Current:Home > InvestHow Marie Antoinette Shows the Royal's Makeup Practices: From Lead Poisoning to a Pigeon Face Wash-LoTradeCoin
How Marie Antoinette Shows the Royal's Makeup Practices: From Lead Poisoning to a Pigeon Face Wash
View Date:2024-12-24 10:19:50
A show about the last queen of France is guaranteed to bring the high tea.
Marie Antoinette, a new series airing on PBS on March 19, explores Maria Antonia's betrothal to Louis-Auguste—the soon-to-be crowned king of France—and the glitzy, glamorous and grandiose life they lived before they were guillotined during the French Revolution.
But ahead of Marie taking her final breath, she was viewed as, er, drop dead gorgeous. After all, she earned the title of the queen of style. So, how was the late royal's je ne sais quoi encapsulated on the show? Head makeup artist Mathilde Humeau turned to the history books, using them as a palette to transform actress Emilia Schüle into the enchanting queen.
"The period called for makeup," Mathilde exclusively told E! News. "It was a luxury for the upper class. The more makeup you wore, the more affluent you were. I believe for this reason she would have chosen to use makeup to amplify her beauty. This alone would have been an advantage within the gossipy court of Louis XV."
And the style of makeup you wore mattered. Mathilde pointed out that the beauty standards of 18th-century France valued "the whiteness of the face," as it "was a symbol of distinction."
Cosmetics would've served another purpose as well, according to the makeup artist, who said it helped "mask the conditions."
At the time, cosmetics were formulated with lead—a toxic metal known to cause high blood pressure, kidney damage and other health issues, per the World Health Organization. In particular, the most popular skin whitener used among royals and other aristocrats was called Venetian ceruse or Spirits of Saturn. The lead-based product would've left the wearer with scars, spots and disfigurements, which is why they'd apply more layers of it onto their face to cover up their imperfections. Thus, creating a vicious cycle.
Marie's devotion to beauty went beyond painting her face though.
In her research, Mathilde discovered that the empress concocted her own elixirs, creating the famous face wash Eau Cosmetique de Pigeon—"which, yes, was crafted using the bird itself," the makeup artist shared. "According to the Toilette of Health, Beauty, and Fashion, the recipe included the juice of water lilies, melons, cucumbers and lemons, as well as the crumbs of French rolls, white wine and stewed pigeons."
Marie would then tone her skin with Eau des Charmes, an astringent made of drops exuded by grapevines in May.
"Her signature face mask, which is still popular in France today," Mathidle noted, "was made from two teaspoons of circulation-stimulating cognac, 1/3 cup of dry milk powder, brightening lemon juice and one egg white."
The makeup artist also revealed that the most challenging scene was when Marie "gets her makeup done by the Countess du Barry (played by Gaia Weiss)." Mathilde had to balance creating a look that captured a significant moment, but it couldn't come across that a professional did it.
"It was necessary to design makeup that could be made by the character," she explained. "But follow the description of the script."
Whether or not you're a fan of France's last monarch, it's clear that there's power in beauty.
"Makeup can bring out the confidence within and be empowering," Mathilde said. "Just as you'd wear a sharp suit to an interview or your fave glam getup to a party, the makeup you wear helps you to feel put together and prepared. Everyone is their most confident and beautiful when they're doing what feels right for them."
Sign up for E! Insider! Unlock exclusive content, custom alerts & more!veryGood! (96637)
Related
- Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
- Public school advocates again face how to stop school choice in Nebraska
- Céline Dion Gives Health Update Amid Battle With Stiff-Person Syndrome
- Advocates, man who inspired film ‘Bernie’ ask for air conditioning for him and other Texas inmates
- Ariana Grande's Brunette Hair Transformation Is a Callback to Her Roots
- Céline Dion Gives Health Update Amid Battle With Stiff-Person Syndrome
- Taylor Swift reveals inspiration for 5 'Tortured Poets Department' songs on Amazon Music
- New federal rule bars transgender school bathroom bans, but it likely isn’t the final word
- 'Serial swatter': 18-year-old pleads guilty to making nearly 400 bomb threats, mass shooting calls
- All the Similarities Between Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” Music Video and The 1975's Matty Healy
Ranking
- 'Squid Game' creator lost '8 or 9' teeth making Season 1, explains Season 2 twist
- KC Current owners announce plans for stadium district along the Kansas City riverfront
- Mall retailer Express files for bankruptcy, company closing nearly 100 stores
- Lawmakers criticize CIA’s handling of sexual misconduct but offer few specifics
- Kathy Bates likes 'not having breasts' after her cancer battle: 'They were like 10 pounds'
- See the bronze, corgi-adorned statue honoring Queen Elizabeth II on her 98th birthday: Photos
- She knew her son and other people with disabilities have so much to give. So, she opened a cafe to employ them.
- Taylor Swift’s Friend Keleigh Teller Shares Which TTPD Song “Hurts So Much” for Her
Recommendation
-
Nelly will not face charges after St. Louis casino arrest for drug possession
-
Jury deliberating in Iraq Abu Ghraib prison abuse civil case; contractor casts blame on Army
-
Why Blake Shelton Jokes He Feels Guilty in Gwen Stefani Relationship
-
See the bronze, corgi-adorned statue honoring Queen Elizabeth II on her 98th birthday: Photos
-
Stocks soared on news of Trump's election. Bonds sank. Here's why.
-
California announces first new state park in a decade and sets climate goals for natural lands
-
US advances review of Nevada lithium mine amid concerns over endangered wildflower
-
The body recovered of 1 of 2 men who vanished last week after kayaks capsized in Indianapolis