Marie Antoinette is one of the most famous beauties in history. Her approach was full of labour and intensive beauty treatments to ensure that she remained a beautiful figure. It’s astonishing how much of her time she put into her beauty. Whilst beauty is everything, it’s always nice to learn a new thing or two (or perhaps what not to do).
Here are five beauty secrets from Marie Antoinette.
ON BATHING
Despite it being quite uncommon for the time, Antoinette bathed frequently in baths. She would usually use pine nuts, linseed or almonds to soothe her skin and exfoliate with rice bran-filled muslin pads. There were many bonkers beauty rituals at the time, but this one seems relatable in 2020.
ON HAIRCARE
She was dying her hair strawberry blonde before it was even cool. Underneath her huge wigs, she’d often dye her hair using all-natural elixirs. For copper tones, she’d apply ginger-hued ingredients such as sandalwood and rhubarb. Antoinette’s hair dye was one of the only beauty treatments of hers that didn’t involve dangerous chemicals.
ON BEAUTY MARKS
Before Marilyn Monroe, Antoinette rocked the beauty mark. It was common for beauty to use beauty marks to cover up smallpox scars but she went the extra mile. She often had different shapes on different areas to convey certain emotions. It’s rumoured that a heart on the right cheek indicates that you were married whilst one near the corner of the eye denotes passion.
ON PERFUME
In the past, it was common for people to smell due to the taboo of bathing and lack of adequate bathrooms. To ensure that Antoinette wouldn’t smell, she would fill her space with flowers and potpourri along with mist fragrances and essential oils. She was notorious for her obsession with fragrances and even had her own fragrances when she was locked up.
ON FACEMASKS
There were many bizarre face treatments Antoinette did from the Eau De Pigeon to dangerous power, but there was one that’s still popular in France today. Her signature face mask for a glowing complexion that we’d definitely recommend. Her mask was made up from two teaspoons of circulation-stimulating cognac, ⅓ cup of dry milk powder, brightening lemon juice and one egg white.
Words By Jenna Rink
Photocredit: Columbia Pictures
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