10 Unbelievable and Disturbing Beauty Trends From History
Throughout history, beauty standards have evolved drastically, and some of the practices people followed to enhance their appearance might shock us today.
From bizarre rituals to life-threatening methods, people have gone to extreme lengths to achieve beauty ideals dictated by their culture and time.
The Greek Unibrow
In ancient Greece, beauty was often associated with a monobrow, or unibrow. Rather than the thin, sculpted brows that are popular today, a thick, unbroken line of hair above the eyes was considered a mark of purity, intelligence, and high status.
Women with natural unibrows were seen as especially desirable, as they were thought to be more virtuous and wise.
Those without the natural feature would resort to drastic measures to replicate it, such as applying soot or resin to the area.
The “Blue Vein” Look of Pre-Revolution France
Before the French Revolution, the aristocracy was obsessed with pale skin as a sign of wealth and social status. The idea was that pale skin indicated you were wealthy enough to avoid outdoor labor.
To accentuate this look, the upper class began coloring their veins with blue ink, making them appear more prominent through their translucent skin.
The Codpiece
The codpiece, a piece of cloth or leather worn to cover the male genital area, was a trend that spanned several centuries, most notably in 15th-century England.
As part of a fashion trend that emphasized masculine strength and wealth, codpieces were often padded, decorated with jewels, and made of fine materials such as velvet and silk.
These garments became especially extravagant during the reign of Henry VIII, who famously wore codpieces that were often overly large, drawing attention to the area they covered.
Gladiator Sweat
In Ancient Rome, the bodily fluids of gladiators were believed to have potent properties. Women in particular would purchase vials of sweat collected from gladiators after their brutal bouts and use it as a moisturizer.
The idea was that sweat carried the strength and virility of the gladiators, and that applying it to their skin could improve women’s complexion.
The Tuberculosis Look of the Victorian Era
In the Victorian era, the trend toward pale skin took a disturbing turn. Many women, influenced by the romanticized image of those suffering from tuberculosis, deliberately sought to emulate the frail, sickly appearance of someone with the disease.
The “tuberculosis look” became a symbol of beauty, with women aiming for a pale complexion, red cheeks, and dark circles under their eyes.
Long Fingernails in Ancient China
In ancient China, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, aristocratic women would grow their nails to extreme lengths. These long nails were seen as a symbol of wealth and power, indicating that the wearer did not engage in manual labor.
Protecting these nails became a full-time job, with specialized nail guards made from jade and other precious stones designed to shield and decorate them.
Baldness Treatments in Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptians, particularly men, were very concerned with baldness and sought out various concoctions to reverse hair loss.
One popular treatment involved a mixture of lead, onions, honey, and animal fat, applied to the scalp to promote hair growth.
Another bizarre remedy included crushing animal hooves and mixing the paste with date juice to apply to the scalp. Despite their efforts, these treatments were ineffective and likely caused adverse reactions such as skin irritation or infections.
Ohaguro
In Japan, the practice of blackening teeth, known as ohaguro, was a common beauty trend among the aristocracy, particularly among married women and geishas.
This practice involved applying a black dye made from a mixture of iron, vinegar, and tannins to the teeth. The darkened teeth were considered a sign of maturity, status, and beauty.
The “Baby Look” of Medieval Times
In the medieval period, the concept of beauty was intertwined with innocence and purity, which led to the bizarre trend of plucking facial hair to achieve a smooth, baby-like appearance.
Women would remove their eyebrows and eyelashes entirely, and even shave their foreheads to create a higher hairline.
This “baby look” was considered attractive and adopted by high-status women, including Queen Elizabeth I.
Gargling With Portuguese Urine in Ancient Rome
In Ancient Rome, one of the most bizarre beauty treatments involved gargling urine. Romans believed that the ammonia in urine could help whiten teeth and improve oral hygiene.
The most coveted urine for this purpose came from Portugal, as it was believed to be more potent than that from other regions.
Roman citizens would import Portuguese urine for use as a mouthwash, and the practice became so widespread that Emperor Nero even imposed a tax on the urine trade.
Conclusion
These ten beauty trends demonstrate the extreme lengths people have gone to throughout history in pursuit of beauty.
From unibrows to urine gargling, each of these practices reflects the cultural ideals and social norms of their time. While some of these trends may seem absurd today, they offer fascinating insights into the ever-changing concept of beauty.
In the future, who knows what strange beauty trends will emerge? One thing is certain: people have always sought new ways to enhance their appearance, no matter how bizarre or dangerous the methods may be.
