Tudor Cosmetics

Make Up was not only an indication of wealth and status, but also was extremely practical in hiding the scarring of various diseases of that era such as smallpox.

Selly Manor. (). Tudors & History. Available: http://www.sellymanormuseum.org.uk/tudors-history/. Last accessed 5/12/14.

Early Tudors were not as into there make up during the reign of Henry VIII but Europe was introduced to cosmetics during the Crusades. They were more into skin care, using ingredients such as honey, sesame seed oil and beeswax. The cosmetics came from the Middle East as the Ancient Egyptians had been wearing make up as far back as 3000BC.

Make up became extremely important during Queen Elizabeth’s reign as Elizabethans went to extremes to have the same traits.

In 1562 when her skin went from young and smooth to scar ridden due to the smallpox disease, extreme white make up became the norm. Unbeknown to them the mixture of white lead and vinegar to create this pure white, was extremely poisonous.

Other qualities the Tudors strived for were red lips, rouged cheeks, light hair and near to no eyebrows to match the pale complexion. Towards the end of Elizabeth’s reign, when her teeth started to blacken, even this became a trend, with many using make up to recreate the look. This soon became a sign of nobility, as only the rich could afford the sugar that was turning their teeth black.

Linda Alchin. (). Tudor Make Up. Available: http://www.sixwives.info/tudor-make-up.htm. Last accessed 5/12/14.

Schmidt, L. (2013). The Ideal Beauty. Available: http://timesoftudors.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-ideal-beauty.html. Last accessed 5/12/14.

Drea Lead. (). Elizabethan Make up 101. Available: http://www.elizabethancostume.net/makeup.html. Last accessed 5/12/14.