I'm currently not enjoying getting well from pneumonia (I enjoy finally knowing why I have been so unwell all winter) and it does gives me a lot of time for research, if not for anything else. I want to sew!

The Recipe
Spanish White ( Read more... )

159. An excellent Lip-Salve

Take an ounce of Myrrh, as much Litharge in fine powder, four ounces of Honey, two ounces of Bees-wax, and six ounces of Oil of Roses; mix them over slow fire. Those who are inclined may add a few drops of Oil of Rhodium, and some Leaf Gold (The Toilet of Flora, page 135)An admirably clear recipe, with exact ( Read more... )

It feels rather reassuring that after going through red pigments, all but two that I have found so far are actually poisonous. Most of the other ones are still in use today. But still, please note that even if a pigment is considered safe, there is still a possibility to get an allergic reaction to it.

Alkanet root Cold, or blue-toned red pigment ( Read more... )

White pigments used in the 18th century
After some consideration I have decided to start a new blog: Madame Isis’ Toilette, for posts about 18th century beauty and makeup. But as this is my "homebase" as you will, I will keep posting those posts on LJ too.

Bones Pulverised bones from cuttlefish, sheep and ox where used to colour hair powder white ( Read more... )

To change the colour of the hair with the help of powder wasn’t something invented inthe 18th century, but it was then it reached heights never seen before. The shiny fancy dress white wigs that many connect with the 18th century is an invention of the 19th century and when the silent movie came along, they adopted it. White wigs looks so much ( Read more... )

I’m sure you have noticed by now that I have a special interest for 18th century beauty and I’m more and more seriously contemplating on trying more beauty recipes from the time. I was quite delighted recently when I found that Ageless Artifice has several new and interesting items like Spanish white for face makeup and more rouges. Unfortunately I ( Read more... )

( Read more... )

It’s Fraulein Frauke tonight and I’m finishing my dress and thinking of makeup. The theme is a mix of The Belle Époque and the Roaring Twenties and though my dress is Belle Époque I will shamelessly borrow the makeup from the early 20’s with very dark eyes, drooping eyebrows and a small dark mouth. It’s very far from my usual makeup, so it will be ( Read more... )

Remember my post on 18th century make-up? Well, now I have played around a bit more with modern make-up. After all, that is what most of us usually use. So, below is not one, but two, yes, I said two, versions of an 18th century make-up.

( Behold )

As I threatened in my previous post, here is the result after playing with my stuff from Ageless Artifice, helped along the way with some Titan Oxide and a few other small details...

( Tadaa! )