Wednesday, September 16, 2026

The Dressing Table: Tudor Edition

 

In this series, I’m going to share what was on the dressing tables of women throughout different periods of history. Beauty has always been aspirational, and women of all social classes used what was available to them to achieve the beauty standards of their day. What products would a woman of the Tudor era have on her dressing table?

Ceruse: To achieve a fair complexion, women would resort to using a white mix of lead and vinegar. This would act as a foundation and a great way to conceal smallpox scars.

Combs: Combs were cheap and plentiful in the Tudor period, and so everyone regardless of class could have multiple ones at the ready.

Rouge: Bright red cheeks dotting pale skin was considered very chic.

Belladonna: This poisonous plant was used as eye drop to dilate the pupils.

Tweezers: Thin, over-plucked brows were thought make the eyes stand out (this unfortunately became a trend in the 1990s too)

Egg whites: Used as a face wash or mask to promote clear skin

Sources: http://www.elizabethancostume.net/makeup.html and https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/royal-history/elizabeth-i-fashion-beauty

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The Dressing Table: Tudor Edition

  In this series, I’m going to share what was on the dressing tables of women throughout different periods of history. Beauty has always bee...