FMS406SalmonMNewElizabethans: Elizabethan cosmetic recipes and modern day comparisons.

As I have been researching a lot of contemporary and modern day sources to compare to Elizabethan culture, I thought it would be interesting to do the same in regards to the cosmetics and ingredients used and how a modern day example can argue that we are using the same exact thing as they did in a different form.

Ceruse
Ceruse was used as a foundation on the skin to achieve the classic, beautiful pale complexion. Ceruse was a combination of white lead which is very deadly and also vinegar. White lead is dangerous as it causes lead poisoning which seriously damages the skin and is also lethal. In terms of finding a modern day version to compare this cosmetic to, I thought of many different cosmetics. Ordinary foundation could be used as an comparison as this cosmetic is used to darken, lighten and even the skin tone depending on the user of the cosmetic but most foundations do not contain the mineral lead. A modern day skincare comparison I found was skin whitening cream which contains not lead but the chemical Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is often found in skin bleaching and lightening products used to light the complexion of your skin, similar to Elizabethan white base. Although sources I have looked at do not suggest that Hydroquinone is harmful it does mention that it is not to be used with any other products or drugs containing phenol, salicylic acid and resorcinol. The difference between these two products are that one cosmetic creates a permanent change the skin and isn't harmful. In Japanese culture it is considered to be sexy and beautiful to have very fair skin, so similar to the Elizabethans some women use skin lightening creams and cosmetics to make their skin tone appear fairer, I found this interesting as they are very open about it and advertise these lightening products a lot, encouraging this beauty trend and perception of beauty.

Skin Whitening Advertisement from Japan.
Image Sourced from Google.
http://marketingtochina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Asian-and-skin-whitening-590x392.jpg

Belladonna
Belladonna is a plant similar to cannabis which is also referred to as 'deadly nightshade'. This plants extract was used by Elizabethan women by putting the liquid into their eyes to make them appear sparkly and more awake. The use of this plant as a eye beauty product originated from Italy and the name Belladonna means 'Beautiful Lady'. Belladonna is very poisonous and dangerous to apply to the eyes, although this extract is used in a number of sedatives for health problems such as asthma. A modern day version of this eye product is the 'Optrex Eyedew Dazzling Eyedrops' I found these in Boots and was surprised to find eye drops created for beauty use. The eye drops are supposedly used to give you sparkly, super white 'dazzling' eyes. The ingredients; Witch hazel, Naphazoline Hydrochloride and Purified Water create this eye drop product.

Optrex Eye Drops.
Google Sourced Image.
https://boots.scene7.com/is/image/Boots/10081912?id=IjqaN3&fmt=jpg&fit=constrain,1&wid=504&hei=548

Cochineal
Cochineal is a beetle/insect which was normally crushed down and used as a blusher and lipstick because of the natural red dye and pigment found in the bug. When worn it created a red rouge tint to the lips and cheeks, which is what created the classic Elizabethan rouge colour that was worn as part of the traditional makeup. Today Cochineal is still used in many lip and blusher products, normally mixed with wax and oils so that it smoothly applies to the lips.