Recent Article Excerpts
The History of Makeup by Karen Lange
*This article appeared in its entirety in the Spring 2009 issue of Real Authentic Women magazine, published by Modern Media, Westlake Village, CA. For subscription info, visit www.realauthenticwomen.com
From Ancient to Victorian Times
Is it any surprise that early cultures valued the outward appearance more than inner beauty? Roman philosopher Plautus said, “A woman without paint is like food without salt.” Historical accounts of makeup use date back as early as 4000 B.C. Even men, and occasionally children, wore makeup through the ages.
Early Egyptian women used perfumes and oils to protect their skin from the sun and dry climate. They painted their lips, using red ochre mixed with oils. To make the skin look fashionably pale, women used blue paint to trace the veins on their temples. Their eye shadow, liner, and mascara was made from finely ground minerals such as kohl, galena, minerals, carbon, and green malachite. Stylish Egyptian women (and some men too) lined their eyes with a heavy outline of green or gray kohl. One theory says that Egyptians thought that painting their eyes would provide magical eye protection. A more practical supposal, however, is that it was a matter of vanity and status.
In ancient Rome, it was fashionable for women to be pale, and they used powdered chalk and white lead to whiten their arms and faces. They also made pastes of honey, wheat, eggs, and other ingredients to whiten the skin. Ash or antimony was used as eye shadow. Women liked bright lips, and painted them with wine sediment or plant dye. Rouge was sometimes applied on the cheeks for special occasions. Romans, as well as the Persians, used henna to color hair, areas of the face, and nails.
It was customary for ancient Greek women to bathe daily and apply scented oils to help prevent the drying effects of the sun and climate. The skin was lightened here too, and dark makeup helped create this effect. Lips were painted and rouge applied, using a mixture of mashed seaweed, mulberries, and other natural resources. Eyebrows were darkened, and sometimes augmented by applying fake eyebrows made from the hair of oxen.
Other early cultures, such as Japan and India used makeup, too. Japanese geishas used white rice flour and water to make a paste to whiten their faces. After tweezing their natural brows, thick, dark eyebrows were painted on. Eyebrows were often lined in red, and bright, red lips completed the traditional geisha look. Indian women used henna for hair, face, and nails. Hindu women painted marks on their foreheads that were symbols of piety and marital status.
Copyright 2009, Modern Media.
Speech! Speech! by Karen Lange
*This article appeared in its entirety in the February 9, 2009 issue of The Homeschoolers Notebook ezine. To view the entire article visit:
http://www.familyclassroom.net/Articles20091/20090209.html
Do the words “public speaking” make you cringe? Some people enjoy speaking publicly, but most of us aren’t quite as thrilled about it. Realistically though, from meetings to church testimonies, there are times when we must address a group, so it is a good skill to teach our children. There are many facets to becoming a good public speaker; knowing and practicing the basics can help tremendously. Some of these skills, manners of conduct, and tips are easily incorporated into everyday living at any age. It may take a while to see results, but they will come. Consider the following:
*Children can be encouraged to speak clearly, with the appropriate tone and volume for daily interaction with others. This is one easy way to instill good speaking and listening habits. Teach them when and where slang, family terms, and other situational comments are appropriate.
*Stress the importance of eye contact when conversing, and giving the speaker their full attention. This conveys that the listener cares, and encourages kindness.
*Good posture is important for public speaking. Whether standing or sitting, it models self-discipline, and the right kind of confidence. Body language speaks volumes about attitude and respect for others.
*Speech habits, such as frequently using words like ‘um’, ‘like’, and ‘you know’, can be discouraged. It happens to all of us at times, but we can strive to be more aware of what we say and how we say it. This translates into better lifelong speaking habits. Speaking slowly enough to be understood is vital, particularly when addressing a group. Talking with one’s mouth full is another habit to discourage, and although you see few speakers at a podium speaking like that, the potential for being asked questions over a dinner meeting exists.
Copyright 2009, Karen Lange.
The History of Makeup by Karen Lange
*This article appeared in its entirety in the Spring 2009 issue of Real Authentic Women magazine, published by Modern Media, Westlake Village, CA. For subscription info, visit www.realauthenticwomen.com
From Ancient to Victorian Times
Is it any surprise that early cultures valued the outward appearance more than inner beauty? Roman philosopher Plautus said, “A woman without paint is like food without salt.” Historical accounts of makeup use date back as early as 4000 B.C. Even men, and occasionally children, wore makeup through the ages.
Early Egyptian women used perfumes and oils to protect their skin from the sun and dry climate. They painted their lips, using red ochre mixed with oils. To make the skin look fashionably pale, women used blue paint to trace the veins on their temples. Their eye shadow, liner, and mascara was made from finely ground minerals such as kohl, galena, minerals, carbon, and green malachite. Stylish Egyptian women (and some men too) lined their eyes with a heavy outline of green or gray kohl. One theory says that Egyptians thought that painting their eyes would provide magical eye protection. A more practical supposal, however, is that it was a matter of vanity and status.
In ancient Rome, it was fashionable for women to be pale, and they used powdered chalk and white lead to whiten their arms and faces. They also made pastes of honey, wheat, eggs, and other ingredients to whiten the skin. Ash or antimony was used as eye shadow. Women liked bright lips, and painted them with wine sediment or plant dye. Rouge was sometimes applied on the cheeks for special occasions. Romans, as well as the Persians, used henna to color hair, areas of the face, and nails.
It was customary for ancient Greek women to bathe daily and apply scented oils to help prevent the drying effects of the sun and climate. The skin was lightened here too, and dark makeup helped create this effect. Lips were painted and rouge applied, using a mixture of mashed seaweed, mulberries, and other natural resources. Eyebrows were darkened, and sometimes augmented by applying fake eyebrows made from the hair of oxen.
Other early cultures, such as Japan and India used makeup, too. Japanese geishas used white rice flour and water to make a paste to whiten their faces. After tweezing their natural brows, thick, dark eyebrows were painted on. Eyebrows were often lined in red, and bright, red lips completed the traditional geisha look. Indian women used henna for hair, face, and nails. Hindu women painted marks on their foreheads that were symbols of piety and marital status.
Copyright 2009, Modern Media.
Speech! Speech! by Karen Lange
*This article appeared in its entirety in the February 9, 2009 issue of The Homeschoolers Notebook ezine. To view the entire article visit:
http://www.familyclassroom.net/Articles20091/20090209.html
Do the words “public speaking” make you cringe? Some people enjoy speaking publicly, but most of us aren’t quite as thrilled about it. Realistically though, from meetings to church testimonies, there are times when we must address a group, so it is a good skill to teach our children. There are many facets to becoming a good public speaker; knowing and practicing the basics can help tremendously. Some of these skills, manners of conduct, and tips are easily incorporated into everyday living at any age. It may take a while to see results, but they will come. Consider the following:
*Children can be encouraged to speak clearly, with the appropriate tone and volume for daily interaction with others. This is one easy way to instill good speaking and listening habits. Teach them when and where slang, family terms, and other situational comments are appropriate.
*Stress the importance of eye contact when conversing, and giving the speaker their full attention. This conveys that the listener cares, and encourages kindness.
*Good posture is important for public speaking. Whether standing or sitting, it models self-discipline, and the right kind of confidence. Body language speaks volumes about attitude and respect for others.
*Speech habits, such as frequently using words like ‘um’, ‘like’, and ‘you know’, can be discouraged. It happens to all of us at times, but we can strive to be more aware of what we say and how we say it. This translates into better lifelong speaking habits. Speaking slowly enough to be understood is vital, particularly when addressing a group. Talking with one’s mouth full is another habit to discourage, and although you see few speakers at a podium speaking like that, the potential for being asked questions over a dinner meeting exists.
Copyright 2009, Karen Lange.
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