You know, folks, as we flip through the pages of history, it becomes obvious that humanity has always had a… peculiar sense of beauty. Sometimes, you just have to wonder if people from the past ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Is this really a good idea?” From using bird poop as facial cream to using toxic lead for that oh-so-desirable pale complexion, our ancestors sure knew how to redefine bizarre. Get ready, because you’re about to dive into some of the strangest beauty trends history has ever seen!
Our List of Bizarre Beauty Trends
- Foot Binding in Ancient China
In an attempt to achieve the “golden lotus”, a 3-inch ideal foot size, many Chinese women painfully bound their feet, breaking and folding their toes under their feet. No pain, no gain, right? - Radium Face Creams
Back in the 1920s and 30s, who didn’t want to glow in the dark? Literally. Radium, a radioactive material, was thought to have rejuvenating powers. Spoiler: it didn’t. Instead, it had a, well, slightly deadly afterglow. - Lead Makeup
The classic pale look of 18th-century Europe was achieved using a foundation made of lead. Yeah, sure, it might slowly poison you, but hey, beauty is only skin deep, right? - Bird Droppings Facials
Yup, you read that right. Geisha girls in Japan once used nightingale droppings to clean and brighten their skin. I guess one person’s waste is another’s beauty secret! - Arsenic for a Fair Complexion
In the Victorian era, arsenic was consumed to achieve that coveted pale complexion. Because what’s a little poison if it makes you look fabulous? - Leech Therapy
Back in the day, having a leech suck your blood was considered rejuvenating and a way to purify the skin. The original detox, if you will. - Tooth Blackening
In Japan and Southeast Asia, blackened teeth were once a symbol of beauty. It prevented tooth decay and became a status symbol. Remember that next time you’re aiming for those pearly whites! - Mousetail Eyebrows
In Renaissance Europe, ladies plucked their eyebrows into thin lines resembling mousetails. If you’re thinking of reviving this trend, maybe consider naming it something a tad more glamorous? - Snail Slime Cream
While this one has made a comeback in recent skincare routines, the use of snail mucus for skin rejuvenation traces back to Ancient Greece. You’ve got to be a little slow to catch on to this trend! - Belladonna Eye Drops
In Italy, women used drops of belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, to dilate their pupils, believing it made them more alluring. Batting those potentially blind eyes, darling! - Lard Hairpieces
The towering hairstyles of the 18th century? They were often supported with frameworks covered in lard. And you wondered why dogs seemed overly fond of high society women back in the day! - Tapeworm Diet
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, some folks ingested tapeworm larvae to lose weight. These little critters would set up shop in your intestines. Effective? Maybe. Appetizing? Not in the least. - Crocodile Dung Baths
Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that bathing in crocodile feces had anti-aging benefits. Some spa treatments should remain in history, don’t you think? - Urine Mouthwash
Romans thought that Portuguese urine was the best for whitening teeth and freshening breath. Talk about a morning routine with a twist! - Beetle Lip Stain
Cleopatra and her court often used crushed carmine beetles to create a vibrant red lip stain. Putting the “bug” in beauty, one might say!
In conclusion, while our beauty standards might seem relatively sane now, they stand on the shoulders of some wacky trends from the past. These historical tidbits make you appreciate how far we’ve come – and perhaps, wonder where we might be headed next. After all, what seems bizarre today might be tomorrow’s trendsetter. Or, you know, we might just stick with the bird poop.
