Hygiene,+hair+care,+and+Cosmetics

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=Hygiene, Hair care, and Cosmetics By Aimée Abbene =

Through out many years there have been different out looks on hygiene and beauty. In the Elizabethan Era these were important things.

Living in the Elizabethan era must not have been the best smelling time in a person’s life. Bathing wasn't done as frequently. Royalty and upper class people would bathe every couple of weeks or so. Servants didn't get to bathe at all. (Lace, 30) If that wasn't bad enough they bathed in horribly nasty water. ("Elizabethan Hygiene") Baths would be taken if front of a fireplace to keep the water warm. People in this era thought if they caught a chill when bathing they would get sick. Royalty would have servants hang sheets up around cracks in the rooms. (Andrews,#2)

Ever spend a long time doing your hair? The women in the Elizabethan era did! Women usually wore their hair up. It was rare to see women with their hair down commonly done today. They wore scarves and hats as well. They wore these to keep the sun off their faces. Royalty and upper class women wore crowns and jewels in their hair. (“Elizabethan Hairstyles”) Another way women had their hair was by having a shaved forehead. Having a shaved forehead was prized because it meant royalty. Men Generally had short hair with beards. (Elgin, 39)

Cosmetics are a pretty big part of the Elizabethan era. Pale skin and golden hair was the style in that day. (Elgin, 39) Women would go to extremes to get the look they wanted. Red lips were important. They would dye their hair with dangerous chemicals and even use urine. Make up was made out of Mercury, Vermillion and Belladonna. (Lace, 38)

Works Cited Andrews, John F., ed. //Shakespeare’s World and Work//. Vol. 2. New York: Karen Day, 2001. Print. Elgin, Kathy. //A History of Fashion and Costume Elizabethan England//. New York: Facts on File, 2005. Print. “Elizabethan Hairstyles.” //Elizabethan England Life//. N.p., 9 Apr. 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2010. “Elizabethan Hygiene.” //Elizabethan England Life//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2010. //Elizabethan Style French Hood with Gold Hair Net//. N.d. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2010. //Emilie Autumn Elizabethan Cosmetics//. N.d. //photobucket.com//. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2010. Lace, Willam W. //Elizabethan England//. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2006. Print.