Highest value shown in Baekbun (face powder) advertisement texts from the 1920s to the 1930s -Focus on a transitional confrontation between traditional beauty and modern beauty

Abstract

Korea's traditional aesthetic criterion changed with a new makeup culture that followed the social change caused by modernization. Such transitional features are well seen in the cosmetic advertisements of the 1920's and 1930's. To investigate the cultural characteristics and aesthetic-criteria changes of makeup culture at this period, this thesis analyzes cosmetic advertisements carried in newspaper media of the 1920's and 1930's from an aesthetic perspective. This study found that after the late 1920's, more diverse tones were used for face-powder makeup, collapsing the visual, powder-focused makeup which had been considered criteria for beauty, in combination with smelling and tactile senses such as scent or touch. Domestic makeup had the highest value attached to basic skincare in terms of the aesthetic effect via powder makeup; however, Japanese makeup still stressed the importance of color. Besides, particular facts were found as to social significance of makeup acts such as powder users' age group, safety, superiority and rivals of products, and appeal for makeup popularization. This thesis demonstrates how traditional female beauty appears in powder advertisements in the modern period and how it is related to present-day female beauty. © 2018, The Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles.