Recipes and Methods of maintaining and furthering Beauty (long)
Posted by Marie-Bernadette on August 01, 1998 at 00:14:18:
In response to beauty tricks, written by mishel on July 31, 1998 at 22:58:11
This is from Regency Etiquette: A Mirror of the Graces by A Lady (which I believe is in the Bibliography).
Unction de Maintenon
The use of this is to remove freckles. The mode of application is this. Wash the face at night with elder-flower water, then annoint it with the unction. In the morning cleanse your skin from its oily adhesion, by washing it copiously in rose water.
Take of Venice soap an ounce, dissolve it on half an ounce of lemon juice, to which add of oil of bitter almonds and deliquated oil of tartar, each a quarter of an ounce. Let the mixture be placed in the sun till it acquires the consistence of ointment. When in this state, add three drops of the oil of rhodium, and keep it for use.
What could be simpler? Let's try this next:
Madame Recamier's Pommade
This was communicated by this lady as being used in France and Italy, by those who professionally, or by choice, are engaged in exercises which require long and great exertions of the limbs, as dancing, playing instruments, &c.
Take any suitable quantity of Axungia Cervi, i.e. the fat of a red stag or hart; add to it the same quantity of olive oil, (Florence oil is preferable to any of th kind,) and half the quantity of virgin wax; melt the whold in an earthen vessel, well-glazed, over a slow fire, and when properly mixed, leave it to cool.-- This oinment has been applied also with considerable efficacy in cases of rheumatism.
Did you get that? Remember the fat of a red stag-- not brown!
And should a wrinkle form on a fair brow, never fear!-- this most beneficial remedy is at hand!
Aura and Cephalus
Put some powder of the best myrrh upon an iron plate, sufficiently heated to melt the gum gently, and when it liquifies, hold your face over it, at a proper distance to receive the fumes without inconvenience; and, that you may reap the whole benefit of the fumigation, cover your head with a napkin. It must be observed, however, that if the applicant feels any head-ach, she must desist, as the remedy will not suit her constitution, and ill consequences might possibly ensue.
Alas! Attaining and maintaining beauty has never been easy!
Let us not neglect to properly condition the skin:
Eau de Veau
Boil a calf's foot in four quarts of river water till it is reduced to half the quantity. Add half a pound of rice, and boil it with crumb of white bread steeped in milk, a pound of fresh butter, and the whites of five fresh eggs; mix with them a small quantity of camphor and alum, and distil the whole. This receipt may be strongly recommended; it is most beneficial to the skin, which it lubricates and softens to a very comfortable degree. The best manner of distilling these ingredients is in the balneum mariae; that is in a bottle placed in boiling water.
So...if you don't happen to have a calf's foot, will a pigs foot suffice?
Let us now try something simpler.
How to make Lavender Water
Take four handfuls of dried lavender flowers, and sprinkle on them one quart of brandy, the same quantity of white wine and rose-water; leave them to remain six days in a large bottle well corked up; let the liquor be distilled and pour off.
The Lady also advised that "while all white paints are ruinous to the health, (occasioning paralytic affections and premature death)there are some red paints which may be used with perfect safety." These would be vegetable based rouges. She mentions that the "white paints" are dangerous because of the lead contained within them. Though a light touch of rouge is permissable, the Lady condemns "Penciling eye-brows, staining them, &c." as they "are too clumsy tricks of attempted deception, for any other emotion to be excited in the mind of the beholder, than contempt for the bad taste and wilful blindness which could ever deem them passable for a moment." Is that clear? Good! On to the ball!
- Elder flower and rose water source Earlene 04:19:47 8/01/98
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- Cucumber on your face at night Amy 18:32:02 8/01/98
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- Thanks Amy! Earlene 03:31:53 8/02/98
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- Thanks Amy! Earlene 03:31:53 8/02/98
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- I never cease to be amazed.... Gayle 08:44:35 8/01/98
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- De rien, Madame (nfm) Marie-Bernadette 00:34:57 8/06/98
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- You are too kind......nfm Earlene 03:34:07 8/02/98
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- amazed mishel 20:13:12 8/01/98
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- Everyone here is amazing Earlene 03:49:42 8/02/98
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- Everyone here is amazing Earlene 03:49:42 8/02/98
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- De rien, Madame (nfm) Marie-Bernadette 00:34:57 8/06/98
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- Cucumber on your face at night Amy 18:32:02 8/01/98
(1)
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