The unexpected origins of six beauty trends still practised today

The beauty world has never been as predictable as it seems today, with some of its biggest trends coming from the most unexpected places.

Every trend has an origin story, whether it’s born out of innovation, necessity, culture, or pure practicality. Beauty trends are no exception. Many of the beauty rituals we embrace today have existed in one form or another for centuries. Curious about where they came from, we traced some of today’s most popular beauty trends back to their roots.

While some beauty staples have fairly straightforward beginnings, many others started as practical solutions, cultural traditions, or rituals that gradually evolved into the beauty trends we know today. Here are six beauty trends whose origins are more unusual than their modern-day image would have you believe.

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High-heeled shoes 

Few shoes are as iconic as a pair of heels, and chances are, you’ve owned a pair at some point in your life. They’ve long been the go-to shoe for adding height, confidence, and a touch of elegance to any outfit.

Their origins, however, have absolutely nothing to do with fashion or style. High heels first appeared in 10th-century Persia, where cavalrymen wore them to keep their feet secure in stirrups while riding. When Persian diplomats visited Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, European aristocrats adopted the footwear because they associated heels with military power and masculinity. Until the 18th century, everyone wore heels till it became a women’s thing.

What began as practical footwear for men gradually evolved into one of the biggest symbols of femininity. Interestingly, the shift seems to be coming full circle. Today, more men are embracing heels once again, not for battle, but as a form of fashion and self-expression.

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Eyeliner

The history of eyeliner is far more practical than fashionable. Eyeliner dates back to Ancient Egypt, where all people used kohl, a dark cosmetic made from ground minerals, to line their eyes — though it wasn’t just for appearance. Egyptians believed it could ward off the evil eye, honour the gods, reduce the sun’s harsh glare in the desert, and signal high social status. Some historians also believe kohl’s mineral composition may have helped protect against certain eye infections. 

Though almost all ancient Egyptians wore kohl eyeliner, one of the most recognisable figures associated with this look is Queen Nefertiti. Her dramatic eye look has become synonymous with ancient Egyptian beauty.

It’s fascinating to think that what many of us now use to perfect a winged liner or recreate the viral “mob wife” makeup look once carried spiritual, practical and social significance alongside its beauty appeal. 

Fake beauty marks 

In the 17th and 18th centuries, small black silk patches, known as mouches, were worn to conceal smallpox scars, battle wounds, and other blemishes. 

Over time, what began as a practical solution evolved into a fashion statement, embraced even by those with flawless skin.  Placed strategically on different parts of the face, the patches were used to accentuate certain features, and according to popular belief, their placement could even convey secret messages.

Currently, beauty marks can be recreated with nothing more than a black eyeliner pencil, while faux freckles and face gems have become popular ways to add personality to a look. But the idea of decorating the face with small patches has also evolved. What were once silk spots used to conceal scars and imperfections have transformed into modern skincare patches, from pimple patches to under-eye masks. Much like mouches centuries ago, some are even designed to be seen, with colourful shapes and playful designs turning a treatment into a fashion item. 

Read also: Dermatologists are warning against these risky, viral beauty trends

Bird poo facials

Yes, you read that right. People actually have bird droppings applied to their faces as part of a skincare treatment believed to exfoliate, brighten, and soften the skin. While you can still find the treatment in some salons today, its origins go back centuries.

Known as uguisu no fun, meaning “nightingale droppings,” this unusual beauty treatment is one of Japan’s oldest skincare traditions. It was originally used to clean delicate silk fabrics and remove stains. After discovering its cleansing properties, geishas began using it to gently remove their heavy white makeup while helping to brighten the skin. 

Of course, the treatment isn’t as simple as applying fresh bird droppings to your face. The nightingale droppings are carefully sanitised using ultraviolet light before being processed and blended with other skincare ingredients, such as exfoliants and brightening agents, to create a facial treatment. Centuries later, uguisu no fun has found its way beyond Japan and can still be found on the treatment menus of select spas and skincare salons around the world.

Red ochre

Long before bronzers and terracotta-toned blushes became beauty trends, Himba women in Namibia had embraced the rich red hue of otjize as part of their daily rituals. 

Rather than washing with water, Himba women traditionally apply otjize, a rich paste made from butterfat and finely ground red ochre. The mixture was used for various things. It protected the skin from the harsh desert sun, helped repel insects, and reduced the need for frequent bathing in an environment where water was scarce.

Over time, otjize also became a powerful symbol of beauty, fertility, and cultural identity.

Read also: The Black woman as divine: Sacred femininity in African beauty rituals

Ohaguro

While a black smile might sound strange today, for centuries in Japan, people viewed darkened teeth as a symbol of beauty, status, and refinement.  

Ohaguro, meaning “blackened teeth”, involved darkening the teeth using a solution made from iron filings dissolved in vinegar and mixed with plant tannins. In Japanese culture, glossy black teeth were associated with maturity, elegance, high social status, and, for many women, marriage.

The coating helped protect the teeth by creating a barrier that could reduce decay, making it one of history’s more practical beauty treatments.

Although ohaguro largely faded out, it hasn’t been forgotten. Recently, it has occasionally reappeared with younger generation celebrities and artists embracing traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Beauty has always been a little strange 

The next time you recreate a winged liner, slip into a pair of heels, or reach for a pimple patch, remember that beauty isn’t always born in a lab or on a runway. Sometimes, it comes from the most unexpected and occasionally questionable places. 

Some began as survival tactics, others as status symbols, and a few came from ideas that sound downright bizarre by today’s standards. Yet somehow, they’ve stood the test of time, proving that even the strangest beginnings can leave a lasting mark on the beauty world.

As unusual as their beginnings may seem, they’ve all helped shape the way we define beauty today. 

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