Power or Pressure? Exploring whether Cosmetic Practices throughout History have Granted its Users Agency

Throughout history, women have utilised cosmetic practises to beautify themselves, adorning their appearances. Despite the tendency of historiography, as well as societies, to view these actions as a product of patriarchal influence, reducing cosmetic practices as being dictated by the male gaze, this has not always been the case. In this very interesting article, it is explored that the idea that cosmetics have actually been consistently used by women in particular to grant themselves with agency.
AUTHOR: PIPER HEDGES