\x0d\x0a\x0d\x0aFacial powder has been used for centuries now, and its purpose is to conceal. Facial powders have been traced back to the Egyptian Era, alongside other cosmetic products. The facial powder was used to conceal ones look and to “make them more attractive.” During the Prehistoric times, trying to appear white was considered beautiful. Countries like Mesopotamia, Japan, and Egpyt would powder their faces, and use other cosmetic products on a daily basis. Only those of a higher class were able to purchase and wear these items.\x0d\x0a\x0d\x0aThe powder box above was made by Henry Birks and Sons. This item was created during the year 1944, specifically for an individual named Helen Hayes. Inside the powder box, there was, of course, the powder and a round sponge. Additionally, this powder was made in Canada.\x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a

       A powder box was a girl’s best friend during the 1900s, but only a few were able to have it. Those of high status were able to wear powder whenever they wanted to. Those of the lower class, slaves and minorities, were unable to use it for multiple reasons. The first was because they were poor, and second, there was only one shade during this time, which was a lighter shade.

\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0aMany people of the higher class would powder their faces before going out to special events, or simply when they were going outside. When Irene Redfield took a seat on the rooftop of the Drayton hotel, she realized that there was a female individual who was constantly staring at her. Irene kept wondering why she kept looking at her. She had thoughts about her appearance, her wardrobe, and of course her makeup. Irene thought that “there was a streak of powder somewhere on her face,” which is why she wiped it off with a handkerchief (178). This is interesting because Irene used facial powder as a way to conceal her identity, yet she wipes it off. This is important because Irene is passing as something that she is not, white. Although she is from the middle/upper class and is able to use facial powder, this strange female individual was able to see through her powdery face. Clare Kendry was able to identify Irene despite the fact that she was putting up an act. This simply shows how even though Irene had powdered her face, her racial identity remained the same.\x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a \x0d\x0a\x0d\x0aSources:\x0d\x0a\x0d\x0ahttp://www.historyofcosmetics.net/cosmetic-history/cosmetic-timeline/\x0d\x0a\x0d\x0a ‘