The World of Sanditon--The Official Companion by Andrew Davies

Author:Andrew Davies
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2019-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

Georgian beauty

MAKE-UP

In the Regency era, the fashion was for a ‘natural’ look. Earlier generations had worn heavy make-up but, as an 1811 fashion guide recommends, Regency women preferred to go along with ‘the general principles of nature’. This did not mean that make-up was not used, but women stopped painting cupid’s bow lips and flirtatious fake moles as they had in the late eighteenth century and focused on making themselves look healthy. This was ironic as some of the make-up available was toxic. The white pigment used to colour face foundation was lead-based, and commonly rouge might be made of tin–another poison. Long-term use of these cosmetics made many women ill–lead face paint in particular caused severe abdominal pain, among other side effects. While women made their own preparations, there was also huge growth in the availability of commercially produced items. Among the non-toxic make-up on offer, some was excellent, and the brand Pears (still known today for its soaps) produced White Imperial Powder, which was like modern-day highlighter, and Pears Liquid Blooms of Roses–a rouge–which came in several shades. Some women took exception to wearing any make-up, however, perhaps because heavy make-up was commonly associated with the stage and therefore also with prostitutes. For these ladies, pinching their cheeks and biting their lips would have been the best they could do.

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