5 Renaissance Beauty Trends and Practices

The Renaissance period, spanning the 14th to the 17th century, was a time of significant cultural, artistic, and intellectual rebirth. It was also a period marked by distinctive beauty trends and practices that have fascinated historians and beauty enthusiasts alike. 

Renaissance Beauty Trends and Practices You Should Know

Here are notable beauty trends and practices from the Renaissance era that highlight the period’s unique approach to aesthetics.

1. The Pursuit of Fair Skin

In Renaissance Europe, fair skin was highly coveted and seen as a sign of nobility and purity. Women went to great lengths to achieve a pale complexion, often using lead-based white face powders known as ceruse. While this dangerous practice achieved the desired look, it came with severe health risks, including lead poisoning.

Additionally, women would avoid the sun and wear wide-brimmed hats or veils to protect their skin from tanning. The emphasis on fair skin was not merely about beauty. It also symbolized social status, as a tan was associated with outdoor labor and the working class.

2. High Foreheads

A high forehead was another beauty ideal during the Renaissance, and it was thought to signify intelligence and nobility. To achieve this look, women would pluck their hairlines or shave their foreheads to create the illusion of a more prominent brow. 

This practice was quite painful and time-consuming, yet it was widely adopted among the upper classes. Portraits from this era, such as those by Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli, often depict women with exaggeratedly high foreheads, reflecting the period’s aesthetic ideals.

3. Delicate Eyebrows

Alongside the pursuit of high foreheads, women also aimed for delicate, thin eyebrows. This trend involved extensive plucking to create a fine, arched shape.

In some cases, eyebrows were completely removed to draw attention to the forehead and eyes. The emphasis on thin eyebrows contributed to the overall look of refined delicacy and elegance that was prized in Renaissance beauty standards.

4. Elaborate Hairstyles

Renaissance women adorned their hair with intricate styles and accessories. Braids, curls, and elaborate updos were popular, often decorated with ribbons, pearls, and jeweled pins. Hair was considered a woman’s crowning glory and was styled to complement the elaborate fashions of the time. 

Blonde hair was particularly fashionable, leading some women to use saffron, lemon juice, or even urine to lighten their locks. Wigs and hairpieces were also used to achieve the desired volume and style.

5. The Use of Natural Cosmetics

Despite the dangers of lead-based powders, many Renaissance beauty practices also involved natural ingredients. Women used rosewater, honey, and olive oil to cleanse and moisturize their skin. Herbs and flowers like chamomile and lavender were common in beauty treatments for their soothing properties.

Rouge made from crushed beetles or plants was applied to the cheeks and lips to add a healthy flush of color. These natural cosmetics reflected a growing interest in botany and the medicinal properties of plants during the Renaissance.

Embrace Renaissance Beauty Today

While many Renaissance beauty practices are outdated and even hazardous by modern standards, the period’s emphasis on natural beauty and elaborate self-expression inspires contemporary trends. 

Today, we celebrate fair skin without the risks of toxic powders, appreciate high foreheads without needing painful hair removal, and embrace natural cosmetics for their gentle and effective properties. The Renaissance reminds us that beauty standards are ever-evolving, and each era brings its unique approach to the timeless quest for aesthetic perfection.

Exploring these historical beauty trends offers insight into the Renaissance worldview and encourages us to reflect on how beauty practices have changed and what we can learn from the past to inform our future.

Cath

Cath initially pursued a Doctor of Medicine degree but eventually shifted her focus to writing. While she remains passionate about health and wellness, she also explores beauty and fashion as a creative outlet. Her diverse interests empower her to blend scientific insight with artistic expression.