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Beauty InformationSeeking Ideal Beauty
by:
Jeannine Schenewerk
Seeking Ideal Beauty
There seems to me to be definite parallels between this era, and the Elizabethan Age, once
it comes to women, and their desperate struggle to either halt the natural aging of their appearance, or, to discover a miracle age-reversal method. During the sixteenth century, well-born women were obsessed with achieving, and maintaining, 'ideal' beauty, as they perceived it, to the point of what we would-be call 'madness'. What was this ideal they so longed to possess? Immature smooth alabaster skin, to a fault bright eyes, red cheeks and lips, and the fairest of hair colors. Add to these attributes, a high, arched, pale eyebrow, and high brow line. To attain the 'look' of perfection, these women ready-made use of the period’s extremely
respected skin care techniques, and the finest cosmetics accessible to them, at the time.
First, the hairline was plucked back, an inch or more. Next, the eyebrows had to be plucked and arched, and the hair of the head and eyebrows was then bleached out mistreatment a variety of the most up-to-date bleaching agents, including urine, and sulfuric acid. Women, who could afford the high cost, purchased the top of the line skin whitener, 'ceruse', a mixture of white lead, and vinegar. This was used on the face, neck, bosom, and often the hands and arms as well. This concoction was used in conjunction with the 'skin firmer' of choice, raw
egg white. This corrupting mess was then spread on the face, neck and bosom, and allowed to dry, to tighten, and hide wrinkles, and give the face a white, unlined, mask-like finish. To imitate a blush and pout of immature beauty, vermilion (mercuric sulfide) was THE select for lips and cheeks. Faintly derived
veins were then additional to the skin surface of the bosom, for that 'natural' look. Drops of belladonna were then administered to the eyes, to attain that desired 'sparkle', and the eyes were distinct
in kohl. To care for their complexions, the ladies ready-made use of what was extremely
touted as the better cleanser. Mercury mixed with alum, and honey. Of course, a common practice was the 'facial peel', and the most wide
used, and extremely
regarded peel agent, was mercury.
These were the ordinarily accepted 'beauty' practices, of women over four hundred years ago, and yet, how 'in the moment', it all seems! We may not use mercury for chemical peels, but glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or beverage acid; trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or carbolic acid (phenol) - are used. We don't spread raw egg white on our complexions as a temporary skin firmer, but modern women may be astonied to learn, they could really well have used 'skin firmers' containing formaldehyde. We may gasp in horror over sixteenth century women applying poison to their faces; yet, Botox injections seem dead mundane, and safe, to us.
What were the long-term results of the use of their miracle beauty and facial products, for the fashionable Elizabethan lady? Complexions much apace aged, gray, shriveled, and mummified.
Once
I see of young women still in their twenties, opting for ‘beauty treatments’ that require they have their complexions with chemicals
treated, or otherwise ravaged, I am appalled. I can only wonder at the long-term effects of such forceful
measures. Mature women, obsessed with seeking several elusive anti-aging/age-reversal miracle, become nothing much than willing test-subjects for any new facial product/procedure that hits the market. Often, they have no idea as to the ingredients in the products they are smearing on their faces. Nor, do they take into consideration futurity effects of certain procedures. Perhaps, we modern women should consider the lessons of the past, and proceed with caution, and common sense, once
choosing our ‘beauty’ regimens.
Author-Jeannine Schenewerk
http://www.intouchwithjeannine.com
Just about the Author
Jeannine Schenewerk is a freelance writer residing in Atlanta, Georgia. Her recent article, 'Self Pictures and the Mature Woman', has been publicised on many
sites. She maintains an informative, inspirational, website, 'In Touch With Jeannine', for mature women.
http://www.intouchwithjeannine.com
intouchwithjeannine@yahoo.com
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