An introduction to Elizabethan makeup

 Elizabethan beauty ideals

What I already understand about Elizabethan beauty ideals comes from watching films and television series based on that era. From my understanding Elizabeth I was the most powerful and inspirational woman of her time, because television and social networking didn't exist she was the most looked up to person there was. 

Although her makeup was poisonous and she mainly wore wigs, (to enable a much bigger look) her people wanted to be like her and wanted to look like her. 

This portrait of Elizabeth (below) shows the inspiration for the hair and makeup for the television show Elizabeth R (left). From looking at some of the portraits of Elizabeth I, this seems to be an exaggeration, but after researching into the makeup and hair products used during this time, I believe portrait painters would have complimented the looks of the Queen. The makeup used was harsh and poisonous therefore, would have marked and wrinkled the skin terribly forming a rough textured look such as in this image.

http://www.themakeupgallery.info/period/c16/uk/elizabeth/elizabethr.htm, viewed 7.10.15,(digital image)

                                      

http://www.marileecody.com/eliz1-images.html.viewed 7.10.15,(digital image)

https://www.pinterest.com/snuffleduck/portraits-iv-large-sleeves, viewed 7.10.15 (digital image)

This is an image of a portrait of a tudor noblewoman painted by William Segar 1590, photo found in the Tate museum. This was also during the time of Elizabeth's reign, to me it is clear the makeup of this lady was inspired and copied from Elizabeth. She has very pale skin and bright red cheeks with bright red lips. Her hair is also the same shape as Elizabeth's although not the same colour. 

As Elizabeth was such a huge inspirational figure, she had to always be very well dressed and presented, from the help her ladies in waiting. Before she was Queen, Elizabeth had longer hair that fell down her shoulders, pale natural skin and dressed that wouldn't get her noticed. She first wanted to change her look when she realised she didn't need to be married to become a great Queen, she classed herself as the Virgin Queen, married to England. This great change in status showed her love for her country and the great lengths she would go to, to protect it and her people. 

To go with her new being, she started to experiment with makeup, she had a love for looking her best, fashion and creating new and exciting looks that people could follow. Her very well known look of white skin, red cheeks and lips came from her experimentation with white lead and vinegar, mixed together and plastered on the skin created a white textured face paint that symbolised wealth and royalty. This look was copied and followed by all the royals and wealthy people who could afford to sit around all day indoors wearing white face  paint. To look tanned was a sign of working class, as they would have been working outside getting brown skin. A look that is wanted today but sought to get rid of in the 16th century. 

A pale complexion was wanted by wealthy women to imitate the look Elizabeth I inspired, the makeup was created using poisonous ingredients that would eventually make the skin much worse than it as originally. Similar to today's practices; many people who wear makeup want to improve the look o their skin and accentuate their beauty, but it can cause spots or discoloured skin.