COSMETICS THROUGH THE AGES:Â
The Middle Ages
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For some time, there was a lot controversy surrounding cosmetics.
Some said that wearing cosmetics posed as a health threat while the church deemed makeup wearers sinful and immoral. However, negative feelings towards makeup didn’t last too long.
During the 12th century the use of cosmetics became quite regular.
Due to the ingredients of cosmetics, many of products were dispensed by apothecaries and doctors. Clean and clear skin was considered highly favorable since this was a time when smallpox epidemics were frequent and left people with many pockmarks.
Paleness was an indication that a woman was of higher status and was healthy.
Porcelain skin was considered to be the most beautiful. In order to have a paler complexion European women would white their face with wheat flour or lead based paints. The usage of lead based paints often lead to death for medieval women to the high concentration of arsenic levels.
Women of the Italian Renaissance als
adopted
pale faces and would wear lead pain on their faces and pink lipstick.
Not only was pink lipstick a beauty statement, but it showed that they could afford synthetic makeup. Between 1400 and 1500, Italy and France became the center of manufacturing cosmetics in Europe
As we transitioned t
the
15th century, women were still obsessed with painting their faces white.
This was one makeup trend that did not want to end. One the the most well-known users of white lead paint was Queen Elizabeth I of England. Her look was known as “the Mask of Youth” was captured in many of her portraits.