In researching the history behind the book I'm currently writing (Belmont Book 2, title forthcoming), I came across the most delightful book about beauty. It's entitled Personal Beauty and was originally published in 1870, and written by D. G. Brinton, M.D. and G.H. Napheys, M.D.As the cover claims, it's a "truly ageless Beauty Guide" with everything from (and I quote) "Arsenic-Eating (not recommended) to Wrinkles & How to Prevent Them."
Without further adieu, strap on your corset, and let's get to reading...
THE EYE
Pure and pearly? Are you kidding me? Ah...sorry, no. Minute red veins? Check! Guess I've been "given to excess" to Diet Dr. Pepper. Either that or to "violent fits of passion." Come to think of it, the latter sounds like much more fun. Let's go with that instead.
THE HAIR
Ablution. Don't you love that word? And washing the hair no more than once a week. Can you say "ew?" I'll stick with my every day.
NECK GOITRES
A goitre "an advantage?" Quite essential to beauty? Seriously? And just think, all these years I've tried to avoid those.
PIMPLES
Fatty secretions, dirty and black, grubs!? Major TMI! And "the portion of it at the aperture?" Love how they phrased things. And don't forget that glycerine!
And last, but certainly not least...
THE BREASTS AND WAIST
Firm and elastic, huh? True "hemispheres?" And what is this about distance? Where IS my tape measure?!! Come to think of it, there are some measurements that shouldn't be shared. Or even taken after a certain age. (Do I hear any "Amens!?")
If you're looking for an amusing but also insightful book into how physical beauty was perceived by some in the 1870s, and in how they attempted to achieve it, this is a great book. I found my reproduced copy on Amazon and what a treasure it is. Especially because the book I'm writing touches on––you guessed it––the myth and truth of beauty.
So what's your favorite beauty tip, old or new (as long as it doesn't call for a tape measure)? Do you have a tip that your mother or grandmother passed down to you?
Off to grab some Visine for those violent fits of passion,
Tammy
This is hilarious, Tammy. And gross! Grubs? I totally see where they got that name though. I shutter to think what this gal would say about my um...chest. After nursing four babies, well, never mind.
ReplyDeleteGreat info!
Vickie
Tammy, you are so cute and funny!! I read your post early this morning before dashing off to a hair appointment and errands, but was laughing so hard at your comments I didn't even try to post then. *wink* Speaking of hair...the only beauty tip that's been passed down (that comes to mind at the moment,LOL) is that years ago girls and ladies were told the secret to lovely hair was to brush it 100 times before going to bed. ~ Alas, after having major thyroid issues (resulting in lots of my hair coming out over the years) I'm almost afraid to brush my hair 100 times---I need it to stay attached to my head!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing--I always look forward to the W of Pass. posts from you ladies--whether it's inspiration, history, or humor--you ladies always have great posts!
Hugs, Patti Jo (who regrets complaining about her super thick hair when she was much younger*sigh*)
Your comments brought a smile, ladies. Vickie, love your newest cover, lady. Well done! And Patti Jo, sounds like you're keeping busy today. I agree on that brushing 100 times... I need my hair on my head, not in my brush.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, gals! Appreciate you!
The pasages make me wonder whether people actually talked how they wrote. Love the wording, but will leave the advice. No wonder they needed corsets - they probably measured to make sure the dimensions were correct, no? Yikes...
ReplyDeleteLove the post Tammy and crackin' up! LOL Especially with the description of the breasts! LOL Honey, the "hemisphere" stage for me is long gone, I'm more like in the fallen orbs stage! Can I just be real here? LOL So in that case I would have not been beautiful in the late 1800's! LOL
ReplyDeleteMy mother was a fashionista and she taught my sisters and I to never leave the house unless you were perfectly coiffed and dressed with make-up. And we always wore a full girdle with the little tabs on them for the nylon stockings we had to wear when getting dressed for school, church or any dress up affair. Oh and the girdle and stocking were worn year round, even in the hot South Carolina summer. She trained us well and to this day I don't feel right leaving the house unless I look "decent". But honey I got rid of that girdle ages ago!
This is wicked funny, Tammy.
ReplyDeleteAs for a goitre being a necessary component of beauty--take it with a grain of salt. (I couldn't resist. Since PJ didn't use the pun, I had to.) Goitres ceased to be a problem once iodized salt appeared.
My hair is very dry, so washing it once a week actually works well for me.
And darling, it doesn't matter how many babies a woman nurses. A correctly fitted and laced corset will create beautiful northern hemispheres and position them so as to achieve the desired location. Take it from someone who owns over two dozen and has laced women of every size and shape into them for classes!
Poor Veronica---I'd far rather wear a corset than a girdle! Surely, there is a special award in heaven for the woman who invented Spanx!
Cathy
I know, Mary Louise. Interesting, huh? ROFLOL, Veronica! I read your descriptions twice just for fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Cathy, I hope the Spanx woman has extra jewels in her crown! ; )
Oh Tammy, I just couldn't let this opportunity pass a second time! Blogger ate my comment or sent it into cyber space, but as it was the wee small hours of this morning(Wednesday for we "Down Underers"..but we're almost into Thursday now!) I was too tired to re submit!
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact I had been giving serious consideration as to how I would perform my "ablutions" on the plane( OH THAT WORD..yuk!) so I would look halfway decent after a 17 hour plane trip. (definitely not guaranteed for MOI!) When I saw your Post, I thought," YES! HURRAH!..Tam to the rescue!..ie until I read your Post! Alas! My hopes and dreams were shattered!LOL!!!
The tape measure I will leave at home..let's face it... It is bad enough stepping on the scales to be weighed in front of the ENTIRE TERMINAL without being measured too! Did someone mention hemispheres?? I'm not sure I have any!LOL. If per chance any one of you happen to see us on our arrival,you will know instantly who we are.
My hair will stick up like Ginger Meggs, so no 100 strokes for me..Security confiscated my hair brush! and NO offence meant to ginger haired people, I hasten to say! I'm brunette/blonde (sort of) LOL! Oh what a pretty picture I paint, for an introduction and arrival to your beautiful Country! Two weeks today...Here we come!YAY!!
This is too funny, Tammy. Love it, love it. Thanks for sharing. :)
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