The make-up on early film

The make-up on film from 1900 to 1930's was quite different from the make-up on film we see today.
 They shot film on an Orthochromatic film stock. It was quite standard for the time because it was fairly cheap. Due to filming on Orthochromatic film stock it did not filter red and yellow light.
   Then due to the effect of no yellow or red light filters you had to do an affect like this when applying make-up.
                                  
               - Info and picture from retronaut.com