Marci Jefferson
  • Home
  • About Marci
  • Enchantress of Paris
  • Girl on the Golden Coin
  • Blog

Historical Novel Society Conference 2013

March 6, 2013

by Marci Jefferson

Historical Novel Society Conference 2013

  I have to halt posting about seventeenth century cosmetics for a moment. Why? Because…

Where to Begin…

February 21, 2013

by Marci Jefferson

Time to deliver on the goods. I promised meaty details on cosmetics in the seventeenth century, and today…I’m trying to decide where to begin. When I started researching for THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, it was difficult to find information on the web about makeup during Restoration Period England. I quickly discovered the reason for this - there isn’t a ton of information out there in the first place. The 1600’s were rather eventful. England split into Royalist and Parliamentarian factions and proceeded to bludgeon each other during the Civil Wars. These ended in 1649 when Parliament executed the head of the Royalists, King Charles the First. Royalists fled into exile, and the Puritan head of the Parliamentarians, Oliver Cromwell, took it upon himself to rule England as a Commonwealth for the next eleven years. Apparently Puritan rulers are pretty drab, because England got sick of the situation and invited the heir to the throne, Charles the Second, home. They called this the Restoration of the Monarchy, and legendary partying ensued. Throughout this upheaval, there were necessary changes in access and attitudes toward cosmetics. Wars shorten supply. Puritans denounce artifice. Restored Monarchs revel in it. Despite the confusion, time was kind enough to preserve family letters, paintings, records left by herbalists, plays, poetry, woodcut illustrations, and extant cosmetic containers to help us. So as you read future posts on this blog about gross ingredients (puppy dog fat!), odd elements (mooches and plumpers!), and strange practices (forehead shaving!), keep context in mind! We’re going to jump around through the decades mentioned above to get an understanding of beauty trends in the seventeenth century. Gerrit Dou: A young woman at her toilet, 1667

Time to deliver on the goods. I promised details on cosmetics in the seventeenth century,…

What I’m Kissing With This Month

February 14, 2013

by Marci Jefferson

Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Naked Plum

When I finally decided to start blogging, one of my critique partners asked what I…

One Toe in the Water

February 11, 2013

by Marci Jefferson

One Toe in the Water

For the whole of my five year-long writing life, everyone asked me the same question….

« Previous 1 2 3

Books by Marci Jefferson


Learn more or purchase now


Learn more or purchase now

Social Connections

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Add your email below. A confirmation email will be sent to you!

Categories

  • Blog
    • Cosmetic Compulsion
    • Fifteenth Century
    • Historical Fiction
    • Recipes
    • Restoration England
    • Seventeenth Century
    • This Writer's Life
    • WWI
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • April 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013

Twitter

Tweets by @marcijefferson

Copyright © 2024 Marci Jefferson.

Powered by WordPress and Florence. Created by Brian Mowell