2018 Volume 42 Issue 1 Pages 27-35
Why people wear make-up is a fundamental and wide-ranging question. Make-up and skin care have evolved over the course of time through the influence of society and culture. Having undergone many changes, the term “make-up” has become a word that encompasses numerous meanings and concepts. In an attempt to answer the question why people wear make-up, this paper first analyzes what constitutes make-up from the viewpoint of make-up activities and the meaning of make-up, then it traces the changes in what comprises make-up in Japanese cosmetic culture. Lastly it examines modern make-up from three perspectives: the allure of women’s appearance, the effects of make-up, and the interpretation of beauty culture.
