Mothers Victorian Vanity

Just imagine yourself, a little girl, growing up in the Victorian Era. You enjoy watching Mother as she sits at her vanity in front of the mirror. Her hands delicately reach for the cameo she will pin to the collar of her dress. She throws you a soft smile through the mirror as she notices you quietly watching her brush her hair, wrapping it up into a bun on the back of her head. You creep softly to her side smelling the sweet savor of perfume and powder. Just as she places the powder puff back onto the vanity her genteel ivory face turns smiling ever so softly and takes you into her arms.

What was considered beauty in the day of a Victorian lady? What, if any, did she wear as make-up? Here are a few answers to those questions. Well to start; A woman washed her hair at least more than several times a year; at most once or twice a month. I know that is hard to believe. But it is true, just the same. The sleek, shiny look was more the fashion of the 1800's. Many ladies put oil in their hair to style it then later removed it with a towel. Bathing also was known to happen far less than today. A few may have taken a bath more than once a week. But once a week was more than sufficient for a Victorian. They most generally bathed on Saturday nights, the night before church. Almond meal was used for washing the neck and hands to make them very creamy. Perfumes, calognes and powders were also worn, often.

It was common that most respectful upperclass ladies of society did not wear make-up. However for some married women rice powder was worn on the face and a lightly tinted salve was worn on the lips. The colors used were generally very light. Some women used candle soot for eyeliner. But most make-up, if any, was worn by married women and in moderation. To women who were not "high society" ladies, make-up and hair dyes were made available. Rouge was sold for cheeks and lips. The colors were in reds and corals. Mascara was usually made from the melted black wax of candles and applied very carefully to lashes with a needle.

It was universal that women wore there hair long. Only poor women, who had sold their hair for money, had short hair. Only young girls wore their hair down or in braids. Ladies of age wore their hair up in a bun upon the back of their head; not on top and not too close to the base of their head. And when going out they almost always wore a bonnet or hat.

Other accessories worn by ladies were chosen carefully. Reticules were small purses or bags that was worn in the pocket. Sometimes the reticule was elaborately embroidered or even beaded. Glasses were not worn by women often. However, there were glasses, a lorgnette, a pair of lenses with a folding handle, that some elderly women used. There was, even, etiquette with wearing jewelry. It was improper to wear so much jewelry during the day no matter who you were. For daytime wear a brooch or cameo was worn at the collar of a ladies blouse or dress. Lockets or small earrings could be worn for daytime wear. For evening wear ladies wore bracelets, necklaces, earrings and, on some occassions, tiaras.

A little girl cherishes her mothers soft ways, her genteel appearance, her meek tone, her gleaming smile, her proper manners, her selflessness and her inner beauty. Sitting at the foot of Mother's vanity reminds me of my own fantasy of growing up to be just like her.