19th century beauty tips

[Reprinted from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter. Click here HERE to subscribe - Ed.]

It is amazing how hard great-grandmother worked at being beautiful. When Barkham Burroughs wrote his Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information in 1889, he devoted a full chapter to the “secrets of beauty.” Here are some excerpts: 

“Bathe often: At least once a week, but if possible, a lady should take a plunge or sponge bath three times a week.” 

“Don’t wash your hair. Water is injurious to the hair. Instead, wipe the dust of the previous day away on a towel. You can also brush your hair during any long, idle breaks in the day. 30 minutes is a good hair-brushing session.” 

“And never, ever wash your face: Simply rub the skin with an ointment of glycerine and dry with a chamois-skin or cotton flannel. One beautiful lady is admired who had not washed her face for three years, yet it is always clean, rosy, sweet and kissable.”