{"id":1647,"date":"2025-07-12T10:52:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T02:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/?p=1647"},"modified":"2025-07-12T10:52:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T02:52:48","slug":"zhang-ruyings-notes-from%e3%80%8a%e4%b8%ad%e5%9b%bd%e5%a6%86%e6%9d%9f%ef%bc%9a%e5%a4%a7%e5%94%90%e5%a5%b3%e5%84%bf%e8%a1%8c%e3%80%8bmakeup-tang-dynasty-womens-makeup-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/1647","title":{"rendered":"Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1674\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - 1\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Table of Contents<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#introduction\">Introduction<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#about\">About\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300b<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step\">Tang Dynasty: Steps of Women&#8217;s Makeup<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#powder\">Applying Powder (\u5085\u7c89)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#rouge\">Flattening the Rouge (\u5300\u7ea2)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#eyebrows\">Drawing the Eyebrows (\u753b\u7709)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#lipcolor\">Applying Lip Color (\u6ce8\u5507)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#huazi\">Applying &#8220;Huazi&#8221; (\u8d34\u82b1\u5b50)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#xiehong\">Applying Xiehong (\u7ed8\u659c\u7ea2)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#mianye\">Adorning Mianye (\u65bd\u9762\u9765)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 id=\"introduction\">Introduction<\/h4>\n<p>Hi, I&#8217;m \u5f20\u5112\u82f1 Zhang Ruying, and I am a traditional Chinese clothing enthusiast.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, I had the opportunity to read a book about traditional Chinese attire, especially for the Tang dynasty (618-907), written in Chinese, titled\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bby \u5de6\u4e18\u840c and \u672b\u6625. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and to better understand parts of it, I translated sections that I found challenging. I also made notes (written in English) along the way to help deepen my understanding.<\/p>\n<p>Now, I\u2019m thrilled to share these notes with you! I aim to help us all gain a deeper appreciation for the elegance and historical significance of traditional Chinese attire, which is so rich in history and beauty.<\/p>\n<p>All the information in these notes comes from the book \u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300b.<\/p>\n<p>This is for non-commercial purposes only. All rights remain with the original copyright holders.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"about\">About\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300b<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/tag\/%e3%80%8a%e4%b8%ad%e5%9b%bd%e5%a6%86%e6%9d%9f%ef%bc%9a%e5%a4%a7%e5%94%90%e5%a5%b3%e5%84%bf%e8%a1%8c%e3%80%8b\">\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300b<\/a>(Zh\u014dng Gu\u00f3 Zhu\u0101ng Sh\u00f9: D\u00e0 T\u00e1ng N\u01da\u2019\u00e9r X\u00edng) by \u5de6\u4e18\u840c (Zu\u01d2 Qi\u016bm\u00e9ng) and \u672b\u6625 (M\u00f2 Ch\u016bn) attempts to reinterpret the true fashion of women\u2019s makeup and attire during the Tang dynasty, based on archaeological findings of Tang artifacts.<\/p>\n<p>It contrasts these findings with historical records and unearthed documents to reframe how the Tang people themselves might have viewed fashion in their time.<\/p>\n<p>The book covers from the Sui dynasty to the Five Dynasties, and is divided into four sections: Qi Luo \u7eee\u7f57 (clothing), Lin Lang \u7433\u7405 (accessories), <strong>Fen Dai \u7c89\u9edb (makeup)<\/strong>, and Ji Huan \u9afb\u9b1f (hairstyles).<\/p>\n<p>Each section carefully examines and details the names, styles, and combinations of different makeup and attire from that period.<\/p>\n<p>The book selects well-known historical figures, such as Yang Guifei, Wu Zetian, Shangguan Wan\u2019er, Nie Yinniang, Princess Tongchang, and others, based on existing archaeological findings, and makes informed speculations to restore the possible makeup and attire of these figures. The book reconstructs their clothing, accessories, hairstyles, makeup, and scenes, all supported by historical sources.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 id=\"step\">\u5510\u671d\uff1a\u5973\u6027\u5986\u5bb9\u6b65\u9aa4<\/h4>\n<p>Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1674\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - 1\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-1-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"powder\">Applying Powder (\u5085\u7c89 ; f\u00f9 f\u011bn)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1669\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1669\" style=\"width: 1005px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-a.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1669\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-a.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - a\" width=\"1005\" height=\"900\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-a.jpg 1005w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-a-300x269.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-a-768x688.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1005px) 100vw, 1005px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1669\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a232<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Applying powder was the most basic step in makeup during the Tang dynasty. Women generally regarded pale white skin as the beauty standard, so they would first apply powder to their faces to further enhance their appearance.<\/p>\n<p>Lead powder was one of the most commonly used basic makeup products at that time. This powder was made from lead, tin, and other minerals, which were burned into powder and mixed with fragrant substances. When mixed with fat into a paste form, it was also called \u201c\u80e1(\u7cca)\u7c89 (h\u00fa f\u011bn)\u201d. Lead powder had a fine texture and was white like snow, but it was toxic\u2014long-term use would cause the skin to appear dull and bluish.<\/p>\n<p>Women of the Tang dynasty were aware of this, so &#8220;\u82f1\u7c89 (y\u012bng f\u011bn)&#8221; also emerged, which was primarily made from rice, processed from glutinous rice or millet. However, rice powder did not adhere to the skin as easily as lead powder, so a small amount of lead powder was often still added to the Ying Fen.<\/p>\n<p>In a medical recipe manuscript from the Tang dynasty found in the Dunhuang Caves, one method of making powder was recorded as follows: burn goji berries and leaves into ash, mix them with rice water (water from rinsing rice), burn and grind the mixture repeatedly, then mix with cow\u2019s milk, burn again, grind it into fine powder, and finally mix with honey to apply on the face.<\/p>\n<p>Applying powder not only served to make the skin appear pale white but also helped to conceal wrinkles, making the face look younger. According to historical records, Wu Zetian was skilled at makeup and self-beautification; even though she was elderly, those around her did not notice any signs of aging.<\/p>\n<p>During the peak of the Tang dynasty, a famous singer from the imperial music bureau named Pang Sanniang (\u5e9e\u4e09\u5a18 ; P\u00e1ng S\u0101nni\u00e1ng) was very skilled in makeup. After she grew older and her face began to wrinkle, she applied a thin cloth to her face, then mixed mica, powder, and honey to apply to her skin. After the makeup was done, her appearance resembled that of a young girl.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"rouge\">Flattening the Rouge (\u5300\u7ea2 ; y\u00fan h\u00f3ng)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1668\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1668\" style=\"width: 1087px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-b.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1668\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-b.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - b\" width=\"1087\" height=\"1000\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-b.jpg 1087w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-b-300x276.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-b-1024x942.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-b-768x707.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1087px) 100vw, 1087px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1668\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a234<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>\u9ec4\u91d1\u5408\u91cc\u76db\u7ea2\u96ea\uff0c\u91cd\u7ed3\u9999\u7f57\u56db\u51fa\u82b1\u3002<\/em><br \/>\n<em>\u4e00\u4e00\u508d\u8fb9\u4e66\u6555\u5b57\uff0c\u4e2d\u5b98\u9001\u4e0e\u5927\u81e3\u5bb6\u3002<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Inside the golden box is stored crimson rouge, wrapped in fragrant silk cloth with four-directional floral patterns.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>On its sides are written imperial decrees, escorted by palace eunuchs and delivered to the homes of ministers.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2014Wang Jian,\u300a\u5bab\u8bcd\u300b(g\u014dng c\u00ed)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>On top of the face already whitened with powder, rouge still needed to be applied to give the cheeks a rosy glow. In the early days, the red color came from the mineral cinnabar (bright red); cinnabar was ground into powder and mixed with fat to be used as facial or lip rouge.<\/p>\n<p>Around the Han dynasty, a type of plant from the Western regions was introduced that could be extracted into a red dye, called \u201c\u71d5\u652f (y\u00e0n zh\u012b)\u201d. People compared this \u201cYanzhi \u71d5\u652f\u201d to the commonly known blue-dye plant in the Central Plains, \u201c\u84dd\u8349 (l\u00e1n c\u01ceo, bluegrass)&#8221;, thus calling it \u201c\u7ea2\u84dd (h\u00f3ng l\u00e1n, red-blue)&#8221;. The red cosmetic made from the extract of the Honglan flower came to be known as \u201c\u80ed\u8102 (y\u0101n zh\u012b, rouge)&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>By the time of the Tang dynasty, \u201cYanzhi \u80ed\u8102\u201d had essentially replaced cinnabar and had become the primary source of red cosmetics.<\/p>\n<p>The names for red makeup during the Tang dynasty are roughly recorded by Yuwen Shiji (\u5b87\u6587\u58eb\u53ca ; Y\u01d4w\u00e9n Sh\u00ecj\u00ed) in\u300a\u5986\u53f0\u8bb0\u300b(zhu\u0101ng t\u00e1i j\u00ec):<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThe makeup of a beautiful woman, after applying powder, then mixes Yanzhi (rouge) evenly in the palm and applies it to both cheeks. If the color is deep, it is called Jiu Yun Zhuang (\u9152\u6655\u5986 ; ji\u01d4 y\u016bn zhu\u0101ng); If the color is soft, it is called Tao Hua Zhuang (\u6843\u82b1\u5986 ; t\u00e1o hu\u0101 zhu\u0101ng); If applied lightly and then covered again with powder, it is called Fei Xia Zhuang (\u98de\u971e\u5986 ; f\u0113i xi\u00e1 zhu\u0101ng).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"eyebrows\">Drawing the Eyebrows (\u753b\u7709 ; hu\u00e0 m\u00e9i)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1667\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1667\" style=\"width: 1076px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-c.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-c.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - c\" width=\"1076\" height=\"1000\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-c.jpg 1076w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-c-300x279.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-c-1024x952.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-c-768x714.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1076px) 100vw, 1076px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1667\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a235<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>\u5f2f\u5f2f\u67f3\u53f6\u6101\u8fb9\u620f\uff0c\u6e5b\u6e5b\u83f1\u82b1\u7167\u5904\u9891\u3002<\/em><br \/>\n<em>\u59a9\u5a9a\u4e0d\u70e6\u87ba\u5b50\u9edb\uff0c\u6625\u5c71\u753b\u51fa\u81ea\u7cbe\u795e\u3002<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Curved like willow leaves, playing at the edge of sorrow,<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Often seen in the reflection of a lotus-shaped mirror.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Their charm needs no conch ink to enhance their allure,<\/em><br \/>\n<em>For springtime mountains are drawn directly from the soul.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2014(Tang dynasty) Zhao Luanluan,\u300a\u67f3\u7709\u300b(li\u01d4 m\u00e9i)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Eyebrows were a focal point of beauty enhancement for women during the Tang dynasty. In Eastern aesthetics, which emphasized delicate and refined facial features, a pair of well-shaped eyebrows played a crucial role in highlighting one\u2019s spirit and adding feminine charm.<\/p>\n<p>The traditional material for drawing eyebrows was \u201c\u9edb (d\u00e0i)\u201d. \u201cDai \u9edb\u201d is a natural black mineral, mainly composed of graphite. During makeup application, the solid \u201cDai \u9edb\u201d was ground on an inkstone, water was added to form black ink, and a brush was used to paint the eyebrows.<\/p>\n<p>In the book\u300a\u91ca\u540d\u300b(sh\u00ec m\u00edng), the term \u201cDai \u9edb\u201d is explained as: \u201cto replace (\u4ee3 ; d\u00e0i), that is, shaving the eyebrows and replacing them with drawings in the same spot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, a foreign coloring material called \u201c\u9752\u9edb (q\u012bng d\u00e0i)\u201d became popular. Originating from the Western regions, it was a dark bluish-black synthetic pigment that did not require complex grinding and mixing\u2014just dipping it in water was enough for eyebrow painting.<\/p>\n<p>Among its types, the finest quality came from Persia and was called \u201c\u87ba\u5b50\u9edb (lu\u00f3 z\u01d0 d\u00e0i)\u201d\u2014pieces of Dai shaped like snail-shell cones. These were very practical to use, much like eyebrow pencils today.<\/p>\n<p>According to Tang records, Emperor Yang of the Sui dynasty greatly favored a woman named Wu Jiangxian (\u5434\u7edb\u4ed9 ; W\u00fa Ji\u00e0ngxi\u0101n), who was skilled in painting long, moth-like eyebrows (\u86fe\u7709 ; \u00e9 m\u00e9i). He especially gifted her with \u201cLuozi Dai \u87ba\u5b50\u9edb\u201d, each piece worth ten gold coins.<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;Every day, palace officials supplied five pieces of Luozi Dai (\u87ba\u5b50\u9edb), called \u86fe\u7eff (\u00e9 l\u01dc)\u2026 But after-tax revenues fell short, the dye was mixed with \u94dc\u9edb (t\u00f3ng d\u00e0i); only Wu Jiangxian continued to receive pure Luozi Dai (\u87ba\u5b50\u9edb) without interruption.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Eyebrow painting with \u201cQing Dai \u9752\u9edb\u201d produced a brighter, more striking color compared to regular mineral Dai.<\/p>\n<p>By the heyday of the Tang dynasty, women\u2019s eyebrow shapes were mainly divided into two styles: thick and thin, with trends alternating over time.<\/p>\n<p>It is said that when Emperor Xuanzong of Tang fled to Shu during the An Lushan Rebellion, he once ordered palace painters to draw ten styles of women\u2019s eyebrows. The names of these eyebrow shapes roughly included:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u9e33\u9e2f\u7709 (yu\u0101n y\u0101ng m\u00e9i, Mandarin Duck Brows or \u516b\u5b57\u7709 b\u0101 z\u00ec m\u00e9i),<\/li>\n<li>\u5c0f\u5c71\u7709 (xi\u01ceo sh\u0101n m\u00e9i, Small Mountain Brows or \u8fdc\u5c71\u7709 yu\u01cen sh\u0101n m\u00e9i),<\/li>\n<li>\u4e94\u5cb3\u7709 (w\u01d4 yu\u00e8 m\u00e9i, Five Peaks Brows),<\/li>\n<li>\u4e09\u5cf0\u7709 (s\u0101n f\u0113ng m\u00e9i, Three Peaks Brows),<\/li>\n<li>\u5782\u73e0\u7709 (chu\u00ed zh\u016b m\u00e9i, Hanging Pearl Brows),<\/li>\n<li>\u6708\u68f1\u7709 (yu\u00e8 l\u00e9ng m\u00e9i, Moon Ridge Brows or \u5374\u6708\u7709 qu\u00e8 yu\u00e8 m\u00e9i),<\/li>\n<li>\u5206\u68a2\u7709 (f\u0113n sh\u0101o m\u00e9i, Split Tip Brows),<\/li>\n<li>\u6db5\u70df\u7709 (h\u00e1n y\u0101n m\u00e9i, Mist-Soaked Brows),<\/li>\n<li>\u62c2\u4e91\u7709 (f\u00fa y\u00fan m\u00e9i, Brushing Clouds Brows or \u6a2a\u70df\u7709 h\u00e9ng y\u0101n m\u00e9i), and<\/li>\n<li>\u5012\u6655\u7709 (d\u00e0o y\u016bn m\u00e9i, Reversed Halo Brows).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some of these shapes can be visually imagined from their names and further confirmed through poetry or literary records. These eyebrow shapes essentially encompassed the popular styles across various periods of the Tang dynasty\u2014not just during Emperor Xuanzong\u2019s reign. However, some names have no clear modern equivalents or verifiable records today.<\/p>\n<p>Around the mid-to-late Tang dynasty, with the development of ink-making techniques, a new trend emerged where women began using \u201c\u70df\u58a8 (y\u0101n m\u00f2, smoke ink)&#8221; as a replacement for \u201cQing Dai \u9752\u9edb\u201d to paint their eyebrows. Women would select high-quality artificial ink, heat it over a flame, and then apply it to their fingertips. With their fingertips, they would draw the eyebrow shapes. It was said, <em>\u201cSince the time of Lady Zhaoyi (a noble title), Qingdai was no longer used to draw and shape eyebrows. Instead, high-grade ink was heated and applied with the fingers, called \u2018\u718f\u58a8\u53d8\u76f8\u2019 (x\u016bn m\u00f2 bi\u00e0n xi\u00e0ng, smoke ink transformation).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>At that time, society favored bold and sharp eyebrow shadows. The beautiful women of the Pingkang entertainment district even took this trend to extremes. People began using the term \u201c\u53d8\u76f8 (bi\u00e0n xi\u00e0ng, transformation)&#8221; to describe the diversity and extravagance of women&#8217;s eyebrow styles.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a woman named Ying Jie (\u83b9\u59d0 ; Y\u00edng Ji\u011b), a courtesan from the Pingkang district, was known for her jade-like skin and flower-like face and was highly skilled at makeup. She painted her eyebrows in a different style every day. Tang Sili (\u5510\u65af\u7acb ; T\u00e1ng S\u012bl\u00ec) once joked with her:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIn Western Shu, there are ten eyebrow styles in paintings. If you&#8217;re so obsessed with brows, you could create a hundred. Given a few more years, you might even lead a community of brow enthusiasts and compile the History of Eyebrow Art (\u4fee\u7709\u53f2 ; xi\u016b m\u00e9i sh\u01d0).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>However, some aristocratic women disliked Yingjie and mocked her as a \u201cpasted butterfly changing form\u201d (\u4e3a\u80f6\u8776\u53d8\u76f8 ; w\u00e8i ji\u0101o di\u00e9 bi\u00e0n xi\u00e0ng).<\/p>\n<p>Of course, some women went against fashion trends. For example, a young nun from Fengchi Convent (\u51e4\u6c60\u9662) in Fanyang (\u8303\u9633), not yet twenty years old, had a beautiful and radiant face and was known for her charming social skills. She created a new eyebrow shape that was slim and gentle, unlike the popular bold styles of the time. As she was a Buddhist, her eyebrow style was called \u201c\u6d45\u6587\u6b8a\u7709 (qi\u01cen w\u00e9n sh\u016b m\u00e9i, Light Manjusri Brows)&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>As for the eyebrow shapes popular in the palace during the Five Dynasties period after the Tang, they included: \u5f00\u5143\u5fa1\u7231\u7709 (Kaiyuan Imperial Favorite Brows), \u5c0f\u5c71\u7709 (Small Mountain Brows), \u4e94\u5cb3\u7709 (Five Peaks Brows), \u5782\u73e0\u7709 (Hanging Pearl Brows), \u6708\u68f1\u7709 (Moon Ridge Brows), \u5206\u68a2\u7709 (Split Tip Brows), \u6db5\u70df\u7709 (Mist-Soaked Brows), and others.<\/p>\n<h5>Attachment: Overview of Popular Eyebrow Shapes Among Women of the Tang Dynasty<\/h5>\n<p>The following eyebrow shapes were commonly favored by women during the Tang dynasty and went through several phases of popularity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>E Mei (\u86fe\u7709 ; \u00e9 m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1666\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1666\" style=\"width: 558px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-d.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-d.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - d\" width=\"558\" height=\"470\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-d.jpg 558w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-d-300x253.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 558px) 100vw, 558px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1666\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">E Mei (\u86fe\u7709 ) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a237<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This was a general term used by the Tang people for women&#8217;s eyebrows, but more specifically referred to eyebrow shapes resembling insect antennae. The phrase \u201c\u6de1\u626b\u86fe\u7709\u201d (lightly brushed moth brows) referred to a natural and soft eyebrow appearance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Liu Ye Mei (\u67f3\u53f6\u7709 ; li\u01d4 y\u00e8 m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1665\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1665\" style=\"width: 1090px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-e.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1665\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-e.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - e\" width=\"1090\" height=\"473\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-e.jpg 1090w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-e-300x130.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-e-1024x444.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-e-768x333.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1090px) 100vw, 1090px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1665\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Liu Ye Mei (\u67f3\u53f6\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a237<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Named for its resemblance to willow leaves. This style was popular in the early, middle, and peak periods of the Tang dynasty, although its thickness varied.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Yue Leng Mei (\u6708\u68f1\u7709 ; yu\u00e8 l\u00e9ng m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1664\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1664\" style=\"width: 578px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-f.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-f.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - f\" width=\"578\" height=\"437\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-f.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-f-300x227.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1664\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yue Leng Mei (\u6708\u68f1\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a237<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Also known as \u201c\u5374\u6708\u7709 (qu\u00e8 yu\u00e8 m\u00e9i, Crescent moon brows)&#8221;, its shape resembled a crescent moon, with a sharp upper line and a slightly blurred or blended lower edge. This shape was often seen in women in the early and late Tang periods.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dao Yun Mei (\u5012\u6655\u7709 ; d\u00e0o y\u016bn m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1663\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1663\" style=\"width: 566px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-g.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1663\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-g.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - g\" width=\"566\" height=\"408\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-g.jpg 566w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-g-300x216.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1663\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dao Yun Mei (\u5012\u6655\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a237<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The opposite of Yue Leng Mei. In this shape, the lower part of the eyebrow is well-defined, while the upper part appears softly blended.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Xiao Shan Mei (\u5c0f\u5c71\u7709 ; xi\u01ceo sh\u0101n m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1662\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1662\" style=\"width: 569px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-h.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-h.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - h\" width=\"569\" height=\"394\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-h.jpg 569w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-h-300x208.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1662\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Xiao Shan Mei (\u5c0f\u5c71\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a237<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Also known as \u201c\u8fdc\u5c71\u7709 (yu\u01cen sh\u0101n m\u00e9i, Distant mountain brows)&#8221;, its color appeared faint like a mountain shadow behind the mist. The shape was gentle and calm, resembling the silhouette of a distant floating mountain.<\/p>\n<p>Some more specific eyebrow shapes that were only popular during certain periods:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lian Mei (\u8fde\u7709 ; li\u00e1n m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1661\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1661\" style=\"width: 494px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-i.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1661\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-i.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - i\" width=\"494\" height=\"419\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-i.jpg 494w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-i-300x254.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1661\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lian Mei (\u8fde\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a238<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A bold and striking eyebrow shape was popular during the early reign of Wu Zetian (around the year 680). Its defining feature was dark black eyebrows that nearly joined at the center.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Han Yan Mei (\u6db5\u70df\u7709 ; h\u00e1n y\u0101n m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1660\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1660\" style=\"width: 934px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-j.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-j.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - j\" width=\"934\" height=\"436\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-j.jpg 934w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-j-300x140.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-j-768x359.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1660\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Han Yan Mei (\u6db5\u70df\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a238<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Popular in the late reign of Wu Zetian (around the year 700). This style featured pointed inner brows toward the center and naturally blended outer brows. During the peak Tang era, the shape remained in use, though the color tended to be darker.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lian Juan Mei (\u8fde\u5a1f\u7709 ; li\u00e1n ju\u0101n m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1659\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1659\" style=\"width: 503px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-k.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-k.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - k\" width=\"503\" height=\"412\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-k.jpg 503w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-k-300x246.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 503px) 100vw, 503px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1659\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lian Juan Mei (\u8fde\u5a1f\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a238<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This trend emerged during the mid-Kaiyuan era at the heyday of the Tang dynasty (around the year 730). The shape was long, thin, and curved, with the two brows kept very close together.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fu Yun Mei (\u62c2\u4e91\u7709 ; f\u00fa y\u00fan m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1658\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1658\" style=\"width: 532px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-l.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-l.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - l\" width=\"532\" height=\"430\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-l.jpg 532w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-l-300x242.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 532px) 100vw, 532px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1658\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fu Yun Mei (\u62c2\u4e91\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a238<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Popular from the end of the Kaiyuan era to the early Tianbao years (around the year 740). These brows resembled sweeping flat clouds, with a broader brow line.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Chui Zhu Mei (\u5782\u73e0\u7709 ; chu\u00ed zh\u016b m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1657\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1657\" style=\"width: 530px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-m.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1657\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-m.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - m\" width=\"530\" height=\"409\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-m.jpg 530w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-m-300x232.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1657\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chui Zhu Mei (\u5782\u73e0\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a238<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Popular during the Tianbao era at the heyday of the Tang dynasty (742\u2013756). This eyebrow shape resembled a droplet of pearl hanging toward the middle of the brow.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Yuan Yang Mei (\u9e33\u9e2f\u7709 ; yu\u0101n y\u0101ng m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1656\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1656\" style=\"width: 1242px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1656\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-n.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - n\" width=\"1242\" height=\"499\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-n.jpg 1242w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-n-300x121.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-n-1024x411.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-n-768x309.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1242px) 100vw, 1242px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1656\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yuan Yang Mei (\u9e33\u9e2f\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a239<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This eyebrow shape resembled a sorrowful expression or furrowed brow, also known as \u201c\u516b\u5b57\u7709\u201d (eight-character brows) or \u201c\u557c\u7709\u201d (crying brows). It became popular starting in the Zhenyuan period during the mid-Tang dynasty (around 785\u2013805). Initially, the shape was slender and delicate, but over time and with dynastic changes, it evolved to become thicker and darker.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fen Shao Mei (\u5206\u68a2\u7709 ; f\u0113n sh\u0101o m\u00e9i)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1655\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1655\" style=\"width: 628px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-o.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1655\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-o.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - o\" width=\"628\" height=\"502\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-o.jpg 628w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-o-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 628px) 100vw, 628px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1655\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fen Shao Mei (\u5206\u68a2\u7709) \u4e00 \u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a239<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A unique eyebrow style popular during Emperor Wenzong&#8217;s reign in the Taihe era (827\u2013835). This style required shaving off the natural brows and redrawing them with several branch-like tips at the top, resembling undulating mountains.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"lipcolor\">Applying Lip Color (\u6ce8\u5507 ; zh\u00f9 ch\u00fan)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1654\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1654\" style=\"width: 854px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-p.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1654\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-p.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - p\" width=\"854\" height=\"900\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-p.jpg 854w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-p-285x300.jpg 285w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-p-768x809.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 854px) 100vw, 854px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1654\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a239<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>\u8138\u7c89\u96be\u5300\u8700\u9152\u6d53\uff0c\u53e3\u8102\u6613\u5370\u5434\u7eeb\u8584\u3002<\/em><br \/>\n<em>\u5a07\u9976\u610f\u6001\u4e0d\u80dc\u7f9e\uff0c\u613f\u501a\u90ce\u80a9\u6c38\u76f8\u8457\u3002<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Face powder is hard to smooth because the Shu wine is too thick, l<\/em><em>ip color easily stains the thin Wu silk.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Flirtatious gestures and shy expressions cannot be hidden, s<\/em><em>he longs to lean on her lover\u2019s shoulder and be together forever.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2014(Tang dynasty) Han Wo,\u300a\u610f\u7eea\u300b(y\u00ec x\u00f9)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Tang women generally first applied powder to the face to conceal the natural shape of the lips, then redrew the desired lip shape using lip color.<\/p>\n<p>The lip color commonly used during the Tang era was made by blending coloring agents such as \u201c\u7d2b\u8349 (z\u01d0 c\u01ceo, lithospermum root)&#8221;, \u201c\u6731\u7802 (zh\u016b sh\u0101, cinnabar)&#8221;, and other ingredients with wax and fragrances, then cooking them until well-combined. The result was a solid balm that could be stored in small boxes. At that time, there were also lip colors placed in small tubes, and their length was even used as a unit of measurement.<\/p>\n<p>In the Tang novel\u300a\u4f1a\u771f\u8bb0\u300b(hu\u00ec zh\u0113n j\u00ec), the gift that Zhang Sheng gave to Yingying included \u201cfive inches of lip balm\u201d (\u53e3\u8102\u4e94\u5bf8 ; k\u01d2u zh\u012b w\u01d4 c\u00f9n). When applying lipstick, a small amount was usually taken with the fingertip, dotted onto the lips, and smoothed to shape the lip line.<\/p>\n<p>By the late Tang dynasty, especially during the reigns of Emperors Xizong and Zhaozong, the women in the brothels of Chang\u2019an competed in showcasing their lip makeup. These lip shapes and styles became beauty standards, giving rise to more than ten distinct names for different lip makeup styles. According to\u300a\u6e05\u5f02\u5f55\u300b(q\u012bng y\u00ec l\u00f9) by Tao Gu (\u9676\u8c37 ; T\u00e1o G\u01d4) from the Song dynasty, these styles included:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u77f3\u69b4\u5a07 (sh\u00ed li\u00fa ji\u0101o, Pomegranate Beauty),<\/li>\n<li>\u5927\u7ea2\u6625 (d\u00e0 h\u00f3ng ch\u016bn, Big Red Spring),<\/li>\n<li>\u5c0f\u7ea2\u6625 (xi\u01ceo h\u00f3ng ch\u016bn, Small Red Spring),<\/li>\n<li>\u5ae9\u5434\u9999 (n\u00e8n w\u00fa xi\u0101ng, Tender Wu Fragrance),<\/li>\n<li>\u534a\u8fb9\u5a07 (b\u00e0n bi\u0101n ji\u0101o, Half Side Beauty),<\/li>\n<li>\u4e07\u91d1\u7ea2 (w\u00e0n j\u012bn h\u00f3ng, Ten Thousand Gold Red),<\/li>\n<li>\u5723\u6a80\u5fc3 (sh\u00e8ng t\u00e1n x\u012bn, Sacred Sandalwood Heart),<\/li>\n<li>\u9732\u73e0\u513f (l\u00f9 zh\u016b \u00e9r, Dew Drop),<\/li>\n<li>\u5185\u5bb6\u5706 (n\u00e8i ji\u0101 yu\u00e1n, Inner Family Round),<\/li>\n<li>\u5929\u5bab\u5de7 (ti\u0101n g\u014dng qi\u01ceo, Heavenly Palace Craft),<\/li>\n<li>\u6d1b\u513f\u6bb7 (lu\u00f2 \u00e9r y\u012bn, Luo&#8217;er Yin),<\/li>\n<li>\u6de1\u7ea2\u5fc3 (d\u00e0n h\u00f3ng x\u012bn, Light Red Heart),<\/li>\n<li>\u7329\u7329\u6655 (x\u012bng x\u012bng y\u00f9n, Orangutan Halo),<\/li>\n<li>\u5c0f\u6731\u9f99 (xi\u01ceo zh\u016b l\u00f3ng, Small Vermilion Dragon),<\/li>\n<li>\u683c\u53cc\u5510 (g\u00e9 shu\u0101ng t\u00e1ng, Twin Tang Style), and<\/li>\n<li>\u5a9a\u82b1\u5974 (m\u00e8i hu\u0101 n\u00fa, Flower Slave).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Although the actual shapes corresponding to these names are now difficult to trace, it can be inferred from the names that the distinctions were based on lip shape, lip color, and sometimes the inclusion of fragrances, resulting in scented lips.<\/p>\n<h5>Attachment: Overview of Popular Lip Styles Among Tang Dynasty Women<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1653\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1653\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-q.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-q.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - q\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1375\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-q.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-q-218x300.jpg 218w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-q-745x1024.jpg 745w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-q-768x1056.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1653\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a241<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the early Tang dynasty, the ideal lip style was small and delicate. Over time, this trend evolved toward fuller lips\u2014graceful like autumn and softly rounded\u2014reaching its peak during the heyday of the Tang dynasty.<\/p>\n<p>By the mid-Tang period, the favored lip shape shifted to a round and small form known as the \u201ccherry style\u201d (\u6a31\u6843\u5f0f ; y\u012bng t\u00e1o sh\u00ec), and unique lip colors also began to emerge, such as those resulting from the use of \u201c\u4e4c\u818f (w\u016b g\u0101o, a dark-colored lip paste)&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>In the late Tang dynasty, lip styles became increasingly diverse, with many having specific names. Among these styles, techniques emphasizing color gradients began to appear, creating lip makeup that was blended from the center of the lips outward.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"huazi\">Applying &#8220;Huazi&#8221; (\u8d34\u82b1\u5b50 ; ti\u0113 hu\u0101 z\u01d0)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1652\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1652\" style=\"width: 1009px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-r.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1652\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-r.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - r\" width=\"1009\" height=\"900\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-r.jpg 1009w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-r-300x268.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-r-768x685.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1009px) 100vw, 1009px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1652\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a242<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>\u817b\u5982\u4e91\u6bcd\u8f7b\u5982\u7c89\uff0c\u8273\u80dc\u9999\u9ec4\u8584\u80dc\u8749\u3002<\/em><br \/>\n<em>\u70b9\u7eff\u659c\u84bf\u65b0\u53f6\u5ae9\uff0c\u6dfb\u7ea2\u77f3\u7af9\u665a\u82b1\u9c9c\u3002<\/em><br \/>\n<em>\u9e33\u9e2f\u6bd4\u7ffc\u4eba\u521d\u5e16\uff0c\u86f1\u8776\u91cd\u98de\u6837\u672a\u4f20\u3002<\/em><br \/>\n<em>\u51b5\u590d\u8427\u90ce\u6709\u60c5\u601d\uff0c\u53ef\u601c\u6625\u65e5\u955c\u53f0\u524d\u3002<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Soft as mica, light as powder, more enchanting than fragrant turmeric, thinner than a dragonfly\u2019s wing.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Its green slants are like the fresh leaves of young Artemisia, and its red resembles fresh dianthus blossoms at dusk.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Mandarin ducks pair up the first time it&#8217;s applied, and butterflies fly in doubles with unfamiliar patterns.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>All the more if Young Lord Xiao is full of feeling\u2014what beauty before the spring mirror.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2014Tang dynasty, Wang Jian,\u300a\u9898\u82b1\u5b50\u300b(t\u00ed hu\u0101 z\u01d0)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Huazi (\u82b1\u5b50 ; hu\u0101 z\u01d0) was a type of decoration worn between a woman\u2019s eyebrows and forehead, generally divided into two types:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Drawn directly onto the forehead using pigments to form certain patterns.<\/li>\n<li>Pasted-on decorations, called &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/tag\/huadian\">Huadian (\u82b1\u94bf ; hu\u0101 di\u00e0n)<\/a>&#8220;, which were pre-made using materials such as silk paper, or even gold, jade, pearls, or colored gemstones. During makeup application, these decorations were affixed using &#8220;Hejiao&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/tag\/hejiao\">Hejiao (\u5475\u80f6 ; h\u0113 ji\u0101o)<\/a>, it is said, was made by boiling fish bladders (swim bladders), producing a thick adhesive. Once applied to the back of a Huadian, it would stick firmly to the skin. To remove it, simply apply a warm compress for a while, and the decoration will naturally come off.<\/p>\n<p>Allegedly, this style of adornment originated from the story of Princess Shouyang, daughter of Emperor Wu of the Liu Song in the Southern Dynasties.<\/p>\n<p>One day, the princess was resting beneath the eaves of the Hanzhang Palace. At that time, plum blossoms were falling from the palace garden, filling the air with fragrance. A blossom happened to fall right onto her forehead, leaving a mark resembling a blooming five-petaled flower. Although she tried to remove it, the mark didn\u2019t fade for three days. The palace maids were enchanted by the accidental beauty that formed on her face and began imitating it by making plum blossom-shaped decorations to stick on their foreheads.<\/p>\n<p>Another record suggests that the use of Huazi (\u82b1\u5b50) as facial decoration originated during the Wu Zhou dynasty, specifically from Shangguan Wan\u2019er. Having made a mistake and been punished by Wu Zetian, Wan\u2019er was left with a scar on her forehead. To conceal it, she began to apply Huazi (\u82b1\u5b50).<\/p>\n<h5>Attachment: Overview of Popular Huazi Styles Among Women of the Tang Dynasty<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1651\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1651\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-s.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1651\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-s.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - s\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1458\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-s.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-s-206x300.jpg 206w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-s-702x1024.jpg 702w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-s-768x1120.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1651\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a244<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>During the Tang dynasty, simple Huazi designs were usually in the shape of a round dot or a teardrop. However, in different historical periods, distinct and varied trends also emerged. Some styles stood out for their luxurious and intricate shapes, while others appeared subtle and elegant. For the more glamorous versions, Huazi were even made directly from gold, pearls, or gemstones, making them not only cosmetic decorations but also symbols of status and luxury.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"xiehong\">Applying Xiehong (\u7ed8\u659c\u7ea2 ; hu\u00ec xi\u00e9 h\u00f3ng)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1650\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1650\" style=\"width: 928px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-t.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-t.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - t\" width=\"928\" height=\"900\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-t.jpg 928w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-t-300x291.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-t-768x745.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 928px) 100vw, 928px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1650\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a245<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>\u91cd\u53e0\u9c7c\u4e2d\u7d20\uff0c\u5e7d\u57ce\u624b\u81ea\u5f00\u3002<\/em><br \/>\n<em>\u659c\u7ea2\u4f59\u6cea\u8ff9\uff0c\u77e5\u8457\u8138\u8fb9\u6765\u3002<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Layered like fine fabric inside a fish pouch, s<\/em><em>oft hands in a quiet city gently reveal.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>The slanted red line (Xiehong) resembles the trace of tears, o<\/em><em>ne knows it was drawn along the cheek.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2014(Tang dynasty) Yuan Zhen,\u300a\u9c7c\u4e2d\u7d20\u300b(y\u00fa zh\u014dng s\u00f9)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It is said that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/328\">Xiehong (\u659c\u7ea2 ; xi\u00e9 h\u00f3ng)<\/a> originated during the Three Kingdoms period.<\/p>\n<p>A beautiful woman named Xue Yelai (\u859b\u591c\u6765 ; Xu\u0113 Y\u00e8l\u00e1i) first entered the Wei palace. One night, Emperor Wen of Wei (Cao Pi) was composing poetry under lamplight, surrounded by a seven-chi-tall curtain made of crystal. Unaware of the curtain\u2019s presence, Xue Yelai approached and struck her face against its surface. The resulting bruise was a reddish-purple mark, appearing beautiful like the fading red clouds of dawn. Because of this incident, she gained the emperor\u2019s deep affection.<\/p>\n<p>From then on, palace women began imitating Xue Yelai\u2019s facial appearance by drawing a slanted red line with blush, calling this makeup style by the poetic name \u201cXiao Xia Zhuang\u201d (\u6653\u971e\u5986 ; xi\u01ceo xi\u00e1 zhu\u0101ng).<\/p>\n<h5>Attachment: Overview of Xiehong Styles Popular Among Women in the Tang Dynasty<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1649\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1649\" style=\"width: 1100px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-u.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1649\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-u.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - u\" width=\"1100\" height=\"1307\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-u.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-u-252x300.jpg 252w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-u-862x1024.jpg 862w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-u-768x913.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1649\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a246<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>During the Tang dynasty, Xiehong styles went through several trend shifts. Initially, the shape was simple, resembling a vertical scar. However, during Wu Zetian\u2019s reign, the style evolved into more elaborate forms resembling clouds or flowers.<\/p>\n<p>Approaching the heyday of the Tang dynasty during the Kaiyuan era, Xiehong styles returned to a more simplified form, and the trend gradually declined\u2014though some women continued to adorn their faces with painted birds or golden ornaments (\u91d1\u94bf ; j\u012bn di\u00e0n) as substitutes for Xiehong.<\/p>\n<p>After the Dali era (766\u2013779) in the mid-Tang dynasty, Xiehong disappeared for a time, but re-emerged during the Changqing period (821\u2013824) along with the popularity of the \u201cXue Yun Zhuang\u201d (\u8840\u6655\u5986 ; xu\u00e8 y\u00f9n zhu\u0101ng). At that time, it reappeared as striking facial paintings resembling wounds or bruises. Even in the later Tang period, women could still occasionally be seen with Xiehong on their faces.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"mianye\">Adorning Mianye (\u65bd\u9762\u9765 ; sh\u012b mi\u00e0n y\u00e8)<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1648\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1648\" style=\"width: 954px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-v.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1648\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-v.jpg\" alt=\"Zhang Ruying - Zhang Ruying\u2019s Notes: From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup (Tang Dynasty: Women\u2019s Makeup Steps) - v\" width=\"954\" height=\"900\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-v.jpg 954w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-v-300x283.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/zhangruying-Zhang-Ruyings-Notes-From\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300bMakeup-Tang-Dynasty-Womens-Makeup-Steps-v-768x725.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 954px) 100vw, 954px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1648\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u5de6\u4e18\u840c \/ \u672b\u6625 . \u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c . \u6e05\u534e\u5927\u5b66\u51fa\u7248\u793e\uff0c2020\uff1a247<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>\u542f\u9f7f\u5448\u7f16\u8d1d\uff0c\u5f39\u4e1d\u52a8\u524a\u8471\u3002<\/em><br \/>\n<em>\u9189\u5706\u53cc\u5a9a\u9765\uff0c\u6ce2\u6ea2\u4e24\u660e\u77b3\u3002<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>She parts her lips, revealing teeth aligned like clamshells; <\/em><em>Plucking the zither, her fingers resemble slices of garlic.<\/em><br \/>\n<em>In her drunken charm, two enticing dimples appear; <\/em><em>Captivating brilliance radiates from her clear eyes.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2014Yuan Zhen,\u300a\u6625\u516d\u5341\u97f5\u300b(ch\u016bn li\u00f9 sh\u00ed y\u00f9n)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The term dimples (Mianye, \u9762\u9765) here does not refer to the natural indentations that appear when a woman smiles, but rather to artificial dimples made by painting colored dots or applying small floral ornaments on both sides of the cheeks, near the corners of the mouth.<\/p>\n<p>In ancient times, these dimples were referred to as \u201c\u7684\u201d (de), and originally served as a practical marker. Concubines of the emperor or high-ranking nobles were required to attend to their lord on a scheduled rotation. If they were menstruating and thus unable to serve, yet felt too embarrassed to say so directly, they would mark their faces with a small red dot. When palace attendants saw the mark, they would remove the concubine&#8217;s name from the night\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n<p>As a popular cosmetic style, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/182\">Mianye (\u9762\u9765 ; mi\u00e0n y\u00e8)<\/a> is said to have originated during the Three Kingdoms period. According to legend:<\/p>\n<p>One night, Sun He (\u5b59\u548c ; S\u016bn H\u00e9), the crown prince of the state of Wu, was drunk and dancing with a crystal staff under the moonlight. In his carelessness, he accidentally injured the cheek of his beloved concubine, Lady Deng (\u9093\u592b\u4eba ; D\u00e8ng f\u016br\u00e9n). Blood stained her clothing, and the beauty cried out softly in fright. Sun He immediately summoned the imperial physician to treat her wound.<\/p>\n<p>The physician prescribed a rare ointment made from white otter marrow, powdered jade, and amber dust. Because white otter marrow was so scarce, Sun He offered a reward of one hundred gold coins to anyone who could procure it.<\/p>\n<p>Lady Deng\u2019s wound eventually healed, but due to the excess amber in the remedy, a red spot resembling a small mole remained on her cheek. Strangely, the red mark enhanced the contrast with her white, jade-like skin, making her appear even more enchanting to Sun He.<\/p>\n<p>From then on, palace women competed to decorate their cheeks with rouge and powder in imitation of Lady Deng\u2019s red spot, hoping to win favor and affection as she had.<\/p>\n<p>The Mianye style that became popular during the Tang dynasty later evolved into various new styles and names such as Heiye (\u9ed1\u9765 ; h\u0113i y\u00e8), Cuiye (\u7fe0\u9765 ; cu\u00ec y\u00e8), Huaye (\u82b1\u9765 ; hu\u0101 y\u00e8), and other forms.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4>And there you have it\u2014<\/h4>\n<p>I hope these notes have been insightful and encourage you to dive deeper into the world of traditional Chinese fashion, particularly from the Tang dynasty. If you come across any incorrect words\/translations, or you have suggestions for improvement, please don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to me via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/contact\">email<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>See you in the next notes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/category\/zhang-ruyings-notes\">#ZhangRuying\u2019sNotes<\/a> !<\/p>\n<p>\u5f20\u5112\u82f1 Zhang Ruying<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Introduction About\u300a\u4e2d\u56fd\u5986\u675f\uff1a\u5927\u5510\u5973\u513f\u884c\u300b Tang Dynasty: Steps of Women&#8217;s Makeup Applying Powder (\u5085\u7c89) Flattening the Rouge (\u5300\u7ea2) Drawing the&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":1674,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,1006],"tags":[1001,65,220,68,69,70,221,1007,994,619,73,74,223,1000,1004,1005],"class_list":["post-1647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-traditional-chinese-fashion","category-zhang-ruyings-notes","tag-1001","tag-ancient-chinese-makeup","tag-face-dimple-makeup","tag-forehead-makeup","tag-hanfu-makeup","tag-huadian","tag-mian-ye","tag-mianye","tag-plum-blossom-makeup","tag-tang-dynasty","tag-tang-dynasty-makeup","tag-traditional-chinese-makeup","tag-xiehong","tag-zhang-ruyings-notes","tag-1004","tag-1005"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1647"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1647\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zhangruying.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}