Women have always been icons of beauty, elegance, and grace in society. Living up to these standards hasn’t always been easy, with many women investing a lot of time and money in maintaining their appearance. Continue reading on houstonka.
Throughout history, women have used various beauty tricks and “life hacks” to emphasize their strengths and hide imperfections on their faces and skin.
How did Houston women care for themselves in the past? Were they willing to undergo dangerous beauty procedures to look good?
The Cost of Beauty and Time
Women have always strived to look beautiful, whether in the 18th century, the 20th century, or today. However, while today’s market offers an abundance of beauty products, centuries ago, there were only a few available options. In the past, the beauty industry was not accessible to everyone. Cosmetics and oils were rare and expensive, making them available only to women from wealthy families.
Women from more modest households had to rely on homemade remedies or affordable alternatives to maintain their appearance.
Tried and True Remedies
Houston women can still point to several classic beauty products that remain staples, even though they’ve been around for centuries.
Even centuries ago, Houston women—like many others across the world—used oils not only in the kitchen but also for beauty. Oils were applied to hair for shine and to skin for softness and a healthy glow. It was believed that olive oil could slow aging, moisturize the skin, and improve complexion.
This is one of the safest and most widely used beauty products from the past. In addition to olive oil, women also used coconut, flaxseed, and sesame oils.
Essential oils, valued for both their pleasing aromas and beneficial effects, were also popular. Cedarwood oil, for instance, was a versatile remedy.
Therapeutic oils for the skin were similar to what we now know as petroleum jelly. Houston women used them to treat burns, rashes, irritations, bruises, and scars.
Houston Women in the 20th Century
The 20th century brought significant change to America, from economic crises to periods of growth and prosperity, all of which affected Houston residents.
At the beginning of the 20th century, women enjoyed more freedom in expressing their individuality and style. Bobbed haircuts became popular, along with loose, comfortable clothing that didn’t emphasize the figure or traditional femininity.
Women sought a balance between healthy living and indulging in lively dance parties with alcohol and cigarettes.
After a night of revelry, women would often conceal signs of fatigue or hangovers with makeup. In the 1920s, dark lipstick became a trend—every woman carried red, burgundy, or cherry lipstick in her purse. To add shine to their lips, they used petroleum jelly.
Bright, bold eyes also became fashionable, with women applying homemade mascara. Early mascara recipes involved mixing boric acid, camphor, and hot water. These ingredients were harmful to the eyes, but women took the risk in the name of beauty.
Around this time, the use of radium in beauty products became popular across the United States. Radium was added to various products, particularly creams, which women believed would prevent skin aging and keep the skin soft.
These creams could be purchased at any Houston pharmacy until it was discovered that they were dangerous. Radium-infused beauty products were legally banned, but it’s worth noting that some radioactive creams remained available in America until the mid-20th century.