Cut just released the latest video in its 100 Years of Beauty series. This time, the hair and makeup team took on Italy through the decades.
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The inspirations for "100 Years of Beauty — Italy" came mainly from Italian fashion designers and style icons who've influenced hair, makeup, and style over the last century.
In the 1910s, hair was piled high and makeup was kept subtle — except for the lipstick.
This look was influenced by fashion designer Mariano Fortuny, and Fortuny himself was influenced by Greek style.
The '20s were about harsh features: Brows got stronger, eyeliner got heavier, and hair was tucked into a low bun.
This style came from style icon Elsa Schiapparelli, an Italian fashion icon who described herself as unattractive.
Because of World War II, the cultural focus in the '40s shifted away from beauty.
As a result of the war, Italy was faced with intense turmoil and poverty, which meant that makeup virtually disappeared and hairstyles became more sensible.
Hair and makeup became extremely polished in the 1950s to help accessorize the booming fashion industry.
After World War II the textile industry was booming. Clothing was all about brightly colored patterns in comfortable silhouettes, so hair and makeup was kept minimal but feminine.
In the 1970s, color was used anywhere and everywhere on the face. See: green eyeshadow and orange lipstick.
The fashion designer Missoni believed that color would transform post-war Europe, so clothing became incredibly vibrant and makeup became one of the boldest accessories.
And '80s beauty was basically dripping with gold.
Versace became the biggest fashion name in the 1980s, and he was all about luxury and sex appeal. Hair accessories, eyeshadow, and even lipstick were all kinds of gold.
Come the 21st century, hair and makeup looks called back to the glamorous movie stars of the 1950s.
Large, luxe-looking buns and pouty lips were all thanks to Dolce and Gabbana infusing as much heteronormative sex appeal as possible into their clothing.
As for present-day Italian beauty trends, there's a focus on colorful makeup and whimsical hairstyles.
It's inspired by what fashion designer Moschino sends down the runway, which is typically anti-luxury. Beauty is supposed to be fun anyway, right?
