Tudor Cosmetics
Tudor Cosmetics differed extremely compared to today in the 21st Century make up, for example many different materials were used to create what we call makeup such as ceruse which is a form of white lead which was used to whiten down the face. Vermilion was another factor which contributed towards the cosmetics in the 16th Century which is a bright red tone of pigment which females liked to wear on there lips and cheeks.
The ideal beauty of Elizabethan women were seen as bright eyes, snow white skin, red lip and cheeks and fair or fiery red/orange coloured hair.
This ideal can be seen on portraits and images of Lettice Knollys, Countess of Leicester and Cousin to Queen Elizabeth, She was highly regarded as one of the most beautiful women of the 16th Century.
Lettice Knollys
Spreading lead so frequently onto the skin caused the females many skin problems and was described to have made the skin "grey and dishevelled". Sulphur and boiled egg whites were also a popular option that was used to whiten down the skin as a base.
There were many different way to lighten and bleach the hair as red or blonde was eagerly sought after, one being urine applied to the hair, and if the colour couldn't be achieved some women would wear false hair and wigs which was seen as common practice among the Elizabethan period.
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