During the 1500 – 1600’s, amongst the European upper classes, having pale skin untouched by the sun was seen as a sign of beauty, wealth and power. At the time there was little science behind skin care so attempts to further the skin – whitening process led to the use of a poisonous mixture of white lead and vinegar called Ceruse, most famously used by Queen Elizabeth.

As the 1800’s drew to a close there was a very strong desire for youthful skin that led to a wide range of beauty products being released, like Madame Rowley ‘s toilet mask. One of the ads for the overnight mask read “recommended to ladies for Beautifying, Bleaching and Preserving the Complexion”. The product didn’t stay in favour for long after people found it suffocated the face and encouraged perspiration.

From 1900 till around 1940 there was a large increase in the number and variety of beauty products and treatments that were trialed, like Raw Meat Facials, radium laced beauty products, freezing freckles off with nitrogen and many other, mostly ill conceived, ideas. Around the 1940’s two ladies started to lead the beauty industry, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein. Salons were opening nationwide and a new era of anti-aging treatments was ushered in.

The glamour bonnet and other helmet like structures came into fashion. Rosy cheeks were also sought after using electronic heated face masks, skin tightening wraps and vacuums Targeting sagging skin and acne. By the 1950’s watching movies in the cinema, and having televisions in their home, exposed women to Hollywood glamour and the attention on this beauty made the focus on physical appearance more important. It’s around this period that a lot of treatments still used today we’re developed and popularized, like steam facials, seaweed wraps and facial mud masks.

Today’s facials have come a long way. Using the latest scientific research and technology they offer a wide range of effective treatments with minimal risk. A lot safer and more reliable then rubbing poison on your face.