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 keep track.

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. In closing, a work by a Dutch painter from the same period.

Gerrit Dou: A young woman at her toilet, 1667,

A studious historical fiction author and blogger herself, she laughed and laughed.

But I was quite serious. You see, five years ago, when I started the long process of researching and writing THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, I found a gaping lack of information on the web about make-up throughout history. Particularly during the Restoration Period in England. There was a blog post or two. A few museum photographs. But few meaty facts. The main character of my novel was known as one of the greatest beauties at a court where both men and women wore cosmetics. Like most ladies, I myself simply love to have fun with makeup, so I considered it important to get beauty elements right in the novel.

I hit the books. Thankfully, historians before me produced a number of informative guides to the topic. If you decide to follow my posts, you’ll learn lots of nitty-gritty details about cosmetics during the Restoration and through the centuries.

But you’ll also find posts like today’s, where I succumb to one of my personal obsessions and talk about…you got it…lip gloss.

Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Naked Plum

This February I’m wearing a Bobbi Brown favorite. Naked Plum High Shimmer Lip Gloss glides on with a rich and opaque soft mauve-purple that suits green-hazel eyes. With just the right touch of shimmer instead of lacquered shine, and a hint of peppermint, it’s perfectly kissable for the month of St. Valentine’s.

What are you kissing with this month?

Everyone – from critique partners, writing group partners, twitter peeps, and writing instructors – seemed dismayed by my answers.

“I hardly have time to write a novel much less a blog. Blogging doesn’t really promote sales. I don’t want to. I have nothing interesting to say. I’m boring.

They were so dismayed, in fact, some insisted I would never get an agent or a publishing deal without a platform. The encouraged me. They coaxed. They rolled their eyes. When I finally agreed to have an open mind about it, it was a half-hearted shove-off. “I’ll blog when a publisher makes me.”

Well, a few short months ago I landed my first publishing deal with St. Martin’s Press. And today I begin my Great Blogging Adventure. Does this mean my words were prophetic and a publisher is finally making me?

Actually…no. No one is making me. My agent said I didn’t really need to blog. My editor hasn’t ever mentioned it. I just decided…I’m ready to start talking.

About my upcoming novel, THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND. About food. About makeup. About history. About makeup throughout history. About historical clothes. About historical fiction. About writing. About my writing life.

One day I just woke up and realized I have a lot to say after all. The jury is still out on whether I’m interesting or boring. Join me on my new adventure and you can be the judge!