Beauty Journal

Notes on the painted face

Part history, part method. Where beauty has been — Tudor ceruse, Victorian secrets, ’90s restraint — and the handful of techniques and tools that still earn their place in my kit.

1990s Grunge and Minimalist Beauty: The Decade of Authentic Rebellion

From Seattle grunge to Calvin Klein minimalism, how the 1990s tore up the rulebook on glamour and made authentic, understated beauty the new ideal.

1980s Power Dressing and Bold Beauty: The Decade of Maximum Impact

Big hair, neon shadow and boardroom contouring — how 1980s 'more is more' beauty turned makeup into a statement of confidence, power and success.

1970s Beauty Revolution: From Hippie Natural to Disco Glamour

One decade, two opposite looks: barefaced hippie naturalism and dazzling disco glamour. Inside the 1970s beauty revolution and its lasting influence.

1960s Mod Beauty and Swinging London: The Revolution of Youth Culture

Graphic eyeliner, pale lips and razor-sharp bobs — how Swinging London and the mod movement made youth, androgyny and experimentation the new beauty ideal.

Post-War Beauty and the New Look Era: 1940s-1950s Makeup and Hairstyles

From wartime victory rolls and Victory Red lips to Dior's New Look glamour — how the 1940s and 1950s built the foundations of modern beauty.

Eye Makeup Evolution: From Ancient Kohl to Modern Artistry

From sacred Egyptian kohl to cut-crease artistry, the story of how humans have decorated the eyes for protection, status and pure aesthetic allure.

The Art of Contouring Through the Ages: Sculpting Beauty Across Centuries

Contouring is far older than Instagram. From Greek amphitheatres to Hollywood's golden age, the story of using light and shadow to sculpt the face.

Victorian Beauty Secrets: The Hidden World of 19th Century Makeup

Behind the Victorian ideal of effortless, God-given beauty lay a hidden world of secret cosmetics, elaborate skincare and dangerous beauty remedies.

The Evolution of Lipstick: From Ancient Rituals to Modern Statement

From crushed Sumerian gemstones to today's liquid formulas, trace how lip colour became a symbol of power, rebellion, and self-expression.

Tudor Makeup and Renaissance Beauty: The Dangerous Pursuit of Perfection

From Elizabeth I's white-lead mask to belladonna eye drops, discover how Renaissance beauty ideals were pursued at a deadly cost.

Mastering Basic Makeup Techniques: Essential Skills Every Beauty Enthusiast Should Know

From skin prep to setting spray, master the foundational techniques that turn everyday makeup into a flawless, professional-looking result.

Makeup Products Decoded: A Beginner's Guide to Foundation, Concealer, and Base Products

Primer, foundation, concealer, setting spray — understand what every base product does and how to choose the right formula for your skin type.

Understanding Colour Theory in Makeup: The Science Behind Beautiful Looks

Master the colour wheel, find your undertone, and learn which shades make your eyes pop — the science that turns makeup guesswork into artistry.

Makeup Brushes 101: The Complete Guide to Tools and Their Uses

Natural or synthetic? Which five brushes do you really need? A complete guide to choosing, using and caring for your makeup brush collection.

The Complete History of Makeup: From Ancient Egypt to Modern Beauty

From Egyptian kohl and Roman lead foundations to mod eyes and HD makeup, trace cosmetics across the millennia and the cultures that shaped them.