Can we discuss magnificence within the Victorian age? You’d assume an 18 12 months previous lady turning into queen would give the wonder trade a lift. Absolutely, such a younger lady liked to play with make-up, strive the most recent lotions and potions, and launch developments, no?
Mistaken. Queen Victoria liked to celebration and dance into the wee hours of the morning – however sans make-up. After the profligacy of her predecessors, Victoria was decided to make the monarchy respectable once more. And she or he didn’t assume there was something respectable about cosmetics.
She thought face paint vulgar, and make-up appropriate just for prostitutes and actresses (there wasn’t a lot distinction between them again then). In truth, Victoria famously declared in 1870 that “The Queen is most anxious to do what she will to discourage using cosmetics.” That royal disapproval definitely didn’t assist the struggling cosmetics trade. However that doesn’t imply that her topics stopped carrying make-up. They only grew to become higher at hiding it.
Moderately than the heavy white paints and brilliant rouges of the previous century, respectable well-off girls went for the no-makeup make-up look. It completely suited the best of great thing about the period, which demanded a fragile and fragile look, with a pale complexion, and lengthy curls. Right here’s how they achieved it:
Complexion
The Victorians liked pale pores and skin. It was an indication of the Aristocracy. It meant ladies have been well-off, and will afford to not spend hours working open air, which might inevitably lead to a tan. The horror!
Whereas their ancestors had used harmful concoctions like Venetian ceruse (a lethal mixture of lead and vinegar) to whiten their faces, the Victorians turned to safer alternate options. Zinc oxide grew to become the go-to. This white mineral powder gave pores and skin a porcelain-like end with out the nasty unwanted effects of lead poisoning. It’s nonetheless used as we speak in sunscreens—although now we complain in regards to the white forged it leaves behind as a substitute of embracing it as a magnificence commonplace!
Those that didn’t like Zinc, merely prevented the solar and contemporary hair. Once they ventured open air, they’d carry parasols to guard their pores and skin from the solar. Some even drank vinegar. Apparently, they thought that, someway, it’d forestall a tan!
For probably the most fashion-forward, pale wasn’t sufficient. They wished to look so delicate that you possibly can virtually see by their pores and skin. To attain this, some ladies took issues a step additional and painted advantageous blue strains on their arms and temples to imitate seen veins, an indication of maximum femininity and fragility. A couple of even went so far as emphasizing darkish circles beneath their eyes to seem extra ethereal. Think about individuals intentionally making themselves look sleep-deprived as we speak!
And, after all, every time their faces bought too oily or shiny, a light-weight dusting of powder helped maintain the grease at bay. However solely simply sufficient – overdoing it was a social fake pas!
Make-up
With Queen Victoria’s sturdy stance towards face paint, make-up took a critical hit in respectability. A “correct girl” couldn’t be seen shopping for it, not to mention making use of it in public. However that didn’t imply they deserted it completely. As a substitute, ladies grew to become consultants on the artwork of subtlety.
Make-up was now all about attaining a pure, “my-skin-but-better” impact. Every part needed to be utilized with the lightest contact. Rouge was nonetheless a staple, however as a substitute of brilliant reds, ladies opted for gentle pinks, typically achieved with crushed beet juice. Some ladies used rice powder blended with a touch of carmine to get that pure flush.
Lip coloration was utilized in secret and sparingly. Beeswax and plant-based dyes have been widespread substances, whereas extra daring ladies used cochineal (a pink dye derived from bugs) to provide their lips a faint pink hue. However heavy lipstick? Completely not! That was reserved for “fallen ladies.”
Eye make-up was virtually nonexistent by as we speak’s requirements. Heavy kohl-lined eyes have been far too risqué, so ladies opted for lead-based powders to subtly improve their eyes – sure, nonetheless poisonous, however at the very least much less apparent! Eyebrows have been plucked, however solely frivolously, simply sufficient to create a pure, polished form.
Skincare
Make-up could have been out, however skincare? That was a distinct story. Should you couldn’t cowl up imperfections, you needed to forestall them within the first place. DIY magnificence remedies grew to become all the fad.
Girls concocted their very own lotions, lotions, and tonics utilizing pure substances discovered of their kitchens and gardens. Almond oil, rosewater, glycerin, and beeswax have been widespread staples of their skincare arsenals. Lily water and elderflower water have been believed to melt the pores and skin, whereas cucumber juice was used as a brightening agent.
For these scuffling with zits (which they typically referred to as “spots” or “blemishes”), options ranged from natural infusions to downright weird practices. Some Victorian magnificence manuals really useful washing the face with rainwater to maintain the pores and skin clear. Others instructed making use of mashed strawberries or honey as a primitive face masks. And let’s not overlook the idea that bathing in milk may preserve youthful pores and skin – a pattern Cleopatra would have authorised of!
Hair
If make-up was scandalous, a girl’s hair was sacred. Lengthy, voluminous locks have been thought of an indication of femininity and wonder, and most ladies hardly ever lower their hair. Trimming was reserved for excessive circumstances, corresponding to sickness or mourning.
To attain that coveted fullness, ladies typically used false hairpieces. Hair collected from servants or purchased from wigmakers was sewn into elaborate extensions to boost pure tresses. Oils like rosemary, castor, and macassar oil (which impressed the invention of “antimacassars” – these lace doilies positioned on chairs to forestall greasy stains) have been broadly used to maintain hair easy and glossy.
Hairstyles weren’t significantly experimental. Chignons, buns, and cascading curls have been the usual. Younger ladies typically wore their hair down in lengthy, gentle curls, however as soon as married, they have been anticipated to put on it up as an indication of maturity. Hair equipment have been important – ornamental combs, ribbons, and bejeweled pins added a contact of magnificence.
Males’s Grooming
Victorian ladies could have been all about gentle femininity, however the males? The alternative. A well-groomed Victorian man sported a thick, full beard or at the very least a formidable mustache. A clean-shaven face was typically related to youth or, worse, boyishness, one thing no self-respecting Victorian gentleman wished.
As for hairstyles, shorter cuts grew to become extra common, a stark distinction to the lengthy, flowing locks of the earlier century. However one factor remained constant: the love of pomades. Macassar oil was the hair product of selection, slicking again hair to perfection – a lot in order that furnishings producers began making antimacassars to guard upholstery from the greasy residue.
The Backside Line
There you’ve gotten it, all you ever wished to find out about magnificence within the Victorian age. Whereas Queen Victoria could have wished to banish cosmetics to the shadows, magnificence developments didn’t disappear completely. They only tailored. Girls grew to become consultants on the artwork of “barely-there” make-up, mastered DIY skincare, and located inventive methods to keep up their delicate, doll-like look. And although Victorian magnificence beliefs may appear excessive (portray on veins? Encouraging darkish circles?), they have been deeply tied to the cultural and social expectations of the time.
So subsequent time you complain in regards to the white forged out of your sunscreen or spend hours perfecting your “no-makeup” make-up look, simply bear in mind – you’re not the primary to go to nice lengths for magnificence!
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – each day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that can assist you create one of the best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.
