victorian era beauty secrets

Can we talk about beauty in the Victorian age? You’d think an 18 year old girl becoming queen would give the beauty industry a boost. Surely, such a young girl loved to play with makeup, try the latest lotions and potions, and launch trends, no?

Wrong. Queen Victoria loved to party and dance into the wee hours of the morning – but sans makeup. After the profligacy of her predecessors, Victoria was determined to make the monarchy respectable again. And she didn’t think there was anything respectable about cosmetics.

She thought face paint vulgar, and makeup suitable only for prostitutes and actresses (there wasn’t much difference between them back then). In fact, Victoria famously declared in 1870 that “The Queen is most anxious to do what she can to discourage the use of cosmetics.” That royal disapproval certainly didn’t help the struggling cosmetics industry. But that doesn’t mean that her subjects stopped wearing makeup. They just became better at hiding it.

Rather than the heavy white paints and bright rouges of the past century, respectable well-off ladies went for the no-makeup makeup look. It perfectly suited the ideal of beauty of the era, which demanded a delicate and fragile look, with a pale complexion, and long curls. Here’s how they achieved it:

Complexion

The Victorians loved pale skin. It was a sign of nobility. It meant women were well-off, and could afford not to spend hours working outdoors, which would inevitably result in a tan. The horror!

While their ancestors had used dangerous concoctions like Venetian ceruse (a deadly mix of lead and vinegar) to whiten their faces, the Victorians turned to safer alternatives. Zinc oxide became the go-to. This white mineral powder gave skin a porcelain-like finish without the nasty side effects of lead poisoning. It’s still used today in sunscreens—though now we complain about the white cast it leaves behind instead of embracing it as a beauty standard!

Those who didn’t like Zinc, simply avoided the sun and fresh hair. When they ventured outdoors, they’d carry parasols to protect their skin from the sun. Some even drank vinegar. Apparently, they thought that, somehow, it’d prevent a tan!

For the most fashion-forward, pale wasn’t enough. They wanted to look so delicate that you could practically see through their skin. To achieve this, some women took things a step further and painted fine blue lines on their arms and temples to mimic visible veins, a sign of extreme femininity and fragility. A few even went as far as emphasizing dark circles under their eyes to appear more ethereal. Imagine people deliberately making themselves look sleep-deprived today!

And, of course, whenever their faces got too oily or shiny, a light dusting of powder helped keep the grease at bay. But only just enough – overdoing it was a social faux pas!

Makeup

With Queen Victoria’s strong stance against face paint, makeup took a serious hit in respectability. A “proper lady” couldn’t be seen buying it, let alone applying it in public. But that didn’t mean they abandoned it entirely. Instead, women became experts at the art of subtlety.

Makeup was now all about achieving a natural, “my-skin-but-better” effect. Everything had to be applied with the lightest touch. Rouge was still a staple, but instead of bright reds, women opted for soft pinks, often achieved with crushed beet juice. Some women used rice powder mixed with a hint of carmine to get that natural flush.

Lip color was applied in secret and sparingly. Beeswax and plant-based dyes were common ingredients, while more daring women used cochineal (a red dye derived from insects) to give their lips a faint pink hue. But heavy lipstick? Absolutely not! That was reserved for “fallen women.”

Eye makeup was practically nonexistent by today’s standards. Heavy kohl-lined eyes were far too risqué, so women opted for lead-based powders to subtly enhance their eyes – yes, still toxic, but at least less obvious! Eyebrows were plucked, but only lightly, just enough to create a natural, polished shape.

Skincare

Makeup may have been out, but skincare? That was a different story. If you couldn’t cover up imperfections, you had to prevent them in the first place. DIY beauty treatments became all the rage.

Women concocted their own creams, lotions, and tonics using natural ingredients found in their kitchens and gardens. Almond oil, rosewater, glycerin, and beeswax were common staples in their skincare arsenals. Lily water and elderflower water were believed to soften the skin, while cucumber juice was used as a brightening agent.

For those struggling with acne (which they often called “spots” or “blemishes”), solutions ranged from herbal infusions to downright bizarre practices. Some Victorian beauty manuals recommended washing the face with rainwater to keep the skin clear. Others suggested applying mashed strawberries or honey as a primitive face mask. And let’s not forget the belief that bathing in milk could maintain youthful skin – a trend Cleopatra would have approved of!

Hair

If makeup was scandalous, a woman’s hair was sacred. Long, voluminous locks were considered a sign of femininity and beauty, and most women rarely cut their hair. Trimming was reserved for extreme cases, such as illness or mourning.

To achieve that coveted fullness, women often used false hairpieces. Hair collected from servants or bought from wigmakers was sewn into elaborate extensions to enhance natural tresses. Oils like rosemary, castor, and macassar oil (which inspired the invention of “antimacassars” – those lace doilies placed on chairs to prevent greasy stains) were widely used to keep hair smooth and shiny.

Hairstyles weren’t particularly experimental. Chignons, buns, and cascading curls were the standard. Young women often wore their hair down in long, soft curls, but once married, they were expected to wear it up as a sign of maturity. Hair accessories were essential – decorative combs, ribbons, and bejeweled pins added a touch of elegance.

Men’s Grooming

Victorian women may have been all about soft femininity, but the men? The opposite. A well-groomed Victorian man sported a thick, full beard or at least an impressive mustache. A clean-shaven face was often associated with youth or, worse, boyishness, something no self-respecting Victorian gentleman wanted.

As for hairstyles, shorter cuts became more popular, a stark contrast to the long, flowing locks of the previous century. But one thing remained consistent: the love of pomades. Macassar oil was the hair product of choice, slicking back hair to perfection – so much so that furniture manufacturers started making antimacassars to protect upholstery from the greasy residue.

The Bottom Line

There you have it, all you ever wanted to know about beauty in the Victorian age. While Queen Victoria may have wanted to banish cosmetics to the shadows, beauty trends didn’t disappear entirely. They just adapted. Women became experts at the art of “barely-there” makeup, mastered DIY skincare, and found creative ways to maintain their delicate, doll-like appearance. And even though Victorian beauty ideals might seem extreme (painting on veins? Encouraging dark circles?), they were deeply tied to the cultural and social expectations of the time.

So next time you complain about the white cast from your sunscreen or spend hours perfecting your “no-makeup” makeup look, just remember – you’re not the first to go to great lengths for beauty!

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.