BEAUTY COULD COST YOU YOUR LIFE
Eighteenth-century society hostesses are often portrayed as vain women who were poisoned by their lead-based makeup. The Countess of Coventry, Maria Gunning, was famous for her beauty, but even as she lay dying, it is said that she kept her white lead-containing foundation on her face.
The element was added to beauty products to enhance their appearance before its harmful effects on health were discovered. Although this is a tragedy, the Conversation reported that white lead-based makeup could look natural and beautiful.
