The Italian Renaissance, which occurred between the 14th and 16th centuries in Italy, marked a significant transition from the Middle Ages to the era of modernity. This period witnessed remarkable advancements in various fields, including inventions, art, and literature. Interestingly, women during this time actively created recipes to enhance their natural beauty. Women's magazines of the era featured recipes and home remedies to help women secure a place in Renaissance society. Below are authentic recipes used by women during the Renaissance, which not only improved their lives but also gave them a sense of belonging, given the importance placed on beauty during that time.
Recipe number one is a Rose Lip Balm.
This is an ointment with rose oil and wax to heal chap lips and any burning sensation. It's a rather simple recipe that only needing two ingredients.
25 g grated beeswax
100 ml rose oil
Place your oil in a heat-proof bowl that can fit inside a pan. Place the bowl inside your pan of water and bring it to a simmer on low heat. When warm, add your beeswax and stir until it is melted. Pour into small pots or containers and leave to cool. Wipe away any remaining wax; don't pour wax down your drain. It might block your pipes. These recipes make quite a lot of lip balm, so they make excellent gifts for friends and family.
Recipe number two, Honey and Egg Eye Cream
Boil one egg into a hard-boiled egg and let it cool.
Take out the yolk and crush it with one spoonful of honey.
Mix until the consistency is like a paste. Rub this into the skin, mainly around the eyes, and leave it on for 5 minutes. Wash off with warm water. This was used to make dark marks disappear or to regulate uneven coloring. Honey and eggs are both known to leave the skin hydrated and soft.
Knowledge of cosmetics and home remedies were once lost in history since historians at one point weren’t too keen on learning about such things. Renaissance women were quite skilled in the chemical process. From making soaps, to distilling face water and making lotions. All of these things were the first steps into modern chemistry and experimental science. They weren’t just wizards mixing random things in a pot, but humans using the chemical processes to create cosmetics that we still use today.
Sources and more information
Burke, Jill. “How to Be a Renaissance Women: The Recipes.” How to Be a Renaissance Women: The Untold History of Beauty & Female Creativity , Wellcome Collection, London, UK, 2023, pp. 236–251, https://www.everand.com/book/688475166/How-to-Be-a-Renaissance-Woman-The-Untold-History-of-Beauty-Female-Creativity?
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