Fashions in Makeup by Richard Corson and Peter Owen (London, 1972) suggests that it was a popular past time for many ladies of the day to make their cosmetics at home. There were a wide variety of receipts for oils, creams, hair tonics and powders.
According to several accounts, the dull powdered faces one associates witht he eighteenth century is misleading. There are hundreds of receipts for white face paint which was commonly called a varnish. It seems that a shiny face was preferred to a matte finish so one would glow with health in the light of so many candles.
Here are two receipts for varnish which are included for interest's sake ONLY. I do not advise you making and using these at home.
Varnish for the Face, Le CAmus
Put into a bottle twelve ounces of brandy, an ounce of sandarach and half an ounce of benjamin. Shake the bottle often and afterwards let it settle. When you use it, wash your face beforehand and it will give it the ahndsomest lustre imaginable.
Oil of Pearls, Abdeker
Put upon a plate any quantity of pearls and pour over them some good distilled vinegar. When the pearls are dissolved, add a small quantity of gum arabic, keep the solution for use. Wash your face before you bathe it with this solution, which will soon dry of itself. This is the best secrets that have been invented for rendering the face both white and fair.
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