Madame Rachel the Notorious Beautician

I was recently reading a story written for the daily mail about Victorian beauty ideals and the interesting character of Madame Rachel. the article initially brings up the idea of how us in our current era will put makeup on from a pubescent age whilst only 150 years ago women that wore makeup obviously were whores or actresses? I wonder if we were on a night out and were transported back to 1840 what an up raw would created. Its a strange comparison from our last project of The Elizabethans who would literally cake lead and white vinegar onto their faces for 'Beauty'

The story thought then takes a darker turn about Victorian women that were older trying to stay younger much like we all try to now with plastic surgerys but with a con artist who became extremely popular in Victorian Britain with wealthy women wanting to stay young. Of course as a con artist Rachel; name was actually Sarah Rachel Russell but madame Rachel was taken from Mademoiselle Rachel a famous French actress from the era. The character that this con artist envisioned and played out to her unsuspecting buyers was one of trust instead though she would sell them products that would promise them ever lasting youth; once the products she was selling became more and more popular and sort after from dim upper class ladies her prices sky rocketed. Not only was Madame Rachel selling ridiculous products such as her magnetic rock water dew from the 'Sahara Desert' this off course later on turned out to be a mixture of just water and bran; but Madame Rachel was also a black mailer and involved with prostitution. She caused sandals upon her arrest after revelations not only from her con of a beauty store but also the fact she had been tricking wealthy older customers into falling in love with letters she had written herself. Of course we must ask ourselves who on earth would fall for such tricks; but it seemed people spent fortunes on hopes of ever lasting youth of course though if it hadn't worked the first time who knows what these women were thinking. Being a con artist Madame Rachel was clever in picking her victims she always aimed at aging upper classed women. Clearly feeling delicate with there looks.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-1305730/The-ugly-face-Victorian-beauty-BEAUTIFUL-FOR-EVER-BY-HELEN-RAPPAPORT.html

The article is based on the book by Helen Rapport who has researched in the 'Madame Rachel' story
Amazon wishlist has a new member.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beautiful-For-Ever-Cosmetician-Blackmailer/dp/0099570130