The ideal tudor woman had a snow white complexion with a hint of red cheek and a red lip. Strawberry blonde hair was in fashion which women idolised from Elizabeth I. Why was fair 'good' and 'dark' bad? A fair woman showed wealth and money whereas being darker symbolised being poor having worked in the sun for so long, which leads us to the cosmetics tudor women used to exaggerate their pale skin and red cheeks.
Their ghostly pale complexion was achieved by using white chalk and turning it into cream. The use of white lead mixed with egg whites and vinegar was also popular because of its smooth and shiny finish. However there were complications with these, as the women had to be careful not to laugh because of the egg whites their skin would easily crack they also risked facing disfigurements and even death because of the white lead. Urine was also considered beneficial to their complexion.
HAIR DYE
The ideal Elizabethan woman also had light hair hence why they dyed their hair a yellow. The hair dye was made from a mixture of saffron, cumin seed, celandine and oil which made hair very dry.
Lead based cosmetics cause hair loss at the forehead and the brows. which explains Elizabeth I's pushed back forehead and her light eyebrows.
Hair was favoured out of the face and combed back showing off their pale skin complemented by their red cheeks and lips.
FASHION
Hats were also in fashion and a lot of the hairstyles were hidden under by some form of head coverings. Jewels, pearls, feathers gold thread etc. were used not just for fashion but also to symbolise purity, wealth and royalty.
REFERENCE
A deadly fashion : Beauty and Cosmetics 1550 - 1950 - Sarah Jane Downing
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