Arsenic.  Here’s the rub.
 
18th century upwardly mobile chicks would take the arsenic with vinegar and chalk to make their complexion look white.  Makes sense if you are trying to convince high society that you do not work in the fields.  Feels odd though - with the bottles of bronzer I get through in a month - to go pale.  Mary would have rubbed arsenic on her bare skin to bring out a whiter colour.  Too much though and you get a rash of black spots.  Why?  Oh yeah.  Because you’re worth it!
 
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Friday, 11 March 2011