Cosmetics Secrets and techniques of the Historic Romans – Lovely With Brains

Let’s speak concerning the magnificence secrets and techniques of the Historic Romans…

Do you know that the Historic Romans began utilizing cosmetics for ritual functions solely? However as time went on, make-up and skincare turned a pure a part of ladies’s on a regular basis lives.

Rich folks purchased imported make-up from China and Germany, whereas the poor may solely afford cheaper knock-offs of such “high-end” cosmetics.

Because of the climate circumstances and the poor high quality of their cosmetics, ladies wanted to reapply their make-up a number of occasions a day (discuss dedication!). And actually? Utilizing these poisonous substances most likely didn’t assist their pores and skin a lot.

By the way in which, wealthy ladies didn’t apply their make-up themselves. They’d feminine slaves known as Cosmetae for them. Cosmetae additionally mades lotions, lotions and cosmetics. However how? Let’s delve deeper into their fascinating magnificence rituals and substances.

Face

Like a number of historical cultures, the Romans thought honest, white pores and skin was the last word objective. A typical case of “I need what I can’t have.” Their complexion was naturally darker, in order that they used chalk powder, white marl, and white lead (sure, a poison!) to lighten it. White lead wasn’t simply harmful. It was a complete catastrophe for his or her well being, inflicting all types of points like lead poisoning. Yikes!

Truthful pores and skin wasn’t nearly trying good; it was a standing image. Pale pores and skin confirmed that you just didn’t must work exterior within the solar. This “lighter is best” mindset caught round for hundreds of years and pops up in magnificence traits even now.

Eye Make-up

The Historic Romans have been all about large eyes with lengthy lashes and thick, dramatic brows that just about met within the center. To get this look, they used antimony or soot to darken their brows and generally faked a unibrow by extending them inward. Yep, unibrows have been a factor – a giant factor! They have been thought of an indication of intelligence and wonder. Some ladies even used dyed goat hair to make pretend brows. Speak about dedication.

To make their eyes stand out, they used kohl created from saffron, ashes, soot, or antimony. And kohl wasn’t nearly trying good. It helped shield their eyes from infections, due to its antibacterial properties. Fairly good, proper? Nicely, aside from the kohl with lead in it. That wasn’t nice.

They utilized kohl utilizing sticks created from glass, ivory, wooden, or bone, which they dipped in water or oil first. For a distinct method to darken their eyes, they’d burn date stones or char rose petals. And let’s not overlook their colourful eyeshadows! Inexperienced got here from malachite, and blue from azurite. These colours didn’t simply make them look fancy; they screamed wealth as a result of these pigments have been costly.

Cheeks & Nails

Pink cheeks have been all the trend as a result of they have been seen as an indication of excellent well being. Roman ladies used all types of issues as blush: poppy and rose petals, crimson chalk, alkanet, Tyrian vermillion, crocodile dung (sure, actually!), crimson ochre imported from Belgium (fancy!), mulberry juice, wine dregs, cinnabar, and crimson lead (one other poison – they actually cherished dangerous substances!). They blended these with oils or waxes to make them simpler to use.

For his or her nails, they whipped up a mixture of sheep fats and blood. Sounds fairly gross, proper? However again then, animal merchandise have been a go-to as a result of they have been straightforward to search out and considered good for the pores and skin. Plus, the blood added that reddish tint they have been after.

Skincare

The Historic Romans didn’t cease at make-up. They have been large on skincare too. They made lotions and lotions to take care of wrinkles, pimples, solar spots, freckles, and flaky pores and skin. Their masks have been created from lentils, barley, lupine, honey, or fennel blended with oils, oregano seeds, sulfur, vinegar, goose grease, basil juice, and hawthorn. For a contact of luxurious, they’d throw in rose or myrrh for perfume.

A few of their skincare methods are fairly gag-worthy, although. They used placenta and even animal poop (like kingfisher or calf excrement), considering these had magical rejuvenating powers. Are you able to think about slathering that in your face? Gross, however they have been clearly prepared to strive something.

For pimples, they used a paste of barley flour and butter. To lighten solar spots, they smeared on ashes of snails. Bizarre? Completely. However a few of these substances most likely labored due to their pure acids and fat.

Associated: Snail Mucin: Why Is It In My Skincare Merchandise

Fragrance

Romans have been obsessive about fragrance. Smelling good wasn’t nearly hygiene; it was an indication of well being and a sneaky method to cowl up the stink of their make-up. Fragrance recipes have been like household heirlooms, rigorously guarded and handed down.

Perfumes got here in liquid, sticky, or stable kinds. They made them by soaking flowers, leaves, and roots in oils or grape juice, a base known as onfacio. Then they added dyes and different substances to complete them off. And deodorant? That wasn’t new both. Romans used alum, rose petals, and iris to remain recent.

Hair

Roman ladies cherished wigs. Not only for vogue, however to cover white hair or harm from dye jobs. Throughout the Imperial period, wigs have been created from actual hair: blonde got here from Northern Europe, and black from India. If you happen to had a wig, you have been flaunting your wealth and connections large time.

In addition they went all-in on hair dye. To maintain their blonde hair vivid, they used a mixture of beech ash and goat fats. Redheads crushed up leaves from the henna household. For black hair, they used black antimony with animal fats or brewed cypress leaves with vinegar and absinthe ash blended with rose oil. These dyes weren’t precisely fast fixes, however magnificence takes effort, proper?

Physique Hair

Physique hair? Laborious no for Roman ladies. They plucked, shaved, or used resin paste to wax it off. Some even scraped it off with pumice stones. Ouch! These strategies weren’t precisely cozy, however clean pores and skin was the objective, it doesn’t matter what it took. Sound acquainted?

Males and Make-up

In Historic Rome, make-up on males was a no-go – it was seen as immoral and too female. However some males nonetheless used white powder to lighten their faces, particularly actors and performers. And some stored their pores and skin tender with oils and lotions, however that was extra about staying clear than trying glam.

What was acceptable for males as a substitute was the average removing of hair and using fragrance. Throughout the Emperor’s Commodo’s occasions, dyeing hair blonde develop into trendy for males too.

The Backside Line

There you might have it, the wonder secrets and techniques of the traditional Romans. Trying again, it’s wild how a lot effort the Historic Romans put into trying good, even when it meant utilizing harmful or downright gross substances. A variety of their concepts (like specializing in pure substances and perfumes) nonetheless encourage magnificence traits right this moment. However actually, thank goodness we’ve moved previous the lead and poop stage of skincare!

About Gio

Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – every single day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you determine what’s well worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that can assist you create one of the best skincare routine on your distinctive wants.