The most flourishing ancient makeup was in the Tang Dynasty, where the extensive use of rouge was a major characteristic of Tang Dynasty makeup. As stated in “The Theory of Makeup,” “For a beauty's makeup, after applying powder to the face, she would also apply rouge to her palms and then spread it on both cheeks; a darker shade is known as the wine flush makeup, a lighter one as the peach blossom makeup; applying a thin layer of rouge and covering it with powder is called the flying red makeup.”
In simple terms, applying a heavy layer of rouge to the cheeks results in the wine flush makeup, a light application of rouge creates the peach blossom makeup, and a thin layer of rouge covered with powder forms the flying red makeup.
(Wine flush makeup, peach blossom makeup, flying red makeup)
Do you think applying rouge is all there is to it? That's too naive. From ancient times to the present, women's makeup procedures are never that simple. Let's take a look at the makeup steps for Tang Dynasty women (from “Chinese Women's Clothing Through the Ages”).
The charm is there, the feeling is there, and the authenticity is achieved, but wearing such makeup in daily life is…
After all this talk, what we want to tell everyone is that wearing Hanfu doesn't mean you have to copy every detail from head to toe like the ancients did. The same goes for makeup. Except for special occasions such as teaching, popular science, and major events, some ancient makeup styles are indeed not suitable for modern society.
However, you can improve upon ancient makeup styles. Here are some that I feel are quite good:
Brows like paintings, 12 ways to draw eyebrows; lips like dots of rouge, 9 styles of lip makeup from different eras; hair like clouds, 12 styles of ancient hairstyles. Ladies, be sure to collect these!