In the 1400s, “Beauty Is Pain” Had a Whole Different Meaning
Pale, untouched-by-the-sun skin was all the rage for the women of the 15th century. If women weren’t naturally gifted with a porcelain complexion, they’d do everything from use leeches for blood-letting, a dubious medical practice of withdrawing a small quantity of blood to cure or prevent illness. Some women even used a white lead product called Venetian ceruse, which caused hair loss and, in some cases, death. Yikes.
The Trend of Tanned, Golden Skin Was an Accident
In the 1920s, fashion designer Coco Chanel accidentally got a sunburn while visiting the French Riviera. When she arrived back home, the sunburn had faded into a tan. Her fans started adopting this look, hoping to emulate the luxurious lifestyle of the chic and stylish Chanel.
Red Lipstick Used to Signify Class
During the Medieval period, lipstick was used to distinguish social classes in Europe. For instance, wearing a bright pink lip color signified a high class while red tones meant you were of an inferior social standing.
Fragrance Was Once Used as a Disinfectant
Long before your fragrance was created to make you smell sweet and fresh, it was used for disinfection in ancient China. Some believed that perfume was so powerful, it could help rid a room of disease.