6 Weird Beauty Secrets of the Most Beautiful Women in History

Queen Elizabeth I

Secret beauty ritual: “Venetian ceruse” to make her skin look porcelain white

Elizabeth I was the queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. She was a very tolerant queen and her motto was “I see, but say nothing”. She was also known as the Virgin Queen and when she grew up she became celebrated for her virginity. Some historians said that she had a charming personality, making her one of the most beautiful women in history. 

However, just like Nefertiti, Queen Elizabeth I exaggerated her features with toxic chemicals on her skin. She often used “Venetian ceruse”, which was a mixture of lead and vinegar. In general, this substance has helped to whiten the skin, making it look like porcelain. 

When she turned 29, she contracted smallpox which left scars all over her skin. She couldn’t stand the idea of letting people see her skin imperfections, so she used a lot of Venetian ceruse to cover her scars. She definitely looked more beautiful with that kind of makeup, but no one would have recognized her without that paint.