Volumes compiled during the 1700s frequently contained recipes and instructions for creating cosmetics, perfumes, and other personal care products at home. These manuals offered guidance on everything from skincare and hair care to remedies for common ailments, reflecting the era’s understanding of health, beauty, and hygiene. Often handwritten and passed down through families, they provide valuable insight into the ingredients and practices of the period, sometimes revealing social status and cultural beliefs.
Such compilations served as crucial resources in a time before commercially produced cosmetics were widely available. They represent a blend of folk remedies, emerging scientific understanding, and fashionable trends. Studying these historical texts offers a glimpse into the evolution of cosmetic science, the social history of beauty, and the role of women in managing household health. The practices described within these pages illuminate the challenges and ingenuity of personal care in the 18th century, highlighting resourcefulness and the importance of self-sufficiency.
