates back to 1910 in the United States.

In 1914, a businesswoman by the name of Elizabeth Arden who owns the eponymous cosmetics brand introduced eye shadow to her own salons within the US. It was sold and advertised as ‘Arden Eye Shadow’ in 1919 and was later renamed to ‘Eye Sha Do’ in 1922. By the 1930s, however, most cosmetics companies including the aforementioned had adopted the term ‘eye shadow’ to refer to the cosmetic product.

source https://degreesofvanity.com/who-invented-eyeshadow/