Lip color was an important part of the package when it came to makeup. As you probably know, the snowy-white complexion was ideal and rouged cheeks. Darkened lips not only emphasized a fair complexion but it was an age-old means of attracting men because it mimics lip color during sexual arousal. In the 18th century, you could catch both men and women sporting lip color, figure that one out! Those crazy macaronis. Rouge was not only amply used on the cheeks in the 18th century, it was also used for lip color. Luckily lead was not used in this cosmetic. Instead carmine was used for the color and mixed with plaster of paris. I can't imagine that tasting very good. If you couldn't afford to rouge your lips there was a tasty alternative. Women in the colonies reportedly sucked on lemons to get the blood to flow to their lips so they were darker. Kind of like lip plumpers today!
Just for fun I was trying to match up my favourite lipstick brand, MAC*, with portraits of beauties of the time. Here is what I came up with.
*who happens to have free shipping until the 21st!
I hold lectures on 18th century beauty, so I'm facinated by all aspects of make-up at the time. I've bought rouge and lip pomatum from Ageless Artifice, who make period beauty products and has been very happy with the results
ReplyDeletehttp://www.agelessartifice.com/
If you want to see how they look "in action", I used them when I last held my lecture and you can see that here:
http://isiswardrobe.blogspot.com/2009/10/white-skin-and-powdered-hair.html
Okay, I recognize the first two ladies, but who are the other four?
ReplyDeleteGood choices on lipsticks!
a PS @Isis's Wardrobe: That was an amazing post that you wrote and as I commented there, that egg white, lemon juice and rosewater mix sounds like it would make an amazing face mask for combination skin. I'm tempted to go try it tonight.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links IW, those are great! The prices are fair too!
ReplyDelete@Tulip, the other four are Jane Duchess of Gordon, Emma Hamilton, Maria Fitzherbert, and Madame de Pompadour
I do not remember the source but I read something about the use of fertilized eggs (ovos galados - when the chick starts to form inside the egg) as well in Spain and Portugal as lipstick and rouge.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a very excellent job at matching the lip colors. :) They say you can tell so much about a woman by her lipstick color of choice. I bet Ms. Devonshire and Ms Pompadour were fiesty ones with those bright red lips ;)
ReplyDelete@Fabu, ew. I will take the plaster of Paris alternative!
ReplyDelete@MJ, Why thank you! I put more time into it that I probably should have! I like that Pompadour matched nicely with "Lady Danger" and Jane Gordon, the kidnapper with "Captive"
Jane Gordon was a kidnapper? Now I have to re-read her tart post. Can't believe I missed that.
ReplyDeleteH C: Yes, I'm very pleased with procuts, price and customer service and I'll definitely buy from them again.
ReplyDeleteTulip: Thank you! I didn't get a comment over there, but I'm sure it would work well. A friend of mine made the pomatum with oils a beewax and have used it in her face this winter and she says her skin has never been better. :-)
Great color matching, Heather. I'm impressed.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was happy with the variety
ReplyDeleteOoooh! I love the idea of pairing old portraits with modern lipstick shades!
ReplyDelete