Coco Chanel (Accidentally) Popularized The Tan And 7 More Beauty Facts (PHOTOS)

And 7 other beauty facts you never knew.

The next time you put on a bit of mascara, take a second to think about the ladies of yore (the Victorian era, specifically) who used to whip up a scary-sounding blend of lamp ash and elderberry juice to make a DIY lash darkener of sorts. Back in the Renaissance days -- when pale was the new tan -- women would create porcelain-like facades by dusting on a near-lethal concoction of lead and carbonate.

Oh, how far we've come. Check out those and six other beauty facts that might just give you pause. Do you know of any other bizarro beauty facts? Enlighten us in the comments.

Ancient Egypt: Eyeliner's Utilitarian Origins

Beauty Facts

Want more HuffPost Style beauty content? Check us out on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram at @HuffPostBeauty. (For everything else check out our HuffPost StyleTwitter, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram @HuffPostBeauty.)

Do you have a style story idea or tip? Email us at stylesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE