Victorian Beauty Ideals 

For this new project we are looking at the Victorian era, I don't know much about this era and I haven't got a clue what Victorians classed as beauty. So I decided to start my research by looking on the internet I came across a handy website which goes into depth about make up and beauty in that era.

When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 the use of cosmetic declined due to it was considered immoral and was frowned upon, this was because there were there was a very strict moral code and religious values played a part. Only women with dubious morals wore make up, such as actresses and prostitutes who wore strong make up. Well off ladies wore very little make up which was very natural. The Victorian's idea of beauty was very minimal make up with a pale complexion and long curls.

This is how they achieved it :

• Complexion 

Women with pale skin was a sign of nobility which meant they were rich and could afford not to work outdoors. Being tanned meant you were vulgar and poor. Victorians used Zinc Oxide which was white mineral powder, this was safer than what the Elizabethan's used but still achieved the same effect. Some women went the extra step to gain the result of pale skin by emphasizing they're dark circles. Another way to achieve the pale look was to apply a red rouge on the cheeks and the lips. Women to maintain they're pale skin avoid the sun and some would actually drink vinegar. They desired a pale translucent skin so much some women would go to the effort of painting blue faint lines on they're skin. 

• Make Up 

Make up was still used even though it was frowned upon, they just made sure it was very natural. They used softer tones for example eye shadow was made out of lead and antimony sulfide, lipsticks with mercuric sulfide and on the cheeks beet juice was used. They applied this makeup very softly so it wasn't obvious. 

• Skincare

Victorians made a lot of D.I.Y recipes for skincare where the ingredients were found in they're kitchen. Creams were made out of natural ingredients such as waxes, almond oil and scents. 

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Websites Used:

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

Books Used:

• H.Gibbs - Smith, C. (1960) The Fashionable Lady in the The 19th Century. Bristol: John Wright & Sons Itd
• .Harris, K. (1995) Victorian & Edwardian Fashions for Women. Schiffer Publishing Itd.