From prehistory, people tried to extend their lives as much as possible and maintain youth. Egypt was the leader among the ancient kingdoms, and the best cultures were the methods of the last ruler of the land - Cleopatra. Today's experience and knowledge in this field is the result of a whole history of trial and error. No wonder then that the old ways of a long youth may at least surprise you. It's time to take a closer look!
The prototypes of modern cosmetics appeared in the world over 160 thousand years ago. Ancient Egypt developed a specific cosmetics industry. Both in Greece and Rome, they consciously nurtured their beauty. It was no different in the East - in India or China. However, the story of a long youth should begin in the aforementioned Egypt.
Ancient Egypt and Legendary Beauty - Cleopatra
Egyptians were famous for taking care of their beauty. They used methods that were quite unconventional - from today's point of view - and even very harmful to he alth.
A good example? Means containing lead for eye make-up (they were supposed to protect against infections, sun, insects), as well as lipsticks based on… beetle juice. Apparently, they were used by Queen Cleopatra - the last ruler of Egypt, whose image was perfectly captured and recorded by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film.
And what treatments did Cleopatra owe her legendary beauty to? Among other things, she bathed in milk, nourished her face with honey (great antibacterial properties!), And washed her face with apple cider vinegar. In addition, she used sea s alt peels, and removed the symptoms of acne with rose water. Other specifics in her "cosmetic bag" include ginger, antimony, calamine, goose fat, turpentine, onion and jasmine.
Greek and Roman rejuvenating treatments
In ancient Greece, beauty was also intensely taken care of. Anyway, it is from the Greek "cosmetikos" that the modern term cosmetics comes from. Unfortunately, poisonous lead was used to lighten the complexion, which was gradually replaced with chalk powder over time. But honey and olive oil were a good recipe for a long youth. More radical specifics are, for example, crocodile droppings mixed with mud - unfortunately also in the form of masks.
The Roman Empire benefited a lot from both Greek and Egyptian experiences. It is said that Julius Caesar, who was infatuated with Cleopatra of the time, borrowed a drug that prevents hair loss.
As for its composition, you can find different descriptions, but each a bit resembles a fairy-tale witch's elixir. Example? Mixed wine, honey, dried mice, roasted horse teeth, and deer marrow, all rubbed on the head.
They didn't hesitate to rinse their mouth with urine to whiten their teeth. The "best" urine was imported from Portugal - it was so popular that Emperor Nero imposed a tax on it. Fortunately, Roman beauty treatments are also popular baths in city baths, aromatic oils and the use of the beneficial properties of thermal waters and sea s alt.
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Middle Ages and Dark Ages of Cosmetics
The European Middle Ages did not bring many innovative treatments, but there were also some surprising and grotesque ones.
First of all, they tried to mask the passage of time by appropriate coloring of the skin and hair. The skin of the face was treated with oatmeal boiled in vinegar or … washed with bovine blood.
Potentially drinking water was collected from willow (flowering willow!), Boiled in wine. Other substances used for care and cosmetics give you goose bumps - there is no shortage of lead, mercury, arsenic and various acids.
Meat wraps and wine baths - British Isles
Modern Europe is another period of trial and error, and as hygiene was not one of the strengths of the elite at that time, the treatments did not necessarily bring good results.
The focus was primarily on the skin of the face. The court of Queen Elizabeth I of England used thinly sliced meat compresses to protect against wrinkles. In turn, the Scottish Queen Maria Stuart, a staunch enemy of Elizabeth I, appreciated the properties of the white wine in which she regularly bathed.
Bath in the blood of virgins - Elżbieta Batory
Demonic Elżbieta Bathory ("Bloody Countess of Čachtice", 1560-1614), the niece of the Polish king Stefan Batory, went down in history as one of the first serial killers.
A large role for the Habsburgs, who took care of Elizabeth's black PR - a strong Batory family was undesirable for them, and they themselves sought to conquer the homeland of "Lady Dracula", i.e. Transylvania (also known as Transylvania!).
NeverthelessHistorical facts do not contradict the fact that Elizabeth Bathory had various unpleasant inclinations and deep personality traits. A dark legend has become established in culture about Elizabeth's rejuvenating baths performed in the blood of virgins. Apparently, she discovered the excellent properties of the fluid when she de alt with one of the maidservants and accidentally splashed her blood on it. Surprisingly, the skin treated in this way began to behave better and younger.
Other stories - far from reality - tell about Lady Batory's invention to obtain blood, i.e. iron maiden. This famous torture device was in the form of a sarcophagus with spikes inside - they were supposed to pierce the body causing excruciating pain and blood loss, but without damaging vital organs.
Aleksandra Zajączek, or the Polish ice queen
Less bloody methods when it comes to Central and Eastern Europe were used by the later beauty - Aleksandra Zajączek (1754-1845), wife of general Józef Zajączek (in the years 1815-1826 the governor of the Kingdom of Poland). She loved the cold and ice that were to be responsible for her amazing beauty and long youth.
How did it look in practice? Well, the general slept in an ice-cooled bedroom, took a bath in ice water and ate cold meals. In addition, she rode a lot and went for long walks every day. Over the years, however, she also used masking methods - wax put on the skin, which provided a smooth effect.
Veal, strawberries and Empress Sisi
Another Elżbieta, i.e. Empress Sisi (more precisely: Elizabeth Amalia Eugenia von Wittelsbach), wife of Franz Joseph I, was also famous for her excellent beauty, and was also a beloved ruler - especially Hungarians who liked her (from reciprocity).
As befits a dignified queen and empress, she also benefited from numerous rejuvenating treatments. The specific Crème Céleste, which she put on her face every day, is known. The composition included rose water, almond oil and whale wax (obtained from the head of the sperm whale). At night, she used compresses made of … raw veal and crushed strawberries - and everything stayed on her face thanks to a special leather mask.
20th century celebrities in pursuit of youth
The cultural stars of the twentieth century also resorted to more or less conventional means of long adolescence. Marlena Dietrich sprinkled her hair with golden dust to add shine to herself, and Sophia Loren, as befits an Italian, bathed in olive oil, which is why she is supposed to have a spectacular appearance to this day.
David's wife was especially creativeBowie - Iman. Well, she used a face mask made of … laxatives. What about the more terrifying things? At one time, radioactive lipstick by Dr. Alfred Curie was quite popular.
Modern celebrity tricks
Today's stars are also able to surprise with their creative approach to the issue of eternal youth. Here are some examples:
- Suki Waterhouse - uses Coca-Cola as a hair shampoo
- Sienna Miller - uses ketchup as a hair bleach
- Blake Lively - She applies mayonnaise to the lower half of her hair before taking a bath. In this way, they retain the shine that soap would rob them of. The actress took this clever trick from her mother
- Catherine Zeta-Jones - the best hair conditioner? Only beer!
- Chloë Grace Moretz - a young actress uses a method proven in antiquity, namely washing her face with olive oil
- Nicole Kidman - she uses cranberry juice as a shampoo to keep her hair color nice.
- Snooki - how to effectively exfoliate dead skin? Cat litter must be combined with water!
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