Can we speak about magnificence within the Victorian age? You’d suppose an 18 yr outdated woman changing into queen would give the sweetness trade a lift. Certainly, such a younger woman beloved to play with make-up, attempt the newest lotions and potions, and launch traits, no?
Flawed. Queen Victoria beloved to occasion 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 he or she didn’t suppose 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 actual fact, Victoria famously declared in 1870 that “The Queen is most anxious to do what she will be able to to discourage the usage of 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.
Fairly than the heavy white paints and vivid rouges of the previous century, respectable well-off women went for the no-makeup make-up look. It completely suited the perfect of fantastic 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 beloved pale pores and skin. It was an indication of the Aristocracy. It meant ladies had been well-off, and will afford to not spend hours working outside, 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 unintended effects of lead poisoning. It’s nonetheless used in the present day in sunscreens—although now we complain in regards to the white solid it leaves behind as a substitute of embracing it as a magnificence commonplace!
Those that didn’t like Zinc, merely averted the solar and contemporary hair. After they ventured outside, they’d carry parasols to guard their pores and skin from the solar. Some even drank vinegar. Apparently, they thought that, in some way, it’d stop a tan!
For essentially the most fashion-forward, pale wasn’t sufficient. They wished to look so delicate that you can virtually see by way of their pores and skin. To attain this, some ladies took issues a step additional and painted effective blue strains on their arms and temples to imitate seen veins, an indication of utmost femininity and fragility. A couple of even went so far as emphasizing darkish circles below their eyes to look extra ethereal. Think about folks intentionally making themselves look sleep-deprived in the present day!
And, in fact, every time their faces obtained too oily or shiny, a lightweight dusting of powder helped preserve the grease at bay. However solely simply sufficient – overdoing it was a social fake pas!
Make-up
With Queen Victoria’s sturdy stance in opposition to face paint, make-up took a severe 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 an alternative, ladies grew to become specialists on the artwork of subtlety.
Make-up was now all about attaining a pure, “my-skin-but-better” impact. All the things needed to be utilized with the lightest contact. Rouge was nonetheless a staple, however as a substitute of vivid reds, ladies opted for smooth pinks, usually 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 had been widespread elements, 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 in the present day’s requirements. Heavy kohl-lined eyes had been far too risqué, so ladies opted for lead-based powders to subtly improve their eyes – sure, nonetheless poisonous, however at the least much less apparent! Eyebrows had been plucked, however solely frivolously, simply sufficient to create a pure, polished form.
Skincare
Make-up might have been out, however skincare? That was a distinct story. When you couldn’t cowl up imperfections, you needed to stop them within the first place. DIY magnificence therapies grew to become all the fashion.
Girls concocted their very own lotions, lotions, and tonics utilizing pure elements discovered of their kitchens and gardens. Almond oil, rosewater, glycerin, and beeswax had been widespread staples of their skincare arsenals. Lily water and elderflower water had been believed to melt the pores and skin, whereas cucumber juice was used as a brightening agent.
For these scuffling with pimples (which they usually known 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 prompt making use of mashed strawberries or honey as a primitive face masks. And let’s not neglect the idea that bathing in milk might preserve youthful pores and skin – a development Cleopatra would have accredited of!
Hair
If make-up was scandalous, a lady’s hair was sacred. Lengthy, voluminous locks had been thought of an indication of femininity and sweetness, and most ladies hardly ever minimize their hair. Trimming was reserved for excessive circumstances, akin to sickness or mourning.
To attain that coveted fullness, ladies usually 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) had been extensively used to maintain hair clean and glossy.
Hairstyles weren’t notably experimental. Chignons, buns, and cascading curls had been the usual. Younger ladies usually wore their hair down in lengthy, smooth curls, however as soon as married, they had been anticipated to put on it up as an indication of maturity. Hair equipment had been important – ornamental combs, ribbons, and bejeweled pins added a contact of class.
Males’s Grooming
Victorian ladies might have been all about smooth femininity, however the males? The other. A well-groomed Victorian man sported a thick, full beard or at the least a formidable mustache. A clean-shaven face was usually related to youth or, worse, boyishness, one thing no self-respecting Victorian gentleman wished.
As for hairstyles, shorter cuts grew to become extra in style, 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 alternative, 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 might have it, all you ever wished to learn about magnificence within the Victorian age. Whereas Queen Victoria might have wished to banish cosmetics to the shadows, magnificence traits didn’t disappear completely. They only tailored. Girls grew to become specialists on the artwork of “barely-there” make-up, mastered DIY skincare, and located artistic methods to take care of their delicate, doll-like look. And although Victorian magnificence beliefs might sound excessive (portray on veins? Encouraging darkish circles?), they had been deeply tied to the cultural and social expectations of the time.
So subsequent time you complain in regards to the white solid out of your sunscreen or spend hours perfecting your “no-makeup” make-up look, simply keep 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 – every single 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 supply skincare consultations that can assist you create the most effective skincare routine to your distinctive wants.