Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "History of cosmetics" in English language version.
For example, the Huadian or forehead decoration was said to have originated in the South Dynasty, when the Shouyang Princess was taking a walk in the palace in early spring and a light breeze brought a plum blossom onto her forehead. The plum blossom for some reason could not be washed off or removed in any way. Fortunately, it looked beautiful on her, and all of a sudden became all the rage among the girls of the commoners. It is therefore called the "Shouyang makeup" or the "plum blossom makeup." This makeup was popular among the women for a long time in the Tang and Song Dynasties.
..."brown was held up as the ideal in so many songs that it, rather than lighter shades, may well have been the goal of so many of those who used skin lighteners."