Have you mesmerized by the makeup of “A Journey to Love”? The beauty level is comparable to the grand award of Huadian in ancient costume dramas. BAZAAR brings you a look at the use of the Huadian in recent Chinese TV dramas and its history.
As the chosen one of ancient times, Liu Shi Shi made a graceful appearance with a transcendent snow dance, dressed in a flowing red gown, with a graceful figure. The red of the Huadian between her eyebrows and the white of the snow complemented each other, making her as beautiful as a painting.
After entering the palace, she abandoned her fierce killer aura and her presence became gentle and hazy. Her usual elegant attire, paired with the Huadian, exuded a cool and charming aura.
The costume and makeup of other characters are also praiseworthy. He Lan Dou, who plays Princess Yang Ying, went from being overlooked to becoming the empress, and the appearance of the Huadian perfectly corresponded to her growth trajectory. Chen Xiao Yun's Huadian makeup in the role of noble consort Chu emanated a pure and captivating charm, making her beauty irresistible.
Chen Du Ling, who caused a stir with her appearance, portrayed the seemingly gentle but ambitious empress in the drama. With her slightly drooping eyes and delicate Huadian between her eyebrows, the lotus-inspired perfectly highlighted her scheming nature.
Ye Qing, in the role of “Ling Long,” exuded a sense of elegance and nobility, appearing both beautiful and fierce as an assassin. Unfortunately, her character met a tragic fate at the beginning. Jin Mei Niang (played by Huang Meng Ying) possessed a unique and captivating charm in her eyes. Wang Yan portrayed the Empress Zhao Jie with a regal and graceful demeanor, capturing the essence of an empress.
In another popular ancient costume drama, “Story of Kunning Palace,” the graceful beauty of Bai Lu is equally captivating. With a Huadian of a red lotus demoness, black hair and red lips, and floral ornaments on her forehead, she fully embodies the seductive and dangerous temperament of an evil woman.
The beauties in ancient costume dramas truly allow us to experience the beauty of Huadian makeup. Whether it's a captivating smile, a flowing and enchanting beauty, or an ethereal appearance, their beauty is truly captivating.
In fact, women have always enjoyed adorning their faces with floral ornaments, known as Huadians. Made of gold, silver, and other materials, these flower-shaped ornaments are intricately designed and come in various forms, bringing novelty and beauty.
There are also fresh and unique “Cui Dian” made from feathers of kingfisher birds, “Jin Dian” made from gold foil, and distinctive Huadians made from materials such as paper, fish scales, and tea oil cakes. The cultural significance of Huadian goes beyond their appearance. In addition to describing the charm and pleasure of women, the love for Huadian is also praised in the vast sea of poetry and literature.
01 The Origin and History of Huadian
The origin of Huadian can be traced back to the pre-Qin period. At that time, women loved to adorn their faces with various decorative patterns, especially in the southern state of Chu, where such customs were prevalent.
After the Han Dynasty, Huadian became increasingly popular. Starting from the Northern and Southern Dynasties, people began to prefer Huadian made of metal foils, particularly gold and silver, as well as various gemstones.
The Tang Dynasty embraced a diverse and inclusive cultural atmosphere, nurturing a rich and vibrant Huadian culture, which eventually reached its peak in the late Tang Dynasty.
In the makeup of the Tang Dynasty, the interpretation of Huadian was diverse and splendid. Whether it was delicately painted on the brow center or elegantly depicted on a fan, or the peach blossoms were radiant, the brushstrokes were skillfully arranged, creating a balanced and symmetrical effect, highlighting the luxurious charm of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
The Song Dynasty continued the tradition of wearing Huadian, but there was a trend of returning to simplicity and pursuing a natural and elegant beauty. People generally admired the simplicity and elegance of “lotus blossoms emerging from clear water, naturally free from embellishment.”
Therefore, people in the Song Dynasty abandoned the habit of using gold and silver jewelry to make Huadian and instead used pearls to decorate them. This later came to be known as “pearl makeup,” which became popular among the concubines and noblewomen in the imperial palace.
In the cdrama “Serenade of Peaceful Joy,” the female characters' makeup replicated the exquisite and unparalleled beauty of pearl Huadian. Using fish bladder as an adhesive, pearls were applied to the forehead, dimples, temples, and other areas, creating a simple yet luxurious look that perfectly matched the aesthetic and values of that time.
02 Huadian Patterns
The meeting of a beautiful face and exquisite Huadian creates a unique charm, enhancing the beauty of elegance. The ancient Huadian are even more delicate and are loved and sought after by everyone. Here are a few simple and easy-to-use flower hairpin patterns for you to try, adding the finishing touch to your hanfu makeup.
The most basic flower hairpin only requires mastering the techniques of drawing droplet and petal shapes. On this basis, use a lip brush dipped in a small amount of lipstick to gently blend it on the brow center, extending it with different line shapes to achieve the desired effect.
In addition to using brushes for drawing, try DIY pearl makeup. The placement is not limited to the brow center, and you can also freely experiment with the number of pearls. Placing one on each side of the lips symmetrically and arranging them around the corners of the eyes will create a very pleasing decorative effect.
Nowadays, there are many types of Huadian stickers available. You can choose your favorite style and directly apply it to your forehead. This is also the closest method to the ancient way, and it is relatively simple and convenient.
Alternatively, you can use a hollowed-out flower hairpin mold card, stick it on the forehead, and then apply red-colored pigments in the gaps. After gently removing it, a stunning Huadian will emerge.
When wearing hanfu costumes, a touch on the forehead, with varying depths and intensities, will bring out the beauty of Huadian in a different way. Eastern aesthetics are quietly blending into our lives, creating a unique national style charm in every gesture and movement.