Where Cosmetics & Art Intersect
Dedicated to the preservation, exhibition and research of makeup from all eras and cultures
The Makeup Museum
Defining “makeup” as pigment applied in a temporary manner to the face or body for beautification, creative, artistic, health, religious or spiritual purposes, the Makeup Museum focuses exclusively on color cosmetics.
Exhibits
What’s On
Our informative digital exhibitions call attention to thought-provoking issues within makeup history and current beauty culture, while never losing sight of makeup’s playful side.
I’m Your Venus
“I’m Your Venus: The Reception of Antiquity in Modern Cosmetic Advertising and Marketing”, a conference hosted by Drs. Laurence Totelin and …
Stila At 25
The Makeup Museum is pleased to present Girls Illustrated: Stila at 25. In honor of Stila’s 25th anniversary in 2019, the exhibition takes an in-depth look at…
Makeup for merfolk
The Makeup Museum is pleased to present A Splash of Color: Makeup for Merfolk. The exhibition explores the the history of mermaid-themed cosmetics, including…
COLLECTION
Browse
Lovingly curated for nearly 20 years and continuing to grow, the Makeup Museum’s collection is one of the most extensive in the world.
Support
The Makeup Museum deeply appreciates every offer of support that comes our way. Find out more about how you can contribute.
Support
The Makeup Museum deeply appreciates every offer of support that comes our way. Find out more about how you can contribute.
Stories
Learn
Written by the founder and curator, the Museum’s blog is a casual space to learn about makeup history, the latest trends, and much more.
Newness from Japan
Finally, some newness! I’m looking at three fresh collabs with various Japanese companies. First up is a new-to-me brand called …Read More
CAA 2026 conference recap
I had so much fun at the College Art Association (CAA) annual conference I just had to share! I was honored when my proposal on lu…Read More
Curator’s corner, 2025
What a long, strange year it’s been! As you might have guessed, 2025 was a busy one on the personal front, so not much museum ac…Read More