Beauty trends come and go, but some leave you wondering, “What on earth were people thinking?” Culture, technology, and wild beliefs shaped many historical beauty trends. Lead-based face powder? No problem. Worm-assisted weight loss? Trendy.
It’s easy to laugh about it now, but who’s to say today’s beauty habits won’t look just as odd in the future? Let’s explore some of history’s head-scratching beauty choices.
The Tapeworm Diet (Early 20th Century)
Tapeworms were marketed as a weight-loss solution in the 1900s. The idea? Let a parasite live in your gut and eat for you. The reality? Stomach pain, malnutrition, and more. Doctors eventually shut down the trend, and safer methods emerged.
Now, diet and exercise work without the horror of hosting a living parasite. It shows that some trends deserve to stay buried in the past.
Venetian Ceruse: The Toxic Skin Whitener (16th–17th Century)
In the past, the paler your skin, the higher your status. Venetian Ceruse helped women achieve this, but it came at a cost: it contained lead.
This so-called beauty secret caused everything from skin damage to serious health issues, yet it stayed popular for centuries. Thankfully, modern skincare focuses on healthy radiance, not toxic tricks. Imagine if your favorite products turned out this dangerous!
X-Ray Hair Removal (Early 20th Century)
X-ray hair removal sounded futuristic in the early 20th century. No shaving, no plucking—just sit under radiation, and the hair fell out. The problem? So did skin cells, leading to burns, sores, and long-term health issues.
People eventually caught on, and safer options emerged. Now, there are lasers, electrolysis, and waxing—none of which result in the terrifying side effects of radiation exposure.
The Beehive Hairstyle (1960s)
The higher the hair, the closer to fashion—at least in the 1960s. The beehive was a towering masterpiece of teasing, hairspray, and patience. It looked glamorous but came with a price: tangled knots, endless upkeep, and hair so stiff it barely moved.
Today, most women go for volume without the damage, thanks to lightweight sprays and texturizing powders.
Corsets: The Quest for an Hourglass Figure (16th–Early 20th Century)
Corsets promised tiny waists but at a cost. From the 16th to the early 20th century, women endured bone-stiffened bodices that cinched so tight that they caused fainting, bruising, and even organ shifting. Despite the discomfort, corsets remained popular for generations.
Now, women have stretchy shapewear and body positivity, trading suffocation for comfort. Corsets prove that beauty trends didn’t always consider women’s well-being.
Arsenic Baths for Pale Skin (19th Century)
In the 1800s, women bathed in poison for beauty. Arsenic baths promised soft, pale skin, but they also delivered nausea, muscle weakness, and long-term health problems. The danger wasn’t fully understood then, so the trend continued.
Today, gentler ways exist to brighten skin, from vitamin C serums to exfoliation. It’s hard to believe arsenic was once considered a skincare secret instead of a toxin.
Radium Beauty Treatments (20th Century)
The 20th century had its fair share of questionable beauty fads, but radium skincare tops the list. Face creams and powders boasted “rejuvenating” effects, not realizing the glow came from radiation damage. Over time, users suffered burns, sores, and worse.
Fortunately, today’s skincare relies on safe, science-backed ingredients, proving that a healthy glow doesn’t have to come with dangerous side effects.
Foot Binding in China (10th–20th Century)
For centuries, small feet meant status in China. Girls as young as five had their feet bound, reshaping them into a permanent, painful arch. Walking was difficult, and infections were common, yet the tradition persisted.
Although foot binding was banned in 1912, it continued in some rural areas until the 1950s. While it has ceased entirely today, many older women still suffer from its effects.
Mercury-Based Cosmetics (Ancient Rome – 20th Century)
People used mercury-based beauty products for centuries, hoping for smooth, blemish-free skin without knowing the dangers. Instead, they suffered from poisoning, nerve issues, and other irreversible health problems.
Regulators did not ban it until the 20th century, but the damage was done by then. Now, people have safe alternatives like niacinamide and antioxidants—no heavy metals required.
Burnt Almond Eyebrow Tinting (Ancient Egypt & Rome)
Dark, bold brows weren’t just a modern trend—ancient Egyptians and Romans used burnt almonds to tint theirs. The nuts were charred, ground into powder, and applied for a dramatic, defined look.
It worked, but the soot sometimes irritated the skin. Today, women have pencils, gels, and microblading for long-lasting results. Thankfully, modern brow products don’t require setting anything on fire.
Toxic Hair Dyes (Ancient Rome – 19th Century)
People have been coloring their hair for ages, but early dyes were unsafe. Ancient Romans used lead paste, while 19th-century formulas contained mercury and sulfur. The results? Toxic exposure, scalp damage, and brittle hair.
Thankfully, today’s dyes are much gentler, with options like henna and ammonia-free formulas. Looking back, beauty routines were more about big risks to achieve the perfect look than about considering the effects.
Leeches for Rosy Cheeks (18th–19th Century)
In the 18th and 19th centuries, women used leeches to drain blood from their faces, hoping for a delicate, rosy glow. While the look worked, dizziness, infection, and scarring were real risks.
Leeches still have a place in modern medicine, but thankfully, today’s beauty world relies on blush, skincare, and facials instead of blood loss.
The Bouffant Hairstyle (1950s–1960s)
The bouffant made hair bigger, bouncier, and harder to move. In the 1950s and 1960s, women spent hours teasing, rolling, and spraying their locks into gravity-defying shapes.
It looked glamorous but left hair dry, knotted, and brittle. Today, volume comes from root-lifting sprays and blowouts—not relentless backcombing. Big hair isn’t dead—it’s just less likely to leave your comb stuck in a knotty mess.
Use of Belladonna to Dilate Pupils (Renaissance, 15th–17th Century)
Big, dark pupils were popular in the Renaissance, so women used belladonna drops to achieve the look. The effect was striking, but side effects included dizziness, vision problems, and even poisoning.
Eventually, the trend disappeared, and makeup took over. Today, belladonna is still used in medicine, but as a beauty tool, it’s a relic of the past.
Teeth Blackening in Vietnam (Ancient Times – Mid-20th Century)
Teeth blackening was once a sign of beauty and status in Vietnam. People stained their teeth with natural dyes, believing it strengthened enamel and warded off spirits.
The practice lasted centuries before it eventually faded in the 20th century. Strangely, while many stained their teeth dark back then, most now spend fortunes keeping them white.
