Victorian Beauty

Victorian Beauty

http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2010/08/06/beauty-in-the-victorian-age/

Victorian era was a time dominated by strict moral code, religious values and modesty and well as sexual restrain. This led to a drop in the use of cosmetics because it was seen as immoral to wear makeup. However this did not stop ladies from using it all together.
Prostitute and Actresses kept on wearing heavy makeup up well upper class ladies used very little make up and in a very natural tone.
The ideal beauty at the time was that of a delicate, feminine and fragile woman with a pale face and curly hair.To achieve this look, makeup was still used but very sparingly and in softer tones to achieve a very natural look; Eye shadows were made with lead and antimony sulphide, lipsticks with mercuric sulphide and on the cheeks, beet juice was applied. All of these cosmetics were very pale-toned and applied carefully so they wouldn’t be too obvious. Eyebrows were also plucked.

Like in past historical periods, even in the Victorian era a pale complexion was a sign of wealth. It meant that women could afford not to spend hours working outdoors. What changed was the way to achieve this fair complexion. Although some of the deadly mixtures of the past were still around, it was during this time that women started using Zinc Oxide, a white mineral powder, which was safer but still achieved the same effect.

However, in line with the decrease of the use of cosmetics, ladies would also preserve their skin pale by avoiding the sun at all cost, they would use parasols when outdoors to protect their skin from the sun rays and even by drinking vinegar. A white and translucent complexion was so desired that some women would even paint some very fine blue lines on their skin to make it look more translucent, as the veins underneath were showing.

Some women would go to greater lengths to achieve a pale, almost sickly look: they would emphasise their dark circles! One way of doing this was by applying a red rouge on cheeks and lips. Luckily, this trend didn’t last long! In addition, powders were used, but very sparingly, to prevent shine and give skin a glow.