The Dark Story Behind Queen Elizabeth I’s Stark White Makeup: ‘Beauty Must Suffer’
More than just a statement beauty regime, the Virgin Queen’s signature makeup was born from sad beginnings — and possibly led to a tragic ending
So on came the makeup — a Venetian ceruse, a cosmetic composed of white lead and vinegar, which the Queen applied to her face and neck. Lead — unsafe to be applied to skin — can lead to hair loss, skin deterioration and even death from prolonged lead poisoning, The Mirror reported. “This would have likely corroded the skin,” according to the outlet, adding, “As her skin deteriorated, it is said that she would layer on more and more, reaching a coverage that was one inch thick towards the end of her life. To make matters worse, the Queen would have her makeup applied once a week and would leave it on for the duration, allowing the lead a chance to completely soak into the skin.”
When Elizabeth had her makeup removed, historians believe that she may have used a concoction containing mercury, and side effects of being gradually poisoned by mercury include “memory loss, irritability and depression, symptoms which the Queen in fact experienced towards the end of her life,” according to The Mirror. “Not to mention that the mercury would have likely slowly eaten away at her flesh.”
https://people.com/the-dark-story-behind-queen-elizabeth-i-stark-white-makeup-8751901
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