ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions What Beauty was Like during the French Revolution
For a long time, people have looked to France for the latest beauty trends. By the end of the 18th century, France was experiencing major social and political changes, and this had a big impact on beauty practices. The era of heavy makeup and rouge was coming to an end, replaced by a more natural look. Let’s explore the fascinating world of beauty during the French Revolution!
During this period, makeup was all about foundation, face powder, and rouge. These products were used to hide imperfections like rough skin, freckles, and scars, helping people maintain a good reputation. A pale, porcelain complexion was highly fashionable in the royal courts. However, achieving this look involved some dangerous methods. One recipe included soaking lead plates in vinegar and letting them sit in horse manure for weeks before grinding them into a powder. This powder was mixed with water, dried in the sun, and combined with perfume and dye for the final touch.
Red was a popular color for cheeks and lips, symbolizing youth, health, and sensuality. Both men and women in high society painted their cheeks in round or triangular shapes. However, the rouge used was made from mercury sulfide, which could cause health problems like dental issues and bad breath. By 1781, women were buying two million pots of rouge each year!
Beauty patches, known as “mouches” or “flies,” were another trend. These small patches, made from black silk or velvet, were used to cover skin imperfections from diseases like syphilis and smallpox. They were applied with adhesive or saliva, and their number and placement followed social rules. Too many patches could seem desperate, while too few might appear old-fashioned.
Long before modern beauty tutorials, 18th-century royals had a ritual called the “toilette.” This was a personal care routine done either privately or in public, with an elaborate setup of combs, brushes, and decorative containers for cosmetics. Despite the public display, much of the preparation was done beforehand.
As the Age of Enlightenment progressed, people began to value individual traits and personalities. By the time of the French Revolution in 1789, heavy makeup was seen as wasteful and too feminine. Doctors warned about the toxic effects of beauty products, and a more natural look became popular. People started using Spanish wool pads dyed with cochineal to color their lips and cheeks.
During the revolution, elaborate wigs fell out of favor as they were seen as symbols of the upper class. Simpler hairstyles became popular, and new hair products were developed, although lice remained a problem. High sugar consumption damaged teeth, leading to changes in dental care and a growing acceptance of smiling.
Fashion at the court of Versailles was extravagant, with fine silks, velvets, and laces. Women wore bodices and hoop skirts to accentuate their figures. However, Marie Antoinette shocked the court by wearing a simple white muslin dress, signaling a shift towards neoclassicism. This style featured loose, light dresses and marked the beginning of women’s emancipation.
Men’s fashion also changed, with the sans-culottes—working-class revolutionaries—wearing loose-fitting trousers and jackets, contrasting sharply with aristocratic clothing. The French Revolution introduced many beauty trends that still influence us today, including dental care and natural beauty products.
Would you have embraced the decadent fashion of Versailles or joined the fight for freedom on the streets? Share your thoughts! We hope you enjoyed learning about beauty practices during the French Revolution. Stay tuned for more exciting history lessons!
Research the ingredients used in beauty products during the French Revolution. Create a safe, modern version of one of these products using household items. Document your process with photos and a short explanation of how it compares to the original product.
Draw a fashion sketch inspired by the clothing styles of the French Revolution. Consider both the extravagant court fashion and the simpler styles that emerged. Label the materials and colors you would use, and explain how your design reflects the social changes of the time.
In groups, reenact a “toilette” ritual from the 18th century. Assign roles such as the noble, attendants, and observers. Use props to simulate the beauty routine and discuss the social significance of this ritual in the context of the French Revolution.
Participate in a class debate on the merits of natural beauty versus heavy makeup during the French Revolution. Use historical evidence to support your arguments and consider the health implications and social perceptions of each trend.
Imagine you are a young person living during the French Revolution. Write a diary entry describing your thoughts on the changing beauty standards and fashion trends. Reflect on how these changes affect your daily life and social interactions.
For centuries, we have looked to the French for beauty trends. By the end of the 18th century, France was amid social and political upheaval, and their beauty practices began to make drastic shifts. The century of rouge would end in blood. Welcome back to Nutty History! Today, we are diving into the history of beauty practices, hacks, and mishaps during the French Revolution.
Makeup of the period consisted of a few key items: foundation, face powder, and rouge. These products were meant to conceal flaws such as rough skin, freckles, pimples, warts, or scars to enhance one’s reputation. The fashion for a porcelain complexion was prevalent in the royal courts of the 18th century until its decline at the turn of the French Revolution. Achieving the white powdery effect required a mix of dangerous substances. One recipe involved steeping plates of lead in vinegar and leaving them to rest in horse manure for weeks until they could be ground into a fine powder. This powder was then mixed with water, dried in the sun, and combined with perfume and tinting dye for a finished look.
Red, the color of blood and revolution, was a must-have for cheeks and lips during this period. Men and women in the upper echelons of French society would paint their cheeks in round or triangular shapes to add a flush of color. The appeal of red was both biological and psychological, as it indicated youth, fertility, good health, and sensuality. However, using vermilion-based rouge, made from mercury sulfide, posed health risks, including dental issues and unpleasant breath. By 1781, women were purchasing two million pots of rouge per year.
Another popular trend was beauty patches, known as “mouches” or “flies,” which resembled small insects on pale skin. These patches were sometimes used to cover skin imperfections caused by syphilis and smallpox. Made from black silk taffeta or velvet, they were often sold with an adhesive backing or could be applied with saliva. The number and placement of patches were governed by social codes; too many could appear desperate, while too few could be seen as outdated.
Long before YouTube tutorials, 18th-century royals displayed their beauty rituals for the court in a practice known as the “toilette.” This involved personal care conducted privately or in public settings, with elaborate setups that included combs, brushes, decorative containers for cosmetics, and extravagant mirrors. Despite the performance aspect, much of the preparation was done beforehand.
As the Age of Enlightenment progressed, individual traits and personalities were celebrated, leading to a decline in makeup’s popularity by the time of the French Revolution in 1789. The once-coveted look of wealth and privilege became associated with wastefulness. Makeup was seen as too effeminate, and doctors began warning about the toxic effects of beauty practices, advocating for a more natural approach. People started using Spanish wool pads dyed with cochineal to stain their lips and cheeks instead.
During the revolution, elaborate wigs fell out of favor as they became symbols of the bourgeoisie. Simpler haircuts were adopted, and new hair products emerged, although lice remained a persistent issue. Teeth were often damaged by high sugar consumption, leading to a shift in dental care and a gradual acceptance of smiling.
Fashion in the court of Versailles was extravagant, featuring fine silks, velvets, and laces. Women accentuated their figures with bodices and hoop skirts, while Mary Antoinette shocked the court by wearing a simple white muslin dress, signaling a shift towards neoclassicism. This style favored loose, light dresses, marking the beginning of women’s emancipation.
Men’s fashion also evolved, with the sans-culottes—working-class revolutionaries—adopting loose-fitting trousers and jackets that contrasted sharply with the aristocratic attire. The French Revolution brought about many beauty trends that still exist today, including dental care and natural beauty products.
Would you have dressed decadently in the courts of Versailles or fought for freedom on the streets? Let us know in the comments below! We hope you enjoyed learning about beauty practices during the French Revolution, and we’ll see you next time for another Nutty History video.
Beauty – A quality or combination of qualities that provides pleasure to the senses or to the mind, often associated with art and nature. – The beauty of the Renaissance paintings lies in their intricate detail and vibrant use of color.
Revolution – A significant change that usually occurs in a relatively short period of time, often in a political or social context. – The French Revolution dramatically altered the course of history by overthrowing the monarchy and establishing a republic.
Makeup – Cosmetic products applied to the face to enhance or alter appearance, often used in theatrical performances and portrait art. – In the 18th century, makeup was used extensively by both men and women in France to signify social status.
Fashion – A prevailing style or custom in dress, behavior, or way of life, often reflecting cultural and historical influences. – The fashion of the Victorian era was characterized by elaborate dresses and strict social etiquette.
Natural – Existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind, often used to describe art that depicts realistic scenes. – The natural landscapes painted by the Hudson River School artists emphasized the beauty and majesty of the American wilderness.
Patches – Pieces of material used to mend or decorate clothing, often used historically to convey messages or status. – In the 17th century, facial patches were used as a fashion statement and to cover blemishes, becoming a symbol of elegance in European courts.
Hairstyle – The way in which someone’s hair is cut and arranged, often reflecting cultural and historical trends. – The elaborate hairstyles of the Rococo period in France were a symbol of wealth and social standing.
Trends – General directions in which something is developing or changing, often used to describe shifts in art and culture. – Art trends during the Enlightenment emphasized reason and individualism, moving away from the ornate styles of the Baroque period.
France – A country in Western Europe with a rich history of cultural and artistic influence, particularly during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods. – France was a center of intellectual and artistic innovation during the Enlightenment, producing many influential philosophers and artists.
Enlightenment – An intellectual and philosophical movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional doctrines. – The Enlightenment encouraged scientific inquiry and the questioning of religious and political authority, leading to significant societal changes.
