Monthly Archives: October 2016

DIY Natural Edwardian Mascara Recipe

DIY Natural Mascara Recipe That Works Lampblack Iron Oxide Gum Arabic

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to make your own mascara or liquid eyeliner. It’s an Edwardian recipe for eyelash stain. The recipe is similar to traditional India ink or homemade lampblack calligraphy ink. India ink is made with lampblack, gum arabic and distilled water. The same ingredients which are used for this Edwardian mascara. ‘To Darken the Eyelashes use a little diluted India ink.’ (Three Meals A Day, 1902) Continue reading DIY Natural Edwardian Mascara Recipe

Edwardian White Silk Satin Corset In Progress

I’m sewing an Edwardian S-curve corset in my free time – yay! 😀 I’ve always wanted to have an Edwardian S-curve corset. But it takes so long (more than a year already) – so here are some in-progress-pics before I can show you the finished Edwardian corset.

grommeting edwardian silk corset

I used off-white 100% silk satin, and white cotton twill as lining. The corset is heavy boned with Continue reading Edwardian White Silk Satin Corset In Progress

Edwardian Bathing Costume

Edwardian Bathing Costume

‘Bathing costumes have a combined duty – serviceableness and daintiness. How many girls know how to swim these days? Nearly all of them; in fact, the girl who cannot tumble about in the water is an exception these days.’ (San Francisco Call, 1902)

I love water and I love the Edwardian era: So I made an Edwardian bathing costume! 😀 I think Edwardian bathing suits are cute while still having a modern vibe so that you can still wear them as nautical summer dress today! Continue reading Edwardian Bathing Costume

Homemade Kohl Recipe – Edwardian Black Grease Paint

Homemade Kohl Recipe - Edwardian Black Grease Paint

Black grease paint was used in the Edwardian era as alternative to liquid eyeliner to accentuate the eyes. Grease paint was usually sold in sticks covered in paper, sometimes protected by a cardboard tube. Grease paint sticks looked like wax crayons (here’s a picture of 1930s stick grease paints). This Edwardian black grease paint recipe is from 1916. Continue reading Homemade Kohl Recipe – Edwardian Black Grease Paint

DIY Hairspray Recipe – Victorian Rose Bandoline

DIY Hairspray Recipe - Victorian Rose Bandoline

I was surprised when I found Victorian recipes for hairspray! 😀 In Victorian times, hairspray was called bandoline which was used to set curls. Victorian hairspray was made with quince seeds, gum arabic or gum tragacanth. Here I tried a Victorian recipe for ‘Rose Bandoline’ made with gum arabic and rosewater. Continue reading DIY Hairspray Recipe – Victorian Rose Bandoline

Victorian Turkish Rouge – Liquid Blush Recipe

Victorian Turkish Rouge - Liquid Blush Recipe

Turkish Rouge is a Victorian liquid blush which is naturally tinted with alkanet root. In the Victorian era, Turkish rouge was called ‘the simplest and one of the best’ (A Perpetual Calendar, 1896). Turkish rouge ‘is a superior rouge; it will not rub off, and is in no way injurious to the face.’ (Arts Revealed, and Universal Guide, 1855) Since ancient times, alkanet root was used to color cosmetics: ‘Galen in his time, noticed the root as a cosmetic, and the rouge made from it is said to be the most ancient, as well as the most innocent of all the paints for the face.’ (The Songs of the Seasons, and Wild Flowers of the Months, 1851) The natural liquid blush recipe is easy to make, with just two ingredients. Continue reading Victorian Turkish Rouge – Liquid Blush Recipe