History of Cosmetics

In the Elizabethan era, the look for women to achieve became more seductive. Although this was the case, Queen Elizabeth's priority was to maintain the 'Virgin Queen' look of beauty. In this era, the idea of beauty was to have fair light hair, and a very white complexion. The white complexion was accompanied by red cheeks and lips. Women with a pale complexion were known to be of the upper class. Those of the lower class were expected to work outdoors, therefore they had suntans. This meant that having a pale complexion showed just how wealthy and noble they were as they did not have to work. The white complexion was also used by men to prove their wealth and upper class.




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http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2010/05/20/beauty-history-the-elizabethan-era/

Elizabethan Products
The white makeup product was a fabulous way for the women to cover up any signs of ageing. There was a popular makeup applied to the face to create a white complexion. It was made up of white lead a vinegar. It was called 'ceruse', and was poisonous! Other women may have used sulphur, alum or tin ash to create the pale complexion. Egg whites were also often used to hide wrinkles and make the skin appear whiter. Other face paint was made to achieve the white complexion which was made up of plant roots and leaves.

By using all of these different products to create a pale complexion, it also resulted in skin problems. It would create blemishes, spots, wrinkles and freckles. The way in which they would try and be rid of these problems is by using products such as; rosewater, lemon juice, eggshells, mercury and honey. Those of the upper class would sometimes bathe in donkey's milk whilst washing their faces with mercury. This was a very popular method to treating their skin.

There were products which were a lot more expensive such as Cochineal (crushed beetle) which was used to redden the cheeks and lips. Another way of creating red lips and cheeks was by using madder and vermilion.

To create darker eyelashes, kohl was used. Something called 'belladonna' enlarged pupils so that they were wide and sparkly, was also used! In this era, it was fashionable to have thin, arched eyebrows as it created the illusion of a high forehead. To have a high forehead, was seen to be a sign of nobility. Women would also generously pluck their eyebrows to create this look. 

Women of the upper class may even take it further and dye their hair yellow. This was made up of saffron, cumin seeds, celandine and oil. Some women even used urine! During this era, it also became popular to have red hair as it represented Queen Elizabeth I as she had red hair also. Young women of the era would wear their hair down which was a sign of virginity. Once they were taken or married, they would then wear their hair up which included head coverings. Wigs were also popular for women to wear. Those who had thin hair would even sometimes shave their hair all off and wear wigs all the time. Whether it was their natural hair or a wig, they would wear head coverings which would be covered in jewels and other accessories. This was very expensive therefore only those of the upper class would afford this. Queen Elizabeth herself, was known to have a huge number of hair pieces and wigs - over eighty of them. These were also known as 'periwigs'.