How to Apply the Makeup of a Renaissance Woman

One of the most memorable aspects of Renaissance women was their makeup. They had specific tastes in their makeup, which often advertised their class. Follow these tips to apply the makeup of a Renaissance woman correctly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sunscreen or primer
• Light foundation
• White powder
• Kabuki brush
• Red blush
• Red lipstick
• Black liquid eyeliner
• Black mascara
• Skin tone colored eyeshadow

1. Apply a sunscreen or primer to your face. While these two things didn't exist in centuries ago, they will keep your makeup in place and protect your skin. Wait until the sunscreen or primer sets before applying any other makeup.
2. Determine whether you have "warm" or "cool" skin tone like you would when normally choosing makeup. After you have decided on "warm" or "cool," choose the lightest foundation that looks good on your skin and apply it.
3. Set your makeup with a white powder. Renaissance women favored very pale skin without much color in it. Brush a very stark white powder onto your face with a kabuki brush.
4. Blush your cheeks with a vivid red color. Confine the blush to your cheekbones.
5. Decide on lip color. Renaissance women wore shades of dark or rich reds. Stay away from pinks, browns and other colors.
6. Accentuate your eyes with black liquid eyeliner and black mascara. Liquid eyeliner allows you to apply thin, non-smearing lines and black mascara brings out your eyes. Apply eye shadow that matches your skin tone.
7. Draw on a beauty mark somewhere on your cheek. Women in the Renaissance placed false beauty marks on their faces to hide pimples, warts and other types of blemishes.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't find white powder, try regular translucent powder. Apply a fair amount so that it's obvious that powder is on your face.
• Choose your foundation carefully. Some foundations come with orange or pink tinges. These colors do not mix well with Renaissance makeup.
• Remember to read labels and choose the right foundation for your skin type. Oily skin should stay away from creamy or oil-based products.
• Visit a theater makeup shop to pick up the right makeup products.
• Peasants during the Renaissance didn't have money to spend on makeup. To be an authentic peasant, don't wear any makeup. If you absolutely have to wear makeup, keep it very light and natural.
• Don't buy your makeup from costume or Halloween shops. The makeup in these types of stores is usually poorly made and bad for all skin types.