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Closing in on western history of cosmetics- more specifically, American history of cosmetics- I was guided to the Flapper image of the 1920s. However, I cannot piece together exactly how this change came about. Sure, I read about the Gibson Girl and the new ideal of feminine beauty, but it doesn't quite explain how that fad became so immensely popular and widely adopted. Why was the mindset of the Flapper is so jarringly different from the women before that generation?

Perhaps I haven't gone back far enough in time and the roots lie somewhere else. I would be most grateful if someone could divulge a little more history, or sources to the history, of Flappers and this new image of femininity.

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I'm going to suggest you edit this to remove your "background". While it is nice to frame your reasons for asking it's not necessary, editing out those personal points to look for the changing image of modern women would be more constructive. I would do it but you have a good question here that I don't want to edit too far off your search topic. As it it his question could be argumentative. – MichaelF Feb 21 '12 at 10:37
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@MichaelF: I concur. I was strongly tempted to downvote solely based on disagreeing with the background, but that's not what SE sites are for. – Lohoris Feb 21 '12 at 13:02
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I have tightened and focused the question, and nominate it for reopening in its present form. – Tom Au Feb 21 '12 at 14:43
While I don't mind people disagreeing with my background- something I find perfectly understandable- I don't see the reason why it should lead to closing and downvoting. After all, I'm not just trying to present my opinion without fact, that's what this question is for, to get a little more history and perspective. However, if my view does cause too much cause for concern, then I will gladly accept the moderated form of the question and would like to see it reopened. – SoulBeaver Feb 21 '12 at 15:39
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Wikipedia has a pretty thorough breakdown of the evolution and origins of flappers, so I would recommend checking it out. As far as whether or not they were important or why, both questions invite opinion, which is not what we strive for at SE. The question needs to have a clear and concise answer, and I don't believe this one does. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flapper – Steven Drennon♦ Feb 21 '12 at 20:40
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Every so often in American history, we have a "girl power" movement. One appears to be happening right now, as we speak. That is, today's girls are graduating from college in greater numbers than boys, and getting better entry-level jobs. This appears to have no precedent in American or world history.

This "girl power" movement is an offshoot of their MOTHERS of the Baby Boom generation, which fought EQUAL rights for women; access to a good education and high level jobs, including, in the case of Hillary Clinton, the chance to run for President of the United States.

Likewise, the Flappers was a "girl power" movement FOR ITS TIME. That is, fighting for the right for girls to wear "less restrictive" clothing, and otherwise act more like men. This, in turn, had been fueled by THEIR mothers of FDR's "Rendezvous With Destiny" generation, who fought for, and got the right of women to VOTE, under the 19th Amendment.

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