Ageless Beauty

What exactly is Ageless Beauty?

Our ideas and views on what defines Ageless Beauty has changed and evolved throughout history. All you need to do is look through art books, visit a museum or leaf through old beauty & fashion magazines to see how this definition has changed drastically. If you have ever seen a painting by Reubens or Modigliani it becomes apparent that men and women have had very different ideas of what beauty is.

In fact, it was not that long ago and not so far away when the more flesh a woman had to her the more desirable she was to a man. This is the case to this day in many parts of the world: broad hips, girth & voluptous breasts were the ideal. These qualities suggested robust health and ease of child bearing.

In no other period of history has beauty been so artificial than during the eighteenth century. When smallpox affected Europe, it seemed that the dairymaids were immune to its affects, due to most of them having a milder form of the disease, cowpox. Upper class women who survived the illness concealed scars with star & moon shaped patches made of silk, leather or taffeta. They whitened their complexions with powdered lead & roughed & reddened cheeks by rubbing them with leather. Natural eyebrows were replaced by moleskin ones and massive elaborate hairdos, held in place with lard, made perfect nests for small rodents and lice. Most of this unnatural cosmetic artistry was a method of coping with ill health, lack of personal hygiene and unsanitary living conditions. The early Christian missionarries had deemed bathing as an "evil vanity" which resulted in people of both genders dousing themselves with strong perfume, cutting their hair short to discourage lice and wearing powdwered wigs to conceal their shorter hair. This period ended (thank goodness) with the French Revolution.

By the nineteenth century, the "Natural" look was in. The ideal woman was feminine, slender & pretty. Daily Bathing was in fashion as were delicate perfumes. Hair was worn in a simple coil & rouge & powder were applied lightly. Many cosmetics were made at home with natural ingredients and were designed to correct skin flaws and not to conceal them. By mid-century, this simplicity became much more rigid. The ideal Victorian beauty was much like a china doll, complete with ringlets, and dimples. Makeup was subtle and left to look natural. Painted women were regarded as vulgar or morally lacking. This attitude in part was responsible for keeping married women of this time "in place".

The classic Medieval woman was regarded as a vessel for breeding children. Her eyebrows and forehead hair was plucked to eliminate as much individuality as possible. Her skin was whitened with powdered lead, and her lips & cheeks were red. She had small delicate features and this remained the standard for several hundred years.

At end of the nineteenth century, the great actress Sarah Bernhardt shocked society by touching up her elaborate makeup in public! This ideal Edwardian woman was sensual, voluptous with a rosy glowing complexion. The face was framed by curls and a plumed hat (for attitude!) Pale, delicate skin was carefully protected from the sun's rays. This would be the standard of beauty until after WWII.

By the 1920's makeup was used by all women as a way to break away from Victorian ideals. Brows were plucked and re-drawn with a pencil, the lips were defined with lipstick, which was the invention of the French. As men strongly objected to this new product, it became much more fun to wear, so more women began wearing it, from younger to older generations.

As the twentieth century gained momentum, the female face has frequently been adorned or unadorned in direct defiance of the prevailing standards of femininity. In the Victorian era, the fresh, "Natural" look indicated innocence, deference & submission, yet in the 1960's and 1970's this same look represented a rebellion: It was a direct response to all the "June Cleavers" of the world wearing pearls, pumps (and lipstick) while vacuming their living rooms.

Modern day contemporary women are re-discovering the importance of healthy skin & more natural products that help to keep it that way. We have re-discovered the wisdom of eating right and caring for ourselves, inside and out. We have educated ourselves and know that what you put in your body is equally as imporatnt as what you put on it. We are more aware that some of the chemicals, dyes & perfumes that are added to our foods and cosmetics are irritants and some are even suspected or known to cause cancers-(like those white lead powders of the 18th Century!) We are more likely to use a natural based product then a chemical laden one. We are developing a new definition of Ageless Beauty.

Some of us, out of sheer necessity, and after years of skin problems and mysterious rashes due to chemical sensitivities, have even begun making our own cosmetics in our kitchens. (After years of purchasing "Natural" products, and only finding a few that actually contained and did what they claimed they did, the author of this article is one of those people!) The best way to ensure that what you are putting on your skin is as pure and natural as what you put inside of you, is to make your own cosmetics. Making your own cosmetics is as easy as cooking (sometimes easier) and is a joyous ritual that began long before recorded time. As with cooking, making cosmetics is a skill that will develope with practice over time. Depending on your frame of mind or time available, you can make something simple or more challenging. There are many books and publications on this practice and I have posted a simple recipe here to get you started!

No matter which approach you take, the most important element of being Naturally & Agelessly Beautiful is attitude. That is not a superior "chicks-rule-here-I- am-in-your-face" attitude, but rather a silk over steel, simple attitude of Ageless Feminine Grace. The most Natural, Ageless and the most Beautiful thing you can do, is to be yourself!



Barbara Gini, CMBT, RCYT

©2005-2010
Visionary Publishing



Ageless Body Scrub Recipe...

This simple recipe is a great anti-aging spa treatment for home! Use it 2-3 times weekly for smoothing and detoxifying rough skin! The natural acids in the sugar act as a gentle exfoliant and will reveal newer, younger skin cells. Honey is a natural humectant and will help the skin retain moisture, and the salts and citrus help detoxify and balance oils.

This is an invigorating scrub so rub gently! Works very well backs of on legs, feet, knees & elbows. Not recommended for faces. Do not use right before sun exposure. Exfoliation can cause skin sensitivity. Wait 24 - 48 hours before tanning.
(*WARNING: The oils in this recipe will make the tub or shower very slippery. Please be careful when using!)


Ageless Brown Sugar Body Buff

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup fine sea salt or baking soda
2 TBS safflower, sunflower, sweet almond or jojoba oils
1 TBS shredded glycerin soap or liquid glycerin (optional)
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
1 tsp teaspoon each of grapefruit, lime and orange
juice or * essential oils. (Note: if using these
essential oils avoid exposing skin to direct
sun for at least 24 hours)


NOTE: If you are sensitive or allergic to citrus you can substitute brewed green or chamomille tea or apple cider vinegar.



Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Spoon into a clean jar. Keep tightly covered & store in refrigerator for up to two weeks. Allow to come to room temperature before use. The oil will settle on the top, just stir before using.

To use, wet area to be scrubbed. Using 1-2 Tablespoons at a time, gently scrub the area in a circular motion. Rinse well and move to next area. Bath gloves or a thick washcloth work best for good exfoliation.


Relax and enjoy!

*Any essential oils may be substituted. Please check for sensitivities before using any essential oils! If you are pregnant, please check with your physician or health care provider first.



©2004-2010 Visionary Publishing