DID THE "STUARTS" WEAR MAKE-UP ?

Men and women of the Court both wore make-up. This happened in the Elizabethan Era, but now make-up was used more often, and there was a wide choice of lotions, powders and ointments than ever before. Time and expensive ingredients were lavished on appearances but "Beauty" in the 17th Century was seen as fleeting. Poor health and hygiene, along with the use of poisonous materials, meant a woman was thought to be "past her prime at 20, decayed at 4 and 20, and old and insufferable at 30."

It was fashionable to have a very pale complexion. This demonstrated that a person was rich enough not to have to work outside in the fields. To make quite sure that skin remained pale, people sometimes wore masks when outdoors. Powders and creams could also help achieve pallor.

A pale complexion was achieved by making a cream from powdered white chalk and/or even white lead, mixed with white of egg and vinegar. This made a smooth shiny finish and people had to be careful not to laugh or the new "skin" would crack. Unbelievably, wine was also considered good for the complexion. The cheeks were reddened by adding a little cerise powder (white lead to which red colouring was added). Lips were reddened with fruit juice or cochimeal.

Lotions and perfumes were kept in china pots or glass phials which were stored in beautiful wooden boxes. The dressing room, decorated with silk hangings, became a reception room where the "toilette" was carried out in public. Vanity was no longer a sin, but a virtue.
(Info from the Royal Museums Greenwich)