Old-fashioned hygiene habits that are anything but clean

Chalk Was Eaten and Used as Face Powder to Appear Pale

Victorian women were so obsessed with appearing pale that they actually ate chalk. It would lighten their lips and give them a ghostly complexion – which was considered beautiful at the time. Additionally, chalk powder was used as a face powder to enhance the effect.

What they didn’t realize, however, was that this fashion was toxic and could be addictive. The pursuit of beauty came at a steep price – with side effects that were anything but glamorous. Thankfully, this trend eventually faded away.